> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.artnex.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Automate AI Workflows with NodeZen

> A visual workflow builder that lets you chain AI tools together. Drag nodes onto a canvas, connect them, and run multi-step AI pipelines with one click.

NodeZen is a visual workflow builder inside Artnex. You connect AI tools together as nodes on a canvas, define how data flows between them, and run the entire pipeline with a single click. Use it to automate repetitive AI tasks, build multi-step image generation pipelines, or create reusable workflows you can run again and again.

## Navigate to NodeZen

Go to **Tools → NodeZen** in the left sidebar. The NodeZen editor opens with a blank canvas and a node palette on the left.

***

## The editor layout

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Node canvas" icon="layout">
    The central area where you drag, drop, and connect nodes. Supports pan and zoom.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node palette" icon="grid">
    The left panel listing all available node types, grouped by category. Drag any node onto the canvas to add it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Properties panel" icon="sliders">
    Opens on the right when you click a node. Configure the node's settings such as model, aspect ratio, or number of outputs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Top toolbar" icon="tool">
    Contains **Play** to run the workflow, **Save** to save it, **Export** to export it, and undo/redo controls.
  </Card>
</Columns>

***

## Available node types

Nodes are grouped into six categories.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Input">
    Input nodes supply data to your workflow. They have no incoming connections.

    | Node                | Description                                           |
    | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Text Prompt**     | Enter a text prompt to feed into generation nodes     |
    | **Image Upload**    | Upload an image from your computer                    |
    | **Style Reference** | Upload a reference image to guide style in generation |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Generation">
    Generation nodes call AI models to produce new content.

    | Node                   | Credits | Description                                                 |
    | ---------------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **ImageZen Generator** | 20      | Generate images from a text prompt and optional image input |
    | **VideoZen Generator** | 200     | Generate videos from a text prompt and optional image input |
    | **VoiceZen TTS**       | 10      | Convert text to speech audio                                |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Editing">
    Editing nodes transform existing images.

    | Node                   | Credits | Description                            |
    | ---------------------- | ------- | -------------------------------------- |
    | **Background Remover** | 5       | Remove the background from an image    |
    | **Image Upscaler**     | 10      | Increase image resolution (default 2×) |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Utility">
    Utility nodes help you build more flexible workflows.

    | Node                | Description                                                     |
    | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Prompt Mixer**    | Combine two text prompts into one, with configurable weights    |
    | **Batch Generator** | Run a node multiple times to produce several variations at once |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Export">
    Export nodes save or download the output of your workflow.

    | Node                | Description                                      |
    | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
    | **Export Image**    | Download the result as a PNG file                |
    | **Export Video**    | Download the result as an MP4 file               |
    | **Save to Gallery** | Save the result to your Artnex Creations gallery |
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Connecting nodes

Every node has **input handles** (left side) and **output handles** (right side), shown as small dots on the node edges.

To connect two nodes:

1. Hover over an output handle on the source node until the cursor changes.
2. Click and drag from the output handle to the input handle of the destination node.
3. Release to create the connection. An animated line (edge) appears between the nodes.

To delete a connection, click the edge and press `Delete`.

<Tip>
  When you drag a connection line and release it on an empty part of the canvas, NodeZen shows a menu of compatible nodes you can add and auto-connect in one step.
</Tip>

***

## Running a workflow

Click the **Play** button in the top toolbar to execute the workflow. NodeZen processes nodes in order, passing outputs downstream through the edges you have drawn. Each node shows a status indicator:

* **Idle** — waiting to run
* **Running** — currently processing
* **Success** — completed, output available
* **Error** — failed, hover for the error message

<Note>
  Running a workflow deducts credits for every generation and editing node it contains. The total credit cost is calculated from all nodes before execution begins. You will see a confirmation if you do not have enough credits.
</Note>

***

## Saving and naming a workflow

Click **Save** in the top toolbar. A dialog asks for a workflow name and optional description. Enter a name and click **Save**.

Saved workflows appear in the **My Workflows** tab on the left panel. Click any saved workflow to load it back onto the canvas.

***

## Workflow templates

NodeZen includes a library of built-in workflow templates so you can start from a working example instead of building from scratch.

Open the **Templates** tab in the left panel to browse available templates. Templates are grouped into categories: **image**, **video**, **audio**, and **mixed**. Featured templates appear at the top.

Click **Use Template** on any template card to load it onto the canvas. You can then run it immediately or modify it to suit your needs.

***

## Exporting a workflow

Click **Export** in the top toolbar to open the Export Workflow dialog. This saves your workflow configuration (nodes, edges, and settings) so you can import it later or share it with others.

***

## Use cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Automated image generation pipeline">
    Connect a **Text Prompt** node → **ImageZen Generator** → **Background Remover** → **Export Image**. Enter your prompt once and the workflow generates an image, removes its background, and downloads the result automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Batch image variations">
    Connect a **Text Prompt** node → **Batch Generator** → **ImageZen Generator** → **Save to Gallery**. The Batch Generator runs the image generator multiple times, producing several variations from the same prompt in one click.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Image-to-video pipeline">
    Connect an **Image Upload** node → **VideoZen Generator** → **Export Video**. Upload a photo and the workflow animates it into a video and downloads the result.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Text-to-speech with style-guided image">
    Connect a **Text Prompt** node to both a **VoiceZen TTS** node and an **ImageZen Generator** node. Use a **Style Reference** node to guide the image style. Run the workflow to produce a matching audio clip and image together.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Build your first workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open NodeZen">
    Go to **Tools → NodeZen** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a Text Prompt node">
    Find **Text Prompt** in the node palette under the **Input** category. Drag it onto the canvas.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the prompt">
    Click the **Text Prompt** node to select it. In the Properties panel on the right, type your image description — for example, `A neon-lit cityscape at night, photorealistic`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an ImageZen Generator node">
    Drag the **ImageZen Generator** node from the palette onto the canvas, to the right of the Text Prompt node.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect the nodes">
    Drag from the **Text** output handle of the Text Prompt node to the **Prompt** input handle of the ImageZen Generator node. An animated edge connects them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add an Export Image node">
    Drag the **Export Image** node onto the canvas to the right of the ImageZen Generator. Connect the **Image** output of the generator to the **Image** input of the export node.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the workflow">
    Click **Play** in the top toolbar. NodeZen runs the workflow. When the ImageZen Generator node turns green, your image is ready and the export node downloads it automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the workflow">
    Click **Save**, give the workflow a name, and click **Save** in the dialog. It now appears in your **My Workflows** tab for future use.
  </Step>
</Steps>