Studio 21.1.1
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ADVANCED COLOR · STUDIO REQUIRED

How to select a subject with Magic Mask

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Magic Mask creates a subject selection using image analysis. Its usefulness depends on the edges, motion, and occlusion in the shot; the result still needs inspection.

Before you begin

Use a duplicate grade and inspect the full shot, including its most difficult frame. This workflow uses a Studio-only feature.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Magic Mask 2 panel: selection, tracking, and matte controls
Magic Mask 2 panel: selection, tracking, and matte controls Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 3285. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Add a dedicated node on Color and open Magic Mask. Choose a clear reference frame with the subject well separated.
  2. Click the target in the viewer to add a positive selection in Magic Mask 2. Use its negative selection mode to exclude areas it picked incorrectly.
  3. Analyze forward and backward through the used shot, then inspect the matte around hair, hands, crossings, and frame boundaries.
  4. Refine problematic frames and matte settings. Apply a restrained local correction first so errors are easy to spot before relying on the mask for a large change.

Check your result

The selection remains stable and covers the intended subject throughout the shot.

If it doesn’t work as expected

Changing upstream image processing can invalidate an analyzed result. Finish foundational changes before analysis and recheck the mask after subsequent edits.

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.