Fixing Black Screen With DaVinci Resolve’s Keyframe Stretcher Node

Introduction

If you’ve ever created custom lower thirds in DaVinci Resolve video editing software, you’ve probably used the Keyframe Stretcher node. This powerful tool in Fusion allows you to adjust the length of your composition without affecting the animation speed. However, many editors encounter a frustrating issue when shortening compositions that use this node – empty frames or a black screen appear where your animation should be.

What you’ll learn in this guide:

• Why the black screen problem occurs with Keyframe Stretcher
• Step-by-step solutions to fix the issue permanently
• Prevention tips for future projects
• Advanced techniques for working with Fusion compositions

What Is The Keyframe Stretcher Node?

The Keyframe Stretcher Node is a special Fusion tool that allows animation timing to remain consistent regardless of composition length. It’s commonly used for:

• Creating reusable lower third templates
• Designing flexible animated elements
• Building responsive motion graphics
• Maintaining animation timing when adjusting clip duration

Understanding how this node interacts with Global In/Out points is crucial for avoiding the black screen issue.

The Black Screen Problem: Identifying Symptoms

When working with the Keyframe Stretcher node, you might encounter these telltale signs of the problem:

• Animation works initially but then suddenly cuts to black
• Shortening a Fusion composition causes frames to disappear
• Animations stop playing before they should complete
• The timeline shows content but the viewer displays black

This issue specifically affects Fusion compositions that have been shortened after the initial creation.

Root Cause Analysis

The missing frames or black screen is directly related to nodes with a Global In/Out setting. These include:

• Media nodes
• Text nodes
• Background nodes
• Render nodes

These nodes have their Global In/Out settings automatically configured to match the original composition length. When you shorten the composition, the Global In/Out settings don’t automatically adjust, causing frames to be cut off precisely when your animation should appear.

Step-by-Step Solution

Quick Fix Method:

1. Open your problematic composition in the Fusion tab
2. Identify all nodes with Global In/Out settings (text, media, background nodes)
3. Select each node and locate the Global In/Out properties in the Inspector panel
4. Change the Global In/Out duration to a much longer value (1000 frames is recommended)
5. Apply this change to all relevant nodes
6. Return to the Edit page and test your composition

Troubleshooting Other Keyframe Stretcher Issues

If you’re still experiencing problems after fixing the Global In/Out settings:

• Make sure your Source Start, Source End, Stretch Start, and Stretch End are configured properly in the Keyframe Stretcher node settings.
• Verify that animation keyframes exist within the viewable timeframe
• If you are using Anim Curves for animation, make sure its’ Source is set to Custom

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the black screen only appear after I shorten my composition? A: The black screen appears because shortening the composition affects the Global In/Out points of nodes, cutting off frames when animations should play.

Q: Does this issue affect all types of Fusion compositions? A: This issue specifically affects compositions using the Keyframe Stretcher node that have been shortened from their original duration.

Q: Do I need to adjust the Global In/Out for all nodes? A: You only need to adjust nodes that have Global In/Out settings, typically text, media, and background nodes.

Conclusion

The black screen issue with DaVinci Resolve’s Keyframe Stretcher node is a common but easily fixable problem. By understanding how Global In/Out settings interact with composition durations, you can ensure your animations play correctly every time.

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