How would you create a 3D scene in Fusion to add depth cues, such as shadows and lighting?

• A. Open the Fusion 3D Workspace and add depth cues using a depth map.
• B. Add a 3D Renderer and depth cues using depth maps.
• C. Depth cues are achieved by applying color correction only.
• D. Use a 3D space with 3D primitives, lights, cameras, and a 3D Renderer; connect through Merge nodes to render with depth cues.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is to create a real 3D setup inside Fusion so lighting and shadows can be computed by the 3D engine. You build a 3D space with actual geometry (primitives or imported objects), add lights to illuminate the scene and cast shadows, place a camera to frame the shot, and then render through a 3D Renderer. The renderer outputs the shaded, shadowed image and, if needed, a depth channel, which you then composite with other elements using a Merge node. This approach gives you authentic depth cues because the lighting interacts with the geometry, producing shadows, highlights, and perspective correctly.

Depth maps alone don’t generate lighting and shadows by themselves, and a renderer without a configured 3D scene can’t produce believable depth. Color correction cannot create true depth cues either. By setting up 3D space, lights, a camera, and a 3D Renderer, then merging the result into your comp, you get the proper depth, shadows, and lighting in the final image.