How to Make Split Screen Videos in DaVinci Resolve

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Creating a split screen video is an effective way to show multiple video clips simultaneously. Whether you want to compare scenes, create a mosaic effect, or tell a story using different perspectives, DaVinci Resolve is a comprehensive tool that allows you to create split screen videos with precision. In this step-by-step guide, we will introduce you to the process of creating a split screen video in DaVinci Resolve.

Introduction to Davinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software used by both professionals and beginners. It offers a wide range of features for video editing, color correction, visual effects, and more. Although its interface may seem complicated at first, DaVinci Resolve provides you with all the tools you need to create stunning split screen videos.

Set up your project

Before creating a split screen video, it's important to set up your project correctly. Open DaVinci Resolve and start a new project by clicking "File" and then "New Project". Name your project and click "Create".

Once the project is created, you need to set the desired resolution and frame rate for your video. Go to "File", select "Project Settings", and configure your settings under the "Master Settings" tab. For most modern videos, a resolution of 1920x1080 and a frame rate of 30 fps work well. Click "Save" to apply these settings.

Importing media

Next, you'll need to import the video clips you want to use in your split screen video. Go to the "Media" tab located at the bottom of the screen. From here, locate and import the video files you want by dragging them into the "Media Pool".

Once your media is imported, drag and drop the video files from the media pool to the "Edit" timeline. This is where you will assemble and work on your split screen effect.

Creating a split screen effect

Now that all your clips are on the timeline, it's time to start creating the split screen effect. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Layer your clips

To create a split screen, you need to layer multiple video clips on top of one another. Place the first video clip on the first video track (usually called "Video 1"). Add another video track by right-clicking in the Tracks area on the left and selecting "Add Track". Drag the second clip to "Video 2". Repeat this process for additional clips, each on its own track (e.g., "Video 3", "Video 4", etc.).

Step 2: Resize and position the clip

After you've placed your clips in the right place, you now need to resize and position them to achieve the split screen effect:

• Select the clip by clicking "Video 2" in the timeline.
• Go to the "Inspector" window at the top right. This panel allows you to adjust the video properties.
• Under "Transform", use the "Zoom" slider to resize the clip. To maintain the aspect ratio, hold down the "Shift" key while adjusting the zoom.
• Next, adjust the "Position" by changing the "X" and "Y" values. This will move the clip around. Experiment to find the right location on the screen.
• Repeat the process of resizing and positioning each clip on the individual tracks to arrange them the way you want. You may want to place the clips next to each other or one above the other.

Step 3: Fine-tune with cropping

Sometimes, even simple resizing causes clips to overlap or get their alignment wrong. To fix their appearance, you can use cropping:

• In the "Inspector", find and open the "Crop" option.
• Adjust the "Crop Left", "Crop Right", "Crop Top", and "Crop Bottom" values as needed to remove unwanted portions of each clip.
• Continue making adjustments until the clips appear as desired in your split screen layout.

Step 4: Adjust the timing of the clips

Make sure your clips are aligned in time. You might not want them to start at the same point, or they might need to be trimmed to fit your overall video length:

• Make sure all clips start and end at the same time by dragging their edges in the timeline.
• For greater precision, use the "Trim" tool located in the toolbar above the timeline to cut and edit the length of the clip.

Enhance your split screen videos

Once the basic split screen video setup is complete, you can enhance your project with additional elements to make it more appealing:

Add titles and text

Davinci Resolve includes a powerful text tool that allows you to seamlessly integrate text onto your videos:

• Go to the "Effects Library" by clicking on its tab or icon.
• Under "Title", drag and drop the "Text" effect to the upper video track.
• Customize your text using the inspector. Set the font, color, size, and position as needed.

Use color correction and filters

It can be important to maintain visual coherence between your clips, especially if they come from different sources:

• Go to the "Colors" tab.
• Select each video clip, and use color correction tools to match exposure, contrast, and color balance.
• Apply filters like "LUTs" to create a consistent look across all clips.

Incorporate transition effects

To smooth out changes between clips, take advantage of transitions:

• Go to the "Effects Library"; under "Video Transitions", select an appropriate transition (such as "Cross Dissolve").
• Drag and drop transitions to the beginning or end of the clip to apply them.

Rendering and export

After you've fixed your split screen video, it's time to export and render it:

1. Go to the “Delivered” tab at the bottom.
2. On the "Render Settings" panel, choose a preset (such as "YouTube" or "H.264 Master") or customize your own settings for quality and format.
3. Click "Add to Render Queue", then click "Start Render". DaVinci Resolve will export your project as a video file.

Conclusion

Creating a split screen video in DaVinci Resolve involves arranging your clips on the timeline, resizing and placing them in the right place, possibly cropping them to fit well together, and then enhancing the whole video with text, color grading, and transitions. Despite the learning curve, once you're familiar with the interface, DaVinci Resolve enables you to easily create professional-grade split screen videos. These steps should provide a comprehensive guide to creating your own dynamic visual presentations using DaVinci Resolve. Keep experimenting with different layouts and effects to create engaging content that fits your creative goals!

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