# Revise an image or shot without starting over

> Edit, vary, rerun, and switch models in Nodespell while every earlier take stays available, so one change never costs you the work around it.

Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/recipes/revise-without-starting-over/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10

Revising in Nodespell means changing one step of a graph while everything else stays as it was. Each node keeps its results as numbered takes, edits and variations become new nodes downstream of the original, and switching models creates a branch instead of overwriting. This recipe shows the four ways to revise: edit, vary, regenerate and choose takes, and branch to another model.

**What you need**

- A Project with at least one generated result you want to improve, such as an image from [Make your first image](https://docs.nodespell.com/start/first-image/).
- A clear note of what should change and what must stay the same.
- Credits for any new generation. Reusing existing takes is free.

**Graph at a glance:** Original node → Image Editor or Variations (new node) · original node → more takes → **Use Take** · original node → model branch (new node)

> **Where credits are spent:** Only generation uses credits: a new edit, a new variation, new takes, or a branch run. Choosing a take, keeping one, or running with existing takes does not. On paid plans, the Create composer and the run button show an estimate before you run.

## Stage 1: Make a targeted edit

Use Image Editor when the image is nearly right and one thing must change.

1. In **Create**, choose **Image Editor**.
2. In **Source image**, select **Choose assets** and pick the result, then select **Use selection**. In Graph you can instead connect the original node's output to the Image Editor source input.
3. In **Prompt**, describe only the change and what must stay, for example "Replace the mug with a glass. Keep the lighting, framing, and table unchanged."
4. Select **Edit**.

The edit is a new node. The original image and its takes are untouched, so you can compare before and after by selecting both nodes; the Design panel shows two selected images as A and B. See [Image Editor](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/image-editor/).

## Stage 2: Try a variation

Use Variations for a new angle or a directed change that keeps the subject consistent.

1. In **Create**, choose **Variations** and set **Source image** to the result.
2. Choose a **Variation mode**:
   - **Reframe** — choose a new framing or camera angle in **Shot type**, such as **Close-up**, **Low angle**, or **Over-the-shoulder**.
   - **Custom** — write **Variation instructions** that say what should change and what should stay consistent.
3. Set **Generations** to try several at once, then select **Generate**.

See [Variations](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/variations/).

## Stage 3: Generate more takes and choose the best one

When the settings are right but the result is not, ask the same node for more takes. Every run of a node adds a numbered take; earlier takes stay.

1. In **Graph**, select the node.
2. Open **Run options** (the arrow beside the run button) and choose a batch such as **Generate 3 takes**, or select the primary button, which reads **Generate** when it will make one new take.
3. When the takes finish, open **Takes** beside the run button, or right-click the node and choose **Takes…**.
4. Select a take tile to preview it. Previewing never changes the output.
5. Select **Use Take** with its number to make it the node's output. Select **Back to the take in use** to cancel a preview.

The **More take actions** menu controls what happens on later runs:

| Action              | What it does                                                                                            |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Keep this take**  | The node stays on this take. New takes are added to the history but do not replace it.                  |
| **Follow latest**   | The node always uses the newest successful take.                                                        |
| **Pin to a branch** | Adds a node below the original that always outputs this take, so you can build a separate path from it. |
| **Delete Take**     | Removes the take from the history after checking what uses it. Deleting does not refund credits.        |

See [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) for every take control.

### Rerun downstream work without regenerating

To refresh downstream nodes using what you already have, open **Run options** and choose **Run with existing takes**. Nodespell shows "Uses the takes you already have. Nothing is charged." For finer control, choose **Plan this run…** and set each node to **Reuse** or **Generate**. See [Run nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/run-nodes/).

## Stage 4: Branch to a different model

Switching the model of a node that has already run creates a branch, so the original node, its takes, and everything connected after it stay as they are.

1. In **Create**, select the node you want to try on another model.
2. Pick a different model in the model picker.
3. In **Create a model branch?**, review which settings and connections are **Preserved** and which are **Not copied**.
4. Select **Create branch draft**. Select **Keep current model** to cancel.
5. Adjust any settings the new model needs, then select **Generate**.

The draft "will create a new downstream model node; the previous node remains unchanged." If some settings cannot carry over, Nodespell lists them, for example **Image size** or **Aspect ratio**. See [Branch and switch presentation](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/branch-and-switch-presentation/).

## Check the result

- Select the original node and the revision together to compare them as A and B in the Design panel.
- Check the **Uses** label in the node's takes: **Latest** means it follows new takes, **Kept take** means it stays put.
- Confirm downstream nodes show the output you expect before you run anything paid after them.

## Variations

- **Save a checkpoint first.** Before a large restructure, save a Project Snapshot so you can return to the whole graph. See [Projects and snapshots](https://docs.nodespell.com/projects/projects-and-snapshots/).
- **Revise video the same way.** Modify Video and Extend Video also create new nodes from a source clip; see [Extend a shot](https://docs.nodespell.com/recipes/extend-a-shot/).
- **Compare several models at once.** Feed one prompt into several model nodes; see [Compare models side by side](https://docs.nodespell.com/recipes/compare-models-side-by-side/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does generating a new take delete the old one?

No. Every run adds a numbered take and the earlier takes stay in the node's history until you delete them.

### Why did my chosen take get replaced after the next run?

The node was following the latest take. Open **More take actions** and choose **Keep this take** so new takes are added without replacing it.

### Does changing the model overwrite my node?

Not for a node that has already run. Nodespell asks **Create a model branch?** and makes a new node, leaving the original and its takes unchanged.

### Is choosing a different take charged?

No. Using, keeping, or previewing a take, and **Run with existing takes**, do not generate anything and are not charged.

### Can I get credits back by deleting a take?

No. Nodespell states that deleting doesn't refund credits or free storage, and it can't be undone there.

## Related

- [Takes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/takes/) — preview, use, keep, pin, and delete takes
- [Run nodes](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/run-nodes/) — what runs, what is reused, and run plans
- [Branch and switch presentation](https://docs.nodespell.com/graph/branch-and-switch-presentation/) — model branches in detail
- [Image Editor](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/image-editor/) — instruction-led edits
- [Variations](https://docs.nodespell.com/creative-tools/variations/) — reframes and custom variations