DaVinci Resolve Using Underlying Footage as the input source in Fusion| Sabbirz | 3d Learning Blog
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DaVinci Resolve Using Underlying Footage as the input source in Fusion

Da Vinci Resolve and Fusion take the underlying layer as the background

DaVinci Resolve Create Reusable Fusion Effects

DaVinci fusion Video Editing Timeline Workflow VFX Tutorial MediaIn Node Video Editing Tips Motion Graphics DaVinci Resolve Fusion Node Editor Post Production Blackmagic Design Fusion Composition Video Effects Background Source VFX Reusable Effects DaVinci Resolve Tutorial Timeline Footage

Ever wanted to create a title, a graphic, or a visual effect in DaVinci Resolve that you could easily drop onto any clip on your timeline and have it automatically interact with the footage underneath?

🤔 It’s a common workflow for creating reusable effects, and it's surprisingly easy to set up.

The secret lies in a powerful feature within the Fusion page: setting a MediaIn node's source to pull directly from the timeline.

This tells your Fusion composition to use whatever video clip is directly below it as the input.

Let's walk through how to do it step-by-step 🚀

Step-by-Step: Linking Your Fusion Comp to the Timeline

Follow these simple steps to create a dynamic and reusable effect.

1. Create a New Fusion Composition

First, head over to the Media Pool panel on the Edit page & Right-click to create a new New Fusion Composition.

Create new Fusion Composition

Drag it onto your timeline, placing it on a video track above the footage you want to affect. Drag Fusion Composition to the Timeline

2. Open the Fusion Composition

Open Fusion Composition to the Fusion Page

With the new Fusion Composition clip selected on your timeline, navigate to the Fusion page at the bottom of the screen. You'll be greeted with a simple node graph containing only a MediaOut node.

3. Add and Configure the MediaIn Node

This is the most important step ✨

  • Open your node selection tool (Shift + Spacebar) and search for MediaIn. Add it to your node graph. Add a Media In Node or Tool
  • By default, this node doesn't have a source. Select the MediaIn1 node and look at the Inspector panel on the right.
  • Change the Media Source dropdown from None to Background. Change the Media Source to the Background of the Media In the Node
  • Finally, connect the output of your MediaIn1 node to the input of the MediaOut1 node.

The moment you set the source to Background, the viewer will display the video footage from the track directly beneath your Fusion Composition on the Edit page. Magic 🧙‍♂️

4. Build Your Effect

Add any number of tools or nodes

Now the fun begins You can add any number of tools and effect nodes between your MediaIn1 and MediaOut1 nodes. For example, you could add a Color Corrector node, a Text+ node for titles, or a Glow effect. Whatever you add will now directly affect the background footage coming from your timeline.

5. Check Your Work on the Edit Page

Check the result of the fusion composition

Switch back to the Edit page. You'll now see your effect applied directly to the video clip. The Fusion Composition is acting as a powerful, self-contained adjustment layer. ✅

The Power of Reusability ♻️

Clone the fusion composition and drag the composition to the top of any footage

The best part about this technique is that your effect is now completely portable. You can copy and paste this Fusion Composition clip anywhere on your timeline, place it over any other piece of footage, and the same graphics and effects will be applied to the new underlying clip.

This is perfect for creating custom titles, lower thirds, or unique transition effects that you can save and reuse across all your projects.

By mastering this simple workflow, you can significantly speed up your editing process and create more complex, professional-looking effects in DaVinci Resolve.

Happy editing 🎬