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How to use the 3D Camera Tracker in DaVinci Resolve Fusion

DaVinci Resolve Fusion 3D Camera Tracker analyzes camera movement in footage and recreates it in 3D space, letting you add objects, text, and particles that blend seamlessly into the original scene.

How does the 3D Camera Tracker work in DaVinci Resolve Fusion?

The 3D Camera Tracker analyzes the motion of the camera that shot the original footage and recreates it in 3D space. Connect your clip to a 3D Camera Tracker node, click Track Forward, and Fusion analyzes the parallax and motion vectors across the clip. The result is a virtual camera that matches the original camera's movement, plus a cloud of 3D tracking points that correspond to features in the scene.

Once tracking is complete, you can add 3D objects, text, particles, or atmospheric effects into the scene, and they will move in perfect synchronization with the original camera motion. The tracked points act as reference markers — you can attach objects to specific points in 3D space so they appear locked to the scene geometry.

For more DaVinci Resolve tips, read our guide on DaVinci Resolve AI Tools for Colorists and Editors.

Master Fusion effects with How to use node-based compositing in DaVinci Resolve Fusion.

How do you set up a 3D camera track in Fusion?

Add a 3D Camera Tracker node from the effects library and connect your clip. Set the tracking resolution — full resolution for the most accurate results, half resolution for faster processing on longer clips. Click the Track button. The tracker processes the clip and displays tracking points overlayed on the footage.

After tracking, the Solve section shows the tracking quality. A green indicator means the solve is reliable. Yellow means moderate quality — you may need to mask out moving objects and re-track. Red means the track failed — the footage may lack sufficient feature points or parallax.

Once solved, create the 3D scene by selecting "Create 3D Scene" from the tracker's context menu. Fusion generates a Camera3D node with the tracked animation, a Merge3D node, and a Renderer3D node. The 3D scene is ready for you to add objects.

How do you add objects to a 3D tracked scene in Fusion?

With the 3D scene created, add a Shape3D node — cube, sphere, cylinder, or ImagePlane3D — and connect it to the Merge3D node. Position the object in 3D space using the Transform3D node's X, Y, and Z controls. The object inherits the tracked camera's motion automatically.

For text elements in 3D space, use a Text3D node instead of Text+. Text3D generates actual 3D geometry with extrusion, bevel, and material properties. Connect it through the Merge3D and light it using Light nodes for realistic integration.

Use the tracking points as position references. Click on any tracking point in the viewer to snap an object to that 3D position. The object stays locked to the physical feature in the scene as the camera moves.

FAQ

What footage works best with the 3D Camera Tracker?

Footage with visible feature points — corners, edges, texture details — and sufficient camera movement to create parallax. Static shots or footage of blank walls do not provide enough information for 3D tracking.

Is the 3D Camera Tracker available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

Yes. The 3D Camera Tracker is available in both free and Studio versions.

How long does 3D tracking take?

Tracking time depends on clip duration, resolution, and the number of feature points. A 10-second 4K clip typically solves in 30-60 seconds on a modern system.

Can I combine 3D camera tracking with 2D planar tracking?

Yes. Use the 3D Camera Tracker for the overall camera motion and a Planar Tracker for specific surface replacements within the scene.

What 3D file formats can I import into Fusion?

Fusion supports FBX and Alembic imports for 3D models and animated geometry. Import models from Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, or Cinema 4D.