The default is to have a player set to display tool output that is why you are seeing the end result of whatever tool you are selecting. Bring your curser over the player and hit the “7” key above your number keys. This is the hot key to display the compositions output. Now you can select the CC basic or any node and make adjustments while viewing the end result of the comp. If you want to display the tools output again hit the “6” key above the number keys.
BTW I will have an 8 hour training DVD set shipping on November 1st.
Ken LaRue
Autodesk Application Engineer
Maya Composite / Toxik / Flame / Combustion
Training DVDs:
http://www.thestreetproductions.com