If you’re interested in implementing motion blur inside DaVinci Resolve, you’ve come to the right place.
Today we’ll see if DaVinci Resolve free version supports motion blur, how to implement it, different motion blur transitions, effects, and 3rd party plugin which can implement motion blur.
Without wasting time, let’s get started!
Does DaVinci Resolve Have Motion Blur?
DaVinci Resolve paid version (Studio) has motion blur controls in the “Color” page. The Free version doesn’t support it. But there are work-arounds to implement motion blur in the free version.
We’ll see how to add motion blur to your footage in the “Edit” and “Fusion” page for the free version of Resolve.
How to Add Motion Blur in Free Version of DaVinci Resolve in the “Edit” Page?
Though exclusive motion blur controls are part of the Studio version, you can still add motion blur by using Resolve FX “Transform” effect (available in versions 18, 17).
(But it is not a substitute for the actual motion blur controls available in the paid version).
The Resolve FX Transform effect has an in-built “Motion Blur” settings.
Changing the motion blur value to the maximum will not have any effect on your footage unless you keyframe the transform options like zoom, rotate, etc.
Yes, this is an additional step and you will have to try for yourself before making a call (if this Resolve FX Transform would fit your needs or not).
This is how you add motion blur to your footage using Resolve FX Transform:
- Under the “Edit” page, Import your footage inside Resolve and place it on the timeline.
- Click on “Effects Library“.
- Click on “Open FX“.
- Scroll down and select “Transform” under “Resolve FX Transform“.
- Drag & drop it onto the desired clip.
After adding the “Transform” effect, you need to keyframe the transform options to make use of the motion blur effect.
Increasing the value of motion blur from zero to the maximum won’t have any effect on the footage (if you don’t keyframe).
Don’t worry, we’ll see how to create keyframes – step by step.
BlackMagic says that in order to create a blurring effect, the frame should move rapidly.
Let me explain.
- Enable zoom keyframe by clicking on the small diamond shape to the right, so that it turns red.
- Insert a keyframe at the start of the clip by setting a zoom value, say, 1.5 (changing the zoom value will automatically place a keyframe).
- Then after few frames, insert another keyframe by rapidly increasing the zoom value to the maximum value, say, 3.
- Now go to the “Advanced Options” and increase the “Motion blur” value to the maximum, say 1.
- Now when you play the clip, you will see motion blur during the zoom-in.
Similarly, you can get the blurring effect by keyframing other transform options like rotate, width, Position X, Y, etc.
One thing to keep in mind – make sure the frames move rapidly, that is, rapid zoom in / zoom out, rapid rotate, rapid changing of Position X/Y – so that the blurring effect is prominent.
Related Article:
How to BLUR ANYTHING in DaVinci Resolve (Explained!)
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How to Add Motion Blur in DaVinci Resolve Free Version in the “Fusion” Page?
Under “Fusion” page, you can add proper motion blur to your footage.
No need to worry if you are new to Fusion. It involves only few steps to achieve the motion blur effect.
Specifically we’ll be using “Vector Motion blur” and “Optical Flow” tools to accomplish the job.
As per BlackMagic, (if you don’t understand the below theory, don’t sweat it. You can skip to how to implement)
- The “Optical Flow” node calculates the motion of a clip and stores the data in a vector channel.
- This vector channel can be used along with the “Vector Motion Blur” and “Vector Distort” tools.
- The “Vector Motion Blur” tool applies “blur” in the direction of the velocity inside the clip.
- When you use “Optical Flow” and the “Vector Motion blur” (or “Optical Flow” and the “Vector Distort”) it results in a motion blur effect.
Here is how you add motion blur effect in the free version of DaVinci Resolve inside Fusion:
- Under the “Edit” page, select and place the playhead on your desired footage that needs a motion blur effect.
- Click on the “Fusion” page.
- The “Nodes” area will have only 2 default nodes – “MediaIn1″ and “MediaOut1“.
- Press “Shift + Space” shortcut key to bring up the “Select tool” pop-up.
- Type “Optical Flow” in the search box, select “Optical Flow” from the result, and click on “Add”.
- Press “Shift + Space” shortcut key to bring up the “Select tool” pop-up.
- Type “Vector motion” in the search box, select “Vector Motion Blur” from the result and click on “Add“.
- Both “Optical Flow” and “Vector Motion Blur” will automatically connect themselves end to end. If not, try to connect them as shown in the image.
- Click on “VectorMotionBlur1” node, then click on the “Inspector” tab to reveal the settings of vector motion blur.
- Adjust the “Scale” value to say 3 or 4 (or any value you like) to see the motion blur of your taste.
- Play with other settings till you get the desired motion blur.
- Similarly, click on “OpticalFlow1” node to reveal its settings under “Inspector”.
- Play with “Advanced Control” like “smoothness”, “iteration count” till you get good motion blur.
- There you go!
These fusion effects will put a red line on top of the clip in the “Edit” page. Motion blur involves a lot of complex computations and calculations.
So the real-time playback will take a hit. You’ll have to wait till the red line turns blue (render process) – then the real-time playback will be smooth.
When you do a final render or export, you’ll get a smooth motion blur in your video.
How to Add Motion Blur in Paid Version of DaVinci Resolve (Studio)?
- Go to the “Color” page.
- Click on the “Motion Effects” button below the viewer.
- Under the “Motion Blur” section, there are 3 settings – “Motion Est. Type”, “Motion Range”, “Motion Blur”.
- Try to increase the value of “Motion Blur” whose range is 0 to 100, to see the actual blur.
- Choose “Better” for “Motion Est. Type” which gives accurate blur but is processor intensive. Or choose “Faster” for approximate blur which is not processor intensive.
- Play with other settings till you get the desired motion blur.
Note: If you have Studio version, you won’t get watermark.
How to Add Motion Blur Transitions in DaVinci Resolve?
There are a few transitions in Resolve that have the “Motion Blur” parameter:
- Push
- Slide
- Barn Door
- Split Transitions
Let’s see how to add these transitions which have motion blur parameter.
- Under the “Edit” page, import your clips.
- Place your clips end to end for a transition.
- Click on “Open Effects” tab -> “Transition” tab.
- Under “Motion“, select a transition like “Barn Door“. (Alternatively you can also search the name in the search box at the top).
- Drag & drop it onto the boundaries of the clips.
- Click on the transition in the timeline.
- Now click on the “Inspector” tab -> “Transition” tab to reveal the settings.
- Increase the “Motion Blur” value till you get the desired motion blur look.
Simulate Motion Blur Effects in DaVinci Resolve
There are certain effects like “Radial Blur”, “Zoom Blur” that simulate the look of motion blur.
Both “Radial Blur”, “Zoom Blur” can be accessed from the “Effects Library” under “Open FX” -> “Resolve FX Blur”.
All you have to do is, drag and drop these blur effects onto the clip in the timeline.
Then go to the “Inspector” -> “Effects” -> “Open FX” tab and play with different settings like “Zoom Amount”, “Smooth Strength” , etc., to get your desired look.
DaVinci Resolve Motion Blur Plugin
One of the best 3rd party motion blur plugin is “Continuum filter – Motion Blur” by Boris FX, which costs around $99.
However you can try the “Free Trial” and see if it is a good fit for you.
You can also check their YouTube videos to see the various settings inside this OFX plugin.
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Quickly Edit Images in DaVinci Resolve (Step-by-Step Guide)
Does DaVinci Resolve Have Free Music? (Read This First!)
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