If you need a thumbnail for a YouTube video or another type of video project, DaVinci Resolve has the perfect tools to do it. Not only can the editing software save still images from a video, but any effect you add to the thumbnail will stay attached to it as well. We’ll show you how to create a thumbnail with DaVinci Resolve and what kind of cool effects you’re able to add to it.
1. Adjust Your Timeline Settings
Start with a blank timeline. Before adding your still or video to the timeline, you’ll need to adjust the settings.
Many thumbnails, like YouTube, need to be sized at 1280 x 720 pixels, so it’s wise to start the project with the correct dimensions. In yourMedia Pool, right-click on the timeline clip, then go toTimelines>TimelineSettings.
Screenshot by Sam Wolfe; no attribution
UncheckUse Project Settings, change theTimeline Resolutionto1280 x 720 HD 720P, and clickOK.
Next, place your still or video on the timeline and start adding any effects to make it more engaging. If you’re working with a video, remember to drag the playhead to the frame you want to use for your thumbnail.
Don’t worry about creating an image from a video at this point. SinceDaVinci Resolve 18.5 came out of beta, the effects now remain attached when a still is exported.
2. Add Cool Effects to Your Thumbnail
There are several ways you’re able to make your thumbnail stand out using different effects.
Using Pitch and Yaw
Adding a bit of pitch and yaw (tilting an image from left to right or up and down) will give your image more dimension, especially if you are adding other elements to it.
Click on the clip and open theInspectortab. Under Video, you will findPitchandYawnear the top. Adjust the angles until you are happy with how the image looks.
Blurring an Object
To add some mystery to your thumbnail, you can blur an object. Doing this for a thumbnail is less complicated thanblurring and tracking a moving object in DaVinci Resolve.
All you need to do is select the clip and open theColorpage. Click on theWindowicon in the toolbar under the preview window. Select theCurvetool and trace the object you want to blur—ensure the beginning and end dots connect.
From there, open theBlurfeature on the toolbar and drag theRadiusoption as high as you want it to go. If you’d rather have a mosaic blur, open theEffectstab and drag-and-drop theMosaic Blurfeature over the clip’s node.
Placing a Title Behind an Object
With your intended thumbnail ready in the timeline, go ahead and copy and paste the clip so there are two copies side by side. From there, click on the first clip and open theColortab.
Make sure theNodestab is open on theColorpage. Click on the node, select theWindowicon on the toolbar, and select theCurvetool.
Zoom in on the clip and use theCurvetool to trace the object you want your text to go behind. You will have to do this manually if you are working with the free version of DaVinci Resolve. Make sure you connect the mask all the way around.
When you’re done, click on theHighlighticon—it looks like a black and white circle in a rectangular box—to ensure the mask took effect. Click theHighlighticon again to turn it off.
In theNodetab, right-click the empty node box and selectAdd Alpha Output. Drag the blue box from the clip’s node to the blue Alpha Output node. You will see the background disappear.
Go back to theEdittab and make sure your newly edited clip is on track three. Place the copy of the original clip on track one right underneath. Your title effect will go on track two.
3. Export Your Thumbnail From DaVinci Resolve
After you’ve finished adding effects to your thumbnail, it’s time to export it.
Make sure your playhead is located over the exact frame you want to save, go to the uppermost toolbar, and selectFile>Export>Current Frame as Still.
The still should automatically be set to save as a JPEG but make sure just in case. you may also save it as a PNG if that’s the file type you would rather work with. ClickExportonce you have the specifications to your liking.
Make the Perfect Video Thumbnail Using DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Resolve is perfect if you’re looking to trim videos, use color correction, or even create a thumbnail with cool effects. Best of all, you don’t need to download separate software to achieve it all—everything you need to make an engaging thumbnail can be found in this video editor.
