One of the favorite effects in video editing, Picture-in-Picture or PIP means putting one video inside the frame of another video. It usually uses it when giving a tutorial, when reacting to a video, or when using multiple cameras. Standard PIP finishes may be created more easily by utilizing the enhanced mentions within the DaVinci Resolve 17/18.
In this article, we'll go through a detailed step by step PIP effect creation with DaVinci Resolve 1.18. Next, we'll see another software alternative, Filmora, that gives the same features, but focuses more on the ease of use.
In this article
How to Create a Picture-in-Picture Effect in DaVinci Resolve 17/18
Step1Set Up the Background Element

Import your background video or image into the media pool and drag it onto the timeline. Add the "Video Collage" effect from the OpenFX panel to this background clip to prepare spaces for multiple video windows.

Step2Access Video Collage Controls
Click the background clip in the timeline, go to the Inspector tab, and find Video Collage settings. Set the number of rows and columns to create spaces for the videos in your Picture-in-Picture effect.

Step3Move the Background Layer
Drag the background clip to a higher video track (e.g., Video Track 5) so you can place other clips below it clearly.

Step4Insert and Resize Video Clips
Add the video clips you want in the Picture-in-Picture windows onto tracks below the background. Use the Transform controls to resize and position each clip to fit perfectly inside its designated collage space.

Step5Customize Picture-in-picture
Use the Crop tool to trim any excess parts of these clips to ensure they fit smoothly within the collage windows without spilling over.

Step6Shifting the Focus to blur the Object for a Neat Appearance
If the background is too busy or distracting, apply the "Gaussian Blur" effect to it. Make sure to place this blur effect below the Video Collage effect in the settings to keep the video windows clear.

Step7Customize the Layout
Change the Video Collage mode from “Global” to “Tiles” to adjust the size and position of each video window individually, allowing more precise and custom layouts.

Step8Final Adjustments
Make any last tweaks like resizing, repositioning, or rearranging clips to perfect the overall Picture-in-Picture appearance. When ready, export your project.
Limitations of Creating Picture-in-Picture (PIP) Effects in DaVinci Resolve
- Complexity for Beginners: DaVinci Resolve has an interface and tools that are fully customizable, and that can be quite unhelpful for new users. To achieve the expected PIP outcome, learning of layering and management of settings is mandatory.
- Need for Expertise: To produce high quality PIP effects, one needs to learn about some of the most complicated video editing techniques, thus making it hard for the beginners to obtain their desired results.
- Time-Consuming Setup: PIP effects are applied by adjustment of the size, shape and position of each clip and this becomes very tedious in large projects.
- Limited Real-Time Previews: It will stutter when trying to play back multiple layers, especially on older machines, and may require rendering for effects to take effect, which sets back the editing process.
- High System Requirements: DaVinci Resolve is a demanding application which can cause slowdowns or crashes when working with many tracks, especially in old machines with less RAM and processor power.
- Steep Learning Curve: The PIP effects cannot be easily modified since some of the settings are not easily identifiable, thus demanding time and effort.
How to Use Filmora for Picture-in-Picture (PIP) Effects
Wondershare Filmora also has a simpler and easy to use interface for first time users, and this makes it a suitable option for those who cannot use DaVinci Resolve easily. Thanks to Filmora, creating PIP effects is as easy as a breeze by using drag and drop functions and predesigned templates for the PIP transitions. This software is great for the beginning user and the casual editor who wants results fast and without complication.
Key Features:
- Simplified Interface: Filmora comes equipped with an intuitive drag and drop functionality to ensure that new and amateur users can attain PIP effects with ease.
- Pre-Built Templates: Filmora has built-in PIP templates that users can use to instantly apply PIP effects, this helps to save time and energy.
- Easy Customization: Filmora has a simple interface that allows one to easily resize, add frames or apply motion effects using buttons and tools.
- High-Quality Export Options: Exportable HD/ 4K PiP videos for YouTube & social.
- Audio Sync and Balancing Tools: PiP audio Synchronization syncs PiP audio with main content volume.
- Color and Brightness Adjustments: PiP layers should be color and brightness independant to the main video.
- Flexible Screen Positioning: The PiP window size and location is very easy to change if you have a style video you want to attach to it.
- Superb video stabilization with low distortion.
- Vast video/audio effects and creative assets.
- Powerful AI for effortless content creation.
- Intuitive, professional yet beginner-friendly.
- Works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Step-by-step guide to Making PIP Video in Filmora
Step1Install Open Filmora For Adding PiP Effect
Upon installing Wondershare Filmora from its website, open the tool and click the “New Project” button to start applying the PiP effect.

Step2Upload the Background and Overlay Content
After opening the tool, click the “Import” button to import the videos from the dialogue box.

Step3Adjust the Size of the Overlay Video
When added, drag the background video first and the other video above the background visuals in the timeline. Once it’s done, adjust the size and position of the upper video according to your preference in the preview window.

Step4Blend the PiP With the Background Video
From the right side of the window, go to the “Basic” tab to reveal its options. After toggling on the “Compositing” option, select your desired “Blend Mode” and adjust its “Opacity” for perfect output.

Step5Add Different Shapes of Mask
Moving forward, enter the “Mask” tab and select the preferred shape to applied to the video. Afterward, adjust its position and size to make a splendid PiP video.

Step6Add Animation for a Smooth Effect
Upon adding your desired mask, choose the desired animation effect in the “Animation” tab and apply it to the PiP in the timeline.

Step7Apply Effect for Eye-Catching Results
Next, from the top left corner of the screen, open the “Effect” tab and select the effect you like. Then, drag the effect in the timeline and apply it to the video.

Step8Export the Picture-in-Picture Video to Your Device
Once done and you get the desired results, hit the “Export” button from the top right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will open from where you need to select the “Export” button once again to save the final results on your device.

Conclusion
As a highly customizable platform for Picture-in-Picture, DaVinci Resolve has its own drawbacks, for example, due to its complexity and relative steepness of the learning curve, it can be less suitable for beginners or for those who need a quick solution. The software has some powerful tools which can be quite time consuming to learn and the fine tuning that is necessary for PIP effects can hold up the editing process. However, Filmora is more user-friendly as it has pre-set templates and simpler interface and thus is recommended for creating PIP effects with ease by any user. Each of the software options has its specific advantages, and, therefore, your decision will be based on the needs you have and the level of experience you possess.