How do I add image stabilizer to DaVinci Resolve?

To add image stabilization to footage in DaVinci Resolve, follow these steps:

1. Select the Clip: In the timeline, click on the clip you wish to stabilize.

2. Open the Inspector: Locate the Inspector panel, typically found in the upper-right corner of the DaVinci Resolve interface. If you don't see it, go to the "Workspace" menu and make sure "Inspector" is checked.

3. Navigate to the Stabilization Settings: Within the Inspector, ensure you're in the "Video" tab. Scroll down until you find the "Stabilization" section.

4. Adjust Stabilization Settings:

   • Mode: Choose the appropriate stabilization mode. Options usually include:
     • Perspective: Stabilizes for perspective changes (like a building tilting). Best for shots with significant 3D camera movement.
     • Similarity: Stabilizes for zoom, rotation, and translation. A good general-purpose option.
     • Translation: Stabilizes primarily for X and Y axis movement. Use this for simple shaky shots.
   • Zoom: Decide if you want the stabilizer to automatically zoom in to compensate for stabilization, which crops the edges of the video. You can disable this to avoid the zoom, but may see black edges if the stabilization is extreme.
   • Strength: Adjust the strength of the stabilization. Higher values will stabilize more aggressively, but may also introduce unwanted warping or artificial motion.
   • Cropping Ratio: Controls how much the clip is cropped during stabilization.

5. Initiate Stabilization: Click the "Stabilize" button. DaVinci Resolve will analyze the footage and apply the stabilization. This process may take some time depending on the length and complexity of the clip.

6. Review and Refine: Once the stabilization is complete, review the footage carefully. You may need to adjust the settings (Strength, Zoom, etc.) to achieve the desired result and minimize any unwanted artifacts.

By following these steps, you can effectively use DaVinci Resolve's stabilization tools to smooth out shaky footage and improve the overall quality of your videos.