Loader Node

The Loader reads a file (or a sequence) directly from disk, without going through the Media Pool. It gives you finer control over the import: bit depth, pixel aspect, missing frame handling, gamma curve, alpha post-multiplication.

In standalone Fusion Studio, the Loader is the main import (it supports every format). In the Resolve Fusion page, it is limited to EXRs, and MediaIn is preferred for other formats.

• Effects Library: Tools > I/O > Loader
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > I/O > Loader

MediaIn

Built into Resolve, source = timeline / Media Pool / OS. Handles every format. Tied to Resolve color management (RCM/ACES). Preferred in the Resolve Fusion page.

Loader

Independent of the Media Pool, reads directly from disk. Finer import controls (Depth, Pixel Aspect, Missing Frames). Fusion Studio: every format. Resolve Fusion: EXR only.

Rule: Resolve → MediaIn by default, Loader only for EXR sequences from 3D renders. Fusion Studio → always Loader.

• Effect Mask (blue) - optional. Applies a cropping mask to the loaded footage.

No main input - the Loader generates its output from the source file.

EXR sequence import (Resolve Fusion page):
Loader (Filename = /path/to/render.####.exr) → Color Corrector → MediaOut

Multilayer EXR (Fusion Studio):
Loader → Channel Booleans (extract diffuse pass) → Merge
       → Channel Booleans (extract specular) → Merge
       → ... → Saver or MediaOut

Image sequence with a hold on missing frames:
Loader (Missing Frames = Hold Previous Output) → comp

Filename

Path of the source file. Browse button to navigate. Supports sequences through a pattern (e.g. render.####.exr).

Trim In / Out

Cuts frames at the start or end of the loaded clip.

Global In / Out

Places the clip in the project timeline. Sets the project frame at which the clip starts.

Loop

Repeats the footage until the end of the project.

Reverse

Plays in reverse.

Hold First / Last Frame

Extends the clip by repeating the first or last frame.

Missing Frames

Behavior when a frame of the sequence is missing:

• Fail: an error stops the render.
• Hold Previous Output: repeats the previous frame.
• Output Black: a black frame.
• Wait: waits for the frame to be available (useful for sequences that are still rendering).

Depth

Bit depth: 8-bit, 16-bit, Float 16-bit, Float 32-bit. Float is recommended for EXR and HDR workflows.

Pixel Aspect

From File (read from the metadata), Default (the project ratio), or Custom (a manual value).

Color Space Type

Color space metadata for a linear workflow. Auto or set manually.

Curve Type

Gamma curve: option to remove it (convert to linear) or keep it.

Post-Multiply by Alpha

Converts between premultiplied and non-premultiplied images on import. Useful to fix sources whose alpha is in the wrong state.

• Importing a 3D render EXR sequence - multichannel EXR output from Blender, Maya, Houdini → the Loader keeps every AOV (extra channels: diffuse, specular, Z-depth, normals, etc.).
• Pro Fusion Studio pipeline - a standalone workflow without Resolve. Loader from the render farm, comp, Saver to disk for delivery.
• A sequence that is still rendering - Missing Frames = Wait → the Loader waits for the frames as the farm renders them. Handy for working in parallel.
• 32-bit EXR import - Depth Float 32-bit + Color Space Linear = a perfect HDR/linear workflow for VFX compositing.
• Still image with Hold - a single image + Hold Last Frame = an image extended over the whole project duration.
• Fixing alpha premultiplication - a source that was not premultiplied originally? Post-Multiply by Alpha fixes it on import.

• Resolve Fusion page = EXR only - do not try to import MOV, MP4 or JPEG sequences through the Loader in Resolve. Use MediaIn.
• ### pattern for sequences - Fusion automatically recognizes sequences by their numbered pattern. Drag in any frame and the Loader detects the others.
• Missing Frames = Hold for safety - in production, if a frame goes missing, Hold keeps the whole render from crashing. Prefer it to Fail for robustness.
• Depth Float 32 for HDR/EXR - EXR is designed for HDR. 8-bit throws away information for nothing. Float keeps the full dynamic range.
• Global In for sync - if the comp starts at frame 50 of the Resolve project, set Global In = 50 in the Loader. The clip is placed correctly in time.
• Careful with Post-Multiply - enable it only when you really need it. Used wrongly, it can corrupt the alpha rather than fix it.
• For heavy sequences (multichannel 4K EXR), enable the Fusion cache on the Loader - it avoids rereading the disk on every preview.