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
Begin with importing the background element you intend to use; this could be a video or an image placed in the media pool. Drag it onto the timeline and will be placed as the foundation for the PIP effect to be positioned.
Go to OpenFX and open the Effects panel, search and add the "Video Collage" effect to the background clip. This is made neat to pave way for placing numerous video clips in the collage windows.
Step2Access Video Collage Controls
After applying the Video Collage effect, turn off the Effects panel and then click the background element on the timeline.
Navigate to the Inspector tab with the Effects button located in the top panel – look for the Video Collage settings. Among the layout settings, click on the number of rows and columns and expand the input boxes to type in the number of clips you wish to include in the Picture-in-Picture effect. This creates spaces for your videos inside the collage.
Step3Move the Background Layer
In order to fit the video clips, drag the background layer to the higher video track for instance Video Track 5.
This step makes it possible to place each individual video clip onto the tracks which are located below the background one. This way you will be able to arrange your timeline and not get confused especially when dealing with multiple tracks of video clips.
Step4Insert and Resize Video Clips
Now, import your video clips for PiP effect onto the main tracks that are right below the background track. You can resize and reposition these clips by using the Transform controls that are found in the windows of the Video Collage. Just to make sure that the whole clip is within the allocated space in the window so that there are no hangovers.
Step5Customize Picture-in-picture
After changing the size of the clips, go to the Crop tool to remove extra hairs and make sure that all clips are perfectly placed in the collage windows. Cropping the video signals the end of the video and smoothen the shots and make sure that none of it goes beyond the given area. This fine-tuning process helps in order to achieve the most smooth and professional result.
Step6Shifting the Focus to blur the Object for a Neat Appearance
If the background is too complex or draws attention away from the subject, use the blur tool to clean up the image. In the Effects panel, look for the "Gaussian Blur", and apply it to the background layer. You need to make sure that the blur effect is placed right below the Video Collage effect in the Inspector view, to make the windows clear while the background is blurred for a more professional look.
Step7Customize the Layout
If you want more control, change the Video Collage mode from "Global" to "Tiles" to change the layout of the videos. This option allows you to change the size and the form of each tile separately. The layout may be previewed by toggling the Preview Layout option and fine tuning the position and size of each tile to create a live and bespoke format.
Step8Final Adjustments
Final tweaks on the clips to make sure they look good within the new layout and tiles. To desired works, you can rearrange, change size or direction of the clips to achieve the general appearance of the PIP effect. Now that everything has been set right, the Picture-in-Picture effect in DaVinci Resolve is now ready for export.
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
Step1Go to Filmora, and create a new project
Launch Filmora on your PC. Create a new project by clicking on the New Project button. According to your needs, you should set the aspect ratio and projection parameters.
Step2Import Media Files
Choose to navigate through and add files from the computer, camera or any other connected device. You should always click and drag the videos or images you want to add to the media library.
Step3Add the Background Video to the Timeline
Drag the main background video from the Media Library to the bottom part of the screen where the timeline is located. This video will now act as the base for the PIP effect which will be created.
Step4Add the Overlay (PIP) Video or Image
Choose which media you would like to present as the smaller video on top of the larger video. To do this drag this video or image from the Media Library to another video track that should be located higher than the background video in the timeline.
Step5Adjust the Size and Position of the PIP Overlay
To edit the overlay clip go to the timeline and click on the overlay clip. On the Preview Window, drag the corners of the overlay to adjust its size, and move it to the desired position on the screen such as the top right corner.
Step6Adjust Blending Mode
To set parameters for an advanced effect select the PIP video, move to the Basic tab in the Video Edit Panel and under the Compositing section. Select a blend mode for the layer (multiply, screen, etc.) and set the opacity to achieve the desired effect.
Step7Change PIP Shape with Mask
To alter the shape of the PIP video you just need to go to the Mask tab and apply a preset mask. It is also possible to use your own masks or enable the keyframe option for the masks to achieve more interesting effects.
Step8Add Animation and Motion
Select the PIP video in the timeline and go to the Animation tab on the PIP video track in Filmora. The program offers you a set of motion presets and animations that you can use.
Step9Preview and Export the PIP Video
Press the Play button in the Preview Window to review how the PIP effect looks. Make any necessary adjustments to the size, position, or timing of the overlay.
Click on the Play button in the Preview Window to see how the PIP effect will look. You may also resize, reposition or even change the time that the overlay occupies.
You've successfully created a PIP effect using Filmora on your PC.
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.
