Introduction

The different node editors are used to work with node-based workflows. Each node editor type has its own specific purpose. Therefore, this section only explains how to work with nodes in general. In the list below it shows a list of different types of node trees and where each is documented.

Example of a node editor.

Icon	Name	Documentation
	Shader Nodes	Documentation is in the Render section.
	Composite Nodes	Documentation can be found in the Compositing section.
	Texture Nodes	Texture Nodes are covered in the UV editor docs.

Editor Interface

Header

The Header contains various menus, buttons and options, partially based on the current node tree type.

Common node editor header options.

View

This menu changes your view of the editor.

Select

This menu allows you to select a node or groups of nodes.

Add

This menu allows you to add nodes.

Node

This menu allows you to do things with selected nodes.

Use Nodes

Tells the render engine to use the node tree when computing the material color or rendering the final image, or not. If not, the tree is ignored. For materials, this is mostly a legacy option, because in the past materials could not be created with node trees.

Use Pinned

When enabled, the editor will retain the material or texture, even when the user selects a different object. A node tree can then be edited independent of the object selection in the 3D Viewport.

Parent Node Tree

This button allows you go to parent node tree e.g. leaving a group.

Snapping

Change options for snapping node positions to achieve a cleaner node tree layout.

Overlays

Overlays are information that is displayed on top of the nodes and node trees. There is a toggle to show or hide all overlays for the node editor next to the overlay popover.

Wire Colors

Color node links based on their connected sockets.

Context Path

Display breadcrumbs in the upper left for the current node tree’s datablock location.

Annotations

Displays Annotations in the preview region.

Toolbar

The Toolbar contains a set of tools that can be used in the node editor.

Sidebar

The Sidebar region contains properties for the current selected node as well as node editor specific settings.

Navigating

Navigating the node editors is done with the use of both mouse movement and keyboard shortcuts.

Pan MMB

Move the view up, down, left and right.

Zoom Ctrl-MMB, Wheel

Move the camera forwards and backwards.

Frame Selected NumpadPeriod

Adjusts the zooms to fit only the selected nodes in the view.

Frame All Home

Adjusts the zoom to fit all nodes in the view.

Adding Nodes

Reference

Menu

Add

Shortcut

Shift-A

Nodes are added via the Add menu which can be accessed from the Editor’s Header or using shortcut.

Nodes can also be added by dragging a connection from an existing node’s input or output socket and dropping the connection above an empty space instead connecting to another socket. This action will open a search menu with a list of compatible nodes and their sockets that can be added and connected to the existing node. Confirming the menu selection will add the node which can be moved and placed in the node tree space.