Shader Model
Chooses the shader model used by the USD material.
← Fusion node reference
USD / 3DAdvanced
uShader
USD PBR shader builder
Builds or overrides a USD/MaterialX-style shader with diffuse/emissive color, workflow mode, metallic, roughness, clearcoat and opacity controls.
uShader
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
uShader provides a compact PBR-style material builder inside the USD graph. It is useful when a scene needs a straightforward shader without relying on a separate external material file.
Overview
What uShader does
uShader provides a compact PBR-style material builder inside the USD graph. It is useful when a scene needs a straightforward shader without relying on a separate external material file.
Mental model
Think of uShader as a small look-development node for USD: define the base surface response, then assign or merge that shader into the stage before rendering.
Common uses
Quick USD PBR materials
Metallic/roughness look development
Emissive materials
Opacity and cutout materials
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Generator node — no image input is required.
uShader
Fusion node
SceneOutput
The resulting 3D scene or scene object.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Diffuse Color / Red / Green / Blue
Sets the RGB diffuse color of the USD shader.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Emissive Color / Red / Green / Blue
Sets the RGB emissive color of the USD shader.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Workflow Mode
Chooses the available material workflow convention.
Metallic
Controls metallic surface response.
Roughness
Controls highlight spread and micro-surface roughness.
Clearcoat / Clearcoat Roughness
Adds and shapes a secondary coated reflection layer.
Opacity
Sets overall material transparency.
Opacity Threshold
Sets the threshold at which this part of the effect begins to respond.
Opacity Mode
Selects the Opacity Mode used by uShader.
Available choices include Transparent and Presence.
Export as Separate Stage
Packages the shader as an independent USD stage/layer.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Choose the shader model and workflow first.
- 2
Set Diffuse and optional Emissive color.
- 3
Balance Metallic and Roughness under representative lighting.
- 4
Add Clearcoat only when the surface needs a coated layer.
- 5
Configure opacity mode for transparent or cutout materials.
- 6
Render through uRenderer to validate backend support.
Typical node chain
uShader→
USD Object→
uMerge→
uRenderer
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Metallic USD object
A uShader with high metallic and moderate roughness produces a simple metal-like surface.
uShapeuShaderuMergeuRenderer
Emissive panel
Use Emissive Color for self-lit graphic elements in the USD scene.
uShapeuShader EmissiveuMergeuRenderer
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Judging roughness without scene lighting.
Using opacity without selecting the correct opacity mode.
Assuming every renderer backend supports every material feature identically.
Production notes
Practical tips
Validate the final shader in the same renderer backend used for output.
Keep roughness away from extremes until the lighting is established.
Export reusable shaders as separate stage layers.
Related nodes