Once regarded strictly as an advanced color grading software, DaVinci Resolve by Blackmagic Design has rapidly evolved into an exceptionally powerful yet intuitive video editing platform over the past decade. The free version alone packs a staggering amount of professional tools rivaling paid applications like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. This expansion into a mainstream non-linear editor (NLE) corresponds with the democratization of high quality video production, especially amongst aspiring content creators looking to elevate their YouTube videos or social media brand.
In 2021, Blackmagic revealed DaVinci Resolve controlled 41% of the video editing market share. Compare this to workhorse editing software Premiere Pro with a 36% hold on the market. While Adobe maintains dominance in individual subscriptions, clearly Blackmagic has struck a chord providing such robust software accessible to anyone free of charge. Even professionals may opt for the free Resolve version over paying for Premiere. Of course for larger studios, the DaVinci Resolve Studio $300 version unlocks enhanced collaboration tools and GPU/hardware optimizations at a fraction of the cost.
So what exactly gives DaVinci Resolve the edge over competitors? For starters, Resolve originated specifically for high quality color grading rather than general video editing. The color page offers unrivaled editing tools tailored to simplify the color correction process with incredible results. Combine this with the tactfully designed edit page, intuitive multi-track timeline, and the unique Fusion VFX compositing built-in; Resolve feels tailor-made for today‘s digital filmmakers who must wear many hats in a dynamic one-person studio environment. Sure, for teams larger than 3 people Premiere‘s Creative Cloud libraries may provide better collaboration. But for solo editors, DaVinci condenses post-production into an accessible all-in-one hub.
For video editors specifically, Resolve boasts real-time live previews allowing instant reaction to adjustments without interrupting a preview render. The smooth interface holds its own against classic track-based timelines making editing simple for former FCP7 users. And of course Blackmagic continues optimizing Resolve to leverage powerful GPUs and multi-core performance for 4K+ footage. Combine all these advantages with cross-compatibility on macOS, Windows and Linux; it becomes clear why DaVinci Resolve managed to consolidate such a massive market share so rapidly. It brings unparalleled post power into the hands of any driven video creator.
So for solo editors aiming to maximize production value, where does learning DaVinci Resolve begin? While color grading arguably remains Resolve‘s star attraction, acquiring basic editing fluency comes first. Cutting together coherent sequences with smooth playback. Utilizing tools like razor and ripple to trim dialogue cleanly. Embedding simple graphics for subscribe annotations and social media lower-thirds. In other words, mastering key functionality that many YouTubers rely on WordPress sites or basic apps to cobble together preceding Resolve‘s approachability.
Once sequence assembly flows naturally, new Resolve users shift focus to enhancing visual appeal of those raw edits. Audio balancing to consistent levels. Color grading for enriched saturation and balanced exposure between mixed camera sources. Leveraging speed warp for engaging slow motion sequences. And of course incorporating motion titles, animate graphics and text overlays adding spice to otherwise bland videos simply cut together with harsh jump cuts.
Stepping into DaVinci Resolve‘s Text Toolbox
Amongst Resolve editors, hands down one of the most valuable skills beyond fundamental editing involves effectively utilizing the text and titles toolbox. Virtually all video content benefits from well-designed lower third graphics and end screens. YouTube creators constantly refine their niche branding through animated intros and subscribe calls to action. Video ads integrate eye-catching motion text tying seamlessly into sequences. Even Hollywood blockbusters depend on iconic title sequences setting the stage for ensuing features.
Fortunately DaVinci Resolve 18 makes adding text overlays incredibly intuitive through the Titles tab categorized conveniently within Inspector effects. This serves as Resolve‘s centralized location for importing text, graphics and video overlay elements. Drag and drop presets, customize properties like font/color immediately, then position layers directly onto video tracks for precise timing. The built-in title library offers animated options with motion tracking for dynamic placement alongside subjects in motion. While entire training courses exist teaching dedicated motion graphics platforms like Adobe After Effects, Resolve distills graphic workflows down to essential tools helpful for editors with limited design experience.
Adding Text Elements: Step-by-Step Workflow
Navigating directly to Resolve‘s Titles tab reveals categorized subfolders including Generators, Fusion Titles, 3D Text and Logos – each serving unique purposes. The main Titles folder holds simple starting templates ranging from blank text placeholders to pre-built lower thirds and intermediate animations. Dragging any of these options from the Titles tab instantly creates a text layer on the cut page timeline above existing video clips.
With a text layer selected on either the timeline or viewer, the Inspector tab switches context to display properties like font selection, text alignment, border attributes, drop shadows and motion blur factors. Adjust to preference either directly within Inspector fields or viewer heads up display (HUD). Drag handles around the bounding box surrounding text layers to scale appropriately.
Right click any text layer and select Change Text Content to overwrite placeholder titles. Double click layers directly on the timeline to also revise text values. Match the text layer duration bar to relevant sections of the video requiring graphic overlays. For instance, scale your subscribe annotation graphics to perfectly fit end screens or outros.
While Resolve‘s cut page ordinarily operates in single track layers by default, sometimes graphics require mixing above specific clips while staying below others. Right click any text element and select "New Compound Clip with this Clip" to group it as an individual nested sequence. Then toggle the timeline to display multiple tracks enabling complex layer blending. Use opacity adjustments in Inspector to fade text elements in and out dynamically over background footage too.
Beyond single line text fields, explore the Titles library further to uncover arrays, scrolls, crawls and rolls enabling elaborate animations. Stacking multiple layers and nesting groups adds depth replicating broadcast design conventions. Importing existing Motion Graphic templates from After Effects (.mogrt files) interchanges with other Adobe suite users. For Resolve editors lacking much graphic design skill, these building blocks craft professionalism.
| Inspector Text Properties | Details |
|---|---|
| Font | Font selection from standard library or imported fonts |
| Size | Text display scaled by pixel height |
| Alignment | Left/center/right positioning |
| Tracking | Letter spacing adjustment |
| Color | Text hue through color wheel or hex value |
| Opacity | Transparency blending over background footage |
| Borders | Outline width, color and opacity settings |
| Shadows | Drop shadow directional control + color filters |
| Backgrounds | Enabling color filled/gradient text backgrounds |
Applying any combination of these numerous sliders and value adjustments already boosts bare text overlay intrigue substantially. But DaVinci Resolve 18 invites even deeper graphic customization through its discretely powerful Text+ output.
Unlocking Advanced Text+ Controls
Tucked below the standard text Inspector sits the understated Text+ output parameters. Initially collapsed by default, this tab unveils an alternate inspector window exposing seldom tweaked options lifting text above basic levels. Controls here refine text transforms like rotation/position/scale and line spacing. But additionally offer animation potential through separate keyframing timelines tied to each adjustable value.
While DaVinci Resolve Editor Jerry Hofmann cautions that Text+ often complicates otherwise simple title graphic workflows, these pro parameters enable more intricate motion design absent from predecessor versions. For example, keyframing per character positioning creates cascading animations as each letter fires sequentially. Setting opacity keyframes can fade lines in gradually replicating a typewriter effect. When mastered intentionally, Text+ essentially converts basic Resolve text layers into After Effects compositions without needing the Adobe suite.
Animating Title Sequences Through Keyframes
Keyframe animations may sound intimidating initially. But simply put, editors utilize DaVinci Resolve‘s keyframes identically to setting waypoints over a journey. Each keyframe pinpoints precise property values along a text layer‘s timeline analogous to GPS locations on a map. Resolve then automatically handles smooth interpretations over distances between consecutive waypoints.
Apply this concept visually by considering animating a line of centered text moving from the bottom to top of frame over 10 seconds. Place a keyframe at 5 seconds when text rests dead center vertically in frame. Set another keyframe at 15 seconds with text pinned to the uppermost frame edge. As playhead transports between 5-15s, Resolve now animates that position change automatically grouping implicit speed and smoothness calculations. Editors merely define start and end waypoints.
By adding more intermittent keyframes editors gain further granularity sculpting acceleration and deceleration. Right click any animating parameter and select Smooth Keyframes to ease harsh linear motion. Enable dynamic Jitter, Bounce or Smoother algorithms for naturalistic results. Motion blur renders buttery smooth playback absent from rigid repositioning. Essentially all core principles from professional animation translate directly into DaVinci Resolve through its keyframing model just simplified for easier application.
For baseline keyframe editing, first enable the Animate button persistent in all parameters potentially receptive to animation. With animation active, position playhead at desired start points and click Set Keyframe icon. Advance playhead further in timeline and adjust values to next target waypoint, setting another keyframe automatically. Scrub timeline to preview and add more keyframes anywhere necessary to target specific property stages. Right click any parameter clip on timeline to expose individual keyframes for deeper value inspection.
Keyframe animations apply broadly across all Inspector value sliders expanding creative possibilities exponentially past motionless titles. Scale keyframes gradually enlarge subscribe overlays cueing viewers. Transform, rotate and move text managing screen space more dynamically. Customize tracking and leading for character emphasis. Animate line by line reveals through opacity keyframing eliciting anticipation. Mix and match creative combinations through Resolve‘s inspector keyframing model exclusive to DaVinci workflows.
While this remains only the tip of the proverbial iceberg unlocking DaVinci Resolve‘s animation toolset, when text foundations feel firmer explore rendering title sequences directly through integrated Fusion compositing.
Diving Into Fusion for Elaborated Text Effects
Tackling Fusion‘s node-based workflow normally requires intermediate compositing familiarity from enthusiasts Hooker explains. Luckily for text animation, Resolve‘s Fusion page features numerous pre-built template presets as launch points. Browse the categorized Fusion Titles collection incorporating elaborate effects like shimmering glass, ray tracing, replicating racks or CRT scans – each customizable through modifying node layers.
The breadth of Resolve‘s 300+ Fusion presets provides professional broadcasting templates as springboards for creators seeking elevated production polish rapidly. Double click pre-animated designs. Swap placeholder titles out. Tweak colors. Render. Export an artisanal masterpiece absent tedious keyframing! Fusion titles distill After Effect‘s complexity down to practical starting stencils benefiting YouTubers pressed for post time.
Sample putting Fusion titles into practice through a step-by-step exercise:
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Open Effects Library and Locate Desired Text Animation Preset like FFF Info Overlay
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Drag Preset to Cut Page Timeline
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Customize Text Contents in Inspector Panel
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Enable Swap Text and Fonts Through Locale Modifier
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Head to Fusion Page & Identify Text Nodes
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Double Click Text+ Nodes & Replace PLaceholder Values
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Return to Cut Page & Render Newly Customized Graphic
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Export Quicktime or Sequence Still for Reuse
Whether requisitioning Fusion‘s versatile text design presets or manipulating keyframed Inspector parameters manually, DaVinci Resolve 18 furnishes today‘s non-linear editors unprecedented typeface control free of charge. Yet Resolve‘s editing environment balances such advanced options against trademark accessibility. Casual users generate quick standout titles effortlessly through hundreds of drag and drop templates, libraries full of animations requiring mere title swaps and intuitive inspectors . Intermediates augment impact further customizing tracking/leading, keyframing motions along paths and mixing multiple layers to resonate viewers. Then of course at the high-end, Fusion‘s node compositing connects Resolve workflows into industry-standard VFX and motion design pipelines seamlessly through Open FX support and database libraries. This means Resolve title sequences output and exchange directly into professional studio post environments without compatibility concerns.
For video creators focused purely on efficient editing absent drudging into Adobe After Effect‘s convoluted interface, DaVinci Resolve 18 brings Hollywood style motion graphics into practical reach. Both home video editors and pro studios recognize the value Resolve returns through its rich features besting rival software options objectively. Just don‘t overlook the immense power hiding within Resolve‘s capable text animation toolkit. Master these techniques elevating titles from boring layered text into visually captivating design elements essential for polished videos that perform!