The node tree is where a DaVinci Resolve grade actually lives. Once nodes click, everything else gets easier. Here is what the main node types do and how to structure a grade that stays editable.
Each node is one adjustment layer in the bottom-right of the Color page. Signal flows left to right, node to node. Keeping one job per node — balance, conversion, contrast, look — means you can turn any step off without touching the rest.
The default. A serial node stacks after the previous one, so each change builds on the last. Most of your grade is a chain of serial nodes flowing left to right.
Parallel nodes split the signal, let you grade each branch separately, then mix them back together equally. Useful when two adjustments would fight each other if stacked — for example warming highlights and cooling shadows independently.
Like parallel, but the lower layer sits on top of the upper one, so order matters. Layer nodes are handy for compositing a strong local effect over the base grade.
Right-click a node → Node Label to name it ("Balance", "CST", "Look"). Use the node's Key Output gain to dial an effect back to taste. A tidy tree is what lets you — or a PowerGrade you downloaded — stay flexible.
Serial nodes stack one after another, so each builds on the previous result. Parallel nodes split the signal, grade each branch independently, then blend them back together equally.
Right-click in the node editor, or use Alt+S (Option+S on Mac) to add a serial node after the selected one. Alt+P adds a parallel node and Alt+L adds a layer node.
Separating each job onto its own node keeps the grade editable — you can disable, reorder, or dial back any single step without redoing the whole thing, and it is far easier to troubleshoot.