How to Change the Blend Mode in DaVinci Resolve

Video overlays are a great way to mix video and graphics without compositing. With DaVinci Resolve, you can change the blend mode for each video track, allowing you to create some cool effects. But how do you change the blend mode in DaVinci Resolve?

To change the blend mode in DaVinci Resolve, add the clip to the timeline and select the clip by highlighting it. Go to the inspector tool in the upper right corner of the software. Next, click “Composite” > “Composite Mode” and choose a different blend mode from the dropdown menu.

Best practices for changing the blend mode in DaVinci Resolve

Changing the blend mode in DaVinci Resolve can be a powerful tool for creating unique and visually stunning video overlays. Here are some expert tips to help you get the most out of this feature:

1. Experiment with different blend modes: Don’t be afraid to try out different blend modes to see how they affect your video overlay. Each mode has a different impact, and you might discover a new look that you hadn’t considered before.
2. Use opacity to fine-tune your blend: Adjusting the opacity of your video layer can help you fine-tune the effect of your blend mode. Use this setting to adjust how much of the original video shows through your overlay.
3. Combine blend modes for more complex effects: Try layering multiple video tracks with different blend modes to create more complex and unique effects.
4. Test your overlay on a single clip first: Before applying your blend mode to multiple or all clips, test it out on a single clip to make sure it looks the way you want it to.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to create amazing video overlays that will enhance your videos and help them stand out.

How to change the blend mode in DaVinci Resolve

1. Add the clip to the timeline 

It’s a no-brainer, but you can only use blend modes with a video clip on your timeline. Therefore, it’s best to have the clip on your timeline before proceeding. Here are the steps:

1. Open DaVinci Resolve.
2. Import the video by clicking “File” > “Import file” > “Import Media“.
3. Click and drag the video onto your timeline.

2. Go to the video settings

Once you have added your clip to the timeline, follow these steps:

1. Click on its icon in the timeline viewer. That will bring up its video settings panel in the upper right corner.
2. In the settings menu, find the “Composite” subsection. The section contains the options for changing how two layers interact with one another when they are overlaid on top of each other.

3. Select the dropdown menu in the “Composite” subsection

A drop-down menu in the “Composite” subsection will display different blend modes. These blend modes control how two layers interact when overlaying on top of each other. Here are the steps to change the blend mode:

1. Select the dropdown menu.
2. Choose between “Normal“, “Screen“, “Add“, or any other blend mode from the menu.

Video tutorial

Here’s a video tutorial we put together for you. If you prefer a visual learning method, you can learn how to change the blend mode in just 14 seconds.

Tip: Besides changing the blend mode of the video to make it interact with the original video differently, you can also change the opacity. Changing this setting will allow you to adjust how much of one layer shows through another.

Here are a few other tips you should keep in mind when using blend mode to make overlays in DaVinci Resolve:

• Adjust other settings. Besides changing the blend mode, some different video settings allow you to customize how your video overlay looks. For example, you can change the motion blur or turn on the film grain for additional visual effects.
• Experiment with blend modes and transparency settings. It’s a good idea to experiment with different blend modes and their corresponding transparency settings to see how they affect your video overlay. That will allow you to achieve the desired effect without obsessing over finding the right recipe.
• Test your overlay. It’s a good idea to test the effect on one of your clips before applying it across multiple or all of them simultaneously. That will give you an idea of how the changes look before committing.

Learn more

Last words

Changing blend modes in DaVinci Resolve is an easy and effective way to add creative effects to your video overlays.

By following the simple step-by-step guide, experimenting with different blend modes & transparency settings, and testing your overlay before applying it across multiple clips, you can achieve the desired effect and make your videos stand out. Don’t forget to adjust other settings, such as motion blur and film grain, to further customize your overlay.