The canvas and nodes

A workflow is a set of nodes on the canvas. Each node does one task, such as “make an image” or “rig a model”. Links carry the results of one node to the next node.

For a first look at the canvas, see A tour of the canvas.

The parts of a node

A Generate Image node with its title, ports, settings, state and result

features/canvas-and-nodes-node

Part	What it shows
Title	The name and the icon of the node. A lock icon shows that the node is locked.
Inputs	The ports on the left side. They take results from other nodes.
Outputs	The ports on the right side. They give the results of the node.
Settings	A short list of the settings of the node, such as Provider and the size. Change them in the inspector.
State	The run state of the node, such as Running or Done. See Run nodes.
Result	A preview of the result, such as an image, a video, a model or text.
Problems	A red list of what you must fix before the node can run.

Find a node

The node list shows every node in categories, such as Image, Model and Animation. Type in Search tools to find a node by name.

See every node, with its inputs, outputs and providers, in Nodes.

Ports and links

Each port has a type, such as Text, Image, Video or Model. You can link an output to an input of the same type. Some other types also fit. See the link rules in Nodes.

Mark	Meaning
Red `*` on an input	The input must have a link before the node can run.
Dimmed input	The provider of the node does not read this input with the current settings.
Dashed link	tabletop converts the file to the format that the input takes.

To remove a link, click it and press ⌫ on Mac or Delete on Windows or Linux.

A node with a required input, a dimmed input and a dashed link

features/canvas-and-nodes-ports

Change the settings of a node

Click the node. The inspector opens.
Open the Params tab.
Change the settings, such as the prompt or the size.

The inspector also has the Run tab and the Versions tab. See Run nodes and The library and versions.

The Params tab of the inspector for a Generate Model node

features/canvas-and-nodes-params

Fix the problems of a node

A node with a problem has a red border. The node lists each problem in red.

Problem	What to do
“Fill in” a setting	Type a value for that setting in Params.
An input “needs a link”	Link an output of another node to that input.
An input “takes one link”	Remove the other links to that input.
“The workflow contains a cycle”	Remove a link, so that no node feeds back into itself.

Look at a result

The node shows its result. Use the buttons on the result:

Button	What it does
Full screen	Opens the result in a large window. In that window, Download saves the files to your computer.
Copy	Copies a text result.
Play and Pause	Play the animation of a model or a sprite. A video has its own play controls.
Filter	On an image or a video: Smooth or Nearest. Nearest shows each pixel as a hard square, for pixel art.

A model result shows a 3D model view. Drag to turn the model. Use the buttons of the view:

Button	What it does
Textured, Wireframe, Normals	Change how the model looks.
Lit	A light follows the pointer.
Skeleton	Shows the bones of a rigged model.
Reset view	Moves the view back to the start.

A model result on a node with the Textured, Wireframe, Normals, Lit, Skeleton and Reset view buttons

features/canvas-and-nodes-model-view

Copy, clone and delete nodes

Do this	How
Clone a node with its settings	Select it, then click Clone on the canvas bar, or press `⌘D` on Mac or `Ctrl+D` on Windows or Linux.
Copy nodes	Select them, then press `⌘C` on Mac or `Ctrl+C` on Windows or Linux.
Paste nodes	Press `⌘V` on Mac or `Ctrl+V` on Windows or Linux. You can paste in another workflow.
Delete nodes	Select them, then press `⌫` on Mac or `Delete` on Windows or Linux.
Undo your last change	Press `⌘Z` on Mac or `Ctrl+Z` on Windows or Linux.

The results of a deleted node stay in your library. See The library and versions.

To show many nodes as one node, see Templates and groups.

Write a note

A Note is a comment on the canvas, such as the steps of a workflow or a request to your team. It has no ports and never runs.

In the node list, find Note and add it to the canvas.
Double-click the note and type your text. You can use Markdown, such as **bold**, lists and links.
Press Esc or click outside the note to stop.
A note on the canvas next to the nodes that it explains
features/canvas-and-nodes-note

To change the color of a note, select it and click a color above it. To change its size, drag its edges.