Shape Type
Chooses real apertures, creative shapes or an external input.
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Blur & FocusIntermediate
LensBlur
Aperture-shaped optical bokeh blur
Simulates lens defocus using real or creative aperture shapes, quality controls, highlight behavior and optional external aperture input.
LensBlur
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Simulates lens defocus using real or creative aperture shapes, quality controls, highlight behavior and optional external aperture input.
Overview
What LensBlur does
Simulates lens defocus using real or creative aperture shapes, quality controls, highlight behavior and optional external aperture input.
LensBlur models defocus through an aperture shape rather than simply averaging pixels. Shape, aperture settings, anamorphism, rotation and highlight controls determine whether the bokeh feels circular, polygonal, anamorphic or deliberately stylized.
It is heavier than GaussianBlur and usually deserves a staged setup: establish Blur Size and aperture shape first, then refine anamorphism, highlight response and chroma shift. Use a clean mask or depth branch when only selected planes should fall out of focus.
Mental model
Think of every bright point as being stamped with the aperture shape. The blur is not just softness; it carries the geometry and character of a lens iris.
Common uses
Create cinematic bokeh
Defocus practical lights
Simulate polygonal aperture blades
Use custom aperture shapes
Build stylized optical blur
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Input
Source image for the operation.
Effect Mask
Optional mask that limits where the node affects the image.
LensBlur
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Shape Type: Real apertures
Uses Real apertures for shape type.
Shape Type: Creative
Uses Creative for shape type.
Shape Type: External Input
Uses External Input for shape type.
Aperture Shape
Selects triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon or other iris styles.
Aperture Shape: Triangle
Uses a triangle aperture shape.
The aperture shape changes the geometry of defocus highlights and bokeh.
Aperture Shape: Square
Uses a square aperture shape.
The aperture shape changes the geometry of defocus highlights and bokeh.
Aperture Shape: Pentagon
Uses a pentagon aperture shape.
The aperture shape changes the geometry of defocus highlights and bokeh.
Aperture Shape: Hexagon
Uses a hexagon aperture shape.
The aperture shape changes the geometry of defocus highlights and bokeh.
Aperture Shape: Heptagon
Uses a heptagon aperture shape.
The aperture shape changes the geometry of defocus highlights and bokeh.
Aperture Shape: Octagon
Uses a octagon aperture shape.
The aperture shape changes the geometry of defocus highlights and bokeh.
Preview Shape
Displays the current aperture kernel for setup.
Quality
Controls processing resolution/quality such as Full, Half or Quarter.
Quality: Full
Sets Quality to Full.
Quality: Half (Faster)
Sets Quality to Half (Faster).
Quality: Quarter (Fast)
Sets Quality to Quarter (Fast).
Blur Size
Controls the amount of lens defocus.
Blade Curvature
Adjusts the curvature of the simulated aperture blades.
Rotation
Sets the rotation of the element.
Anamorphism
Stretches the blur kernel along one axis to create anamorphic bokeh.
Chroma Shift
Separates color channels slightly through the blur to mimic chromatic lens behavior.
Highlights
Boosts bright areas before or during the lens-blur calculation so they produce stronger bokeh.
Apodization
Shapes brightness across the bokeh disk, reducing harsh edge concentration in the blur kernel.
Catadioptric
Shapes the bokeh toward a catadioptric, mirror-lens look with a characteristic central structure.
Settings
Standard Fusion node settings for processing, masks, blending and animation.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Choose a Shape Type and aperture.
- 2
Use Preview Shape to confirm orientation.
- 3
Set quality low while finding the look.
- 4
Increase Blur Size and highlight behavior gradually.
- 5
Return to Full quality for final inspection.
Typical node chain
Input→
LensBlur→
Output
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Hexagonal bokeh
Create visible six-blade highlights behind a subject.
Background PlateLensBlurMerge
Custom aperture
Feed a custom graphic as the blur kernel.
Aperture GraphicLensBlurComposite
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Using full quality while experimenting and making the comp unnecessarily slow
Pushing bokeh highlights into clipping
Choosing a stylized aperture that does not match the shot
Expecting depth awareness without a depth-driven setup
Production notes
Practical tips
Build the optical character at lower quality, then switch to Full for final render.
LensBlur works best when highlights have enough dynamic range to form readable bokeh.
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