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Set Domain Node

By Kriss Norde

Set Domain adjusts or sets the active data area (Domain of Definition / DoD) of an image without changing its physical dimensions. It speeds up rendering by limiting processing to the useful pixels and excluding everything outside that area. A key tool for performance on complex comps.

Overview

Set Domain explicitly tells Fusion which area of the image is useful. All downstream nodes only process that area and ignore the rest = a performance gain proportional to the difference between the full canvas and the real area.

Unlike a visual crop, Set Domain does not remove any pixels, it only tells Fusion which area is "interesting" for optimization. The image size stays the same.

Where to find this node

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

Set Domain vs Auto Domain

Set Domain
DoD set manually through Top/Bottom/Left/Right. Animatable but explicit. Ideal for known areas.
Auto Domain
DoD calculated automatically from the non-zero content. No manual work. Ideal for variable areas.

Rule: known / fixed area → Set Domain (faster). Unknown / animated area → Auto Domain (more convenient).

Inputs

  • Input (orange) - required. The 2D image whose DoD you want to change.
  • Foreground (green) - optional. When connected, it replaces the DoD of the Background with the DoD of the Foreground.

Setup

Optimized logo in a large canvas:
200x100 logo → Set Domain (Mode = Set,
                          Left = 0.4, Right = 0.6,
                          Bottom = 0.45, Top = 0.55)
            → [heavy processing downstream]
            → Merge with a 4K BG
            = processing only on the logo area

Adjust mode to extend:
MediaIn → Set Domain (Mode = Adjust,
                     Top = -0.1)
       = extends the DoD beyond the original frame (at the top)

Matching the DoD between images:
ImageA (input) ─┬── Set Domain (FG = ImageB)
ImageB ─────────┘    → ImageA gets the DoD of B

Controls tab

Mode
Set: absolute values (precise positions). Adjust: offset from the existing DoD.
Left (default: 0)
Left edge of the DoD. Range 0-1. Moves it to the right (shrinks the area).
Bottom (default: 0)
Bottom edge. Range 0-1. Moves it up.
Right (default: 1)
Right edge. Range 0-1. Moves it to the left.
Top (default: 1)
Top edge. Range 0-1. Moves it down.

In Adjust mode, the sliders default to 0. Positive values shrink the DoD; negative values extend it.

Use cases

  • Excluding transparent margins - an image with content only in the center: Set Domain to exclude the margins and speed things up.
  • Isolating specific areas - process only a precise part of the image (logo, text, subject).
  • Defining work areas - before heavy operations (blur, glow), set the DoD to save compute.
  • Extending the DoD for effects - effects that spill over (drop shadow, glow): Adjust mode with negative values to extend the area.
  • Matching the DoD between images - align the active area of several images through the Foreground input.

Tips

  • Set for absolute positions - when you know the area exactly. More predictable.
  • Adjust for offsets - to shrink / extend from the existing DoD. Handy in a chain.
  • Negative Adjust = expansion - negative values in Adjust mode extend the DoD beyond the original edges. For effects that spill over.
  • Place it early in the chain - Set Domain applies to the downstream nodes. Put it right at the source.
  • Check visually - turn on the DoD display (visible border) in the viewer to validate the area you set.
  • No visual difference - the result is identical with or without Set Domain. Only the performance changes.
  • For animated areas, prefer Auto Domain (automatic calculation) or animate the Set Domain parameters to follow the movement.