Procedural Compositing with ConnectFX > Customizing the Tools Bin >

# About ConnectFX Node Bins

In ConnectFX, a node is a graphical representation of a function or effect that affects a clip or another node in the process tree. The available nodes are organized in bins that contain all nodes required for building a process tree. The nodes are divided into the following three groups, classified by tabs.

To access the ConnectFX node bins, click the FX Nodes button. To add a node from the node bin to the schematic, double-click a node, or drag a node directly to the schematic. Enable Stereo Mode to add stereo nodes to the schematic.

## I/O Bin

In ConnectFX, the I/O bin includes nodes for importing and working with source files. Available nodes are Read File, MUX, and Back Clip. By default, a CFX Output node is automatically connected to a ConnectFX process tree.

Node | Description
--- | ---
Read File | Import clips in any supported formats from any available location. Use to import multi-channel clips such as OpenEXR, or metadata rich clips such as RED clips.
MUX | The MUX node is a schematic tool that helps create cleaner schematics by allowing you to have multiple outputs from one input. It incorporates the hiding of connections to prevent schematic connection overlaps.
Back Clip | The Back clip node enables you to create composites and effects in ConnectFX, when using the Generate Adjustment Segment option from the timeline.

You cannot customize the I/O bin.

## Tools Bin

The Tools bin contains effects and formatting nodes classified by tabs. The All Nodes tab contains all nodes except the nodes found in the I/O bin. The other tabs in the Tools bin allow you to create and customize bins.

Some of the nodes in the All Nodes bin are duplicated in other bins according to a preset tab classification. For example, the Gradient node is found in both the Colour and Comp bins.

The nodes in the Tools bin are listed in alphabetical order from top to bottom of each row. You can customize any of the bins and preset tabs in the Tools bin except the All Nodes bin.

Enable the Stereo Mode button below the Tools bin to access only stereo nodes (nodes not available as stereo nodes are greyed out).

TipUse the scroll bar under the applicable bin to scroll through all available nodes. You can also frame and highlight all the nodes starting with the same letter by pressing the key corresponding to this first letter on your keyboard while the cursor is sitting over a node bin. For example: pressing "K" while hovering the cursor above the All Nodes bin automatically highlights all of the Keyer nodes.

## User/Project Bin

The User/Project bin contains custom nodes classified by a User tab and a Project tab. Use this bin to save custom setups per user or project.