Procedural Compositing with ConnectFX >

# Adding and Connecting Nodes to the Process Tree

To add a node from the node bin to the schematic, double-click a node, or drag a node directly to the schematic. There are several ways of connecting clips or nodes together. You can connect them manually or automatically.

## Inserting a Node Between Connected Nodes

1. Drag a node and navigate to the link between two connected nodes. The link is highlighted in orange.
2. Release the node.

The node is inserted, while retaining the input and output connections.

## Connecting Nodes Automatically with Autolink

1. Use the Autolink feature by pressing Optionand dragging a node to another node so their tabs touch.

   Action: Press and hold Shift while dragging the Negative node to the Keyer node

   Result: The Keyer output is the front for the Negative node

## Connecting Nodes Using the Advanced Autolink

1. To distinguish between the various source tabs, use the Advanced Autolink feature by pressing Alt repeatedly while still holding Shift to extend a similarly coloured arm from each source tab (starting with the topmost source tab, and cycling counter-clockwise with each press of Alt). The name of the tab is also displayed above the node. You can then touch the extended arm to the tab you want to connect to.

   Hold Shift and press Alt to extend the Front tab. |
   While still holding Shift, press Alt again to extend the Back tab. |
   While still holding Shift, press Alt a third time to extend the Matte tab. |

   You can also retain connections using this method by releasing the node over an existing connection (when it turns orange).

## Creating a Node Connection Using Tap-Tap Linking

1. Click the tab of the first node or clip you want to connect.
2. Click the tab of the node you want to connect the first node to.

   The nodes are connected.

   NoteIf the first node you click is an Output node, you can add as many subsequent input tab connections as you like. To finish selecting, click anywhere in the schematic work area.

## Connecting Nodes Manually

1. Click the Result tab of a node whose result you want to use and drag the cursor to one of the source tabs of the next node in the process tree.

   An arrowed line is drawn from the node to the source tab. For example, click the Result tab of the Colour Correct node and drag the cursor to the front tab of the Flip node to flip the result of the colour-corrected clip.

## Extracting a Linked Node While Maintaining Connections

1. Press Option+Ctrl and drag a linked node away from the link.

   The node is disconnected and connections between existing nodes are reformed.

## Disconnecting Nodes or Clips

1. Drag the cursor across the connecting line between a clip and a node or between two nodes.

   The arrowed line is cut and the source tab is dimmed.

2. You can cut multiple connections in a single stroke by clicking and dragging over several connecting lines in the schematic.

## Deleting a Node

1. Do one of the following:
   - Right-click a node and choose Delete.
   - Drag a node to the bottom of the screen, and release one you see the garbage can icon.
     TipYou can combine the extract Option+Ctrl and dragging a node to delete it and maintain connections.

#### Topics in this section

- Bypassing Node Inputs
- Adding Notes to the Schematic