Plugin Mode
Switches between creative and camera-specific false-color behavior.
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Color & Image ProcessingAdvanced
FalseColor
Exposure and value visualization
Maps image values to diagnostic colors for exposure analysis, camera-specific monitoring or creative false-color visualization.
FalseColor
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
FalseColor converts brightness or camera exposure ranges into a readable color legend. Depending on mode, it can be used as a technical exposure aid or a stylized visualization.
Overview
What FalseColor does
FalseColor converts brightness or camera exposure ranges into a readable color legend. Depending on mode, it can be used as a technical exposure aid or a stylized visualization.
Mental model
Instead of judging brightness by eye, let fixed colors represent value ranges so exposure relationships become obvious.
Common uses
Check exposure distribution
Visualize skin-tone exposure zones
Compare camera exposure targets
Build stylized heat-map imagery
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Image Input
Source image for the operation.
FalseColor
Fusion node
Image Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Plugin Mode: Creative
Uses Creative for plugin mode.
Plugin Mode: Specific Camera Model
Uses Specific Camera Model for plugin mode.
Camera
Selects a supported camera model when using camera-specific mode.
Camera Mode
Selects the Camera Mode used by FalseColor.
Available choices include Film, Video, and Extended Video.
ISO Level
Sets the camera ISO used to interpret exposure zones in the false-color display.
Pre-Processing
Controls preprocessing before value mapping.
Show Scale
Shows Scale in the Viewer for setup or diagnostics.
Viewer guides do not normally change the rendered image unless the control explicitly says otherwise.
Show Values
Shows Values in the Viewer for setup or diagnostics.
Viewer guides do not normally change the rendered image unless the control explicitly says otherwise.
Show Labels
Shows Labels in the Viewer for setup or diagnostics.
Viewer guides do not normally change the rendered image unless the control explicitly says otherwise.
Contrast
Adjusts separation between displayed ranges.
Value Detail
Sets how much numeric detail is shown on the false-color scale.
Value Style
Chooses how values on the false-color scale are formatted.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Choose Creative or a supported camera mode.
- 2
Set the correct camera/ISO assumptions when applicable.
- 3
Enable the scale and labels while calibrating.
- 4
Inspect important subjects such as skin and highlights.
- 5
Disable diagnostic overlays for final creative output unless they are part of the design.
Typical node chain
Input→
FalseColor→
Output
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Exposure check
Use camera-specific false color before final grade decisions.
Camera PlateFalseColorViewer
Creative heat map
Use Creative mode as a visual effect.
PlateFalseColorMerge
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Using the wrong camera/ISO profile
Treating the false-color output as a normal grade
Leaving the diagnostic legend in final output accidentally
Production notes
Practical tips
Keep this node on a monitoring branch when it is only diagnostic.
Document the camera profile used for repeatable exposure checks.
Related nodes