Global In/Out
Sets the frame range over which the node is active.
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GeneratorsIntermediate
Mandelbrot
Procedural fractal generator
Generates the Mandelbrot fractal with position, zoom, iteration, escape, rotation and gradient-color controls.
Mandelbrot
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Mandelbrot creates mathematical fractal imagery directly in Fusion and is useful for abstract backgrounds, sci-fi graphics, texture sources and experimental motion design.
Overview
What Mandelbrot does
X Position, Y Position and Zoom act like a camera moving across an effectively endless mathematical landscape.
Iterations and Escape Limit control how deeply the fractal is calculated, trading render cost for detail.
Gradient Method and channel repetition or phase controls turn the raw iteration data into a designed palette.
Mental model
Think of Mandelbrot as a camera exploring an infinite mathematical map: position moves around it, Zoom dives in, Iterations reveal more detail and the gradient turns numbers into color.
Common uses
Fractal motion backgrounds
Sci-fi screens and transitions
Procedural texture sources
Zoom animations
Experimental color graphics
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Generator node — no image input is required.
Mandelbrot
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
X Position
Moves the sampled fractal region horizontally.
Y Position
Moves the sampled fractal region vertically.
Zoom
Magnifies the selected fractal region.
Escape Limit
Controls the escape threshold used in the fractal calculation.
Iterations
Sets maximum calculation depth.
Higher values reveal detail during deep zooms but increase render cost.
Rotation
Rotates the generated fractal view.
Grad Method: Continuous Potential
Sets Grad Method to Continuous Potential.
Grad Method: Iterations
Sets Grad Method to Iterations.
Gradient Curve
Shapes the palette mapping.
Red / Green / Blue / Alpha Repetitions
Sets repetition counts independently for the red, green, blue and alpha outputs.
Red / Green / Blue / Alpha Phase
Offsets the procedural phase independently for red, green, blue and alpha.
Process Mode: Full Frames
Sets Process Mode to Full Frames.
Process Mode: NTSC Fields / PAL/HD Fields / Reversed
Sets Process Mode to NTSC Fields / PAL/HD Fields / Reversed.
Width / Height
Sets the output width and height.
Pixel Aspect X / Y
Sets the pixel aspect ratio.
Auto Resolution
Lets Fusion derive the working resolution automatically.
Disable it only when this node needs an explicit canvas size.
Depth: Default / int8 / int16 / float16 / float32
Sets Depth to Default / int8 / int16 / float16 / float32.
Source Color Space: Auto / Space
Sets Source Color Space to Auto / Space.
Source Gamma Space: Auto / Space / Log
Uses Auto / Space / Log for source gamma space.
Remove Curve
Removes the selected gamma or transfer curve so the source is treated in a linearized form.
Pre-Divide / Post-Multiply
Controls premultiplied-alpha handling around the operation.
Pre-divide removes alpha multiplication before processing; post-multiply restores it afterward. This is useful when color work creates dark or bright fringes around translucent edges.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Find an interesting X/Y region.
- 2
Set Zoom for the framing.
- 3
Raise Iterations only as far as the zoom requires.
- 4
Choose a gradient method and palette.
- 5
Animate position or zoom slowly for continuous motion.
Typical node chain
Fractal coordinates→
Mandelbrot→
Fractal image
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Fractal dive
Animate Zoom into a detailed region.
MandelbrotGlowMediaOut
Fractal texture
Use the fractal as a color or displacement source.
MandelbrotColorMapDisplace
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Using excessive Iterations at a shallow zoom
Animating position too quickly during deep zooms
Judging the fractal only by the default palette
Production notes
Practical tips
Explore the frame at low iterations first.
Increase precision/detail only after composition is chosen.
Use downstream color tools for faster look development.
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