How to Create Time-Saving DaVinci Resolve Macros

DaVinci Resolve macros are big-time savers, as they are reusable effects, transitions, and titles. If you’re new to macros, they function similarly to a motion graphics template created in After Effects, where you specify what settings the user can later adjust. 

In today’s tutorial, we’ll take a look at how you can create your own and modify them in Fusion. Plus, find out how you can download macros and then incorporate them into your videos. Let’s get started! 

Part 1: A Quick Overview of Fusion 

Before jumping into creating macros, it’s important to understand how Fusion works.

The Fusion page lets you work on compositing and motion graphics, all without leaving DaVinci Resolve 16. Unlike After Effects which use layers, Fusion uses nodes, which you connect to like a flow chart. Generally, each node does one thing, so if you want to change the size, color, and blur the footage, you would use a different node for each part. Fusion especially calls nodes tools, and you create a flow by combining multiple tools. 

The basics to understand in Fusion is that you have a MediaIn node connected to MediaOut by a connected line. This line has to be connected to be output from the Fusion page. When you want to insert a macro between the input and output, select the MediaIn node and add the macro. 

Below we’ll create a simple macro, so you see how this works, and if you want to learn more about Fusion first then take a look at this crash course.

Part 2: Working with Macros in DaVinci Resolve

1. Creating a Simple Macro

Let’s create a colored vignette that we can quickly reuse whenever we need it. We will create the macro using a Color Corrector and a Rectangle Mask tools. We’ll be using the Smiling Man with Bike clip from Motion Array for this demo.

Color Corrector

1. Select MediaIn1 and right-click to rename it “Guy on Bike” or press F2. Just like naming layers in After Effects, naming nodes helps with organization, especially when you start making more complex flows.
2. With “Guy on Bike” selected, click on Color Corrector from the Toolbar. This adds the Color Corrector between the two current nodes (Tools). 
3. In the Inspector, we’re going to drag the Color Wheel towards orange to tint the clip. We’re going to limit the color effect to the edge of the clip to create a stylized vignette.

Rectangle

1. With the Color Corrector Tool selected, click the Rectangle tool on the Toolbar. 
2. In the Inspector, click Invert, and adjust the Soft Edge, Border Width, and Width/Height to taste.

2. Saving a Macro

Now, let’s say you wanted to save this color vignette, created with these two tools, as a reuseable effect. Here’s how to do that.  

1. Select both the Color Corrector and the Rectangle Mask, then right-click and select Macro > Create Macro. 
2. Here’s where you’ll add the parameters that you want to be editable. Don’t uncheck anything already checked, like Output, or you will not be able to connect it to other clips later.
3. For Rectangle 1 > Controls, in this example, we’ll check Filter, Soft Edge, Invert, Width, Height, and Corner Radius.
4. Expand Color Corrector 1, and we are going to select a lot of parameters, so it is easier to look at the video example for what to check. Experiment with this, so you understand what each parameter controls.

After you save it, it will function as one node with only the properties you select. Keep in mind that macros can be edited later if needed and will go over that below.

3. Applying a Macro

Let’s go over how you’d apply the macro you just created. With just the “Guy on Bike” clip (MediaIn1) and the output (MediaIn2), let’s add macro between them. If you don’t select  “Guy on Bike” first, the macro will not be connected.

1. Select “Guy on Bike”, right-click, and go to Insert Tool > Vignette Color (or whatever your macro is named). 
2. You should now see the macro applied between the two nodes. You’ll notice that the macro appears as one node. 
3. To adjust the macro, go to the Inspector, and modify the saved parameters.  

4. Editing a Macro

Let’s say down the road you want to make changes to your macro. Don’t worry, it’s easy to modify a previously created macro! Here’s how to do it.

1. Right-click in the nodes gray area and choose Edit Macro > Vignette Color (or whatever you named your macro). 
2. Make your changes, click Close, and then OK to save the changes.

You’re a macro editing master now!

Part 3: Download and Install Motion Array Macros 

If you’re looking for inspiration or simply want to save time not creating one all on your own, Motion Array has a bunch of DaVinci Resolve macros available! Downloading and installing is pretty straightforward too. 

We’ll use the free Simple Titles macro to demo how to get started.

1. Download your preferred macro from Motion Array. 
2. Look at the three folders inside the downloaded zip. 
3. If there is a particular font needed for the macro, you’ll find a link to the free font it uses inside of the Font folder.
4. The PDF in the Instructions Folder explains how to install the macro. Install using the instructions for either a Mac or PC. 
5. To use the installed macro on the Fusion page, select the node you want to apply the macro to. 
6. Then, select the macro in the Effects Library, and apply it to the node. 
7. In the Inspector, start customizing your macro, and that’s all there is to it!

And there you have it! You’ve now learned how to create, save, and modify macros in DaVinci Resolve. We hope using macros will help be able to reuse creative elements more efficiently and save you time in the long run. Now, it’s your turn to get creative and give this a try!