Controls / Enabled
Turns Projector3D on or off.
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Fusion 3DAdvanced
Projector3D
Project an image into a 3D scene
Projects an image or texture onto Fusion 3D geometry with controllable fit, projection mode, intensity, transform and shadow settings.
Projector3D
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Projector3D behaves like a slide projector inside the 3D scene: an image is cast from the projector position onto compatible surfaces.
Overview
What Projector3D does
Projector3D behaves like a slide projector inside the 3D scene: an image is cast from the projector position onto compatible surfaces.
Mental model
Think of it as a camera in reverse. Instead of recording the scene, it throws a 2D image through a virtual lens onto the geometry.
Common uses
Project graphics onto 3D geometry
Create animated texture projection
Build faux light-gobo effects
Map footage onto moving surfaces without UV editing
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
SceneInput
3D scene or object data to be processed or combined.
Image / Texture
Source image for the operation.
Projector3D
Fusion node
SceneOutput
3D scene output for Merge3D, Renderer3D or another 3D tool.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Controls / Color
Tints the image projected by Projector3D.
Controls / Red, Green, Blue
Sets the RGB tint of the Projector3D projection.
Controls / Intensity
Sets the light intensity.
Controls / Decay Type
Selects the light falloff model.
Chooses how light intensity falls off with distance.
Controls / Angle
Sets the angle of the element.
Controls / Fit Method
Chooses how the projected image is fitted to the projector frame.
Controls / Projection Mode
Selects the Projection Mode used by Projector3D.
Controls / Projector ID
Sets the numeric ID used to identify this projector in the 3D scene.
Controls / Projector Priority
Sets which projector wins when multiple projections overlap.
Controls / Project on Back Faces
Allows the projection to affect back-facing polygons.
Shadows / Enable Shadows
Allows Projector3D to participate in shadow calculations.
Shadows / Shadow Color
Sets the shadow Color.
Shadows / Density
Sets the density of generated or distributed elements.
Shadows / Shadow Map Size
Sets the resolution of the shadow map.
Higher values can sharpen shadow detail but increase render cost.
Shadows / Shadow Map Proxy
Uses a proxy resolution for Projector3D shadow-map calculations.
Shadows / Multiplicative Bias and Additive Bias
Offsets shadow depth comparison to reduce self-shadowing artifacts.
Use the smallest value that removes acne or detached-looking shadows.
Shadows / Non-Transmissive Materials
Controls how Projector3D shadows interact with materials that do not transmit light.
Shadows / Sampling Quality
Sets the processing quality for this operation.
Use a lighter setting while building the comp if needed, then verify the final-quality result before render.
Shadows / Tight Projection
Restricts the projected image more tightly to the actual projection footprint.
Shadows / Softness
Controls shadow-edge softness.
Transform / Translation
Sets translation for Projector3D.
Transform / Rotation
Sets the rotation of the element.
Transform / 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.
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
Prepare a 2D image or texture.
- 2
Connect it to Projector3D and add the projector to Merge3D.
- 3
Position/rotate the projector like a camera aimed at the target object.
- 4
Choose Fit Method and projection settings.
- 5
Render and check for spill onto unwanted geometry or back faces.
Typical node chain
Image→
Projector3D→
3D Scene→
Renderer3D
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Logo projection
A logo is projected across a 3D object without changing the base material.
LogoProjector3DShape3DMerge3DRenderer3D
Animated texture pass
Moving footage is projected onto a simple 3D plane or object.
MediaInProjector3DCube3DMerge3DRenderer3D
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Treating Projector3D like a normal material input.
Ignoring projector orientation and blaming the source image.
Leaving back-face projection on when it causes texture spill.
Using a poor fit method and stretching the source unexpectedly.
Production notes
Practical tips
Aim Projector3D using the same discipline as a Camera3D.
Use Projector ID when only selected objects should receive the projection.
Keep the projected source high enough resolution for the final framing.
Related nodes