How to Create Animated Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve
Animated subtitles have long been a highly requested feature for DaVinci Resolve and until recently, subtitle options were fairly limited in style and lacked the visual flair many creators wanted. One of the best things about Davinci Resolve though is that the developers listen to what the people want so DaVinci Resolve now offers animated subtitles, giving you a ton more powerful new ways to make your videos even more interesting. Especially if you are making short-form content.
How to Create Animated Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve
If you have used subtitles in Davinci Resolve you'll have a rough idea of how this works but if you're completely new here's what you need to do!
- Start by navigating to the Edit page in DaVinci Resolve. This is where most of your timeline editing and creative enhancements take place.
- To generate your subtitles, go to Timeline > AI Tools section this is where the Create Subtitles from Audio feature now lives. Click on this tool to automatically generate subtitles from your audio track, just as you would with previous versions.
- The core process for creating subtitles remains the same, but the ability to style them has been significantly upgraded. So check out the next set of steps below.
Apply Fusion Titles to Subtitles
One of the most exciting new capabilities is the ability to apply Fusion titles directly to subtitle tracks. For instance, you can select a pre-built animated title like Circus and drag it onto your subtitle track. Instantly, all of your subtitles will adopt that style. This alone gives you a lot more visual control, but there’s more. DaVinci Resolve has introduced a brand-new category under Titles called Animated. This includes subtitle-specific effects such as:
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Lollipop
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Rotate
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Slide In
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Statement
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Word Highlight
These effects are tailor-made for subtitles, allowing each word to be animated individually, which creates a dynamic, engaging look that’s perfect for social media, music videos, or modern tutorials.
For example, using Word Highlight adds emphasis by animating each word as it's spoken. Simply drag the effect onto your subtitle track, and DaVinci Resolve handles the animation for you.
Customize Subtitle Appearance
Once an animated subtitle style is applied, you can customize its look. Click on any subtitle clip in the timeline and open the Inspector, then change to the Track tab. From here, go to the Track tab where you’ll find a variety of adjustable settings, including:
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Highlight color
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Softness and blur of effects
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Outline and border options
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Background appearance
These controls allow you to fine-tune the animation’s look to match the tone and branding of your video.
Create Your Own Animated Subtitles (Advanced)
DaVinci Resolve also allows users to create their own animated subtitle styles, although this process involves more advanced use of Fusion and keyframes. While not covered in detail here, it’s a powerful feature for those who want full creative control. Keep an eye out for tutorials or community-created templates as the feature grows in popularity.