What importing a node tree means and why you'd do it
A node tree in DaVinci Resolve is a saved color correction or effects setup — a chain of adjustments you've already built and want to reuse on another clip or project. Importing one means loading that saved setup into your current project so you don't have to rebuild it from scratch.
You import a node tree when you've spent time perfecting a look on one clip and want to explore the same color grade, blur effect, or combination of adjustments to other footage. Instead of recreating each node and adjustment by hand, you load the tree you saved and explore it in seconds.
DaVinci stores node trees as .drx files — these are small XML files that contain the exact structure and settings of your nodes. You can save them from any project and import them into any other project, as long as you're using DaVinci Resolve.
Key Takeaways
- Node trees are saved color or effects setups stored as .drx files that you can reuse across projects and clips.
- You save a node tree by right-clicking the node in the Color page and selecting "Save Node Tree", then choosing a folder location.
- To import, open the Color page, right-click in the node editor, and select "Import Node Tree", then browse to your saved .drx file.
- Imported node trees replace your current node setup, so save your work before importing if you want to keep what you've already built.
- Node trees work best when the source and destination clips have similar color ranges and lighting, or you'll need to adjust the values after import.
How to save a node tree before you can import one
Before you import, you need a node tree to import. Start in the Color page of DaVinci Resolve. Build or open the node setup you want to save — this could be a single color correction node, a series of nodes, or a whole tree of effects.
Right-click on any node in your tree and look for the option "Save Node Tree". A file browser will open. Choose where you want to save it — many editors create a folder called "Node Trees" or "LUTs" in their project folder to keep things organized. Give the file a clear name that describes what it does, like "warm_skin_tone" or "cinematic_blue_grade".
DaVinci will save it as a .drx file. You now have a reusable template. If you're working on a team, you can share these .drx files with other editors, and they can import them into their own projects.
The step-by-step process to import a node tree
Open the clip you want to color in the Color page. You should see the node editor on the right side of your screen — this is where your color nodes appear as boxes connected by lines.
Right-click in the empty space of the node editor (not on an existing node) and select "Import Node Tree". A file browser will open. Navigate to the folder where you saved your .drx file and select it. Click "Open" or "Import".
DaVinci will load the entire node structure into your current clip. All the nodes, their connections, and their settings will appear exactly as you saved them. The imported tree will replace whatever nodes were already there — if you had existing work, it's now gone, so make sure you've saved anything you want to keep before importing.
What happens when the imported tree doesn't match your footage
Node trees work best when the source footage (the clip you saved the tree from) and the destination footage (the clip you're importing into) have similar exposure, color temperature, and skin tones. If they don't match, the imported adjustments may look too dark, too warm, or otherwise wrong on your new clip.
When this happens, you don't need to start over. The node tree is now in place — you just need to tweak the values. Open each node and adjust the sliders, curves, or color wheels to match your new footage. This is still much faster than rebuilding the entire tree, because the structure and logic are already there.
If the mismatch is severe, you may want to adjust the input levels on the first node before the color correction nodes kick in. This can bring your new footage into a similar range as the original, so the rest of the tree works better without heavy tweaking.
Where to store and organize your node trees
DaVinci doesn't have a built-in library for node trees the way it does for LUTs or transitions. You have to manage them yourself. Create a folder on your computer — many editors use a path like Documents/DaVinci Projects/Node Trees or keep them in the same folder as their project files.
Name your files clearly. Instead of "tree1.drx" or "correction.drx", use names like "skin_warm_tungsten.drx" or "cinematic_teal_orange.drx". Include details about what the tree does and what kind of footage it works best on. When you're looking for a tree six months later, a good name saves you from opening and testing a dozen files.
If you work on a team, agree on a shared folder location where everyone saves their trees. You can then point all team members to that folder, and they can import trees that other editors have created. This builds a library of looks your team can reuse across projects.
Common mistakes when importing node trees
The most common mistake is importing a tree and then being surprised that it replaced your existing work. Always save your current node setup before importing if there's any chance you'll want it back. You can save it as a new tree, or just take a screenshot of your nodes so you remember what you built.
Another mistake is importing a tree built for a very different type of footage — for example, a tree designed for outdoor daylight onto indoor tungsten-lit footage. The colors will be way off, and you'll spend more time fixing it than if you'd built something simpler from scratch. Use imported trees as a starting point for similar footage, not as a one-click solution for everything.
Finally, some editors forget that node trees are tied to the specific version of DaVinci Resolve they were created in. If you save a tree in DaVinci 18 and try to open it in DaVinci 17, it may not import correctly. Keep track of which version you're using, and test imported trees on a small project before relying on them for important work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import a node tree into a project that already has nodes?
Yes, but the imported tree will replace all your existing nodes. If you want to keep your current work and add the imported tree on top of it, save your current nodes as a separate tree first, then import the new one. You can always import your original tree back later if needed.
What if the .drx file won't open when I try to import?
The file may be corrupted, or it may have been created in a newer version of DaVinci than you're running. Try opening DaVinci Resolve and checking your version number (Help > About). If the file was created in a later version, you'll need to update DaVinci. If the file is old, try recreating the tree from scratch or asking the person who created it to resave it in your current version.
Can I use node trees from other editors or plugins?
No. Node trees are specific to DaVinci Resolve and stored in its .drx format. LUTs (color lookup tables) from other software can be imported into DaVinci, but they're not the same as node trees. If you want to move a look from another program, you'll need to recreate it as a node tree in DaVinci.
Do I need to keep the original .drx file after I import it?
Yes. The imported tree is now part of your project, but the .drx file is separate. If you delete the file and later want to import that same tree into a different project, you won't have it anymore. Keep your .drx files in a safe, organized folder.
Can I edit a node tree after importing it?
Absolutely. Once imported, the nodes are part of your current project and work exactly like nodes you built yourself. You can adjust values, add new nodes, delete nodes, or reorganize the tree however you want. The imported tree is just a starting point.