How to Remove Background in DaVinci Resolve

Mastering the skill of removing backgrounds is crucial in video editing, as it fosters creativity and enhances storytelling. Whether it's creating visual effects, merging scenes, or focusing on your subject, honing this ability can elevate your video projects. DaVinci Resolve is a powerful tool with features for professional editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production. This comprehensive guide will walk you through removing backgrounds in DaVinci Resolve to ensure your videos have a polished, professional look.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into specifics, it's important to grasp the fundamental principles of background removal. This process involves isolating the main subject from its background to change or replace it as needed, making it useful for various types of videos.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Project

1. Begin by launching DaVinci Resolve and creating a new project.
2. Import your footage into the media pool under the Media section.

Step 2: Navigating to the Fusion Page

1. Go to the Edit page, right-click on your clip in the timeline, and choose New Fusion Clip.
2. Switch to the Fusion page after selecting the Fusion clip.

Step 3: Utilizing the Delta Keyer for Background Removal

1. Drag your clip from the Media Pool onto the Fusion page.
2. Access the Delta Keyer tool in the toolbar or by right-clicking in the node workspace and selecting Add Tool > Matte > Delta Keyer.
3. Connect your video clip to the input of the Delta Keyer.

Step 4: Refining the Key

1. Select the color of the background you want to remove using the eyedropper tool with the Delta Keyer.
2. Adjust the Threshold, Tolerance, and Softness sliders for an accurate key.

Step 5: Adding a New Background

1. Introduce a Background node from the toolbar.
2. Connect the Background node to the Delta Keyer's output.
3. Customize the new background's hue or add another video/image layer.

Step 6: Enhancing with a Garbage Matte

1. Use a Polygon node from the toolbar to create a matte around your subject.
2. Link the output of the Polygon node to the Garbage Matte input of the Delta Keyer.
3. Precisely outline your subject by adjusting the Polygon points.

Step 7: Final Adjustments and Rendering

1. Review your composition on the Edit page.
2. Adjust the foreground and background layers as necessary for a seamless blend.
3. Render your project in your preferred format and settings on the Deliver page.

Conclusion

Mastering background removal in DaVinci Resolve enhances your video projects and equips you with a valuable skill applicable in various editing platforms. Whether you're using DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro, the knowledge and techniques learned here will be beneficial. Manipulating backgrounds can transform an ordinary project into an extraordinary narrative. Embrace the challenge, unleash your creativity, and craft visually stunning content.