Shape
Chooses the primitive type such as cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, plane or torus.
← Fusion node reference
USD / 3DAdvanced
uShape
Procedural USD primitive generator
Creates procedural USD primitives such as capsules, cones, cubes, cylinders, planes, spheres and torus shapes with subdivision, material and transform controls.
uShape
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
uShape is a fast way to create geometry directly inside the USD graph. It combines primitive generation, optional PBR-style material controls and scene transform in a single stage-producing node.
Overview
What uShape does
uShape is a fast way to create geometry directly inside the USD graph. It combines primitive generation, optional PBR-style material controls and scene transform in a single stage-producing node.
Mental model
Think of uShape as a compact USD asset generator: choose a primitive, set its dimensions and topology, give it a material and place it in the scene.
Common uses
Procedural USD primitives
Blocking and layout geometry
Simple PBR scene objects
Matte or double-sided USD shapes
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Generator node — no image input is required.
uShape
Fusion node
SceneOutput
USD stage containing the generated primitive and its configured properties.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Double Sided
Allows both sides of the generated surface to render.
Radius
Sets the radius.
Height
Sets the vertical size.
Base Subdivisions
Sets how finely the base of the USD shape is subdivided.
Cylinder Subdivisions
Sets how finely the cylindrical part of the USD shape is subdivided.
Cap Subdivisions
Sets how finely caps and rounded ends are subdivided.
Subdivision Scheme
Chooses the USD subdivision behavior.
Angle Start / End
Limits the angular extent of supported shapes.
Matte / Is Matte
Treats the object as a matte in the 3D composite.
Use matte objects for holdouts and technical occlusion rather than as ordinary visible geometry.
Material Type
Selects the Material Type used by uShape.
Diffuse Color / Red / Green / Blue
Sets the RGB diffuse color of the generated USD Shape.
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 generated USD Shape.
Use channel-specific controls when the operation should not affect all components equally.
Workflow Mode
Selects the Workflow Mode used by uShape.
Metallic / Roughness
Sets surface metallicity and the roughness of its reflections.
Clearcoat / Clearcoat Roughness
Adds a clearcoat layer and controls how sharp or rough its reflections appear.
Opacity / Opacity Threshold / Opacity Mode
Selects the Opacity Mode used by uShape.
Transform: Translation / Rotation / Pivot / Scale
Sets Transform to Translation / Rotation / Pivot / Scale.
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.
Export as Separate Stage
Packages the object as a separate USD stage layer.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Choose the primitive closest to the intended geometry.
- 2
Set dimensions and subdivisions.
- 3
Configure the built-in material only as far as needed.
- 4
Place the object with Transform.
- 5
Merge it with other USD assets.
- 6
Render through uRenderer and increase detail only if visible.
Typical node chain
uShape→
uMerge→
uCamera→
uRenderer
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Procedural product blockout
Use several uShape nodes and uMerge to build a quick USD layout.
uShapeuShapeuMergeuCamerauRenderer
Simple metallic object
Use built-in metallic/roughness controls for a quick PBR-style test surface.
uShapeMetallic / RoughnessuMergeuRenderer
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Using extreme subdivisions before checking whether they are visible.
Forgetting Double Sided on thin geometry that must be visible from behind.
Building a complex asset from primitives when importing USD would be simpler.
Production notes
Practical tips
Use uShape for blockouts, technical geometry and quick scene elements.
Keep subdivision low during layout work.
Switch to uShader/uMaterial when the surface needs a more reusable material pipeline.
Related nodes