> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trycordage.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Tool Nodes
> Crop, resize, blur, filter, and export images without AI
Tool nodes perform deterministic image operations that don't require AI processing. They're fast, predictable, and use no credits.
## Available Tools
### Crop Tool
Crops images to specified dimensions or aspect ratios.
**Parameters:**
* **Aspect Ratio**: Choose from presets (1:1, 16:9, 4:3, 9:16) or custom
* **Crop Region**: Manually define the crop area
* **Center Crop**: Automatically center the crop region
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image Input] --> B[Crop Tool]
B --> C[Export]
subgraph Settings["Crop Settings"]
S1["Aspect Ratio: 1:1"]
S2["Center: true"]
end
```
**Use cases:**
* Prepare images for social media (specific aspect ratios)
* Remove unwanted edges
* Focus on specific subjects
### Resize Tool
Resizes images to target dimensions.
**Parameters:**
* **Width**: Target width in pixels or percentage
* **Height**: Target height in pixels or percentage
* **Maintain Aspect Ratio**: Preserve original proportions
* **Fit Mode**: Cover, contain, or stretch
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Resize Tool]
B --> C[Export]
subgraph Settings["Resize Settings"]
S1["Width: 1920"]
S2["Height: 1080"]
S3["Maintain: true"]
end
```
**Use cases:**
* Standardize output dimensions
* Create thumbnails
* Optimize for web delivery
### Blur Tool
Applies blur effects to images.
**Parameters:**
* **Blur Radius**: Intensity of the blur (1-100)
* **Blur Type**: Gaussian, box, or motion blur
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Blur Tool]
B --> C[Export]
subgraph Settings["Blur Settings"]
S1["Radius: 10"]
S2["Type: gaussian"]
end
```
**Use cases:**
* Create background effects
* Privacy masking (faces, text)
* Artistic softening
### Filters Node
Applies color and tone adjustments.
**Parameters:**
* **Brightness**: -100 to +100
* **Contrast**: -100 to +100
* **Saturation**: -100 to +100
* **Hue**: 0 to 360 degrees rotation
* **Temperature**: Cool to warm adjustment
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Filters]
B --> C[Export]
subgraph Settings["Filter Settings"]
S1["Brightness: +20"]
S2["Contrast: +10"]
S3["Saturation: -15"]
end
```
**Use cases:**
* Color correction
* Style matching
* Mood adjustment
### Levels Node
Advanced tonal adjustments using input/output levels.
**Parameters:**
* **Input Black Point**: Shadows threshold (0-255)
* **Input White Point**: Highlights threshold (0-255)
* **Output Black Point**: Shadow output level
* **Output White Point**: Highlight output level
* **Gamma**: Midtone adjustment (0.1-10)
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Levels]
B --> C[Export]
subgraph Settings["Levels Settings"]
S1["Input Black: 20"]
S2["Input White: 240"]
S3["Gamma: 1.2"]
end
```
**Use cases:**
* Contrast enhancement
* Dynamic range adjustment
* Highlight/shadow recovery
### Invert Tool
Inverts all colors in an image (creates a negative).
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Invert Tool]
B --> C[Export]
```
**Use cases:**
* Create negative effects
* Invert masks
* Artistic transformation
### Compositor Node
Combines multiple images into a single output with layers.
**Parameters:**
* **Layer Order**: Stack order of images
* **Blend Mode**: Normal, multiply, screen, overlay, etc.
* **Position**: X/Y coordinates for each layer
* **Scale**: Size adjustment per layer
* **Opacity**: Transparency per layer
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Background Image] --> C[Compositor]
B[Foreground Image] --> C
C --> D[Export]
subgraph Settings["Compositor Settings"]
S1["Layer 1: Background"]
S2["Layer 2: Foreground"]
S3["Blend: Normal"]
S4["Opacity: 80%"]
end
```
**Use cases:**
* Watermarking
* Overlays and collages
* Combining AI outputs
### Export Node
Saves workflow outputs to storage. Required for generating downloadable files.
**Parameters:**
* **Format**: PNG, JPEG, or WebP
* **Quality**: 1-100 (for lossy formats)
* **Filename Pattern**: Template for output names
**Features:**
* Triggers workflow execution when run
* Generates downloadable URLs
* Required for webhook outputs
**Usage:**
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Any Image Source] --> B[Export]
subgraph Settings["Export Settings"]
S1["Format: PNG"]
S2["Quality: 95"]
end
```
## Chaining Tools
### Sequential Processing
Apply multiple transformations in sequence:
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Crop]
B --> C[Resize]
C --> D[Filters]
D --> E[Export]
```
Each tool processes the output of the previous one.
### Parallel Processing
Create multiple versions:
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Resize 1080p]
A --> C[Resize 720p]
B --> D[Export HD]
C --> E[Export SD]
```
### Combining AI + Tools
Post-process AI outputs:
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Text] --> B[AI Model]
B --> C[Crop]
C --> D[Resize]
D --> E[Export]
```
Or pre-process inputs:
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Image] --> B[Resize]
B --> C[Crop]
C --> D[AI Model]
D --> E[Export]
```
## Tool vs AI Processing
| Aspect | Tool Nodes | AI Models |
| ---------- | -------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Speed | Instant | Seconds to minutes |
| Cost | Free (no credits) | Uses credits |
| Results | Deterministic | Variable |
| Operations | Geometric/color transforms | Content generation/analysis |
Use tool nodes for operations that don't require understanding image content. Use AI for content-aware tasks like upscaling, style transfer, or generation.
## Best Practices
**Resize before AI processing** - Reducing input size speeds up AI models and saves credits.
**Crop after generation** - Generate at full size, then crop to final dimensions.
**Use live preview** - Tool nodes show real-time previews as you adjust parameters.
**Order matters** - The sequence of tool operations affects the final result. Experiment with different orders.