Resizing frames and videos in DaVinci Resolve is a crucial skill for editors who need to adjust footage for different aspect ratios, crop content, or reframe a shot. Whether you need to resize a clip without losing quality, scale videos for different resolutions, or adjust framing dynamically, this guide covers everything from basic techniques to advanced methods using Fusion and keyframes.
Basic Resizing: Using Transform Controls
The Inspector Panel provides a quick way to resize any video or image within DaVinci Resolve.
How to Resize a Video Clip Using Transform Controls
- Select the Clip in the timeline.
- Open the Inspector Panel (top right of the interface).
- Under the Transform section, adjust Zoom X and Zoom Y to resize the video.
- If needed, adjust the Position X and Y to reframe the clip correctly.
- If the aspect ratio doesn’t match, uncheck "Link Zoom" and adjust X/Y separately.
✅ Best for: Quickly resizing and repositioning video clips.
Method 2: Resizing with Crop and Fit Options
If your video doesn’t fit properly in the timeline, you can change the scaling mode.
How to Change Video Scaling Options
- Open the "Project Settings" (bottom right gear icon).
- Go to "Image Scaling" > Input Scaling Preset.
- Choose one of the following:
- "Scale entire image to fit" (preserves aspect ratio, may leave black bars).
- "Stretch frame to fill" (fills the frame but may distort the image).
- "Crop" (removes excess areas to match the frame).
✅ Best for: Ensuring footage fits different resolutions and aspect ratios.
Method 3: Adjusting Frame Size with Dynamic Zoom
For an automated zoom effect without manual resizing, use Dynamic Zoom.
How to Resize with Dynamic Zoom
- Select the clip in the timeline.
- Open the Inspector Panel and enable Dynamic Zoom.
- Adjust the green (start) and red (end) rectangles in the Viewer to set your zoom positions.
- Swap zoom directions if needed.
✅ Best for: Smooth zoom effects without keyframes.
Method 4: Resizing Frames Using the Fusion Page
For precise control over resizing, the Fusion Page allows scaling, reframing, and compositing.
How to Resize Video in Fusion
- Select the clip and switch to the Fusion Page.
- Click on MediaIn1 and press Shift + Space, then search for "Transform".
- Click "Add", and adjust the Size parameter in the Inspector Panel.
- Use the Center X/Y values to reposition the clip.
- Add keyframes for animated resizing.
✅ Best for: Complex resizing with motion effects and compositing.
Method 5: Resizing Multiple Clips at Once
If you need to resize multiple clips to match a specific size:
How to Copy Resize Settings to Multiple Clips
- Resize the first clip using the Inspector Panel.
- Right-click the clip, select "Copy".
- Select the other clips, right-click, and choose "Paste Attributes".
- Check "Zoom" and "Position" to apply the same resizing to all clips.
✅ Best for: Batch resizing without adjusting each clip manually.
Method 6: Resizing for Different Aspect Ratios
If you're editing videos for Instagram, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok, you may need to resize footage from 16:9 to 9:16 or 1:1.
How to Resize for Different Social Media Formats
- Change the Timeline Aspect Ratio
- Go to Project Settings > Timeline Resolution.
- Set the resolution to 1080x1920 (vertical) for TikTok or Reels.
- Adjust Clip Size
- Select the clip, open the Inspector, and adjust Zoom and Position.
- Use Cropping to remove unwanted areas.
✅ Best for: Optimizing content for different platforms without black bars.
Fixing Common Resizing Issues in DaVinci Resolve
Why is my resized video blurry in DaVinci Resolve?
If resizing makes the video blurry or pixelated, follow these fixes:
- Ensure you're working with high-resolution footage.
- In Project Settings > Image Scaling, set "Resize Filter" to "Smoother".
- Avoid excessive zooming on low-resolution clips.
How to maintain aspect ratio when resizing in DaVinci Resolve?
If your video appears stretched or squished:
- Keep "Link Zoom" enabled when resizing.
- Choose "Scale entire image to fit" instead of "Stretch to fill".
- Manually adjust X and Y scaling for precise control.
How to resize frames without black bars?
- If black bars appear, use "Crop" or "Stretch frame to fill" in the Project Settings.
- Adjust Zoom and Position manually in the Inspector.
- For extreme changes, consider reframing in Fusion for better results.
Final Thoughts
Resizing frames and videos in DaVinci Resolve is easy with Transform controls, Dynamic Zoom, and Fusion tools. Whether you're adjusting a single clip or resizing multiple videos for different formats, these methods will help you get perfectly scaled footage without quality loss.
For advanced training, check out the DaVinci Resolve Bootcamp.
FAQ Resizing videos in DaVinci Resolve
How do I resize a video in DaVinci Resolve?
To resize a video in DaVinci Resolve, select the clip in the timeline, open the Inspector Panel, and adjust the Zoom X and Zoom Y values under the Transform section. Increase the values to enlarge the video or decrease them to shrink it.
How to resize frames without losing quality in DaVinci Resolve?
To maintain quality while resizing, use high-resolution footage. In Project Settings > Image Scaling, set "Resize Filter" to "Smoother". Avoid excessive zooming on low-resolution clips, and use the Fusion Page for precise resizing without pixelation.
How do I resize multiple clips at once in DaVinci Resolve?
To resize multiple clips simultaneously, resize one clip in the Inspector Panel, then right-click it, select "Copy", and apply the settings to other clips using "Paste Attributes". Make sure to check Zoom and Position before applying.
How to resize for Instagram or TikTok in DaVinci Resolve?
Change the timeline resolution in Project Settings > Timeline Resolution to 1080x1920 (vertical) for TikTok or Reels. Then, adjust the Zoom and Position of the clip in the Inspector Panel to fit the vertical frame.
Why does my video look stretched when resizing in DaVinci Resolve?
If your video looks distorted, go to Project Settings > Image Scaling and choose "Scale entire image to fit" instead of "Stretch to fill". This maintains the original aspect ratio while resizing.
How do I resize and crop a video in DaVinci Resolve?
Use the Cropping Tool in the Inspector Panel to remove unwanted areas, then adjust the Zoom X/Y values under Transform to scale the cropped section properly.
How to resize a video with Fusion in DaVinci Resolve?
In the Fusion Page, add a Transform Node, then adjust the Size parameter in the Inspector. Use Center X/Y to reposition the frame. Keyframes can be added for animated resizing effects.
How to remove black bars when resizing in DaVinci Resolve?
If black bars appear, go to Project Settings > Image Scaling, and choose "Stretch frame to fill" or "Crop". Alternatively, adjust the Zoom and Position in the Inspector Panel to manually reframe the content.
Why is my resized video blurry in DaVinci Resolve?
Blurry video after resizing is usually caused by low-resolution footage or improper scaling settings. Use high-resolution source files, enable "Smoother" resize filter in Project Settings, and avoid excessive zooming.
Can I animate resizing in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes, add keyframes in the Inspector Panel under the Zoom section. Click the keyframe button (🔷) at the start, move the playhead forward, then adjust the Zoom X/Y values for gradual resizing animation.
