Introduction#

Blender contains different node-based editors with different purposes, so this section only explains how to work with nodes in general. The list below shows the different types of nodes and where they’re documented.

../../../_images/interface_controls_nodes_introduction_example.jpg

Example of a node editor.#

Icon

Name

Description

../../../_images/interface_controls_nodes_introduction_icons-geometry.png

Geometry Nodes

Used for procedural modeling.

../../../_images/interface_controls_nodes_introduction_icons-material.png

Shader Nodes

Used to create materials for objects.

../../../_images/interface_controls_nodes_introduction_icons-render-layers.png

Composite Nodes

Used to edit rendered images.

../../../_images/interface_controls_nodes_introduction_icons-texture.png

Texture Nodes

Used to create custom textures.

Editor Interface#

Toolbar#

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

Adding Nodes#

Reference

Menu:

Add

Shortcut:

Shift-A

Nodes are added via the Add menu in the editor’s header or using a keyboard 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 of 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 then be moved and placed.