Update Lock
Temporarily holds image updates while several matrix values are edited.
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Color & Image ProcessingAdvanced
ColorMatrix
Matrix-based RGBA channel transform
Mixes and remaps RGBA channels through a numeric matrix for precise technical color and alpha operations.
ColorMatrix
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
ColorMatrix exposes a matrix transform instead of artistic color wheels, letting each output channel be built from the incoming red, green, blue, alpha and offset terms.
Overview
What ColorMatrix does
ColorMatrix exposes a matrix transform instead of artistic color wheels, letting each output channel be built from the incoming red, green, blue, alpha and offset terms.
Mental model
Think of it as a four-channel mixer: every output row says how much of each input channel contributes to the result.
Common uses
Swap RGB channels
Build custom monochrome mixes
Create technical matte passes
Repair channel-order problems
Apply custom linear transforms
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Input
Source image for the operation.
Effect Mask
Optional mask that limits the operation to selected areas.
ColorMatrix
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Matrix 5×5
Defines the channel-mixing matrix used to build the output components.
Row 1 / Red output
Sets how the input components contribute to the output red channel.
Row 2 / Green output
Sets how the input components contribute to the output green channel.
Row 3 / Blue output
Sets how the input components contribute to the output blue channel.
Row 4 / Alpha output
Sets how the input components contribute to the output alpha channel.
Row 5 / Offset
Sets offset for ColorMatrix.
Invert
Inverts the resulting transform where appropriate.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Connect the source image.
- 2
Start from the identity matrix.
- 3
Change one coefficient group at a time.
- 4
Inspect RGB and alpha separately.
- 5
Label the node with the transform purpose.
Typical node chain
Input→
ColorMatrix→
Output
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Swap red and blue
Exchange two channel rows to correct a channel-order problem.
PlateColorMatrixComposite
Custom monochrome
Build luminance from chosen RGB weights.
PlateColorMatrixGrade
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Editing many coefficients without a reference
Accidentally altering alpha
Using ColorMatrix for a simple creative grade that would be clearer in ColorCorrector
Production notes
Practical tips
Keep a note of non-default coefficients for reproducibility.
Use Update Lock when changing several values at once.
Related nodes