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Color Overlay

Color Overlay
Color

Applies a solid color overlay to an image using any of 18 blend modes with adjustable opacity.

The Color Overlay node applied to a source image: original (left) and result (right).
Side-by-side comparison: the original image on the left and the same image after the Color Overlay node on the right.

Use it to tint an image, lay down a color wash, or add a color cast. Opacity controls how strongly the overlay applies, and a mask restricts it to part of the image.

Parameters

Section titled “Parameters”

Pins

ImageImage
InputRequired
MaskMask
InputOptional
ImageImage
Output

Color

OverlayColor (RGB)
Default: rgb(255, 0, 0)

Overlay color

Blend

Opacity (%)Number
Default: 100 Range: 0–100

Strength of the color overlay effect (percent)

Blend ModeChoice
Default: Normal

How the overlay color is blended onto the image

  • NormalStandard layering: the color covers the image based on opacity.
  • MultiplyDarkens by multiplying pixel values. White is neutral. Great for shadows and tinting.
  • ScreenLightens by inverting, multiplying, and inverting again. Black is neutral. Great for light effects.
  • OverlayCombines Multiply and Screen, darkening darks and lightening lights. Boosts contrast.
  • Linear Dodge (Add)Adds the overlay color to the base. Same as Add, creating bright, glowing results.
  • SubtractSubtracts the overlay color from the base. Creates dark, negative-like effects.
  • DifferenceShows the absolute difference between the image and overlay color. Identical values become black.
  • Hard LightStrong version of Overlay, with dramatic contrast enhancement from the overlay color.
  • Soft LightSubtle version of Overlay that gently increases contrast without harsh clipping.
  • DarkenKeeps the darker value between the image pixel and the overlay color.
  • LightenKeeps the lighter value between the image pixel and the overlay color.
  • Color DodgeBrightens the image toward the overlay color. Creates intense, blown-out highlights.
  • Color BurnDarkens the image toward the overlay color. Creates deep, saturated shadows.
  • ExclusionSimilar to Difference but with less contrast, producing a softer inversion effect.
  • HueReplaces the image hue with the overlay color hue, keeping saturation and luminance.
  • SaturationReplaces the image saturation with the overlay color saturation, keeping hue and luminance.
  • ColorReplaces the hue and saturation with the overlay color, keeping the image luminance.
  • LuminosityReplaces the image luminance with the overlay color luminance, keeping hue and saturation.

Mask

Mask FromChoice
Default: Luminance
Color image connected to the mask input

How the connected color image is read as a mask

  • LuminanceRead the image's brightness as the mask. The default.
  • AlphaRead the image's transparency as the mask.
  • RedUse the red channel as the mask.
  • GreenUse the green channel as the mask.
  • BlueUse the blue channel as the mask.
Mask FitChoice
Default: None (native size)
Mask connected

How the mask is sized when it doesn't match the image

  • None (native size)Center the mask at its native size, with no resizing. Unmasked regions are unaffected.
  • StretchStretch the mask to exactly match the image dimensions. May distort the mask shape.
  • Fit (letterbox)Scale the mask to fit inside the image, preserving aspect ratio. Letterboxes where needed.
  • Fill (crop)Scale the mask to fill the image, preserving aspect ratio. Crops edges if aspect ratios differ.

Usage Tips

Section titled “Usage Tips”
  • Hover a Blend Mode in the list, or move through it with the arrow keys, to preview each mode on the canvas before you pick one.
  • Multiply with a dark color darkens like a shadow or vignette.
  • Screen with a warm color gives a light leak or haze look.
  • Color mode tints the image while keeping its original luminance.
Section titled “Related Nodes”