Set Timecode Node

Set Timecode inserts the TimeCode field into the metadata of the Fusion stream. The calculation is dynamic: based on the current frame + an adjustable offset, converted to SMPTE with the chosen FPS.

Unlike Set Metadata, which would just write a static value, Set Timecode computes the TC for every frame, so a single Set Timecode node handles the whole clip.

• Effects Library: Tools > Metadata > Set Timecode
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > Metadata > Set Timecode

• Background Input (orange) - the main image that receives the TC in its metadata.

Adding a standard TC to a clip without one:
MediaIn → Set Timecode (FPS = 24, Offset = 01:00:00:00)
       → MediaOut
   = a clip starting at 01:00:00:00, incremented every frame

Overriding a wrong TC:
MediaIn (wrong TC) → Set Timecode (FPS = 25, corrected Offset)
                      → MediaOut
   = a new clean TC in the output metadata

Broadcast conform pipeline:
MediaIn → Set Timecode (FPS = 24, Offset matching
                       the conform shot)
       → Color Corrector → Saver
   = TC properly filled in on output for broadcast ingest

FPS (Frames Per Second) (default: 24)

Frame rate used for the frame ↔ TC conversion. Dropdown: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60. Can be customized by editing the code.

Time Offset Hours (default: 0)

Hours in the starting offset. E.g. 1 = 01:00:00:00 (the classic broadcast TC).

Time Offset Minutes / Seconds / Frames (defaults: 0)

Additional components of the starting TC. They set the anchor point relative to frame 0 of the comp.

Print to Console (default: Off)

When on, prints the TC ↔ frame conversions in the Fusion Console. Handy for debugging. Example: TimeCode: 00:00:08:15 - Frames: 207.

• Adding TC to footage without one - some exports (e.g. a PNG sequence) have no TC. Set Timecode inserts it.
• Overriding a wrong TC - a misaligned source TC: Set Timecode with a corrected offset replaces the output TC.
• Broadcast conform - TV / cinema: an accurate TC is required for delivery. Set Timecode at the end of the chain ensures compliance.
• Visual TC reference - combined with a Text+ that displays=Image.Metadata.TimeCode = a dynamic TC burn-in for review.
• Matching TC between shots - different shots with inconsistent TCs: Set Timecode to make them uniform.

• 01:00:00:00 = broadcast convention - TV programs traditionally start at 01:00:00:00 (not 00:00:00:00) to leave room for pre-roll.
• FPS must match the project - otherwise the displayed TC will not match the real frame. Check the project frame rate.
• Print to Console for debugging - turn it on temporarily to check that the TC is computed as expected.
• At the end of the chain - for the Saver to use the TC, Set Timecode must be downstream, right before the Saver/MediaOut.
• Custom FPS through code - for FPS values not listed (e.g. 23.976, 29.97), edit the Fuse's code to add them.
• Works with Set Metadata - Set Timecode for the TC + Set Metadata for other custom fields (Project, Shot, etc.).
• For drop frame compliance (NTSC 29.97 drop), double-check the convention, because some Fusion versions handle DF differently.