[Fuse] Multi-Merge

[Midgardsormr]

MultiMerge can perform a Merge with up to 64 Inputs. Every time a new Input is connected, a new one is created. The composite is created iteratively, so each additional image is Merged with the results of the previous Merge operations. At present, every layer gets the same Apply Mode and Operator, and the Transform controls are not exposed.

Multi-Merge.jpg

Known Issues:

The CloneInput method causes some versions of Fusion (all version 8 releases) to crash, so the Blend control does not appear on the Controls tab. For versions of Fusion where this is not the case, removing the comment flag on line 136 should add the cloned Blend input to the Controls tab.

The numerous Inputs are visually confusing, especially with the Effect Mask there also. A visible text label in the Flow, like Nuke uses, would be nice, but I'm fairly certain that's not possible at this time.

Held Out mode throws an error. Looks like it might be a bug in the API.

For the Future:

Add an Apply Mode/Operator control and a Blend control for each layer.
Implement Transform controls—I'm not sure exactly how these should work. On-screen widgets only apply to the highest-numbered input, perhaps?
Implement Depth Merge (low priority)

edit: Credit where it's due. This fuse is based in large part on code by Stefan Ihringer (Switch Fuse) and Isaac Gruenard (FuseMerge).

[AndrewHazelden]

What do you think of using a Wireless input linking approach (and drag and drop) to make it easier to know visually what order each input is connected and named in the stack?

[PeterLoveday]

You can do both, if you want. Have the connections on the flow, and dragdrop labels in the tool. See the external matte saver fuse with 9.0.1 for an example.

[Midgardsormr]

Good idea!

[JUNE]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1517

[Midgardsormr]

Nice, June! Maybe add a Blend control to each layer. Otherwise, you're not getting any benefit from having passes—you might as well just use the Beauty buffer.

Adding the Wireless inputs is easy enough. Is it possible to force the new Inputs to the top of the stack? Intuitively, you'd expect the item at the top to also be the top layer.

Untitled.png

[Midgardsormr]

Multi-Merge.jpg

Updated to version 1.1:

Added Image fields to the Control panel for better clarity. Added independent Blend controls per layer. Removed the troublesome CloneInput line since the new Blend controls make it unnecessary.

Updated Fuse can be downloaded from the first post in this thread.

[caspardavidfriedrich]

Looks super cool Brian, thanks!

[JUNE]

[FredP]

That's a nice tool Bryan!

[rebelorelse]

Thanks for the tool! Very useful within building UI with plenty of separate elements!

[edenexposito]

Great Job here!

Apply Mode/Operator control by each layer would be great addition!

Thanks for all