Fusion already includes DepthBlur, but its handling of Z-depth defocus leaves room for alternatives. Millolab, also known as Emilio, has released ml_ZDefocus, a Fusion macro intended to produce more controllable depth-dependent blur while dealing with the edge artefacts that so often turn a respectable Z-pass into a halo generator.
The macro accepts either depth data stored in the main image’s auxiliary channels or an externally connected depth map. When a Z-buffer is present in the AUX channels, ml_ZDefocus reads it directly from the primary input. Separate maps can be connected through the additional input.
Input images must contain an alpha channel. The Z-buffer must use a normalised range with the far plane represented by a value of 1. Depth maps that do not already meet this requirement can be normalised inside the macro. Controls for working with layered images are located in Fusion’s Common tab.
Focus inspection and Z-buffer processing
ml_ZDefocus can display the incoming depth map after its internal Z-remapping and falloff processing. During forum testing, users requested a clearer indication of the active focus region. Millolab subsequently restored the Sharp Zone display, which visualises the area currently intended to remain sharp.
Highlight controls were added in another update. These provide additional control over bright areas affected by the defocus operation, a useful addition when depth blur starts converting every specular highlight into a small weather system.
The macro also includes edge preprocessing and a Reduce Artifacts function. Version 1 revised the artefact-reduction stage and introduced several interface adjustments. A forum tester specifically noted the usefulness of the edge preprocessing, although that remains an individual assessment rather than a controlled comparison.
Variblur at the centre
The actual blur operation is based on Fusion’s Variblur tool. This means ml_ZDefocus does not support custom blur kernels. Millolab confirmed that this limitation follows directly from the underlying Variblur implementation rather than merely from an omitted interface control.
Z-buffer preparation relies partly on CustomTools. Alternative approaches were tested during development but reportedly performed more slowly. Version 0.2 introduced a small performance improvement, although the macro was still described by one tester as slower than a simpler defocus macro. Millolab stated that further acceleration would require a different method of processing the Z-buffer.
Release status
The development thread is up to Version 1, followed by an Official Release build. An initial official package contained a bug and was replaced, so anyone who downloaded the first release should obtain the reupload. A version 0.1 user manual is also available from the thread. Millolab has mentioned a possible Reactor submission, but no release is confirmed.
The current ml_ZDefocus .setting file and manual can be downloaded from the We Suck Less development thread. As with any community tool, it should be tested on representative shots before being introduced into an active production.
Fridays for Fusion: Displace Plus Plus reaches Reactor
A GPU Fuse for Fusion uses maps for XY, linked XY, angle/radius, rotation and image-gradient displacement.
Fridays for Fusion: Bend It
Bend It warps 2D in Fusion with bend, taper, twist, and shear plus optional lighting and materials. It needs Fusion 19.1+ and a strong sense of restraint.
Fridays for Fusion: Flow Looper animates stills in Resolve
Flow Looper targets seamless looping motion in stills inside Resolve Fusion, using spline corridors, pixel flow, and cross-fade looping.
