Dissolve Node

Dissolve blends two images based on a Background/Foreground ratio. At 0 = 100% BG, at 1 = 100% FG, at 0.5 = a 50/50 mix. Animate this slider = a transition.

Unlike the Merge, which absolutely needs a connected BG, the Dissolve accepts an empty input. Useful to handle clips of different lengths in a timeline - the node automatically switches to the active input.

• Effects Library: Tools > Composite > Dissolve
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > Composite > Dissolve

Merge

Layers the FG over the BG based on the FG alpha. For spatial compositing (overlay). BG required.

Dissolve

Blends/transitions between two images as a whole (no notion of alpha). For time-based transitions. BG optional.

Rule of thumb: overlay / compositing → Merge. Transition between scenes / fade → Dissolve.

• Background - the first image. Optional (auto-switching mode).
• Foreground - the second image. Optional.
• Gradient Map - only required for the Gradient Wipe mode. A grayscale image that controls the reveal order.

Fade to black:
MediaIn → Dissolve BG
Black (Background node) → Dissolve FG
Dissolve → animate Background/Foreground from 0 to 1

Transition between two shots:
MediaIn 1 → Dissolve BG
MediaIn 2 → Dissolve FG
Dissolve (animate the slider) → MediaOut

Gradient wipe (reveal following an image):
Shot A → Dissolve BG
Shot B → Dissolve FG
Gradient image (custom) → Gradient Map input
Dissolve (Operation = Gradient Wipe)

Dissolve

Standard cross-dissolve. A linear mix between BG and FG. The classic film & TV transition. The most used.

Additive Dissolve

Adds the FG to the BG during the transition while fading out the BG. Result: it goes through a brighter phase (sometimes white/overexposed) between the two shots. A cinematic flash effect.

Erode

The darkest areas of the BG grow gradually to reveal the FG underneath. A stylized "eating away" or "corrosion" transition.

Random Dissolve

A static random dot pattern that gradually reveals the FG. A pixelated / dithering effect.

Random Noise Dissolve

Like Random, but with a pattern animated frame by frame. A chaotic, "sparkling" transition.

Gradient Wipe

Reveals the FG following the luminance of an image connected to the Gradient Map input. The brightest areas of the gradient are revealed first. Complex custom wipes (swirl, diagonal, organic pattern).

SMPTE Wipe

A classic broadcast-style horizontal or vertical wipe. A preset with adjustable border / softness / border color.

Background / Foreground (slider)

The main control. 0 = pure BG, 1 = pure FG. Animate this slider = the transition itself.

Operation

Selects the mode (see the 7 modes above).

Softness (Gradient/SMPTE)

Softens the transition. 0 = hard, sharp edge, 1 = a very soft transition.

Border / Border Softness / Border Color

For SMPTE and Gradient Wipe: adds a colored border at the edge of the transition. The broadcast classic "wipe with a colored line".

Invert Gradient

For Gradient Wipe: reverses the reveal order (dark areas first).

• Standard cross-dissolve between shots - the classic Dissolve mode, a 24-48 frame transition that blends in seamlessly.
• Fade to black / from black - FG = a black Background node, animate the slider for a fade to black.
• Dramatic flash transition - Additive Dissolve over 12-16 frames = a pass through overexposed white, a shock cut (flashback, burst of light).
• Custom organic transition - Fast Noise → Gradient Map → Gradient Wipe = a "cloudy" reveal between the two shots.
• Broadcast TV wipe - a horizontal SMPTE Wipe with Border Softness 0.1 and a white Border Color = an 80s TV news style wipe.
• 8-bit / pixel art transition - Random Dissolve with large blocks = retro dithering for an 80s video game look.
• Automatic layer switching - use the Dissolve's auto-switch to change between two clips of different lengths without having to sync everything.
• Iris open (circular transition) - Gradient Wipe with a radial gradient → a camera iris opening transition.

• Animate with an ease-in/ease-out curve rather than linear - linear looks mechanical. Right-click the keyframes → Smooth.
• 24-48 frames = standard for a smooth transition. Faster = a flash, slower = mood.
• Fade in = value 1 to 0, Fade out = 0 to 1 (depending on where you connect the black BG).
• Additive Dissolve for a flash - if the pass through white is not strong enough, temporarily duplicate the BG or add a Color Corrector that boosts the exposure during the transition.
• Gradient Wipe = endless creativity - anything you can turn into a grayscale map becomes a transition pattern. Text+ → Gradient Wipe = a reveal in the shape of a word.
• Softness at 0 for a hard wipe, Softness at 0.3+ for a soft, film-style wipe.
• For complex broadcast transitions (rotation, 3D, particle wipe), use the Resolve timeline (Edit page) rather than Fusion - it has optimized presets.
• Always check the inputs - the Dissolve is permissive and can show either source if the slider is badly placed. Keep the slider locked at 0 or 1 outside the transition zone.