Zooming into your video footage in DaVinci Resolve is a fundamental editing technique used to draw attention, reframe shots, or create dynamic movement. There are several methods available, ranging from simple adjustments to automated effects and custom animations.
Here are the primary ways to zoom video in DaVinci Resolve:
The Basics: Using the Inspector
The most common and direct way to zoom and reposition your clips is by using the Transform controls within the Inspector panel on the Edit page.
Adjusting Zoom/Scale
This control effectively scales your video clip larger, making it appear as though you are zooming in.
- Step 1: Select the video clip you want to zoom in the timeline.
- Step 2: Open the Inspector panel in the top right corner (if not already open).
- Step 3: Ensure the Video tab is selected and scroll down to the Transform section.
- Step 4: Adjust the Zoom slider. Dragging it to the right increases the size, zooming in.
By default, the X and Y zoom axes are linked (indicated by a chain icon or similar toggle), meaning they scale together proportionally to maintain the clip's aspect ratio. You can unlink them to zoom only horizontally or vertically if needed, but be mindful this can distort the image.
Adjusting Position
Once you've zoomed in, you'll likely need to reposition the clip to focus on a specific part of the frame.
- Step 1: With the same clip selected and Inspector open, locate the Position controls within the Transform section.
- Step 2: Adjust the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) sliders to move the zoomed-in frame around.
Using a combination of Zoom and Position allows you to crop into your footage and select the desired area to display.
Table: Zoom vs. Position
| Control | Function | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom | Increases or decreases the clip's size. | Makes objects appear closer/larger. |
| Position | Moves the clip horizontally or vertically. | Reframes the shot after zooming. |
Automated Zoom: Dynamic Zoom
DaVinci Resolve offers a convenient "Dynamic Zoom" effect that automates smooth zoom-in or zoom-out animations between two defined points (start and end frames).
- Step 1: Select your clip in the timeline.
- Step 2: In the Inspector, scroll down to the Dynamic Zoom section.
- Step 3: Toggle the Dynamic Zoom switch to enable it.
- Step 4: Click the Swap button to switch between zooming in and zooming out (default is zoom out).
- Step 5: Customize the start (green box) and end (red box) frames either by dragging them directly in the viewer or adjusting their position and size controls in the Inspector. The animation will transition between the green and red frames.
- Step 6: Use the Ease dropdown menu (e.g., Ease In, Ease Out, Linear) to control the speed and acceleration of the zoom animation.
Custom Zooms with Keyframes
For complete control over the speed, timing, and intensity of your zoom animation, you can use keyframes on the Transform properties (Zoom and Position).
- Step 1: Select the clip you want to animate.
- Step 2: Go to the Inspector > Transform section.
- Step 3: Click the diamond icon next to Zoom and Position at the point in the timeline where you want the zoom to start (or end). This sets initial keyframes.
- Step 4: Move the playhead along the timeline to the point where you want the zoom animation to end.
- Step 5: Adjust the Zoom and Position values to their final desired settings. DaVinci Resolve will automatically create new keyframes.
- Step 6: Use the keyframe editor (accessed via the diamond icon next to the clip name in the timeline or by right-clicking the clip and selecting "Show Keyframe Editor") to refine the animation curve for smoother or faster transitions.
Specific Workflow Step Mentioned in Reference
Beyond the standard methods, editing workflows can involve interacting with specific controls or menus for specialized zoom effects or linked behaviors. As referenced from a tutorial fragment:
"Click on the toggle. So that it turns red showing L's been activated. Now I come over to left andMoreClick on the toggle. So that it turns red showing L's been activated. Now I come over to left and click on this little arrow. And from the menu."
This step appears to be part of a particular process within DaVinci Resolve, potentially related to activating a specific control or feature (indicated by the toggle turning red and 'L' being activated), possibly involving linking or locking parameters ('L'), and then selecting an option from a subsequent menu. The exact context of this action would depend on the surrounding steps in the specific tutorial from which it was taken, but it highlights that specialized tools or settings might be used in more complex zooming workflows beyond the basic Transform controls.
Understanding these methods allows you to effectively implement zooming in your DaVinci Resolve projects, whether for simple adjustments or dynamic animations.
