Controls / Size
Sets the overall size.
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Fusion 3DIntermediate
ImagePlane3D
Place an image on a 3D plane
Maps a 2D image, video or graphic onto a flat surface that can be positioned inside a Fusion 3D scene.
ImagePlane3D
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
ImagePlane3D is the standard bridge for taking a flat source and treating it as a physical plane in 3D space.
Overview
What ImagePlane3D does
The node is useful for layered parallax, virtual screens, cards, posters, tracked inserts and 2.5D scenes where several images are distributed in depth.
The source image becomes the visible texture on the plane. The plane can then receive transform, material and lighting behavior like other 3D geometry.
Subdivision is usually kept low for a flat card, but more geometry may be useful if the plane will later be deformed by another 3D operation.
Mental model
Think of ImagePlane3D as printing a picture on a physical sheet and placing that sheet on a virtual set.
Common uses
2.5D parallax scenes
Virtual screens and displays
Place logos or posters in 3D space
Build card stacks
Use tracked footage as a scene plane
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
ImageInput
The 2D image, video or graphic mapped onto the plane.
SceneInput
3D scene or object data to be processed or combined.
ImagePlane3D
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Controls / Subdivision
Sets how finely the image plane is subdivided into geometry.
Material / Diffuse
Sets the ImagePlane3D material’s diffuse response.
Material / Specular
Adjusts the specular highlight and reflective response of the plane material.
Material / Transmittance
Controls how the material transmits light through the surface.
Material / Material ID
Assigns the Material ID written to the render passes.
Material IDs can be used later to isolate surfaces in compositing.
Blend Mode [Non-Deep] / Hardware
Selects the 3D blend mode for this renderer.
Chooses how the object is combined in the selected 3D renderer.
Blend Mode [Non-Deep] / Software
Selects the 3D blend mode for this renderer.
Chooses how the object is combined in the selected 3D renderer.
Transform / Translation X Y Z
Sets translation on the X, Y and Z axes.
Transform / Rotation Order
Sets the 3D rotation order.
Defines the order in which the three rotation axes are evaluated.
Transform / Rotation X Y Z
Sets rotation on the X, Y and Z axes.
Transform / Pivot X Y Z
Sets the pivot position on the X, Y and Z axes.
Transform / Scale X Y Z
Sets scale on the X, Y and Z axes.
Transform / Use Target
Orients the object, light or camera toward a target point.
Use Target is convenient for aim-at rigs because the orientation follows the target as either element moves.
Transform / Import Transform
Imports compatible position, rotation and scale animation from another source.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Connect the desired image to ImagePlane3D.
- 2
Set the plane size and aspect needed for the scene.
- 3
Position the plane in 3D space.
- 4
Connect it to Merge3D with the camera and other objects.
- 5
Render through Renderer3D and composite the result normally.
Typical node chain
Image→
ImagePlane3D→
Merge3D→
Renderer3D
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Parallax photo stack
Several image planes are placed at different Z positions.
ImagesImagePlane3DMerge3DCamera3DRenderer3D
Virtual monitor
A screen graphic is mapped to a plane in a 3D composition.
Screen graphicImagePlane3DTransform3DMerge3DRenderer3D
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Using a 2D Transform after ImagePlane3D while the element is still meant to move in 3D.
Adding unnecessary subdivisions to a flat plane.
Forgetting that perspective comes from camera and Z placement, not from the image itself.
Production notes
Practical tips
For simple parallax, use a few well-spaced planes rather than building unnecessarily complex geometry.
Keep source resolution appropriate for how close the camera gets to the plane.
Use Transform3D for reusable motion after the plane.
Related nodes