Getting Started > Schematic Basics >
Adding Nodes

In the Wipe Editor, Garbage Mask, and Distort, you add nodes to the schematic from the Node box. In the Wipe Editor and Garbage Mask, you use Axis and Geom nodes to create wipes and garbage masks. In Distort, you use Axis and Spline nodes to morph or warp an object.

In these schematics, Axis nodes control the position, rotation, and scaling of masks and splines. Geom nodes contain information about how the mask affects the image (softness, opacity, alpha, shape, and axis offset). The Spline node is used to select the spline itself, including all of its points.

In Action, Batch, and the Modular Keyer, you add a node to the schematic from a node bin. In the Batch and the Modular Keyer flow graph schematics, nodes represent an effect or process. In the Action scene-based schematic, nodes represent the type of object you can add to a scene. Refer to the following for information on how to add nodes from the node bin:

- For Action, see Using the Node Bin.
- For Batch, see Adding Nodes to the Schematic.
- For the Modular Keyer, see Adding Nodes to the Pipeline.

To add a node from the Node box:

1. Select a node type from the Node box.

   Select: | In: | To add:
   --- | --- | ---
   Axis | Wipe Editor, Garbage Mask, or Distort schematic | An Axis node.
   Geometry | Wipe Editor or Garbage Mask schematic | A Geometry node parented by an Axis node. Note that you cannot add a Geometry node without an Axis node.
   Spline | Distort schematic | A Spline node parented by an Axis node. Note that you must have the image window (and not the schematic) selected to add a Spline node.

2. Click Add.

   The object is added to the scene and a node representing the object is added to the schematic.

   When a Geometry node is added to the schematic, an Axis node is also added and the Geometry node is automatically linked to the Axis node.

   As well, adding a Geometry or Spline node automatically activates Create mode (for drawing splines or masks).

   In the following example, a Geometry node is added to the Garbage Mask schematic.

   (a) Axis in scene corresponds to Axis node in schematic (b) Create mode for drawing mask (c) Geometry node is automatically linked to Axis node

3. If you added a Geometry or Spline node, create your mask or spline in the scene. In the following example, a garbage mask is drawn in the scene. For information on creating splines, see Distort.

   (a) Geometry node controls how the mask affects the image (b) Axis node controls the position and size of the mask