Film Blur
Softens the image like degraded film or projection.
← Fusion node reference
StylizeIntermediate
FilmDamage
Aged film damage simulation
Simulates worn film with blur, color shifts, vignette, dirt and multiple independent scratches.
FilmDamage
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
FilmDamage packages common archive-film defects into one stylizing node for old-film, damaged-stock and analog looks.
Overview
What FilmDamage does
The node can soften the image, shift temperature and tint, add vignette, generate changing dirt and create up to several scratch layers. Because all components are procedural, the look can evolve over time without external overlays.
FilmDamage is most convincing when several defects are kept subtle. Strong dirt, heavy scratches and extreme color shifts used at once usually look more like an effect preset than damaged film.
Mental model
Think of FilmDamage as a box of film defects: soften the stock, age the color, darken the edges, then add controlled dirt and scratches.
Common uses
Archive-film look
Music-video texture
Old projector aesthetic
Stylized flashbacks and transitions
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Input
Source image for the operation.
FilmDamage
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Temp. Shift
Shifts the simulated film color temperature.
Tint Shift
Shifts the overall tint of the damaged-film look.
Add Vignetting
Enables edge darkening and optical falloff.
Focal Factor
Controls the radial extent of the vignette-like film damage.
Geometry Factor
Changes the shape and geometric falloff of the vignette-like damage.
Tilt Amount
Sets how far the vignette or damaged area is tilted or displaced.
Tilt Angle
Sets the direction of that tilt.
Add Dirt
Generates procedural dirt with density, size and blur controls.
Dirt Color
Sets the dirt Color.
Dirt Color: Red / Green / Blue
Sets the RGB color of generated dirt artifacts.
Changing Dirt
Animates the dirt pattern so it changes from frame to frame.
Dirt Density
Sets how densely dirt artifacts are distributed across the frame.
Dirt Size
Sets the typical size of the generated dirt artifacts.
Dirt Blur
Sets the amount of blur.
Dirt Seed
Sets the random seed so a procedural variation can be reproduced.
Add Scratch 1–5
Enables independent scratch layers with their own appearance.
Enable
Turns the Film Damage effect on or off.
Scratch Color
Sets the scratch Color.
Scratch Color: Red / Green / Blue
Sets the RGB color of generated scratches.
Scratch Position
Sets the horizontal position of the generated scratch.
Scratch Width
Sets the horizontal size.
Scratch Strength
Adjusts how visible the scratch is.
Scratch Blur
Sets the amount of blur.
Moving Scratch
Animates the scratch position over time instead of keeping it fixed.
Moving Amplitude
Sets how far the scratch wanders as it moves.
Moving Speed
Changes the playback or procedural animation speed.
Moving Rand.
Adds random variation to the motion of the generated scratch.
Flickering Speed
Changes the playback or procedural animation speed.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Start with only one or two damage components enabled.
- 2
Set Film Blur and color shifts to establish the stock character.
- 3
Add a restrained vignette.
- 4
Introduce dirt at low density and appropriate size.
- 5
Add scratches only where they support the intended period or style.
Typical node chain
Clean image→
FilmDamage→
Aged output
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Aged archive
Combine light color aging, dirt and a small amount of blur.
MediaInFilmDamageGrainMediaOut
Transition hit
Animate stronger scratches and dirt for a short damaged-film transition.
MediaInFilmDamageDissolveMediaOut
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Enabling every damage feature at maximum strength
Using oversized dirt that does not match the image scale
Adding static-looking scratches to moving footage
Ignoring delivery compression, which can exaggerate small defects
Production notes
Practical tips
Build the look one defect at a time.
Use animated dirt and restrained scratches for a more organic result.
Combine with Grain or Halation instead of pushing FilmDamage too far.
Related nodes