Brush Shape
Chooses the footprint used by the current paint brush.
← Fusion node reference
Paint & RotoIntermediate
Paint
Rotoscope paint and cleanup
Creates vector paint strokes for cleanup, cloning, retouching, reveals and hand-drawn effects.
Paint
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Paint is Fusion’s main node for frame-aware painting, cloning and stroke-based cleanup inside a composition.
Overview
What Paint does
Paint can draw normal strokes, clone image content, reveal elements and perform localized cleanup directly in the Fusion graph.
Because strokes can exist over time, Paint is suitable for shot cleanup where a fix must stay consistent across several frames. Tracking can reduce the amount of manual animation required.
For complex cleanup, separate technical operations: track the motion first, then paint or clone in a stable space when possible, then return the result to the main composite.
Mental model
Paint is a time-aware layer of editable strokes that sits inside the node graph instead of permanently modifying the source clip.
Common uses
Remove small objects
Clone-clean blemishes
Draw graphic strokes
Create handwriting effects
Reveal or erase details
Retouch tracked areas
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Input
Source image for the operation.
Effect Mask
Optionally limits the Paint result.
Paint
Fusion node
Output
The image with paint strokes applied.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Tablet Settings
Configures how pen pressure and other tablet input affect Paint strokes.
Vary Size
Chooses whether brush size stays constant or varies with pen pressure or stroke velocity.
Vary Opacity
Sets the transparency of Vary Opacity.
Size
Sets the overall size.
Softness
Feathering of the brush edge.
Soft brushes integrate cleanup naturally; hard brushes are useful for graphic work.
Image Source
Chooses the image source sampled by an Image Brush.
Brush
Chooses the Image Brush preset used for the stroke.
Apply Mode
Selects the Apply Mode.
Chooses the mathematical or operational mode used for this part of the node.
RGBA Channels
Selects the image channel used by this operation.
Color
Sets the color.
Red / Green / Blue / Alpha
Provides separate controls for the red, green, blue and alpha channels.
Opacity
Strength of the stroke.
Lower values can build subtle retouching gradually.
Overlay
Chooses how Clone or paint feedback is overlaid on the source while you work.
Still Source
Locks the Clone source to a fixed source frame.
Snap Offset
Sets the Snap Offset.
Time Offset
Offsets the timing used by this operation.
Offset X / Y
Sets the X/Y coordinates for offset.
Source Tool
Chooses the image or tool used as the Clone source.
Subtractive / Additive
Selects or adjusts the additive behavior.
Strength
Sets the strength of the effect.
Image Borders
Chooses how Smear behaves when a stroke reaches the image boundary.
Stroke Duration
Controls how strokes exist over time.
Depending on mode, strokes can appear on one frame or persist across a range.
Center X / Y
Sets the X/Y coordinates for center.
Angle
Sets the angle of the element.
Spacing
Sets the spacing.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Choose the frame and area that need cleanup.
- 2
Select the appropriate stroke or clone mode.
- 3
Set brush size and softness.
- 4
Track the region first if the surface moves significantly.
- 5
Paint the correction and inspect neighboring frames.
- 6
Refine stroke timing and clone source as needed.
Typical node chain
MediaIn→
Paint→
Merge→
MediaOut
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Tracked cleanup
Track a moving surface, then apply clone/paint so the fix follows the motion.
MediaInTracker / Surface TrackerPaint
Animated handwriting
Use a paint stroke with Write On.
PaintMerge
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Painting every frame manually before trying tracking.
Using a hard clone edge that reveals the patch.
Sampling clone texture from a region with different lighting or perspective.
Leaving strokes active outside the intended frame range.
Production notes
Practical tips
Track broad motion first whenever possible.
Use soft, small corrections rather than one huge patch.
Check cleanup at playback speed and frame-by-frame.
Related nodes