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← Fusion node reference
Deep CompositingAdvanced
dMerge
Depth-aware Deep merge
Merges Deep images while preserving per-pixel depth samples and correct spatial occlusion.
dMerge
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
dMerge is the Deep equivalent of a layer merge. Instead of compositing only flat RGBA values, it combines depth samples so foreground and background relationships can be resolved according to Z rather than node order alone.
Overview
What dMerge does
dMerge is the Deep equivalent of a layer merge. Instead of compositing only flat RGBA values, it combines depth samples so foreground and background relationships can be resolved according to Z rather than node order alone.
Mental model
Think of dMerge as merging fragments in depth space: the closest valid sample wins where objects overlap, while deeper samples remain available for later Deep operations.
Common uses
Combine CG Deep passes
Merge Deep holdout layers
Preserve depth-aware intersections
Assemble Deep renders from several sources
Build a Deep comp before final flattening
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Background
Background image for the composite.
Foreground
Foreground image placed over the background.
Effect Mask
Optional mask that limits where the node affects the image.
dMerge
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Settings / Layers
Chooses which deep layers participate in the merge.
Layers / Process Layers
Chooses which image layers or channels the operation processes.
Layers / Background Layer
Chooses which deep layer is treated as the background in DMerge.
Layers / Foreground Layer
Chooses which deep layer is treated as the foreground in DMerge.
Available choices include volumetric, pass, and deep-.
Settings / Comments
Stores a note with the node.
Comments are for documentation only; they do not change the image, scene or simulation.
Settings / Frame Render Script
Runs the assigned script while this node renders a frame.
Settings / Start Render Scripts
Contains scripts that run when rendering begins.
Settings / End Render Scripts
Contains scripts that run after rendering finishes.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Confirm both inputs are genuine Deep streams.
- 2
Connect the base and incoming Deep images.
- 3
Verify layer selection if the sources contain several Deep layers.
- 4
Inspect occlusion through DeepToImage.
- 5
Keep the combined output Deep until all depth-aware work is finished.
Typical node chain
Deep A→
Deep B→
dMerge→
Deep result
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
CG depth composite
Merge two depth-aware render passes and flatten at the end.
Deep Pass ADeep Pass BdMergeDeepToImage
Holdout workflow
Merge the subject and environment, then apply a depth-aware holdout.
ImageToDeepdMergedHoldoutDeepToImage
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Replacing dMerge with ordinary Merge inside a Deep pipeline
Flattening one branch before the merge
Mixing unrelated depth scales
Assuming node order can fix incorrect Z data
Production notes
Practical tips
Check depth values before blaming merge order.
Keep Deep branches visually labeled in large comps.
Use DeepToImage only for inspection/final output, not as an intermediate shortcut.
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