User Manual

For example, using Subtractive merging on a premultiplied image may result in darker edges,
whereas using Additive merging with a non-premultiplied image will cause any non-black area
outside the foreground’s alpha to be added to the result, thereby lightening the edges. By
blending between Additive and Subtractive, you can tweak the edge brightness to be just right
for your situation.
Using Composite Modes in the Merge Node
To create a more convincing composite in layer-based systems, you often use Blend modes.
Blend modes are located in the Merge node since that is where one layer gets composted over
another. Let’s take an example where you want to use the Screen mode to make a foreground
image look more like a reflection.
The Merge node has a variety of controls built into it for creating just about every compositing
effect you need. Items you may be familiar with as Blend modes are located in the Apply Mode
pop-up menu. You can use these mathematical compositing modes to combine the foreground
and background layers together. A Blend slider allows you to fade the foreground input with the
background.
Adjusting the Apply Mode and Blend slider
of the Merge node in the Inspector.
NOTE: The Subtractive/Additive slider disappears when you choose any other Apply
Mode option besides Normal, because the math would be invalid. This isn’t unusual;
there are a variety of controls in the Inspector that hide themselves when not needed
or when a particular input isn’t connected.
The Screen node is perfect for simulating reflections, and lowering Blend a bit lets you balance
the foreground and background images. It’s subtle, but helps sell the shot.
TIP: You may have noticed that the Merge node also has a set of Flip, Center, Size,
and Angle controls that you can use to transform the foreground image without
needing to add a dedicated Transform node. It’s a nice shortcut for simplifying node
trees large and small.
Chapter – 70 Compositing Layers in Fusion 1416