Source
Chooses which numbered input is active.
This control can be animated or driven by an expression for deterministic switching.
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Utility / RoutingBeginner
Switch
Select one active input branch
Chooses one of several connected inputs and passes only the selected source downstream.
Switch
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
Switch is a clean routing node for alternate plates, graphic versions, effect branches or technical variants. It avoids repeatedly rewiring the Flow when only one branch should be active at a time.
Overview
What Switch does
A Switch can expose several inputs while producing one output. The Source control determines which connected branch is currently passed through.
Because the downstream graph does not change, Switch is useful for template variants, A/B comparisons and production setups where a single branch should be selected by an expression or keyframe.
Switch changes routing, not compositing. If several branches must be visible together, use Merge, MultiMerge or a system-specific merge node instead.
Mental model
Think of Switch as a railway junction: many tracks can arrive, but the Source control chooses exactly one track to continue.
Common uses
A/B source comparison
Template design variants
Select alternate keyed plates
Route different precomps into one downstream chain
Drive variants with expressions
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Input0
Source image for the operation.
Input1
Source image for the operation.
Switch
Fusion node
Output
The processed result from this node.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Number of Inputs
Sets how many input ports the node exposes.
Keep only the inputs you actually need so the graph stays readable.
Name 0 / Name 1
Labels individual input choices.
Meaningful labels are safer than remembering that source 2 means the blue version.
Config
Contains configuration options for the switch and its inputs.
Use it to keep production variants explicit and documented.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Add the required number of Switch inputs.
- 2
Connect each alternative branch.
- 3
Rename inputs by purpose when possible.
- 4
Select the required Source.
- 5
Animate or expression-drive Source only when the switch timing is intentional.
Typical node chain
Input A / B / C→
Switch→
Selected output
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Graphic variant
Choose between two title treatments without rewiring the comp.
Text Variant ASwitchMerge
Plate comparison
Route either of two source plates through one shared cleanup chain.
Loader A / Loader BSwitchColorCorrectorSaver
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Expecting Switch to blend inputs
Leaving input numbers undocumented in a large template
Animating Source accidentally and creating hard cuts
Using multiple Switch nodes where a clearly labeled version branch would be easier to maintain
Production notes
Practical tips
Rename the node and its choices by production purpose.
Use Switch for discrete variants and Dissolve when an actual blend is required.
Keep expensive shared processing after Switch when all variants need the same downstream work.
Related nodes