> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://codalin.gitbook.io/nodalin-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://codalin.gitbook.io/nodalin-docs/nodes-reference/effects/blend.md).

# Blend

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="141.6597900390625"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><div><figure><img src="https://937151318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F44MuVIHBk5o5yfcGn64w%2Fuploads%2FPbdkRCyHpthtRENLiXTB%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=8b510707-1fd4-41a8-9249-dfe27678ee42" alt="" width="76"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div></td><td>Controls the blend mode and opacity of shapes or effect chains. Choose from multiple blend modes — including normal, multiply, screen, add, and overlay — and adjust transparency with the opacity slider. </td></tr></tbody></table>

Blend modes are applied per chain as a layer, meaning the node doesn’t require two separate inputs. Instead, it blends each shape relative to what’s behind it, creating unique visual “lensing” effects.

<table><thead><tr><th width="154.9453125">Property name</th><th width="404.7421875">Description</th><th>Compatible datatype</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>input</td><td>Input figure to apply blend mode</td><td>figure</td></tr><tr><td>opacity</td><td>Opacity of the figure (0-100)</td><td>number</td></tr><tr><td>blendMode</td><td>Blend mode, use a text node to change the blend mode (normal, multiply, screen, overlay, difference) or right click to select from a list</td><td>text</td></tr></tbody></table>

### What is Lensing?

Because the Blend node treats whatever is already rendered behind a shape as its “background,” it creates an interesting side effect: any effects you place **after** the Blend node (Chromatic, Bloom, Trail, etc.) are applied not only to the shape, but also to that background *through* the shape.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://937151318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F44MuVIHBk5o5yfcGn64w%2Fuploads%2FxgywAFd2U6s6k4E7Y62f%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=eedda2d5-dcb0-44f7-83b9-214be825b283" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

This makes the blended shape behave like a miniature lens.

Where it overlaps other shapes, you’ll see the background get distorted, glowed, or trailed *inside* the front shape’s silhouette — even if the background shape itself has no effects at all.

It’s a unique behavior in Nodalin’s rendering pipeline and a fun technique to experiment with when building layered visuals.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://937151318-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F44MuVIHBk5o5yfcGn64w%2Fuploads%2FpzzNrH8RIGi0GBV1LzwN%2Flensing.gif?alt=media&amp;token=fa1b9dc8-29b6-4231-9563-38c9aa9dbfda" alt="" width="467"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Example Projects

[Blending Modes Demo](https://app.nodalin.xyz/project/72bfe339-1277-4be4-9263-9741fcb2358e)

[Blending Modes pt 2](https://app.nodalin.xyz/project/3fb4c010-31f6-4649-8acd-c55d3fd7f781)

[Blending Lensing](https://app.nodalin.xyz/project/ead26536-abc2-478a-896c-b67d5b10aac9)

[Coanta Washout](https://app.nodalin.xyz/project/2f680d9d-ebed-456a-a21a-a74f78664a67)