Compositing without a layer stack
Fusion builds an image as a sequence of inputs, processing, masks, composites and a final output.
THE REFERENCE FOR YOUR COMPOSITIONS
Encyclopedia Fusion.
Understand a node.
See the whole composition.
A Fusion reference for DaVinci Resolve: what each tool does, how its inputs connect, which parameters matter and how to use it in practice.
412reference articles in the catalog
Try a composition belowPRACTICE · INTERACTIVE DEMO
Try the connections.
See the result.
A separate learning space with 40 demo tools. Add nodes, connect them and adjust their parameters in the Inspector. The complete reference is in the node catalog.
2D demo · not the Fusion engineFusion Playground
Loading the composition editor — 40 nodes, Flow and Inspector.
FUSION FUNDAMENTALS
Not a stack of effects.
A visible chain of decisions.
A node performs one task; connections explain how the tasks work together. Learn to read that path before building a larger graph.
Fusion is a professional compositing system inside DaVinci Resolve. It is used for visual effects, titles, animation, tracking, motion graphics, particles and 3D scenes.
Instead of a conventional layer stack, Fusion uses a visual graph. Each part of that graph performs a task and passes its result down the chain.
This encyclopedia explains more than individual parameters: how the Flow works, how images travel through a graph, and why inputs, outputs, masks and Merge matter.
BackgroundForegroundEffect mask
One node — one task
Each node creates, modifies, combines or outputs an image.
A graph instead of guesswork
The Flow makes the path of a frame visible, so even a complex effect can be read as a map.
Control over the result
See where an effect appears, where a mask connects and which node shapes the final image.
Layers and nodes: what changes?
LAYER LOGIC
Read the order.
With layers, you follow a stack from top to bottom, then inspect effects and nested compositions. In a large project, the relationships can be spread across several places.
1Text2Glow3Mask4Footage5Background
NODE LOGIC
Read the relationships.
Fusion exposes the input, processing, masks, compositing and final output. Branches show which source receives an effect and where images meet.
MediaIn→Transform→Merge→MediaOut
The interactive graph above is a small example: the title and glow are a separate branch; the blue mask limits the Merge.
From standalone compositor to the Resolve page
Fusion’s beginnings
Fusion developed as a standalone professional tool for compositing and visual effects.
Blackmagic Design
Joining Blackmagic marked a new phase of development and wider access for Resolve users.
Integration into Resolve
Fusion became a dedicated DaVinci Resolve page for graphics, effects, tracking and 3D.
A node-based environment
A complete environment for titles, animation, large visual scenes and automation.
A MAP OF THE TOOLS
Different tasks.
Different node families.
Generators create. Effects modify. Masks isolate. Compositing combines. Choose a family to see its purpose, data flow and first tools to learn.
01 / CREATE
Background/Text+/FastNoise
Generators
Create backgrounds, text, shapes, noise and procedural image elements.
The beginning of a branch. These tools can generate an image without footage.
BackgroundRGBA color, gradient and technical-canvas generatorText+Advanced 2D typographyFast Noise2D procedural noise, independent RGBA and animated color palettes
In depth: Generators02 / MODIFY
MediaIn→Blur→Glow
Effects
Modify an image with blur, glow, color, sharpening and stylization.
The result of one node becomes the input of the next.
BlurGeneral-purpose 2D image blurGlowLight bloom and neonColor Corrector2D Color Corrector [CC] · tonal range, histogram matching and mattes
In depth: Effects03 / ISOLATE
Ellipse→Mask input→Effect
Masks
Limit an effect, a title or a composite to a selected area.
A mask controls the processing area. It is not another image layer.
04 / COMBINE
Background+Foreground→Merge
Compositing
Combine multiple image sources into one frame with Merge and related tools.
Yellow is background, green is foreground and blue is the effect mask.
MergeLayer compositingMultiMergeDynamic layer-stack compositing inside one Fusion nodeMatteControlAlpha assembly, cleanup and spill control
In depth: Compositing05 / FOLLOW
Footage→Track→Match move
Tracking
Follow the motion of objects, cameras, planes and surfaces.
Choose the tool for the motion: point, plane or camera.
TrackerPoint tracking, stabilization and match movePlanar TrackerPlanar surface tracking, corner pinning and stabilizationCamera Tracker3D camera solve from 2D footage
In depth: Tracking06 / SIMULATE
pEmitter→pTurbulence→pRender
Particles
Create smoke, dust, sparks, rain, snow and procedural particle flows.
A particle stream is not a finished image. Rendering bridges the two.
pEmitterGenerate and initialize a particle streampTurbulenceFrequency-based chaos for particle motionpRenderRender particles to 2D image or 3D particle geometry
In depth: Particles07 / BUILD
Text3D→Merge3D→Renderer3D
3D
Work with cameras, lights, geometry, text and scene rendering.
Merge3D assembles the scene. Renderer3D produces an image for 2D compositing.
Text3DExtruded typography inside Fusion's 3D sceneMerge3DAssemble and parent a 3D sceneRenderer3DRender a 3D scene into a 2D image
In depth: 3DShape, Particle, 3D and USD are different data systems, not just different colors of nodes. Explore their compatible connections and renderer bridges.
How node systems differA PATH, NOT A LIST
Your first ten steps.
One clear foundation.
Do not start with 3D, particles and expressions. First learn the core flow: input, background, mask, Merge, transform, effect and output.
Each step opens its own reference article. Study at your pace and test the idea in your project.
SPECIALIZED TOOLS
KrokodoveMore tools. Shorter graphs.
Krokodove developed for more than 20 years as a third-party Fusion toolset. DaVinci Resolve 21 integrated a substantial set into Fusion and Edit Effects. Our dedicated section separates the documented integration from the older external plug-in, explains useful tools and shows when a specialized node simplifies the graph.
Explore KrokodoveScope documented in the existing reference
- 61
- tools named in the Resolve 21 feature table
- 10
- official tool groups in the feature guide
- 53
- existing node articles linked into the cluster
- 100+
- motion-graphics tools and effects stated in the guide
BEYOND THE REFERENCE
Know the tool.
Build your own result.
The encyclopedia explains the tools. Complete working graphs and individual project practice have their own sections.