Studio 21.1.1
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ADVANCED COLOR

How to isolate an area with a Power Window

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

A Power Window limits a correction to a shape. Keep it on its own node so you can adjust the mask and the correction independently of the base balance.

Before you begin

Use a duplicate grade and inspect the full shot, including its most difficult frame.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Power Window palette: shape selection and window controls
Power Window palette: shape selection and window controls Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 3269. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Add a serial node on Color and label it for the local correction. Open the Window palette.
  2. Choose a circle, polygon, or other suitable shape and position it over the intended area.
  3. Soften the boundary and make a temporary obvious adjustment to understand exactly which pixels are affected. Then reduce it to the desired correction.
  4. Play through the shot and track or animate the window if the target moves. Review with the window outline hidden.

Check your result

The local change follows the intended area and its boundary is not visible in normal playback.

If it doesn’t work as expected

A sharply bounded window often looks like a spotlight pasted on the image. Increase softness and reduce the correction before adding more complicated masks.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Color beyond the basics

Go deeper with the course’s explanations, exercises, and knowledge checks.

Open module 07 →
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Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.