Studio 21.1.1
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FRAMING & MOTION

How to rotate or flip a video

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Use rotation for orientation correction and flip for mirroring. Mirroring also reverses writing and can change the apparent direction of movement across a cut.

Before you begin

Select a video clip on the Edit timeline and open the Inspector.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Video Inspector: Transform controls
Video Inspector: Transform controls Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 919. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Select the clip and open the Video Inspector’s Transform section. Note the current rotation and zoom before changing them.
  2. Set Rotation Angle to the required amount. For a quarter turn, use an exact 90 or −90 degrees rather than dragging approximately.
  3. Use the horizontal or vertical Flip controls only when the image needs mirroring. Inspect signs, logos, and any visible writing.
  4. Adjust Zoom and Position if rotation exposes frame edges, then review the transition into the next shot.

Check your result

The subject is upright or intentionally mirrored, with no unexpected empty corners.

If it doesn’t work as expected

If many clips from one camera arrive rotated, inspect their metadata before individually correcting every instance. Keep intentional camera rotation distinct from bad orientation metadata.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Advanced editorial workflows

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

Open module 05 →
← PREVIOUS GUIDEZoom and reposition a clipNEXT GUIDE →Animate a gentle zoom with Dynamic Zoom

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.