Hey guys! Want to learn how to create a cool retro text effect in DaVinci Resolve? You've come to the right place! In this article, I'll walk you through the process step-by-step, so even if you're a beginner, you can achieve that awesome vintage look. Retro text effects are super popular for adding a nostalgic touch to your videos, whether it's for an intro, lower third, or just a stylistic element. So, let's dive in and get started!

Understanding the Retro Aesthetic

Before we jump into the technical stuff, let's quickly talk about what makes a text effect feel "retro." Usually, it involves a combination of specific fonts, colors, and visual elements that evoke a certain era. Think about the 1980s with its neon colors and blocky fonts, or the 1950s with its script fonts and pastel shades. Identifying the specific era you're going for will help you make informed decisions about the design choices you make in DaVinci Resolve. Consider elements like:

• Fonts: Choose fonts that were popular during the era you're emulating. For an 80s vibe, think about blocky, sans-serif fonts. For a 50s vibe, consider script or rounded fonts.
• Colors: Colors play a massive role. Neon pinks, blues, and greens scream 80s, while pastels are more reminiscent of the 50s. Earth tones can give you a 70s feel.
• Textures: Adding textures like grain, noise, or scanlines can enhance the retro feel. These imperfections make the text look like it's been pulled from an old video tape or printed on vintage paper.
• Animations: Simple animations like flickering, glitching, or sliding can also contribute to the retro effect.

Setting Up Your Project in DaVinci Resolve

Okay, let's get our hands dirty! First, open up DaVinci Resolve and create a new project. Give it a catchy name like "RetroTextProject" or whatever floats your boat. Next, set your project settings to match your desired output resolution and frame rate. For most modern videos, 1080p or 4K at 24 or 30 frames per second is a good starting point. But if you're going for a truly authentic retro look, you might even consider using a lower resolution or frame rate to mimic older video formats.

Import any footage you want to use as a background or element in your video. If you just want the retro text on a solid background, you can create a new color matte in the media pool. Just right-click in the media pool, select "New Fusion Composition," and adjust the settings as needed. Once your project is set up, you're ready to move on to the fun part: creating the text effect!

Creating the Basic Text

Alright, let's add our text! Go to the Edit page in DaVinci Resolve and drag a new Fusion composition onto your timeline. Then, jump into the Fusion page by selecting the Fusion composition on your timeline and clicking the "Fusion" button. In the Fusion page, add a Text+ node by pressing Ctrl+Space (or Cmd+Space on a Mac) and searching for "Text+". Connect the output of the Text+ node to the MediaOut node. This will display your text in the viewer.

Now, in the Text+ node's settings, type in the text you want to use. Choose a font that fits the retro vibe you're going for. Experiment with different fonts until you find one that you like. Adjust the size, tracking, and line spacing to get the text looking just right. Don't be afraid to play around with different options until you achieve the desired look!

Next, let's add some color! In the Text+ node's settings, go to the "Appearance" tab and choose a color that complements your retro theme. Consider using bright, saturated colors for an 80s look, or pastel colors for a 50s look. You can also use a gradient to add some visual interest. To do this, select the "Gradient" option in the "Shading" section and adjust the colors and positions of the gradient stops.

Adding the Retro Effects

This is where the magic happens! We're going to add some effects to make the text look truly retro. Here are a few ideas:

• Glow: Add a glow effect to make the text stand out. Add a Glow node after the Text+ node. Adjust the Glow Size and Glow Intensity to achieve the desired effect. A subtle glow can add a nice touch, or you can crank it up for a more dramatic effect.
• Chromatic Aberration: This effect simulates the color fringing that can occur in old lenses. Add a Chromatic Aberration node after the Glow node. Adjust the Red, Green, and Blue values to create the effect. Subtle chromatic aberration can add a touch of realism.
• Scanlines: Scanlines are horizontal lines that appear on old television screens. To create this effect, add a Bitmap node. Set the Width and Height to match your project resolution. Then, add a Gradient node and connect it to the Bitmap node. Set the gradient to go from black to white. Add a Displace node after the Bitmap node and connect the Text+ node to the Displace node's Image input. Adjust the Scale and Angle values to create the scanlines.
• Noise: Adding noise can give the text a grainy, vintage look. Add a Noise node after the Text+ node. Adjust the Scale, Strength, and Contrast values to create the effect. Subtle noise can add a lot of character.
• Drop Shadow: A simple drop shadow can add depth and dimension to the text. Add a Drop Shadow node after the Text+ node. Adjust the Distance, Angle, and Blur values to create the effect. A subtle drop shadow can make the text pop.

Experiment with different combinations of these effects to achieve the desired retro look. Don't be afraid to try new things and push the boundaries!

Animating the Text

To take your retro text effect to the next level, consider adding some animation. Here are a few ideas:

• Flicker: A simple flicker animation can add a sense of instability and age. To create this effect, add an Expression to the Gain value of the Text+ node's Style tab. Use the expression sin(time*10)*0.1+1 to create a subtle flicker. Adjust the multiplier values to change the speed and intensity of the flicker.
• Typewriter Effect: This effect makes the text appear to be typed out one letter at a time. To create this effect, use the Trim property in the Text+ node's Style tab. Animate the End value from 0 to 1 over time to reveal the text. You can also add a sound effect of a typewriter to enhance the effect.
• Sliding Text: Animate the position of the text to make it slide in or out of the frame. Use the Transform node to adjust the Position of the text over time. You can also add motion blur to the animation to make it look more smooth.
• Glitching: This effect simulates the glitches that can occur in old video tapes. To create this effect, use the Displace node to distort the text. Animate the Scale and Angle values of the Displace node over time to create the glitching effect. You can also add some static noise to enhance the effect.

Refining the Effect

Once you've added the effects and animations, it's time to refine the look. Here are a few things to consider:

• Color Correction: Adjust the colors of the text to match the overall tone of your video. Use the Color Corrector node to adjust the Lift, Gamma, and Gain values. You can also use the Curves tool to fine-tune the colors.
• Sharpening: Sharpen the text to make it look more crisp and clear. Use the Sharpen node to adjust the Strength and Threshold values. Be careful not to over-sharpen the text, as this can create unwanted artifacts.
• Blurring: Blur the text to make it look more soft and dreamy. Use the Blur node to adjust the Blur Size and Blur Strength values. A subtle blur can help to blend the text with the background.
• Compositing: Composite the text with the background footage. Use the Merge node to combine the text and the background. Adjust the Blend Mode and Opacity values to achieve the desired effect.

Exporting Your Video

Congratulations! You've created a retro text effect in DaVinci Resolve. Now it's time to export your video. Go to the Deliver page in DaVinci Resolve and choose your desired export settings. Consider using a high-quality codec like ProRes or DNxHR to preserve the quality of your video. Once you've chosen your settings, click the "Add to Render Queue" button and then click the "Start Render" button to export your video.

Conclusion

Creating a retro text effect in DaVinci Resolve is a fun and creative way to add a vintage touch to your videos. By experimenting with different fonts, colors, effects, and animations, you can create a wide variety of retro looks. So, go out there and start creating some awesome retro text effects! Have fun with it, guys!