Level up your videos: Learn how to use DaVinci Resolve effects

Are you looking to take your video editing from good to great? DaVinci Resolve has many fun effects you can apply to your videos and films. Think of the software as a combination of tools rolled into one, from video editing to color correction to compositing. These are each displayed on their separate pages (Cut, Edit, Color, Fairlight, or Fusion). So make sure you explore them all.

In this tutorial, Motion Array will explore the basic DaVinci Resolve effects available in the Effects Library on the Edit page and show you how to apply them. Let’s get started.

Part 1: Getting started using effects in DaVinci Resolve

All the transitions (video and audio), titles, generators, and DaVinci Resolve effects are in the Effects Library. You’ll see 3 main categories: the Toolbox, OpenFX, and AudioFX. Let’s dive into what’s available and how to use them in your projects.

Video transitions 

To kick things off, we’ll begin with video transitions. DaVinci Resolve offers all the common transitions, including dissolve, push, shapes, and wipes. In later Resolve editions, there are fusion transitions like camera shake, circles, and crash zoom for even more appeal. Click on the Effects Library and look under Toolbox > Video Transitions to find them.

Here, you’ll see that the Cross Dissolve is the standard transition, identified by a little red bar beside it. If you’d like to change the standard transition to something else, it’s pretty easy. All you need to do is select a new transition, right-click, and choose Set as Standard Transition. By clicking the star beside a transition, you can add it to your DaVinci effects favorites. These are shown at the bottom of the toolbox so you can use them quickly.

1. To add a transition between clips (or at the beginning or end of a clip), you can drag it onto that point of the clip. Then use the bars on the side to adjust the length of the transition.
2. To add a transition to multiple clips in the timeline, select clips or edit points, then from the menu select Timeline > Add Video Only Transition. You can also use the shortcut Option+T or Alt+T to add a video transition. This will add the standard transition to all your selected clips.

Audio transitions

DaVinci Resolve has rich audio options alongside the full library of DaVinci Resolve video effects. You can easily add sound effects and even stock music to your videos. Remember to check the use rights if it’s a commercial project.  

You can work with audio on the Cut and Edit pages, and the Fairlight page is helpful for advanced audio work. It has audio transitions and a large number of audio effects included. You can also install third-party audio effects.

Audio effects are applied in the same way as video transitions and filters. When you drop the effect on a clip, it will transition at its head or tail.

Are you still trying to figure it out? Here’s how you would get started applying an audio crossfade.

1. Drag the transition to your chosen clip (or between the clips for transitions).
2. Alternatively, select the edit point, right-click on the transition, and select Add to Selected Edit Points and Clips. You can also visit Timeline > Add Audio Only Transition or use the shortcut Shift+T.

Titles

Now, let’s look at adding DaVinci effects to your titles or text. Adding some sparkle to your text as well as your video will help it look united and polished. In the Effects Library, you’ll see that titles consist of 3 categories: Titles, Fusion Titles, and Subtitles. DaVinci Resolve has a nice collection of presets for creating professional titles and lower thirds.

The Titles category is very basic, but here’s where to go if you want titles without animations. The exception is Text+, which includes animated text options with some cool effects. By the way, that lightning icon you may see tells you it’s a Fusion clip, which supports motion blur. Motion Blur is important when working with titles, as it makes their movement look more natural.

1. Select the title that you want to add to your video project. 
2. Drag and drop the title to the desired point on your timeline. 
3. Customize the title in the Inspector.
4. If you used a Text+ or a Fusion Title and animated the text, click the Settings tab. Here, you’ll see the option to select Motion Blur.

Pro Tip: A critical difference between titles and subtitles is that titles go on a standard video track, whereas subtitles need a subtitle track. You can also export DaVinci subtitles if you need to.

Generators

Generators are useful utility items found in most video editing apps. They include color bars, solid colors, and gradients. It’s very easy to start working with generators. Drag them to the timeline, just like a clip, and make adjustments in the Inspector.

OpenFX

OpenFX is where you’ll find ResolveFX effects and third-party plugins (in OFX format). If you’ve installed plugins for DaVinci Resolve effects, you’ll see those plugins installed here.

ResolveFX is available only with the paid version of Resolve. If you apply them in the free version, you’ll see a watermark. If you’re a working pro, the paid version gives you features you may need, like retouching, film grain, glow, and lens flare. You can learn more about the differences between DaVinci versions if you’re curious. 

If you’d like to use an effect from OpenFX, here’s how you’d get started:

1. Select the OpenFX effect you’d like to use.
2. Drag an effect onto a clip, and be sure to drag transitions to the head or tail of a clip.
3. Each OpenFX will have different customization options, and you can make adjustments in the Inspector.

Effects

There are only 2 DaVinci Resolve effects in this category, but they’re both powerful. Here, you’ll find Adjustment Clip and Fusion Composition. Here’s a look at what they can do for your video editing.

1. Adjustment clip

The Adjustment Clip applies all effects to multiple clips below it in the timeline. It works similarly to adjustment layers in the Adobe apps (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects). Let’s apply an adjustment clip above a couple of video clips.

Let’s say you’ve two clips in a timeline to which you want to give the same stylized look.

1. Drag the Adjustment Clip onto a track above your video clips. For example, if your clips were on video track 1, add the adjustment clip to video track 2. 
2. To add your first effect, simply drag and drop that onto the Adjustment Clip. 
3. From there, adjust the settings in the OpenFX Inspector. If the effect isn’t expanded, double-click on the slider. 
4. You can continue to add multiple effects as needed, creating quite a complex look with effect stacking. Click the slider beside each effect to toggle it on and off. 
5. If there’s a clip you want to remove, click on the trash can to delete it.

Something awesome to know is that ResolveFX and third-party OFX effects can also be applied to the adjustment clip. Another advantage of adjustment clips is that you can adjust their Opacity and change the Composite Mode to finish a look perfectly.

2. Fusion composition

Fusion lets you create motion graphics and compositing, similar to After Effects. However, DaVinci Resolve uses nodes which you connect instead of layers like Adobe.

Once you click on Fusion Composition, an empty Fusion container will be created. This container will be a placeholder for the future DaVinci effect you create.

Let’s create a simple title to see how Fusion works. You can follow along with the video below if you need to.

1. Drag the Fusion Composition onto video 2 and make it the same length. The 3 stars on the adjustment clip identify it as a Fusion clip. Video 2 is above the skateboard clip in the example video.          
2. Click on the Fusion page, and you’ll see a MediaOut1 node. These nodes are how Fusion outputs what you do on this page. You’ll need to connect a title to it.
3. Click Title on the toolbar. Connect the Title to the MediaOut1 node from earlier. You can do this by dragging from the title output (square) to the MediaIn input (gold triangle).
4. With the Title node selected, type some text in the Inspector. 
5. Click back on the Edit page to see the text above your video.

Part 2: Motion Array effects templates and macros

Now you know how to use the basic DaVinci Resolve video effects from within the software. But they aren’t your only options. There’s a whole world of high-quality DaVinci effects packs out there for you to explore. If you feel you’re in a creative rut, this could be the perfect way to unblock your creativity.

Motion Array has a large library of effects, titles, and transitions. It’s everything you need to create professional-looking videos quickly, all in one place. If you’ve a fast-approaching deadline, don’t worry! You don’t have to create all the effects yourself. Explore these DaVinci Resolve templates and macros, and then download the perfect effect for your project.

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You should now feel comfortable with the different types of DaVinci Resolve effects and how to apply them. You also know where to go for even more exciting DaVinci Resolve video effects to power up your collection. Motion Array hopes this tutorial has given you a solid overview of the options available. Now, you can get started on using and even creating your own effects!