Surface Map
Provides the normal/relief information used for relighting.
← Fusion node reference
RelightingIntermediate
Relight
Image relighting from a surface map
Relights a 2D image from an internal or supplied surface/normal map using directional, point, cone or spot light models.
Relight
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Relights a 2D image from an internal or supplied surface/normal map using directional, point, cone or spot light models.
Overview
What Relight does
Relights a 2D image from an internal or supplied surface/normal map using directional, point, cone or spot light models.
Relight separates shape from illumination: the surface map describes how the image faces the light, and the virtual light controls brightness, reach, gloss and specular response after the original render.
Mental model
Relight separates shape from illumination: the surface map describes how the image faces the light, and the virtual light controls brightness, reach, gloss and specular response after the original render.
Common uses
Change perceived light direction after rendering
Add a new highlight to a product or texture
Create stylized rim or point lighting
Relight a relief/bump-derived surface
Preview different lighting without rebuilding a 3D scene
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Image Input
Source image for the operation.
Surface / Normals Input
Source image for the operation.
Relight
Fusion node
Image Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Output Surface Map
Outputs the interpreted surface map for diagnosis.
Light Type: Directional / Point Source / Cone / Spotlight
Sets Light Type to Directional / Point Source / Cone / Spotlight.
Relighting Map Preview
Shows Relighting Map Preview as a diagnostic preview.
Brightness
Controls light intensity.
Reach
Controls how far the virtual light influences the surface.
Contrast
Shapes diffuse contrast.
Glossiness
Sets surface glossiness and therefore the width of the relit specular highlight.
Specularity
Sets the strength of specular reflection in the relit result.
Shadow Softness
Softens relight shadowing.
Light Source X / Y
Sets the X/Y coordinates for Light Source.
Light Height
Sets the vertical size.
Rescale Oversaturated
Rescales an over-range external surface map so excessive channel values do not distort the relighting response.
Reinterpret Left/Right
Reverses or remaps the horizontal interpretation of the external surface map.
Reinterpret Up/Down
Reverses or remaps the vertical interpretation of the external surface map.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Create or supply a clean surface/normal map.
- 2
Choose a light type appropriate to the shot.
- 3
Position the light before increasing intensity.
- 4
Balance diffuse contrast, glossiness and specularity.
- 5
Fix map orientation if highlights move in the wrong direction.
- 6
Check the relit result against the original texture detail.
Typical node chain
Source→
Relight→
Output
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Product relight
Generate a relief map and add a new directional key.
MediaInCreateBumpMapRelightMediaOut
Graphic emboss lighting
Use a generated bump map to create animated lighting.
Text+BumpMapRelightMerge
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Applying Relight before the image is in the technical state the node expects.
Pushing Relight too far before checking artifacts at full resolution.
Judging Relight on one still frame instead of checking motion and edge behavior.
Production notes
Practical tips
Compare Relight with bypass regularly while tuning it.
Keep Relight and other technical conversions separate from creative grading when possible.
After strong Relight processing, check alpha, highlights and image boundaries.
Related nodes