An intuitive video editing software, DaVinci Resolve is rapidly gaining popularity as the internet becomes more and more dominated by video content. Its free version is sufficiently feature-packed, capable of adding effects that boost a video’s production value, such as adding contextual text.
This blog will outline how you can add text to your video with this tool in six, easy to follow steps. It will also cover some helpful tricks and an alternative tool you can try if you want something different.
Ready? Let’s go.
DaVinci Resolve 16 Tutorial: How to Add Text
There are different kinds of text you can add to your video in DaVinci Resolve 16. For example, you can add standard text, Text+, Scroll text, etc. In this section, we will stick to adding standard text.
Here is how to do it:
STEP 1 - Import your Video to the Editor
You can’t add text without a video. So, the first thing you need to do is import your footage in DaVinci Resolve. If your video is already in the timeline, just skip to the third step.
To import the video, simply press Ctrl+I. Alternatively, go to File in the menu bar and select Import File, then Import Media.
After importing the video, your screen should look like the image above. It is also worth noting that you can import more than one video at once. Just make sure they are all in one folder and select them.
You can also drag and drop the folder into the media pool. The editor will automatically load the individual videos.
STEP 2 - Create a New Timeline
Although your video(s) is now in the editor, editing can’t begin until you have created a timeline. To do this in DaVinci Resolve 16, click the selected video(s) and choose Create New Timeline Using Selected Clips.
It will open a prompt to adjust settings for the new timeline.
A faster way to do this is by dragging the selected videos onto the timeline.
STEP 3 - Select Text Effect from the Effects Library
The Effects library contains all the effects you can apply to your videos in DaVinci Resolve 16, including text. However, before doing that, you need to enable the videos for editing.
Go to the control panel at the bottom of the editor’s interface and click the Edit tab.
In the Edit control interface, you should see the Effects Library at the top of the editor, below the main menu bar.
Clicking the Effects Library reveals a list of effects and tools you can apply to the video. Select Titles to open a pop-up window with the list of preset options.
It contains three categories of Titles - Titles, Fusion Titles, and Subtitles.
We are looking to add standard text. So, drag and drop the Text effect onto the timeline on top of the video layer.
STEP 4 - Edit the Text Properties
Once you have added the text effect, edit its properties to your liking. At this point, you can perform basic edits like changing font size, type, color, and background.
It is also possible to set the position, line spacing, and much more.
To do this, select the title you want to edit and click ‘Inspector’ at the top far right of the screen.
To undo any changes, press Ctrl+Z or Command+Z. You can also use the ‘arrow circle’ on the right side to undo everything on a setting.
If standard text is all you need in your video, this is all there is to it. You can move on to other edits or export the video.
However, if you like to add some style and create something unique, there is much more you can do with DaVinci Resolve 16 using keyframes.
STEP 5 - Add Animated Effects by Creating Keyframes
Keyframes are anchors for effects applied on an element in the video. In this case, it is the text effect.
In DaVinci Resolve 16, you set keyframes by pressing the diamond shape on the right of each setting.
Checking the diamond button saves the value of your text in the timeline at the current timestamp and applies the change to the rest of the video.
Let’s say you want the text to move from right to left over a 5 second period. Go to the Position setting and set the starting position by changing the values of X and Y.
Then go to the time you want the text to begin moving and hit the keyframe.
Next, move forward 5 seconds in the video and set the position of the text to where you want it to end.
The application of these positional changes will create a moving effect on your text, visible during playback.
You can repeat this process for different settings in the Inspector window to add some style to your text.
STEP 6 - Save the Edited Text for Future Projects (Optional)
Making proper edits that match your vision takes significant effort. Instead of doing it all over again, you can save it for later use on DaVinci Resolve.
Asides from streamlining your workflow, this is also a way to maintain a consistent look for your brand across different content.
While this tutorial is about adding text, you can do the same for clips and pictures.
To save your edit, go to View in the menu bar and click Show Power Bins.
Then open ‘Media Pool’ and locate Master under Power Bins.
Next, drag the text layer you want to save into Master.
With that, it is saved and accessible for future projects. Just go to Master under Power Bins to access the saved edit and drag it onto the timeline when you need it.
That’s it. You now know how to add text in DaVinci Resolve.
How to Use DaVinci Resolve to Add Fusion (3D) Titles
Want to take your text game a notch with 3D text? DaVinci Resolve has a cool feature called Fusion. It allows you to create animated titles with 2D and 3D text tools.
It comes with basic text formatting controls and 3D options to add effects like reflections, shadows, bump maps, and many more. Other executable actions include animating individual letters and creating ripple glow effects through each letter.
Fusion Titles, like Standard Text titles discussed above, have pre-made effects.
Here is how to use it.
STEP 1 - Choose and Add a Fusion Title
Following the same steps for adding Standard Text effects mentioned earlier, open the Fusion Titles category and choose from the list of presets.
Drag and drop it down to your timeline. For this guide, we’ve gone with the 3D Title in a Box option.
STEP 2 - Edit the Text Content
Still using the same process as standard text, open the Inspector window to access the Main Text controls. Here, you can edit the text content among other options like font type, size, color, and spacing.
While you perform these edits, they are immediately rendered, as shown by the blue line on top of the text layer.
Beyond Main Text Control, you can also edit every other part of the title through other controls like -
- Box Material
- Main Light
- Back Light
- Motion Blur Controls
Using them, you can transform the preset title into your preferred look, as shown below.
Asides from being animated and having a different look, what truly makes Fusion Titles different is you can reverse engineer the animation by accessing the nodes.
When you double the stack in the lower window, it reveals all the nodes that define this title.
From here, you can perform different forms of edits on the 3D elements, creating a distinctive look of your own.
So far, this has been a basic exploration of the Fusion feature in DaVinci Resolve. It is pretty complex, and you can consider this blog an introductory look into it.
For something more in-depth with advanced techniques you can deploy, consider taking a video editing course.
Tips to Consider When Using DaVinci Resolve Text Effects
With so many effects and creative possibilities, it is easy to get carried away trying to outdo yourself when working with DaVinci Resolve.
However, unless you are editing a video specifically for yourself, there are a couple of tips to consider when creating video content for an audience.
- Have Spatial Awareness
How do you frame the image to get enough space for text? This is something you should put into consideration during filming, but especially during editing. That way, neither element has to overshadow the other.
Thankfully, DaVinci Resolve has a ‘Safe Area’ feature to see acceptable areas to place your text. You can use the feature by turning it under View in the menu bar.
Another thing is understanding the meaning behind the position of your text. For instance, placing a text in the lower center might confuse your viewers because it is typically reserved for subtitles or captions.
- Choose fonts that match your brand
There are so many cool fonts to choose from in DaVinci Resolve. However, you should select the one that best matches your brand.
Big, graphic texts are great for videos in the creative field like Design and Fashion. Sleeker, professional fonts are better for service-oriented industries like law and real estate.
Additionally, since you can add multiple texts in one video, make sure the font styling is consistent. Wild stylistic differences between text layers will make your video look amateurish.
If they have to be different, make the differences subtle and purposeful.
- Consider the read time
It might be cool to have something akin to Star Wars opening crawl in your video. But unless there is a logical reason for it in the content, don’t use it. Stick to short blocks of texts that are digestible in a couple of seconds.
Also, duration matters. Don’t leave texts on the screen for an unnecessarily long time.
- Balance
There is no point in having text that is too small for anyone to read. Or too big that it overshadows the content it is describing. Finding a balance is the key to applying contextual text.
If a text has to be big, a useful trick is using keyframes in DaVinci Resolve to stylishly get it on and off the screen. That way, you pass your message without being annoying or overly distracting.
Secondly, consider how your audience will watch the video. If a majority watch on a large screen, large fonts might be more applicable.
Helpful tip → create a mockup version and play it on every platform you intend to use for distribution.
That said, while free and full of plenty of pro features, adding text in DaVinci Resolve can be complicated, especially if you are an entry-level user. If this is you, you can try a simpler yet equally professional alternative like Keevi Video Editor.
A Simpler Alternative to Add Text in DaVinci Resolve: Keevi Video Editor
Without giving up control over text attributes, Keevi Video Editor is a DaVinci Resolve alternative that lets you add text to video more straightforwardly. It is very user-friendly, especially to beginner users, and is accessible via web browsers—no need for software download.
You can edit everything from text placement to setting text properties like font style, color, size, and background.
Keevi Video Editor also supports animated text if you want to up the production quality of your video content. All of these actions are executable with a few clicks, requiring only your imagination and little technical expertise.
After adding your texts, further customize your video with features like -
- Stickers and GIFs
- Voiceover recorder
- Auto-Generated subtitles
- Merge images with video and more
How to Add Text using Keevi Video Editor
As mentioned, it is pretty easy to add text with Keevi Video Editor. Click this link to launch the editor’s website. Then click ‘Get Started’ to open the editor and follow these steps.
STEP 1 - Import the Video
Once the editor is opened, import your video by dragging and dropping your video into the Add Video area.
You can also click the Browse button to open a pop-up window to select the video from your computer.
Alternatively, if the video is a YouTube video, paste its link in the address bar at the bottom of the Add Video window.
STEP 2 - Add the Text
Once your video is in the editor, click the Text tab at the top of the screen. It will open the Text controls on the left side of the interface.
Click Add New Text.
You can enter your text in the control interface or inside the textbox in the video preview window.
Repeat this process for every frame that needs contextual text.
STEP 3 - Format the Text
Once you have entered the text, format it to your preference using the options under the Styling tab. It contains all the individual settings to change the text’s font style, size, and alignment.
Also, use the Fill option to change the text color and set the height and width between letters by clicking the Show More Options button.
Additionally, you can set how long the text appears on the video by dragging the edge of the text layer in the timeline. You can also set it manually within the text controls.
Plus, you can drag out the drag textbox within the preview window to enlarge or reduce the size of the text.
STEP 4 - Export the Video
Once you finish editing the text, personalize the video by selecting the relevant action tab. You can add Stickers and GIFs via the Stickers tab, subtitles through the Subtitles tab, and merge the video with an image through Add Media.
Remember to use the playback button to cross-check your edits and make sure everything is in order.
Then click the button at the top right corner of the editor to export your file.
Clicking Export will begin the rendering process. After rendering, save the video to your device.
If you’re a marketer or social media content creator, you can also publish it directly to more than 30 social media platforms.
How to Add Animated Text in Keevi
Using animated text is an efficient way to hold your audience’s attention. You can add some to your video by selecting the Animations subtab after clicking Add New Text under the Text tab.
Enter the text, then select the type of animation you want to apply to it.
Edit the text with the options under the Styling tab. That’s it. You can choose from different animation options to add life to your contextual text.
When you finish, export the video and share it. It’s that simple.
Conclusion
In this blog, you’ve learned step-by-step how to add text in DaVinci Resolve along with how to create animated text in 2D and 3D, using the software’s Fusion feature.
Hopefully, you found it helpful and can now add texts to your videos on your own.
If you find the software complicated, try Keevi. It is user-friendlier and just as efficient.
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