Gradient Type
Chooses Linear, Reflect, Square, Cross or Radial geometry.
Choose the geometry before fine-tuning scale and offset because the same ramp behaves differently in each mode.
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Gradient
Procedural color and alpha gradient
Generates linear, reflected, square, cross or radial gradients for backgrounds, masks, blend maps and motion-graphics control passes.
Gradient
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Gradient is a procedural Fusion generator that creates smooth color and alpha transitions without an image source. Its color stops, interpolation space, scale, offset and repeat mode make it useful both visually and as a technical control map.
Overview
What Gradient does
Gradient can be used as a visible background or as data. A simple two-stop ramp can drive a title background, while a multistop ramp can become a mask, displacement map, opacity map or animated light sweep.
The Gradient strip defines the color and alpha stops. Gradient Type decides how that one-dimensional ramp is distributed across the frame, and Interpolation Space changes how colors travel between stops.
For motion graphics, Offset, Scale and the stop positions are especially useful animation controls. Repeat and Ping-Pong can turn one ramp into bands or seamless repeating structures.
Mental model
Think of Gradient as a programmable ruler of color and alpha values that Fusion lays across the frame as a line, reflection, square, cross or radius.
Common uses
Title and UI backgrounds
Alpha fades and reveal maps
Light sweeps and vignette-style ramps
Displacement or blend control maps
Repeating motion-graphics bands
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Effect Mask
Optional mask that limits where the node affects the image.
Gradient
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Gradient Type: Linear
Uses Linear for gradient type.
Gradient Type: Reflect
Uses Reflect for gradient type.
Gradient Type: Square
Uses Square for gradient type.
Gradient Type: Cross
Uses Cross for gradient type.
Gradient Type: Radial
Uses Radial for gradient type.
Gradient
Edits the color and alpha stops along the ramp.
Add multiple stops for complex palettes, transparent edges or technical multi-value maps.
Gradient Marker Position
Sets the exact normalized position of the selected gradient stop.
Color
Sets the color.
Red
Adjusts the red channel.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Green
Adjusts the green channel.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Blue
Adjusts the blue channel.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Alpha
Adjusts the alpha channel.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Interpolation Space
Defines how colors interpolate between stops.
RGB is predictable for technical ramps; HLS, HSV or LAB can produce different hue and lightness transitions.
Interpolation Space: RGB
Sets Interpolation Space to RGB.
Interpolation Space: HLS
Sets Interpolation Space to HLS.
Interpolation Space: HSV
Sets Interpolation Space to HSV.
Interpolation Space: LAB
Sets Interpolation Space to LAB.
Scale
Stretches or compresses the gradient footprint.
Offset
Moves the gradient through its geometry.
Animate Offset for moving light sweeps or procedural reveals.
Repeat
Controls Once, Repeat or Ping-Pong behavior beyond the base ramp.
Repeat: Once
Sets repeat to Once.
Repeat: Repeat
Sets repeat to Repeat.
Repeat: Ping-Pong
Sets repeat to Ping-Pong.
Sub-Pixel
Raises sampling quality for fine or heavily transformed gradients.
Material ID
Assigns the Material ID written to the render passes.
Material IDs can be used later to isolate surfaces in compositing.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Choose the gradient geometry.
- 2
Create the required color and alpha stops.
- 3
Set Scale and Offset for placement.
- 4
Choose interpolation and repeat behavior.
- 5
Use the result directly or feed it into a mask, displacement or color-control branch.
Typical node chain
Gradient stops→
Gradient→
RGBA ramp
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Animated light sweep
Move a bright narrow ramp across a title or plate.
GradientBlurMergeMediaOut
Displacement map
Use a grayscale ramp as a controlled displacement source.
GradientDisplaceMediaOut
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Changing Gradient Type after building the whole look
Using a colorful interpolation space for a technical mask without checking values
Animating many stops when Offset would be simpler
Production notes
Practical tips
For masks, inspect alpha rather than only RGB.
Use Ping-Pong for seamless mirrored repetition.
Keep technical ramps simple and predictable.
Related nodes