# Save workflows, presets and node defaults

> Reuse work in Nodespell by saving selected nodes as a Workflow, applying presets to nodes, and setting your own default settings for new nodes.

Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/snippets-and-presets/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10

Nodespell gives you three ways to reuse work in the graph. A Workflow is a saved group of nodes and connections you can add to any project. A preset is a named setup for a single node that you apply on purpose. A node default is the set of values every new node of that type starts with.

## Which one should I use?

| You want to…                                    | Use            | Where                                                |
| ----------------------------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Reuse several connected nodes in other projects | A Workflow     | **Workflows** menu › **Save As Workflow**            |
| Apply a named look or setup to a node           | A preset       | Tab menu, Node Browser, or **Presets** in Parameters |
| Make every new node of a type start your way    | A node default | Node right-click menu › **Save as my default…**      |

## Save selected nodes as a Workflow

1. In **Graph**, select the nodes you want to keep.
2. Open the **Workflows** menu in the graph toolbar and choose **Save As Workflow**. You can also right-click a node and choose **Advanced** › **Presets** › **Create**.
3. In **Create New Workflow**, enter a **Name** and, optionally, a **Category**, **Tags**, **Keywords** and a **Description** (Markdown is supported).
4. Optionally add a **Cover** and **Thumbnails** from your image Assets.
5. Click **Create**.

Nodespell saves the nodes, their settings and the connections between them. A Workflow saved from exactly one node is also a preset for that node type.

## Add a saved Workflow to a project

1. Open the **Workflows** menu and choose **Workflow** to open the Workflow browser.
2. Search, or use **Filters**: **Official Only**, **Favorites Only**, **Presets Only**, **Tags** and **Keywords**. Sort by **Relevance**, **Name**, **Category**, **Date Created** or **Update Time**.
3. Click **Use** on a card, or right-click it and choose **Use**, to add a copy of its nodes to the current graph.

Each card shows the node and connection count. Click **Favourite** on a card to find it again with **Favorites Only**. Official Workflows are marked **Official**.

## Apply a preset to a node

Presets set a node's parameters to a saved setup.

- **From your Workflows**: select one or more nodes of the same type, open the **More** menu in [Parameters](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/parameters/), and choose a preset under **Presets**. Presets you saved and official presets for that node type are listed. In the Workflow browser, a preset card also offers **Apply to Selected Nodes** when the selection matches its node type.
- **Built-in presets**: in the [Tab menu](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/add-nodes/) and the Node Browser, nodes with built-in presets show them beneath the node, tagged **Preset**. Choosing one adds the node with that setup.

| Built-in preset        | Node                      |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Warm Contrast**      | Color Correct             |
| **Soft Bloom**         | Glow                      |
| **Soft Halo**          | Exponential Blur          |
| **Speed Streak**       | Directional Blur          |
| **Optical Flow**       | Motion Blur               |
| **Lens Soften**        | Defocus                   |
| **Lower Third**        | Text                      |
| **Animated Grain**     | Noise                     |
| **Vignette Backplate** | Gradient                  |
| **Half Speed**         | Retime                    |
| **RG Displacement**    | STMap                     |
| **Handheld**           | Camera Shake              |
| **Folder**             | Level, set up as a Folder |

## Save your own default settings for a node type

1. Set up a node the way you like it.
2. Right-click the node and choose **Save as my default…** (or **Update my default…** if you already have one).
3. In the dialog, tick the settings to save. You can also save **Appearance** such as color and node size, and the **On-node glance** values shown on the node. Settings you leave unticked keep the Nodespell default.
4. Click **Save default**.

Your default applies to nodes of that type you add from now on, in any project. Existing nodes do not change. For a Creative Tool node, the default can also set the default model.

Some settings cannot be saved, and the dialog lists why under **Can't be saved**: a value that is connected to another node, uses an [expression](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/expressions/), references a project file or other nodes, or is animated with keyframes.

To review, turn off or remove defaults, open **Preferences** (`Cmd/Ctrl+,`) and choose **My node defaults**. **Revert Parameters to Default** in the Parameters **More** menu restores your saved defaults; settings you have not saved go back to the Nodespell default.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between a preset and a node default?

A preset is a named setup you apply on purpose. A node default is applied automatically to every new node of that type you add.

### Do node defaults change nodes I already have?

No. A saved default only affects nodes you add after saving it.

### Who can edit or delete a Workflow?

You can **Edit** and **Delete** Workflows you created. Official Workflows can be used and favourited but not changed.

### Why is Save as my default unavailable?

Select a single node. Defaults are saved from one node at a time, and some node types do not support defaults.

## Related

- [Parameters](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/parameters/): editing, resetting and pinning values
- [Add nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/add-nodes/): the Tab menu and Node Browser
- [Templates and sharing](https://docs.nodespell.com/projects/templates-and-sharing/): publishing work for others
- [Settings](https://docs.nodespell.com/account/settings/): Preferences, including My node defaults
- [Organize your graph](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/organize/): Groups and layout