Fusion Foundations

Learn and Create

Foundational skills for creating Visual Effects and Motion Graphics. Get comfortable in both 2D and 3D workflows in Fusion, to help create stunning VFX.

Problem Solving

Gain the skills to solve problems and get solutions. Work on project based compositions to learn different techniques to help bring your visual effects to life.

Lifetime Updates

A constantly evolving course with updates as new tools are added to Fusion. Plus additional lessons and projects to help you gain new skills.

Questions?

Jump in the private forum to get your questions answered, make suggestions for future lessons, or even get advice on your own projects.

Now Offering Multiple Course Options

Check out some of the standalone Fusion Foundations offerings

Comparison

DaVinci Resolve - Fusion Foundations

Course
374 Lessons

Beginner/Intermediate Everything you need to know to help you prepare for advanced workflows in Fusion. * Lifetime Access * Private Forum for questions, answers and advice * Project files included * 4 complete courses in one: Essentials, 2D Compositing, 3D Compositing and Reference * Real world projects * Problem solving * Tips, tricks and workflows * English, French, German and Spanish Subtitles * And much more

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Contents of Fusion Foundations

Files

FUSION FOUNDATIONS.drp.zip

Clips.zip

Clips2.zip

Stills

Models.zip

Render_blender.zip

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Fusion Foundations Welcome Note.pdf

1. Welcome

2. Using the Project Files

Chapter 2 - Compositing Primer

1. What is Compositing?

2. What is Fusion?

⭐️ Chapter 3.1 - Fusion Overview

1. Interface Overview

1.1 Interface Toolbar and Layout

2.1 Viewer Basics

2.2 Viewer In Depth Split Wipe and Subview

2.3 In Depth ROI and Viewer Menu

2.4 In Depth Contextual Menu

⭐️ 2.5 2025 Viewer Update.mp4

3.1 Time Ruler Basics

3.2 Time Ruler In Depth

4. Toolbar

5.1 Node Editor Basics

5.2 Node Editor In Depth Options

5.3 Node Editor In Depth Arrange Tools, Find and Tiles

6. Status Bar

7. Effects Library

8.1 Inspector Basics

8.2 Inspector In Depth View On through Rename

8.3 Inspector In Depth Cache through Masks

9.1 Keyframe Editor Basics

9.2 Keyframe Editor In Depth

10.1 Spline Editor Basics

10.2 Spline Editor In Depth

11. Timeline Thumbnails

12. Metadata

13. Media Pool and Bins

14. Console

15.1 Fusion Top Menu

15.2 Fusion Settings Basics

15.3 Fusion Settings In Depth

16 Keyboard Customization

⭐️ Chapter 3.2 - Basics of Fusion

1. Ways to get Clips into Fusion

2. Different Types of Fusion Compositions

2.1 Alternate Composition Types

2.1.1 VFX Connect Clip In Depth

3. Media In Node

4. Media Out Node

⭐️ 4.1 Media Out (2025 Update)

5. Loaders and Savers

6. Relinking Clips

7. Resetting Compositions

Chapter 3.3 Image Processing

1. Workflow

2. Playback and Cache

3. Forcing Adjustments from Edit and Color

4. Manage Resolution

5. Color Management

5.1 Color Management In Depth

6. Channels

⭐️ Chapter 3.4 - Nodes

1. Overview of Nodes

2. Connecting and Adding Nodes

3. Order of Operations and Flow

⭐️ 3.1 Order of Operation Layers

4. Swapping Inputs and Branching

5. Copy,Paste and Replace Nodes

6. Instancing and Deinstancing

7. Versioning

8. Bookmarking and Underlays

9. Grouping Nodes

10. Modifiers

11. Expressions

Chapter 4.1 - 2D Compositing Overview

0. Overview and Color Workflow

1. Simple Effect

2. Basic Composite

3. Multiple Merges

4. Simple Mask

5. Simple Animation

6. Grading

7. Motion Blur

8. Adding Grain

9. Compositing in the Timeline

Chapter 4.2 - Animation and Keyframing

1. Transform

1.1 How Fusion Views Animation

2. Animating in the Inspector and Viewer

3. Animating in the Keyframe Editor

4. Animating in the Spline Editor

5. Looping animation

6. Polygon Animation Path

7. Paint Stroke animation

8. Change the Heading

9. Paint to Follow Heading

10. Compound Animation Paths

11. Animation Modifiers

Chapter 4.3 - 2D Tracking

1. Basic Tracker

1.2 IntelliTrack

2. Using 2 Trackers

3. Corner Positioner

4. Using the Foreground Only in the Tracker

5. Stabilize

6. Perspective Positioner

7. Modifier Tracker

8. Tracking Occluded Patterns

9. Connecting Tracking Data

10. Offset Tracking and Positioning

11. XY Path Conversion

12. Planar Tracker Basics

13. Planar Tracker Options

14. Using an Occlusion Mask

15. Using the Steady Mode

16. Planar Transform

17. Planar Stabilization

18. Planar Tracking and Lens Distortion

Chapter 4.4 - Rotoscoping and Masks

1. Polylines and Mattes

2. Basic Uses for Masks

3. Mask Types

4. Polygon Basics

5. Polygon In Depth

6. Rotoscoping

6.1 Multiframe Edits

7. Motion Blur on Masks

8. Adding Trackers to Masks

9. Combing Masks

10. Magic Mask

11. Using Bitmap to Combine Masks

12. MultiPoly Tool

Chapter 4.5 - Keying

1. Luma Keyer

1.1 Adding Masks and Basic Composite

1.2 Luma Key Fine Tuning

2. Chroma Keyer

3. Ultra Keyer

3.1 Ultra Keyer Fine Tuning

4. Clean Plate

5. Delta Keyer

5.1 Adding in the Clean Plate

6. Using a Core Matte

6.1 Setting up Initial Composite

7. Removing Noise in the Matte

8. Spill Suppression

9. Working with Matte Edges

9.1 Fine Tuning the Edges

10. Working with Motion Blur

11. Fixing Motion Blur Edges

12. Edge Mattes

13. Finishing Touches

Chapter 4.6 - Paint and Clone

1. Overview of the Paint Node

1.1 Brush, Apply and Stroke Controls

1.2 Paint Setup and Resolution

2. Multistroke Tools

3. Stroke Tool

4. Clone Stroke Tool

5. Polyline Stroke

6. Copy Polyline and Shapes

7. Adding Tracking Data to Paint

8. Animating Paint

9. Using Stabilization for Paint

10. Mask Paint

Chapter 4.7 - Vector Shapes

1. Polygons as Shapes

2. Snapping a Polygon to a Grid

3. Animating Our Shapes

4. Overview of Shape Tools

5. Adding Shapes Together

6. Duplicating and Grids

7. Animating Vector Shapes

8. Import Custom Vectors

Chapter 4.8 - Text Node

1. Text Overview

2. Text Animation

3. Spline Editor to Refine Animation

4. Using Modifiers with Text

5. Using Paths for Text

⭐️ Chapter 4.9 - Warping and Displacement

1. Corner Positioner

2. Grid Warp

3. Displace Node

4. Surface Tracker (YT)

⭐️ 5. Morphing (YT)

⭐️ 6.1 Vector Warp Basic

⭐️ 6.2 Vector Warp Advanced

Chapter 4.10 - Finishing Techniques

1. Color Grading

2. Defocus and Blur

3. Grain Matching

4. Light Wrap

Chapter 4.11 - 2D Project Based Examples

Setting up Projects

4.11.1 - 2D Callout Project

Callout Timeline.zip

1. Setup Initial Graphic

2. Track in the Callout

3. Animating the Callout

4.11.2 - Lower Thirds Project

Lower Thirds Timeline.zip

1. Lower Third Layout

2. Beginning Animation

3. Ending Animation

4. Change Text Animation

5. Final Fixes

4.11.3 - Floating Donut Project

Floating Donut Timeline.zip

Floating Donut Files.zip

1. Overview Split Screen and Wire Removal

2. Lining Up Clean Plate

3. Setting Up the Split Screen

4. Masking for the Actor and Donut

5. Mask Refinement

6. Adding Back the Shadow

7. Paint Fixes for the Donut

8. Paint Fixes for the Hat

9. Final Fixes

4.11.4 - Object Removal

Object Removal Timeline.zip

4.11.4 Project Files

1. Creating a Clean Plate for the Removal

2. Creating the Foreground Mask

3. Mask Edges and Blending

4. Final Tweaks

Chapter 5.1 - 3D Compositing Overview

1. Basic 3D Scene Overview

2. Navigation and Viewer Options

3. Cameras

4. Geometry

5. Lighting and Shadows

6. Materials and Textures

7. Render Types

Chapter 5.2 - 3D Text and Motion Graphics

1. Simple 3D Text Setup

2. Animating Simple 3D Text

3. Using Shape Nodes in 3D

4. Adding a Camera to 3D Text

5. Replace Material

6. Compositing Our Text Animation

7. Saving a Template

Chapter 5.3 - 3D Camera Tracking

1. Overview of the Camera Tracker

2. Tracking and Solving

3. Orientation and Export

4. Adding Geometry

5. Adding Shadows and Simple Composite

6. Separate Pass 3D Compositing

7. Lens Distortion

8. Exporting Cameras (YT)

9. Camera Tracker In Depth (YT)

⭐️ 10. 3D Object Placement (YT)

Chapter 5.4 - 3D Compositing Live Action

1. Camera Track and Overview

2. Importing a 3D object

3. Setting up for 3D Composite

4. Compositing our 3D Renders

5. Final tweaks and Motion Blur

6.1 World Position Pass

6.2 Volumetric Fog

7. Exporting FBX Scene

8. Importing Multilayer EXR

9. Working with 3D renders

Chapter 5.5 - Projection Mapping

1. Overview of Projection Mapping

2. Simple Projection Setup

3. Projector 3D

4. UV Map 3D

5. Projecting Paint in 3D

Chapter 5.6 - Particle Systems

1. Simple Particle System

2. pEmitter Controls

3. Forces

4. Rendering Particles

5. Floating Particles

6. Coffee Steam

7. Add Realistic Steam on a Moving Cup (YT)

Chapter 5.7 - USD Files

1. Basic USD Scene

2. Adding Objects

3. Lighting

4. Materials

5. Import USD

6. Using uVolume (YT)

Chapter 5.8 - 3D Project Based Examples

Setting Up Projects

5.8.1 - Simple Set Extension

Set Extension Timeline

Set Extension Video Files

Mountain Stills

1. Set Extension Prep

2. Camera Track

3. Adding Mountains in 3D space

4. Adjusting Mountains

5. Color Correction

6. Final Touches

5.8.2 - 3D Clean Up Project

3D Clean Up Project Timeline

3D Clean Up Project Files

1. 3D Clean Up Overview and Camera Track

2. 3D Stabilized Plate Setup

3. Painting Out the Car

4. Complex 3D Paint Clean Up

5. Fixing 3D Geometry Location for Stabilization

6. Painting Out the Fence

7. Final Composite

5.8.3 - Spaceship Project

Spaceship Project Timeline

3D Files and EXR Files

Video Project Files

1. Spaceship Project Overview

2. Importing Multi-pass Files Common Problems

3. Importing and Setting Up Multi-Pass EXRs

4. Color Correcting the Spaceship

5. Adding the Shadow Pass

6. Alembic Import and Alternate Shadow Pass Method

7. Adding a Thruster to the Animated 3D Model

8. Adjusting the Thrusters Look

9. Adding a Second Thruster and 3D Matte

10. Adding Heat Distortion

11. Adding Glow to the Spaceship Lights

12. First Render. Shadow, Glow and Heat Distortion Fixes

13. Spaceship Adding Motion Blur and Grain

14. Thruster Motion Blur and Emitter Adjustments

15. Final Render

5.8.4 - Adding 3D Text to Live Action

1. Adding 3D Text to Live Action (YT)

Chapter 6.1 - Macros and Templates

1. Macros

2. Templates

Chapter 7.6 - Blur

Blur Filter Types Common

Blur

Defocus

Directional Blur

Glow

Sharpen

Soft Glow

Unsharp Mask

Vari Blur

Vector Motion Blur

Chapter 7.7 - Color

(Common) Color Controls

Auto Gain

Brightness Contrast

Channel Booleans

Color Corrector (Main Menu)

Color Corrector (Alt Menus)

Color Curves

Color Gain

Gamut

Hue Curves

White Balance

Chapter 7.8 - Composite

Dissolve

Merge

MultiMerge

Chapter 7.9 - Effect

Duplicate

Highlight

Hot Spot

Pseudo Color

Rays

Shadow

Trails

Chapter 7.10 - Film

Film Grain

Grain

Remove Noise

Chapter 7.11 - Filter

Erode Dilate

Filter

Rank Filter

Chapter 7.12 - Generator

Background

Fast Noise

Plasma

Text Node

Text Modifiers

Chapter 7.13 - Mask

Bitmap

PreDefined Masks

Spline Masks

Image Based Masks

Mask Paint

Chapter 7.14 - Matte

Alpha Divide and Multiply

Chroma Keyer

Clean Plate

Delta Keyer

Depth Map

Difference Keyer

Luma Keyer

Magic Mask

Matte Control Node

Ultra Keyer

Chapter 7.15 - Miscellaneous

Auto Domain Node

Change Depth

Frame Average

Set Domain

Switch

Time Speed

Time Stretcher

Wireless Link

Chapter 7.16 - Paint

Paint Node

Chapter 7.20 - Tracking

Tracker

Camera Tracker

Planar Tracker

Chapter 7.21 Transform

Camera Shake

Crop

DVE

Resize

Scale

Transform