How to Add Text to Your Video Footage in DaVinci Resolve
On-screen text is a vital feature for many visual works. Without it, the viewer may struggle to know the where, when, and what of a scene or entire video. Fortunately, DaVinci Resolve makes the process of adding different types of text simple.
You may want brief animated titles or subtitles for every spoken word in your video. We’ll show you how to do so and more in DaVinci Resolve.
How to Add Text to Your Video Clips in DaVinci Resolve
To add text to your video clips, click on theEffectstab in the top-left of your screen once you have selected theEditpage. This opens the Effects library. Then, scroll down until you get to theTitlessection. Alternatively, in theCutpage, you can find theTitlessection on the left of theEffectstab. This will save you a few seconds of scrolling within the Effects library.
Click and drag one of the Titles options onto your timeline. You can move the text around by clicking and dragging the text that then appears on-screen.
TheText+option integrates the use of nodes and fusion, thus, is better suited to advanced users. To learn more about nodes, see ourguide on how to use nodes in DaVinci Resolve.
Now that you have your chosen text placed on your timeline, you can move it around, shorten it, or lengthen it within the timeline to make sure it appears on-screen for the amount of time that you want.
How to Edit and Format Your Text
To change the content and visual formatting of your text, select theInspectorside-window that is situated at the top-right of your screen. This will open theVideotab, and here, you may write out whatever you want your text to be, change its font, color, and many more visual and positional aspects.
You can also add aDrop Shadowor edit the text’sBackgroundwithin theTitlesection in the Video tab. TheSettingssection can be used to fine-tweak the position along with some other features.
Experiment to find the best text format and remember that it’s possible to use fonts that you have downloaded or purchased online. If you’re unhappy with some of the changes you made, you can reset features to default by clicking on thecircular arrowon the right within theInspectorwindow.
If the speed of your video clips complicates their integration with text and audio, learnhow to change the speed of your video clips in DaVinci Resolveto find that perfect harmony.
How to Animate Your Text
There are two quick and simple ways to add animation to your text in DaVinci Resolve. One benefit of these two methods is that no in-depth understanding of Fusion and nodes is needed.
Fusion Titles
DaVinci Resolve provides you with various Fusion presets designed to add animation to your text Titles.
To use Fusion Titles, open up yourEffectslibrary once again.Fusion Titlescan be found below theTitlessection. There you can find a selection of Fusion effects that offer different visual styles and animated movement.
Click and drag the one you like over to your timeline, and edit its features in theInspectorside-window. With just a few clicks, you now have animated text.
The second method is less CPU-intensive and involves setting keyframes. you’re able to use keyframes by clicking on thediamondicon next to certain features (like position or zoom) in theInspectorarea. You can use keyframes on any feature that has the diamond icon on its right.
Click on the diamond icon in the bottom-right of your text or video clips to see the keyframes.Ctrl-click (Mac) or right-click (Windows) on a specific keyframe to give you dynamic options to choose from:Linear,Ease In,Ease Out,Ease In and Out.
If you want to have your text move from left to right, for example, first click on the diamond icon next toPositionat the original location. Then, move the playhead to the final location, change the text’s position, and set the keyframe again. Now, when you start playback, you’ll see your text move from left to right.
Learnhow to use panning and scanning in DaVinci Resolveto make your videos even more dynamic.
How to Add Subtitles or Captions in DaVinci Resolve
Don’t make the mistake of manually adding text Titles to all of your video clips where you want subtitles or captions. Instead, right-click on the track list in your timeline and selectAdd Subtitle Track. Navigate to theInspectorwindow after you’ve clicked on the subtitle track and pressCreate Captionto get started.
You can edit the formatting of individual caption segments by checking theCustomize Captionbox. For universal changes that apply to all of your captions, select theTracksection within theVideotab of the Inspector and edit the visual and positional presentation of your subtitles.
ClickAdd Newin theCaptionsection to create a new caption wherever your playhead is.
If you find that too many or too few characters make up each line of words in your subtitles, you’re able to alter the settings by pressing on thecog wheelin the bottom-right of your screen; this will openProject Settings. Then, selectSubtitlesand alter the settings.
Once you’re done with your video and subtitles, you must change theSubtitle Settingsbefore you render your video in theDeliverpage. Check theExport Subtitlebox, and select theFormatoptionBurn into video.
Alternatively, if you’d like optional captions, you may choose the format settingAs a separate file. Then, underExport As, selectSRT, and check the name of the subtitle track you want to export. This lets you upload a caption file that the viewer can switch on or off based on their preference.
The Perfect Blend of Text and Video
DaVinci Resolve offers you a variety of options to add, customize, and animate text in your video clips. Text Titles in the Effects library let you add text to your timeline and clips with only a few clicks. Add the use of Fusion Titles and keyframes, and you can make your text come to life with dynamic movement.
When your project needs captions or subtitles, create a subtitle track to perfectly reflect the spoken elements of your videos. Find the ideal mix of text and animation in your video to improve its overall feel and quality.
Insert any tidbit of information you want into your video by utilizing a lower third. Let’s show you how to create and animate it in DaVinci Resolve.
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