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How to create particle effects in DaVinci Resolve Fusion

DaVinci Resolve Fusion particle systems create fire, rain, smoke, snow, and custom particle effects. This guide covers emitters, renderers, physics modifiers, and 3D particle integration.

How do you create particle effects in DaVinci Resolve Fusion?

Add a pEmitter node and a pRender node to your node tree. Connect the pEmitter output to the pRender input. The pEmitter generates particles, and the pRender renders them as visible elements. In the inspector, set the particle style — bitmap, sprite, or shape — and adjust the number of particles, emission rate, and lifetime. Connect the pRender output to a Merge node over your background clip.

Particles can be created from any image. Use a soft circular gradient for smoke, an elongated streak for rain, or a custom logo shape for branded particle effects. The emitter defines how particles are born, and the renderer defines how they look.

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.

What physics modifiers are available for Fusion particles?

More than a dozen particle-specific nodes can be inserted between the pEmitter and pRender:

| Modifier | Effect | Best for |

|---|---|---|

| pGravity | Pulls particles in a direction | Rain, falling objects |

| pFriction | Slows particle movement | Smoke settling, dust |

| pTurbulence | Adds random motion | Fire flicker, chaotic effects |

| pBounce | Particles bounce off surfaces | Water droplets, debris |

| pVortex | Spiral motion | Tornadoes, swirling effects |

| pDrag | Air resistance | Realistic particle slowdown |

| pWind | Directional force | Wind-blown effects |

Chain multiple modifiers together. For fire, combine pTurbulence for flicker with pGravity pulling upward and pFriction for natural slowdown. For rain, use pGravity pulling downward with pWind for angle and pDrag for air resistance.

How do you use 3D particles in Fusion?

Particles work natively in 3D space. Use pEmitter3D and pRender3D nodes instead of the 2D versions. Connect them through a Merge3D node with your 3D scene. The particles flow around and interact with 3D geometry.

3D particles are ideal for immersive atmospheric effects. Add fog particles that drift through a 3D tracked scene. Create sparks that bounce off 3D surfaces. Build a snow effect where flakes accumulate on 3D objects.

For 3D particles that need to interact with lighting, set the pRender3D to receive lights from the 3D scene. The particles pick up shadows, highlights, and color from the scene lighting.

FAQ

Are particle effects available in the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

Yes. Particle effects are available in both free and Studio versions of Fusion.

How many particles can Fusion handle before performance drops?

The practical limit depends on your GPU and the complexity of each particle. Modern GPUs handle 10,000-100,000 particles smoothly. Reduce particle count or simplify particle styles for better performance.

Can I make particles respond to audio?

Yes. Use the AudioModulation modifier to link particle parameters to audio levels. Particle size, speed, or emission rate can pulse with the beat.

Can I save a particle setup as a template?

Yes. Select the particle nodes, right-click, and select "Create Template." Apply the template to any clip in any project.

How do I make particles follow a path?

Connect a pFollowPath node between the emitter and renderer. Draw the path in the viewer and particles follow it.