Random Seed
Sets the random seed so a procedural variation can be reproduced.
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ParticlesAdvanced
pImageEmitter
Emit particles from an image
Generates particles from the pixels, alpha, color and spatial structure of an input image.
pImageEmitter
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
pImageEmitter turns a flat image into a particle source. It can sample image density and color so particles originate from the visual structure of the source.
Overview
What pImageEmitter does
This node is useful for logo disintegration, image-to-particle transitions, pixel-like reveals and effects where a source picture should break into procedural points.
Density controls how densely the image is sampled. Alpha Threshold can ignore transparent or nearly transparent areas so particles are generated only from useful pixels.
Particles can inherit color from the source image, making it possible to preserve a recognizable picture before forces distort or scatter the particle field.
Mental model
Think of pImageEmitter as a scanner that samples image pixels and turns those sample points into particles.
Common uses
Logo disintegration
Image-to-particle reveal
Pixel explosion
Create particle silhouettes from alpha
Preserve image color in a particle cloud
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Image
The image whose pixels, alpha and color define particle emission.
Region
Input used by pImageEmitter.
pImageEmitter
Fusion node
Particles
The processed particle stream.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Reseed
Sets the random seed so a procedural variation can be reproduced.
Time Lock
Locks procedural randomness to time so the same frame evaluates consistently.
X Density
Sets sampling density along the X axis.
Y Density
Sets sampling density along the Y axis.
Alpha Threshold
Ignores source pixels below the selected alpha threshold.
Lock Color to Initial Frame
Keeps sampled particle color tied to the first frame when needed.
Create Particles Every Frame
Controls whether new particles continue to be generated over time.
Use Z Channel for Particle Z
Can use source depth information for particle Z placement when available.
Lifespan
Controls lifespan for the particle system.
Lifespan Variance
Controls particle lifetime.
Position Variance
Adds spatial variation around sampled pixel positions.
Temporal Dist.
Controls how particle births are distributed through time.
All at same time
Controls all at same time for the particle system.
X Pivot / Y Pivot / Z Pivot
Sets the pivot used for rotation and scaling.
Move the pivot when the element needs to rotate or scale around a point other than its current center.
Velocity
Sets particle speed or velocity.
Velocity Variance
Sets how far randomized values can deviate from the base value.
Angle
Sets the angle of the element.
Angle Variance
Sets how far randomized values can deviate from the base value.
Angle Z
Sets the particle emission direction around the Z axis.
Angle Z Variance
Sets how far randomized values can deviate from the base value.
Rotation Mode
Selects the Rotation Mode used by pImageEmitter.
Absolute rotation
Uses the specified X/Y/Z rotation values as each emitted particle’s starting orientation.
Always Face Camera
Keeps the particle sprite or instance facing the camera.
Rotation X / Y / Z
Sets rotation on the X, Y and Z axes.
Rotation X/Y/Z Variance
Sets rotation on the X, Y and Z axes.
Spin X / Y / Z
Sets the X, Y and Z components of spin.
Spin X/Y/Z Variance
Sets the X, Y and Z components of spin.
Sets 1–32
Chooses which particle sets are affected by this operation.
Style
Selects the style used by pImageEmitter.
Point
Controls point for the particle system.
Bitmap
Uses a bitmap-defined region for the particle operation.
Blob
Sets the softness of blob.
Brush
Controls brush for the particle system.
Line
Uses a line region for this particle operation.
NGon
Uses a polygonal region as the particle-emission area.
Point Cluster
Emits particles from a clustered group of source points.
Apply Mode
Selects the Apply Mode.
Chooses the mathematical or operational mode used for this part of the node.
Sub-Pixel Rendered
Allows emitted source points smaller than one pixel to contribute to the particle render.
Color
Sets the color.
Red / Green / Blue / Alpha
Provides separate controls for the red, green, blue and alpha channels.
Red/Green/Blue/Alpha Variance
Provides separate controls for the red, green, blue and alpha channels.
Lock Color Variance
Links Color Variance so they change together.
Color Over Life Controls
Defines how emitted particle color changes over the particle lifetime.
Fade
Controls fade for the particle system.
Region
Selects the particle region type.
Chooses the geometric region used by the particle operation.
All
Applies the particle operation across the full region or particle set.
Bezier
Uses a Bezier-shaped region for the particle operation.
Bitmap
Uses a bitmap-defined region for the particle operation.
Cube
Uses a cube-shaped region for the particle operation.
Line
Emits particles along a line region.
Mesh
Uses a mesh-based region for the particle operation.
Rectangle
Uses a rectangular region for the particle operation.
Sphere
Uses a spherical region for the particle operation.
Translation X/Y/Z
Sets translation on the X, Y and Z axes.
Rotation Order
Sets the 3D rotation order.
Defines the order in which the three rotation axes are evaluated.
Rotation X/Y/Z
Sets rotation on the X, Y and Z axes.
Pivot X/Y/Z
Sets the pivot position on the X, Y and Z axes.
Lock X/Y/Z
Links the X, Y and Z values for scale.
Scale
Sets the overall scale.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Connect an image with useful alpha or color detail.
- 2
Set X/Y Density conservatively.
- 3
Use Alpha Threshold to remove unwanted transparent areas.
- 4
Choose whether color should be sampled from the source.
- 5
Add particle forces for motion.
- 6
Render the stream with pRender.
Typical node chain
Image→
pImageEmitter→
particle forces→
pRender
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Logo dissolve
A logo becomes particles that scatter away.
LogopImageEmitterpTurbulencepDirectionalForcepRender
Particle portrait
Sample image colors and keep motion subtle.
ImagepImageEmitterpFrictionpRender
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Using excessive density and generating far more particles than the shot needs.
Forgetting to use alpha threshold on an image with a transparent background.
Expecting the image itself to remain visible after it has become a particle stream.
Production notes
Practical tips
Use a clean alpha channel for precise image-shaped emission.
Tune density while viewing the final output size, not just a zoomed Viewer.
Start with color inheritance before adding complex style changes.
Related nodes