diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 8ea4175..cde8b3f 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ set(GUI_SOURCES
     src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.cpp
     src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
     src/Gui/Parameters/FloatParm.cpp
+    src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp
 )
 set(ENGINE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES
     src
diff --git a/src/Engine/Operator/Context.cpp b/src/Engine/Operator/Context.cpp
index 49dcde7..e0da77a 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Operator/Context.cpp
+++ b/src/Engine/Operator/Context.cpp
@@ -49,3 +49,19 @@ enzo::bt::floatT enzo::op::Context::evalFloatParm(const char* parmName, const un
         throw std::runtime_error("Parameter weak ptr invalid");
     }
 }
+
+// TODO: cache value
+enzo::bt::String enzo::op::Context::evalStringParm(const char* parmName, const unsigned int index) const
+{
+    enzo::nt::GeometryOperator& selfOp = networkManager_.getGeoOperator(opId_);
+    std::weak_ptr<prm::Parameter> parameter = selfOp.getParameter(parmName);
+
+    if(auto sharedParm = parameter.lock())
+    {
+        return sharedParm->evalString(index);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Parameter weak ptr invalid");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Engine/Operator/Context.h b/src/Engine/Operator/Context.h
index 53782c0..c5f2a9a 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Operator/Context.h
+++ b/src/Engine/Operator/Context.h
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ public:
     Context(enzo::nt::OpId opId, enzo::nt::NetworkManager& networkManager);
     enzo::geo::Geometry cloneInputGeo(unsigned int inputIndex);
     bt::floatT evalFloatParm(const char* parmName, const unsigned int index=0) const;
+    bt::String evalStringParm(const char* parmName, const unsigned int index=0) const;
 private:
     enzo::nt::OpId opId_;
     enzo::nt::NetworkManager& networkManager_;
diff --git a/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.cpp b/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.cpp
index 39bf0a0..b3c60d8 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.cpp
+++ b/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,13 @@ void enzo::nt::GeometryOpDef::setOutputGeometry(unsigned int outputIndex, enzo::
     outputGeometry_[outputIndex] = geometry;
 }
 
+void enzo::nt::GeometryOpDef::throwError(std::string error)
+{
+    std::cerr << "NODE EXCEPTION: " << error << "\n";
+
+}
+
+
 unsigned int enzo::nt::GeometryOpDef::getMinInputs() const
 {
     return opInfo_.minInputs;
diff --git a/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.h b/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.h
index 5f93cda..635be41 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.h
+++ b/src/Engine/Operator/GeometryOpDef.h
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ public:
     virtual void cookOp(op::Context context) = 0;
     geo::Geometry& getOutputGeo(unsigned outputIndex);
 
+    void throwError(std::string error);
+
     unsigned int getMinInputs() const;
     unsigned int getMaxInputs() const;
     unsigned int getMaxOutputs() const;
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/FloatType.cpp b/src/Engine/Parameter/FloatType.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index ba07bee..0000000
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/FloatType.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-#include "Engine/Parameter/FloatType.h"
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/FloatType.h b/src/Engine/Parameter/FloatType.h
deleted file mode 100644
index da6c7d8..0000000
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/FloatType.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#include "Engine/Parameter/Type.h"
-
-// namespace enzo::prm
-// {
-// class FloatType
-// : public Type
-// {
-// public:
-
-// };
-// }
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp b/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
index ba98854..4801740 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ enzo::prm::Parameter::Parameter(Template prmTemplate)
 : template_{prmTemplate}
 {
     floatValues_ = std::vector<bt::floatT>(prmTemplate.getSize(), prmTemplate.getDefault());
+    stringValues_ = std::vector<bt::String>(prmTemplate.getSize(), "default");
     std::cout << "created new parameter: " << prmTemplate.getName() << "\n";
 }
 
@@ -23,21 +24,33 @@ enzo::bt::floatT enzo::prm::Parameter::evalFloat(unsigned int index) const
     return floatValues_[index];
 }
 
+enzo::bt::String enzo::prm::Parameter::evalString(unsigned int index) const
+{
+    if(index >= stringValues_.size())
+        throw std::out_of_range("Cannot access index: " + std::to_string(index) + " for parameter: " + getName());
+    return stringValues_[index];
+}
+
+
+
 enzo::prm::Type enzo::prm::Parameter::getType() const
 {
     return template_.getType();
 }
 
-enzo::bt::String enzo::prm::Parameter::evalString() const
-{
-    return stringValue_;
-}
 
 void enzo::prm::Parameter::setFloat(bt::floatT value, unsigned int index)
 {
-    std::cout << "accessing at: " << index << "\n";
-    std::cout << "size: " << floatValues_.size() << "\n";
+    if(index >= floatValues_.size())
+        throw std::out_of_range("Cannot access index: " + std::to_string(index) + " for parameter: " + getName());
     floatValues_[index] = value;
     valueChanged();
 }
 
+void enzo::prm::Parameter::setString(bt::String value, unsigned int index)
+{
+    if(index >= stringValues_.size())
+        throw std::out_of_range("Cannot access index: " + std::to_string(index) + " for parameter: " + getName());
+    stringValues_[index] = value;
+    valueChanged();
+}
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.h b/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.h
index 033d0ba..ec25093 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.h
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.h
@@ -10,16 +10,19 @@ class Parameter
 public:
     Parameter(Template prmTemplate);
     std::string getName() const;
-    bt::floatT evalFloat(unsigned int index=0) const;
-    bt::String evalString() const;
     enzo::prm::Type getType() const;
+
+    bt::floatT evalFloat(unsigned int index=0) const;
+    bt::String evalString(unsigned int index=0) const;
     
     void setFloat(bt::floatT value, unsigned int index=0);
+    void setString(bt::String value, unsigned int index=0);
+
     boost::signals2::signal<void ()> valueChanged;
 private:
     Template template_;
     std::vector<bt::floatT> floatValues_;
-    bt::String stringValue_ = "";
+    std::vector<bt::String> stringValues_;
 
 };
 }
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
index 58d3092..6a7ba40 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 #include "Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.h"
 #include "Engine/Types.h"
 #include "Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.h"
+#include "Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h"
 #include <qboxlayout.h>
 #include <QLabel>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <qlabel.h>
+#include <string>
 
 
 enzo::ui::AbstractFormParm::AbstractFormParm(std::weak_ptr<prm::Parameter> parameter)
@@ -47,9 +49,21 @@ enzo::ui::AbstractFormParm::AbstractFormParm(std::weak_ptr<prm::Parameter> param
                 connect(slider2, &AbstractSliderParm::valueChanged, this, [this](bt::floatT value){this->changeValue(value, 1);}); 
                 connect(slider3, &AbstractSliderParm::valueChanged, this, [this](bt::floatT value){this->changeValue(value, 2);}); 
                 break;
+            }
+            case prm::Type::STRING:
+            {
+                StringParm* stringParm = new StringParm();
+
+                connect(stringParm, &StringParm::valueChanged, this, [this](bt::String value){this->changeValue(value, 0);}); 
+
+                mainLayout_->addWidget(stringParm);
+
+                break;
+
+
             }
             default:
-                throw std::runtime_error("Parameter panel: paremeter type not accounted for");
+                throw std::runtime_error("Parameter panel: paremeter type not accounted for " + std::to_string(static_cast<int>(sharedParameter->getType())));
 
         }
 
@@ -92,3 +106,18 @@ void enzo::ui::AbstractFormParm::changeValue(enzo::bt::floatT value, unsigned in
      
 }
 
+void enzo::ui::AbstractFormParm::changeValue(enzo::bt::String value, unsigned int index)
+{
+    if(auto sharedParameter=parameter_.lock())
+    {
+        sharedParameter->setString(value, index);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        std::cout << "ERROR: parameter no longer exists\n";
+
+    }
+     
+}
+
+
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.h b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.h
index b05e643..2f33178 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.h
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.h
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ public:
 
 protected Q_SLOTS:
     void changeValue(bt::floatT value, unsigned int index=0);
+    void changeValue(bt::String value, unsigned int index=0);
 
 private:
     QHBoxLayout* mainLayout_;
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3265a52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+#include "Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h"
+#include "Engine/Types.h"
+#include <QPainter>
+#include <QPaintEvent>
+#include <QLabel>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <qboxlayout.h>
+#include <qnamespace.h>
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <QLineEdit>
+#include <string>
+
+
+enzo::ui::StringParm::StringParm(QWidget *parent)
+: QLineEdit(parent)
+{
+    // tells qt to style the widget even though it's a Q_OBJECT
+    setAttribute(Qt::WA_StyledBackground, true);
+    setFixedHeight(24);
+    
+
+    // setAlignment(Qt::AlignCenter);
+    // setStyleSheet("background-color: none;");
+    setProperty("type", "StringParm");
+    setStyleSheet(R"(
+                  QWidget[type="StringParm"]
+                  {
+                      border-radius: 6px;
+                      border: 1px solid #383838;
+                      padding: 0px 5px 0px 5px;
+                  }
+                  )");
+
+    setText(QString::fromStdString(value_));
+
+    connect(this, &QLineEdit::textEdited, this, &enzo::ui::StringParm::setValueQString);
+}
+
+void enzo::ui::StringParm::setValue(bt::String value)
+{
+    value_ = value;
+    setText(QString::fromStdString(value_));
+
+    valueChanged(value_);
+
+}
+
+void enzo::ui::StringParm::setValueQString(QString value)
+{
+    value_ = value.toStdString();
+    valueChanged(value_);
+}
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f9b6ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "Engine/Types.h"
+#include <QWidget>
+#include <QVBoxLayout>
+#include <QLabel>
+#include <QLineEdit>
+
+namespace enzo::ui
+{
+
+class StringParm
+: public QLineEdit
+{
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+    StringParm(QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+    void setValue(bt::String value);
+    void setValueQString(QString value);
+
+Q_SIGNALS:
+    void valueChanged(bt::String value); 
+
+private:
+    bt::String value_;
+
+
+protected:
+
+};
+
+}
+
diff --git a/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp b/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp
index 978449e..e0a8253 100644
--- a/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp
+++ b/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include <oneapi/tbb/parallel_for.h>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <string>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string/split.hpp>
+#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 
 GopGeometryImport::GopGeometryImport(enzo::nt::NetworkManager* network, enzo::op::OpInfo opInfo)
 : GeometryOpDef(network, opInfo)
@@ -19,11 +19,27 @@ void GopGeometryImport::cookOp(enzo::op::Context context)
 
     if(outputRequested(0))
     {
-        std::string filePath = "/home/parker/Downloads/Rat_Placeholder_Polycount_12.obj";
-        std::cout << "COOKING IMPORT NODE\n";
-
         geo::Geometry geo;
 
+        bt::String filePath = context.evalStringParm("filePath");
+        boost::trim(filePath);
+        if(filePath.size()<4)
+        {
+            throwError("file path too small");
+            setOutputGeometry(0, geo);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        std::string fileExt = filePath.substr(filePath.size()-4, filePath.size());
+
+        if(fileExt!=".obj")
+        {
+            throwError("File path not accepted: " + fileExt);
+            setOutputGeometry(0, geo);
+            return;
+        }
+
+
         auto PAttr = geo.getAttribByName(ga::AttrOwner::POINT, "P");
         ga::AttributeHandleVector3 PAttrHandle(PAttr);
 
@@ -37,6 +53,7 @@ void GopGeometryImport::cookOp(enzo::op::Context context)
         if(!file.is_open())
         {
             std::cerr << "Failed to open file " << filePath << "\n";
+            setOutputGeometry(0, geo);
             return;
         }
 
@@ -105,6 +122,7 @@ void GopGeometryImport::cookOp(enzo::op::Context context)
 
 enzo::prm::Template GopGeometryImport::parameterList[] =
 {
+    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::STRING, "filePath", 1),
     enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::FLOAT, "size", 1),
     enzo::prm::Terminator
 };