FUSION WORKFLOW / 02
Level: Intermediate workflowSand Particle Titles in Fusion
Text+ becomes a Bitmap Mask, emits particles through pEmitter, gains organic motion with pTurbulence and is finished with Glow and Merge.
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Understand the task
This workflow builds a sand-like title effect in Fusion. The DaVinci Resolve text first defines the shape used by a Bitmap Mask. Particles are emitted from that shape, pTurbulence gives them an irregular drifting motion, pRender converts the particle system into a 2D image, Glow adds a soft golden bloom, and a second Text+ restores a clean readable title over the particle layer.
The graph is split into two branches. One branch converts the letter shape into a particle system; the other preserves a clean Text+ layer for readability. TimeStretcher is used as a timing tool rather than decoration: reversing time makes it easy to switch between assembly and disintegration without rebuilding the animation. Merge combines the particle layer and clean title only after pRender and Glow, so the particles stay lively while the final title remains legible.
Node graph
Zoom into a branch, select a node and inspect its incoming connections.
Select a node to inspect its connections. Drag to pan; Ctrl/Cmd + wheel or + / − to zoom. Arrow keys move the view; Home fits the graph.On a touch screen, enable Move to pan and pinch the graph.
| From | To | Input |
|---|---|---|
| Input | ||
| Image | ||
| BitmapRgn.Bitmap | ||
| Input | ||
| Input | ||
| Input | ||
| Background | ||
| Foreground | ||
| Input | ||
| Input | ||
| Input |
Assembly order
The first Text+ provides the letter shape that will emit particles. TimeStretcher reverses the source with comp.RenderEnd - time so the same animation can read as either formation or disintegration.
Bitmap converts the luminance of the text into a mask. This restricts particle birth to the letters instead of emitting particles across the whole frame.
pEmitter creates particles from the letter mask and pTurbulence breaks up their motion. Together they create sand, dust or golden debris rather than a simple dissolve.
pRender turns the particle system into a regular 2D image. Glow then adds a soft bloom so the grains feel brighter and more dimensional against black.
A second clean Text+ is composited with the sand layer so the effect never collapses into unreadable dust and the final title remains intact.
Transform positions the assembled title, and the final TimeStretcher controls the direction of the complete effect before it reaches MediaOut.
Node parameters
The values below belong to this example. Use the descriptions to understand what each setting controls when adapting the graph to your footage.
Both Text+ nodes use the same wording and styling. The first is the particle shape source; the second is the clean readable layer in the final Merge.
Follower offsets characters sequentially while Path adds movement. This lets the title assemble character by character instead of appearing as one static block.
The emitter uses Bitmap Mask as its region. Particle count rises from zero to a peak and returns to zero, creating a controlled burst instead of continuous noise.
Turbulence breaks the overly regular particle motion. X and Y forces push the grains sideways and upward so the edges of the letters feel organic.
These final nodes control presentation: bloom, placement and reverse playback of the assembled composition.
Troubleshooting
Do not feed pEmitter directly into Merge; particles must first be rendered with pRender.
Do not omit Bitmap Mask or the particles will be emitted as a generic field instead of following the letters.
Avoid excessive Velocity or the sand will fly too far from the title and destroy readability.
Do not remove the second Text+; the clean title is what keeps the final result readable after the particle breakup.
Do not confuse the two TimeStretcher nodes: the first controls the particle source, the second reverses the assembled result.
Check the composition
Tick each item after checking it in your own composition.
These references explain the tools and connections used in the graph.
Bitmap Mask and Common Mask Controls: images as masks, channel selection, alpha and range.
Lesson 11, Exploring 3D Particle Systems: pEmitter, pRender and the 2D/3D output choice.
Time Stretcher, page 297: Source Time selects the sampled source frame, including reverse playback.
