Node Editors

Header

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

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.

Pinned

When enabled, the editor always displays the currently selected node tree, regardless of changes in the active object or scene. This allows you to edit a material, texture, or compositor node tree independently of what is selected in the 3D Viewport or which scene is active. Useful when working across multiple objects or scenes but wanting to keep the editor focused on one specific node tree.

Parent Node Tree

Leaves the current node group and returns to the parent node group/tree.

Snapping

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

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.

Reroute Auto Labels

Label Reroute Nodes based on the label of connected reroute nodes.

Context Path

Display breadcrumbs in the upper left corner indicating the hierarchy location of the node tree/group that’s currently being displayed.

Annotations

Displays Annotations in the preview region.

Previews

Display each node’s Preview if the node’s preview is also toggled.

Timings

Display each node’s last execution time. This option is only available for compositing and geometry nodes.

In the context of geometry nodes, see Node Timings Overlay.

Render Region

Displays a border showing the final render region defined in the scene. Space outside the render region appear shaded for reference.

Passepartout Alpha

Controls the opacity of the shaded area outside the render region. Higher values darken the outside area more, making the render region stand out.

Toolbar

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

Select

Select or move nodes and links.

Select Box

Select nodes or links by dragging a box around them.

Select Circle

Select nodes or links by clicking or dragging with a circular brush.

Select Lasso

Select nodes or links by drawing a free-form lasso.

Annotate

Draw free-hand annotation.

Annotate Line

Draw straight line annotation.

Annotate Polygon

Draw a polygon annotation.

Annotate Eraser

Erase previous drawn annotations.

Link Cuts

Delete connections between nodes by drawing a line across the links. See Cut Links for more information.

Mute Links

Mute connections between nodes by drawing a line across the links. Muted links are kept in place but ignored in evaluation. See Mute Links for more information.

Add Reroute

Insert a Reroute Node point on links by drawing a line across them. Reroute nodes help organize complex node trees by redirecting connections.

Sidebar

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

Node

Reference

Panel:

Sidebar ‣ Node

The Node tab in the Sidebar contains properties that control the behavior and appearance of the active node. Available options depend on the node type and the editor.

Node

Name

A unique identifier for the node within its node tree. This name must be unique and is used internally for references.

Label

A custom title displayed at the top of the node. Unlike the Name, this does not need to be unique and is useful for organizing complex node trees.

Color

By default, the node background color is defined by the current theme. Enable this option to override it with a custom color.

Custom colors can provide visual cues to distinguish related nodes or highlight important parts of a node tree.

The preset button next to the color field allows saving and reusing custom colors.

Node Color Specials

Contains Operators related to custom node colors.

Copy to Selected

Copies the color of the Active node to all selected nodes.

Show Options

Shows or hides additional node-specific options in the node header, when available for that node type.

Mute

Temporarily disables the node without removing it. When possible, the node is bypassed and its inputs are passed directly to its outputs.

Propagation Geometry Nodes

Controls which messages from this node are propagated to the parent node group or modifier.

All Messages:

Propagate informational messages, warnings, and errors.

Errors and Warnings:

Propagate only warnings and errors.

Errors:

Propagate only error messages.

None:

Do not propagate any messages.

Properties

The properties that are shown depend on the type of node selected, e.g. a Mix node has different properties than a Mask node.

Custom Properties

Create and manage your own properties to store data in the active node. See the Custom Properties page for more information.

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

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.