Easily remove objects in DaVinci Resolve (disappearing effect)

We all want perfect footage, but sometimes there’s something in our clips that we need to remove. It could be a microphone, an unwanted person, a spot or mark on clothing, or a poorly placed object you want out of the frame.

No one wants to go back and reshoot footage because of one tiny thing! Thankfully, object removal in DaVinci Resolve is easy. As a bonus, Motion Array will also show you how to use this technique to create a disappearing effect.

Part 1: Simple object removal in DaVinci Resolve

This simple method is great for removing objects that are surrounded by detailed patterns, such as a sandy beach, grass, or buildings. You’ll use the surrounding area to cover up your object, like with Photoshop’s clone tool.

You’ll use the pattern to disguise where you’ve removed the object. You’d be surprised how much the eye only sees if it actively looks for it! That’s due to how we process images in the brain. This principle can be used in many ways in your videos, but let’s look at how DaVinci Resolve can remove objects from your footage.

1. Duplicate your clip on the Edit page, then place the copy above the original clip on the V2 track.
2. Go to the Color page.
3. Use the Timeline window to select the top clip. Right-click and select an Alpha Output from the pop-up menu to add it to the Serial node.
4. Connect the Node Alpha Output to the Alpha Output by dragging the blue dot to the blue dot on the right. A dotted line will show.
5. Now, mask the object you want to remove by creating a window around the object.

If your clip has movement, you may need the Tracker. Make sure you’re at the start of your clip, then go to the Tracker and track it. Now, back to object removal in DaVinci Resolve.

1. Invert the mask by clicking the Invert button in the Window options.
2. Select the bottom clip in the Timeline.
3. Under Input Sizing in the node sizing options, use Pan and/or Tilt to move the bottom clip and cover the object with a matching area. You can also use the Height and/or Width options.
4. You’ve now removed the object successfully.

Pro Tip: You can use the Feather options for the mask to soften the edges and blend it better.

You can follow along in the video below if you’re lost. Once you’re confident with this method, you can try removing black or color backgrounds in DaVinci Resolve, too.

Part 2: Remove complex moving objects in DaVinci Resolve

The Tracker might get the job done with simple or slow movement, but you also get more complex moving-object removal in DaVinci Resolve.

Another method uses AI to replace your object, similar to Photoshop’s ‘content-aware’ fill. It’s overkill for simple situations, but ideal for complicated ones. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Select your clip in the Timeline.
2. Go to the Color page and add a Serial node.
3. Create a window around the object you want to remove. Usually, you’d use the Curve setting to match the object’s shape. You want to mask pretty close to the object. 
4. You must track the window using the Tracker if your clip has movement. Track only the movement occurring in the frame. Motion Array only tracked Pan, Tilt, and Zoom in the example video since there’s no rotation.
5. From the Effects panel, select Object Removal. Drag it onto the Serial node you just created.
6. Click Scene Analysis in the Object Removal effect and let your computer do the work. This is intensive editing, so it may take a while.
7. Once the analysis is done, click Build Clean Plate. Your object is gone!

If you’re removing more than one thing, use a Parallel node for each object. If your clip has movement, track the window to the object so the mask moves with it.

This method isn’t always perfect. AI video-editing tools are still developing. You may need to adjust the window or soften it, then re-analyze and build a new Clean Plate until you get the result you’re looking for. Also, test different settings in the Object Removal menu. Adjust the range to analyze a wider area, or switch from internal to external to change where the replacement pixels are sourced.

Once you’re confident with object removal in DaVinci Resolve, you’re well on your way to beginning green screen edits for even more versatility.

Part 3: Create a disappearing effect in DaVinci Resolve

Now it’s time to have some fun! Object removal in DaVinci Resolve doesn’t always have to be a correction. You can make disappear effects using the techniques you just learned. All you need is a Clean Plate, which we created above. This is how you use it.

1. You’ll need 2 copies of your clip, one in which you removed the object, and the original. 
2. Choose the best object-removal method for your clip. Either of the ones you just learned will work.
3. Make a new Compound Clip from this clip and call it ‘Clean Plate’.
4. Add your original clip to a new Timeline and drag ‘Clean Plate’ on top of your original clip.
5. Now trim ‘Clean Plate’ to where you want your object to disappear. Play it back and you’ll see the object magically disappear!

You can use a simple effect on the Fusion page to add even more excitement.

1. Cut your original clip 3-5 frames before your object disappears.
2. Repeat 2-3 frames after the object disappears.
3. Select this cut clip and go to the Fusion page.
4. Add a Background node, then adjust the color to something bright. 
5. Lower the alpha to make it transparent, and add a mask to create a shape over just the object.
6. Now add a Glow effect.
7. After the Merge node, add a Vortex effect and animate it using keyframes.
8. When you play back your clip in the Edit tab, you’ll have a cool visual effect as your object disappears.

Of course, there are other effects you could add. You can play with all your favorite DaVinci Resolve effects and see what happens. With this new skill, you’ve unlocked a whole new, creative way to edit your videos.

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Object removal in DaVinci Resolve can easily be achieved with a couple of different methods, including the new AI-driven object-removal effect. You can also apply the same techniques to make an object disappear for an interesting visual effect. 

Motion Array has plenty of tutorials to help you learn additional skills and effects in DaVinci Resolve. Why not find some new effects to try out?