Do you want to resize an image in DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio but aren’t sure which settings to use? Whether you’re editing a YouTube video, creating a social media post, or adding photos to a video project, knowing how to resize images can help you achieve the exact look you want.
DaVinci Resolve is a popular video editing application that lets you adjust the size, position, and framing of images directly on the timeline. You can make a photo smaller, enlarge it to fill the screen, crop unwanted edges, or fit an image into a particular video frame. These adjustments are useful when combining photos with video clips, creating picture-in-picture effects, or working with different aspect ratios.
DaVinci Resolve and DaVinci Resolve Studio share many of the same basic image resizing controls, so you can follow the same general process in either version.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to resize an image using the Inspector, adjust its position and zoom, change project resolution when necessary, and maintain the correct aspect ratio.
Let’s walk through each step.
Resize Image in DaVinci Resolve and DaVinci Resolve Studio
To resize an image in DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio, follow these steps:
- Open DaVinci Resolve and create or open a project.
- Import your image into the Media Pool and drag it onto the timeline.
- Select the image clip and open the Inspector panel.
- Under the Video settings, locate Transform > Zoom.
- Increase the Zoom value to enlarge the image or decrease it to make the image smaller.
- Adjust Position X and Position Y to move the image within the frame.
- Preview the result and export your video using the required resolution and format.
Step 1: Open DaVinci Resolve and Create a Project
First, launch DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio on your Windows PC or Mac. On the Project Manager screen, select New Project, enter a name, and click Create. If you already have a project, open it instead.
Before importing your image, consider the final dimensions of your video. For example, a standard YouTube video usually uses a 16:9 aspect ratio, such as 1920 × 1080 pixels. A vertical video for platforms such as TikTok or Instagram Reels commonly uses a 9:16 aspect ratio, such as 1080 × 1920 pixels.
Your project resolution determines the dimensions of the video frame, but it does not change the original dimensions of your image file. You can resize an image within that frame using the editing controls.
If you need to check or change your project settings, open the gear icon for Project Settings and locate the Master Settings section. Choose the appropriate timeline resolution and frame rate for your project, then save the settings.
The navigation path is Project Manager > New Project > Create > Project Settings > Master Settings.
Step 2: Import the Image Into Your Project
Once your project is ready, import the image you want to resize. You can use common image formats such as JPEG and PNG, depending on your editing requirements.
Open the Media page or use the Media Pool on the Edit page. Right-click inside the Media Pool and choose Import Media. Browse to the folder containing your image, select the file, and confirm the import.
You can also drag a supported image file from your computer’s file browser into the Media Pool.
After importing, drag the image onto the timeline. The image will appear as a clip that you can adjust just like many other visual elements in your project.
Follow this path: Media Pool > Import Media > Select Image > Edit Page > Timeline.
If your image does not fill the preview correctly, do not worry. Its initial appearance depends on the image dimensions, project resolution, and scaling settings. You can adjust these in the next steps.
Step 3: Select the Image and Open the Inspector
Now select the image clip on your timeline. Make sure you click the image itself rather than another video or audio clip in the project.
Next, open the Inspector panel in the upper-right area of the Edit page. If the panel is hidden, click the Inspector button to display it.
The Inspector provides controls for adjusting the selected clip’s visual properties. Depending on your version and the selected clip, you may see settings such as Zoom, Position, Rotation Angle, Anchor Point, and Cropping.
For basic image resizing, the most important setting is Zoom. Position controls help you move the image after resizing it.
Use this navigation path: Edit Page > Select Image Clip > Inspector > Video > Transform.
Remember that these adjustments affect the selected clip in your timeline. If you have multiple copies of the same image, changing one clip does not necessarily change the others.
Step 4: Resize the Image Using Zoom
This is the main step. With your image selected, locate the Zoom controls in the Transform section of the Inspector.
In many DaVinci Resolve versions, the Zoom controls include separate horizontal and vertical values, often labeled Zoom X and Zoom Y, along with a control to link them. When the values are linked, changing one value scales the image proportionally. The exact layout can vary by version.
A value of 1.0 generally represents the clip’s default scale. Increasing the value makes the image appear larger, while decreasing it makes the image smaller. For example, a linked Zoom value of 1.25 enlarges the image to approximately 125% of its default scale.
If you want to resize an image without distorting it, keep the horizontal and vertical Zoom values linked. If you change the two values independently, the image may become stretched or compressed.
Follow this path: Timeline > Select Image > Inspector > Transform > Zoom.
Watch the viewer as you adjust the values. If the image becomes too large and parts of it disappear outside the frame, lower the Zoom setting. If the image appears too small, increase the value gradually until you achieve the desired result.
Step 5: Adjust the Image Position
After resizing your image, you may need to move it to the correct location. For example, you might want a person’s face near the left side of the frame to leave space for text on the right.
In the Inspector’s Transform section, locate Position X and Position Y. Position X moves the image horizontally, while Position Y moves it vertically.
Adjust these values while watching the viewer. You can also use the on-screen transform controls in the viewer, when available, to reposition the image visually.
The navigation path is Edit Page > Inspector > Transform > Position X and Position Y.
If the image moves too far in one direction, return the values toward their original settings. You can also use the reset control beside an individual setting to restore its default value, depending on the interface version.
Keep in mind that moving an image does not change its dimensions. It only changes where the image appears within the video frame.
Step 6: Fit, Fill, or Crop the Image
Sometimes, resizing is about more than making an image larger or smaller. You may want the entire image to fit inside the frame, or you may want it to fill the frame completely.
If you want to show the entire image without cropping, scale it down until all its edges fit within the viewer. This can leave empty space around the image if its aspect ratio differs from the project’s aspect ratio.
If you want the image to fill the entire frame, increase its Zoom until the frame is covered. Be aware that this may crop parts of the image along the edges.
You can also use the Cropping controls in the Inspector to hide specific portions of the image. Cropping is helpful when you want to remove unwanted edges without stretching the image.
Use this path: Select Image Clip > Inspector > Transform or Cropping.
For example, if you place a landscape photo in a vertical video, filling the entire vertical frame may cut off important details on the left and right. In that situation, a smaller Zoom value or a carefully chosen crop may produce a better result.
Step 7: Resize Images for Multiple Clips or Export
If your timeline contains several images, repeat the resizing process for each clip. Try to keep consistent framing when the images appear in the same sequence, especially if you are creating a slideshow.
You can also use keyframes to animate an image’s Zoom or Position over time. For example, gradually increasing Zoom can create a slow push-in effect. In the Inspector, use the keyframe controls beside the relevant setting, then adjust the value at a later point in the clip.
Once you are happy with the result, open the Deliver page to export your project. Select a suitable format, such as MP4 with H.264 encoding, and set the output resolution to match your intended platform.
Follow this path: Edit Page > Preview and Adjust > Deliver Page > Resolution and Export Settings > Add to Render Queue > Render All.
Remember that exporting at a higher resolution does not restore detail that was missing from a small source image. Enlarging a low-resolution image too much can make it look soft or pixelated.
FAQs
1. Can I resize an image in DaVinci Resolve for free?
Yes. The free version of DaVinci Resolve supports basic image resizing through the Inspector’s Transform controls. You can adjust Zoom, Position, and other standard properties without purchasing Studio.
2. What is the difference between Zoom and Position?
Zoom changes the apparent size of the image, while Position moves the image horizontally or vertically within the frame. You will often use both controls together to achieve the desired composition.
3. How do I resize an image without stretching it?
Keep the horizontal and vertical Zoom values linked so the image maintains its original proportions. Avoid changing the two axes independently unless you intentionally want a stretched or compressed appearance.
4. Why does my image look blurry after resizing?
Your source image may have a lower resolution than your project. Enlarging a small image forces the editor to scale its existing pixels, which can reduce sharpness. Use a higher-resolution source image when possible.
5. Can I resize an image for a vertical video?
Yes. Set your project to a vertical resolution, such as 1080 × 1920, and adjust the image using Zoom and Position. Check the framing carefully to avoid cutting off important subjects.
6. Are the resizing steps different in DaVinci Resolve Studio?
The basic resizing process is essentially the same in the free version and DaVinci Resolve Studio. Both provide standard Transform controls for adjusting an image’s size and position.
7. Can I animate image resizing in DaVinci Resolve?
Yes. Use keyframes on the Zoom setting to change the image size over time. This lets you create gradual zoom-in and zoom-out effects without needing a separate animation application.