Image Plane 3D Node

Image Plane 3D generates a rectangular plane whose proportions adapt automatically to the image connected to its material input. No need to work out a 16:9 or 4:3 ratio by hand - a 6000×4000 photo produces a plane with the correct proportions by default.

It is the go-to node for bringing a 2D image into a 3D composition: a matte painting layer, a product photo, a tracking reference, a virtual phone screen, and so on.

• Effects Library: Tools > 3D > Image Plane 3D
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > 3D > Image Plane 3D

Fusion offers two ways to create a plane in 3D: Shape 3D in Plane mode, or Image Plane 3D. Key differences:

Shape 3D (Plane)

Explicit dimensions through Width/Height sliders. If you plug in an image, it is up to you to adjust the proportions so it isn't distorted.

Image Plane 3D

No Width/Height: the proportions are calculated from the aspect ratio of the connected image. More direct when the goal is to show a photo/plate without distorting it.

Rule: Image Plane 3D to show a given image; Shape 3D when you need precise control over the dimensions of a plane.

• SceneInput (orange) - accepts another 3D scene. Optional - Image Plane works perfectly well on its own.
• MaterialInput (green) - accepts either a 2D image (from a MediaIn, Loader, or any 2D output) or a 3D material. The image sets both the texture AND the aspect ratio of the plane.

When a 3D material is connected instead of an image, the basic material tab is disabled.

Minimal workflow:

1. MediaIn (or Loader, Background, …) → Image Plane 3D (green input)
2. → Merge 3D with a camera
3. → Renderer 3D

Lock Width/Height (default: checked)

On by default: the X and Y subdivisions are identical. Uncheck it to get independent Subdivision X and Y sliders (useful if your plane is very elongated and you want more vertices in one direction).

Subdivision Level (default: 1)

Number of mesh subdivisions. Default 1 (= 2 triangles). Raise it if:

• you want the plane to get smooth vertex lighting
• you are going to apply a Displace 3D, Bender 3D or Custom Vertex 3D - you need vertices to deform
• you project with camera projection onto a plane seen in strong perspective (reduces artifacts)

Wireframe (default: off)

Wireframe render (Renderer 3D in OpenGL mode only).

• 2.5D matte painting - cut an image into several depth layers (background, mountain, tree), each on an Image Plane 3D at a different distance, then animate the camera. A "Disney-style" parallax effect with no modeling.
• Camera projection - project a photo from a Camera 3D onto an Image Plane aligned with that camera. Once aligned, you can move the actual shot camera to reveal the 3D reprojection.
• Virtual screen in a 3D scene - an Image Plane acts as the screen for a phone, TV or computer modeled next to it. Shows video content in real time.
• Tracking / alignment reference - load the shot plate on an Image Plane to align the 3D scene with what was filmed.
• 3D product packshot - place a packshot photo in front of the camera as a "backdrop", then add 3D elements (cast shadow, particles) on top.
• Animated flag - raise the subdivision to 40×40, plug in a Custom Vertex 3D with a wave formula, and texture it with a flag.

• Aligning with a real camera - place the Image Plane at a distance = the camera's Focal Length (in Fusion units). It will fill that camera's frame exactly. This is the basis of camera projection.
• For a "photo floating in space" effect, combine Image Plane with a Transform 3D to tilt it slightly.
• Alpha channel - if your image has an alpha channel (PNG, EXR), Image Plane respects the transparency. Perfect for cutting out elements without a keyer.
• If the image comes from a MediaIn with an unusual resolution (e.g. 8192×4320), the plane's height/width take the same proportions - no need to adjust anything.
• For animated matte paintings (parallax layers), make sure each Image Plane has a clean alpha, otherwise the back layers will show through.
• Subdivision = 1 is enough for simple display. Only raise it if lighting or deformation requires it.

The Materials, Transform and Settings tabs have the options shared by 3D nodes: visibility, lighting, matte, blend mode, normals, object ID, and transforms.