hc: trigger navigation fallback if current node is off-screen

 python3.11libs/hc/hcnetworkeditor.py | 27 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/python3.11libs/hc/hcnetworkeditor.py b/python3.11libs/hc/hcnetworkeditor.py
index d414be7..4eb4a96 100644
--- a/python3.11libs/hc/hcnetworkeditor.py
+++ b/python3.11libs/hc/hcnetworkeditor.py
@@ -25,11 +25,29 @@ class HCNetworkEditor(HCPathTab):
 
     def _traversalTarget(self, direction, from_node=None):
         """Find the next node via wire traversal from from_node (default: the
-        editor's current node). up = first input; down = first output;
+        editor's current node). If no node is current or visible, falls back 
+        to the node nearest to the viewport center.
+        up = first input; down = first output;
         left/right = cycle through nodes sharing a downstream child (ordered
         by x-position)."""
         if from_node is None:
             from_node = self.hou_tab.currentNode()
+        
+        # Check if from_node is visible in the current viewport
+        is_visible = False
+        if from_node is not None:
+            # itemRect returns coordinates in network space
+            # visibleBounds returns the viewport in network space
+            if self.hou_tab.visibleBounds().intersects(self.hou_tab.itemRect(from_node)):
+                is_visible = True
+
+        # Fallback to viewport center if no node is current OR current node is off-screen
+        if from_node is None or not is_visible:
+            nearest = self._nearestNodeToViewportCenter()
+            if nearest:
+                # If the current node was off-screen, the first press brings us to the center
+                return nearest
+
         if from_node is None:
             return None
 
@@ -59,6 +77,7 @@ class HCNetworkEditor(HCPathTab):
     def navigateDirection(self, direction):
         target = self._traversalTarget(direction)
         if target is not None:
+            target.setSelected(True)
             self.hou_tab.setCurrentNode(target)
             self._frameSelectionInView()
             self.updateCurrentNodeOverlay()
@@ -213,7 +232,13 @@ class HCNetworkEditor(HCPathTab):
         current node no longer matches the anchor."""
         parent = self.hou_tab.pwd()
         current = self.hou_tab.currentNode()
+        
+        # If no current node, find the nearest one to start the selection
         if current is None:
+            current = self._nearestNodeToViewportCenter()
+            if current:
+                current.setSelected(True)
+                self.hou_tab.setCurrentNode(current)
             return
 
         key = parent.path()