RESOLVE FX STYLIZE · RESOLVE 21
Mirrors.
One seam.
Infinite reflections.
From a clean portrait split to radially mirrored patterns and repeated geometric cells. Understand six independent mirror seams, three fundamentally different modes, borders and Blend without guessing at values.
Mirror 1–6 · Flip
3 Placement modes
Borders + Blend
Try Individual and swap Flip, then toggle Rosette and Kaleidoscope. The lab explains geometry rather than claiming to reproduce Resolve OFX.
Edit any of the six seams by selecting M1–M6 above; the dashed line marks the selected enabled seam.
Educational 2D reflections—not the DaVinci Resolve OFX renderer. Wedge Width, Center Size and other demo sliders do not reproduce Blackmagic numeric ranges or exact sampling. The actual screenshots and mode explanations are below.
Native panel screenshots · documented modes · bilingual reference
14 control terms · 4 workshops01FROM LINE TO SYMMETRY
One effect. Three different systems.
Start with the geometry, not Global Blend. A reflection copies coordinates from across a chosen seam; it is not a lens warp or a two-layer composite.
A mirror is a reflection across a line
In Individual, Position and Angle define a seam while Flip chooses the source side. This remaps the original image coordinates; it is not two video tracks superimposed. Flipping the same seam can produce two very different compositions.
Placement changes the geometry
Rosette repeats angular wedges; Kaleidoscope builds mirrored triangular or rectilinear cells. These are different geometries, not three strength presets. Choose Mirror Placement before looking for its own controls.
Borders and Blend solve different problems
Reflect at Borders fills samples outside the source by reflection. Global Blend then mixes the completed effect with the unprocessed signal. Half Blend is not equivalent to halving the mirror geometry.
Documented control behavior: Resolve 21 · Chapter 165 · Mirrors ↗
02EVERY MODE-SPECIFIC CONTROL
Understand each setting before changing another.
Six authentic captures show Individual and the mode dropdown; Rosette/Kaleidoscope values are described from the official Resolve manual, without fabricated screenshots or invented slider ranges.
01 · Main
Choose the reflection system first
- Mirror Placement
Chooses the geometry: Individual, Rosette or Kaleidoscope. The available parameter groups change with this selection.
How to verifyCompare the three modes on the same shot. Rosette and Kaleidoscope controls are not visible in the Individual capture.
- Reflect at Borders
Adds another image reflection at source boundaries instead of black where a shifted/rotated seam samples offscreen.
How to verifyCheck corners and motion. This setting does not remove seams or repair wrong symmetry.
02 · Individual / Mirror 1–6
Six independently configured seams
- Enable Mirror · 1–6
Enables an individual seam in each of six independently configurable blocks. Initially, Mirror 1 is commonly on and the others off.
How to verifyAdd seams one at a time; disable others while diagnosing an artifact.
- Position X / Position Y · 1–6
Sets the point through which an individual seam passes. The archived panel shows X/Y = 0.500 / 0.500.
How to verifyMoving a seam does not translate the finished composition; inspect subjects on both sides of the line.
- Angle · 1–6
Rotates each reflection seam. Larger angles may expose source boundaries, making Reflect at Borders worth checking.
How to verifyDo not chase a composition by changing center and angle at the same time.
- Flip · 1–6
Swaps which side of the seam supplies mirrored pixels, potentially transforming the composition even without changing the seam itself.
How to verifyCompare both Flip states on the same still before adjusting Blend.
03 · Rosette
Radial symmetry around one center
- Position X / Position Y
Moves the center of the circular reflection pattern; its effect is obvious around an asymmetric bright subject.
How to verifyPlace the center according to composition, not automatically in the frame center.
- Angle
Rotates the whole wedge pattern around its center.
How to verifyUse Angle for orientation/rotation and width for the wedge count.
- Wedge Width
Controls wedge thickness: wider wedges yield fewer repeated segments; narrower wedges create more. The value is not itself a promised segment count.
How to verifyAvoid excessively thin wedges that make a recognizable subject look like noise.
04 · Kaleidoscope
Repeated geometric cells
- Position X / Position Y
Moves the center of the mirrored cell structure.
How to verifyCheck whether repeating seams cut through the key subject.
- Center Size
Expands or shrinks the constituent kaleidoscope cells, not simply the completed image as a Zoom transform would.
How to verifyMatch the cell scale to recognizable input detail.
- Angle
Orientates the repeating reflection seams and cells.
How to verifyChoose the sides first, then rotate the resulting structure.
- Number of Sides
Sets the cell topology: 3 sides give a triangular pattern, and 4 create rectilinear cells aligned with Angle.
How to verifyCompare 3 vs 4 on the same clip: this is topology, not effect strength.
05 · Final signal
Mix only after the geometry works
- Global Blend → Blend
Mixes the completed Mirrors result with the node image before OFX. The 1.000 screenshot is full effect; 0 returns the unprocessed image.
How to verifyBlend cannot fix the wrong Flip, center or side count.
03PICK THE RIGHT GEOMETRY
Individual, Rosette and Kaleidoscope are not presets.
Selecting Mirror Placement changes the geometry and its available controls. Work through one source frame at full Blend before keyframing.
Individual
Up to six independently adjustable reflection seamsSymmetrical portraits, split frames, transitions and multiple reflection planes.
Enable Mirror 1, toggle Flip, then introduce Mirror 2.
Rosette
Radial wedges repeated around a centerMusic inserts, ornaments and source movement around a radial center.
Reduce Wedge Width with Position held fixed.
Kaleidoscope
Triangular or rectilinear mirrored cellsPatterns, title backplates and architectural abstractions.
Compare Number of Sides 3 and 4 before changing Center Size.
Reflect at Borders
Offscreen → reflected sourceAn offscreen black area can be filled by reflecting source pixels again. This does not invent new filmed image detail.
Check moving frame corners, not only the center.
The mode cards are explanatory diagrams and text. The Rosette and Kaleidoscope live controls were not captured in this ZIP. Wedge Width and Center Size in the hero lab are explicitly demo-scale parameters.
04COLOR NODE PIPELINE
Separate the mirror geometry from the base grade.
In the Color page, open Effects → Resolve FX Stylize → Mirrors and drag it onto the intended serial node. Apply a Power Window on the same node only if the result should be local.
Mirrors on a Color node
Start at full frame; choose Individual/Rosette/Kaleidoscope. Tune geometry before Reflect at Borders and Global Blend.
Green lines carry RGB between Color nodes. The dashed marker annotates a window inside the FX node—not a new node connection. This is a diagram, not a Resolve screenshot.
Related topics: Node pipeline ↗ · Power Window / Tracker ↗
05REPRODUCIBLE EXERCISES
Four real tasks. Four acceptance checks.
Use actual footage. No screenshot default or teaching-model value is a universal preset, and a convincing still does not guarantee a good animation.
Symmetrical portrait
One reflected side of a face, without unwanted secondary seams.
PrepareStable portrait with clearly visible eyes and nose.
- 01
Apply Mirrors to a separate serial Color node and choose Individual.
- 02
Enable Mirror 1 only. Place Position X near the nose axis; Y matters with the chosen Angle.
- 03
Try both Flip states and retain the more suitable source half.
- 04
Inspect head edge, background and skin at Blend 1.000 before dialing back Blend.
The reflection axis feels intentional, with no accidental doubled eyes or broken background.
Two purposeful seams
Create a controlled symmetric graphic structure.
PrepareCity lights, a sign or a high-contrast architectural shot.
- 01
Choose Individual and disable Mirrors 2–6.
- 02
Align Mirror 1 with the dominant image line, then enable Mirror 2.
- 03
Tune Mirror 2 Angle/Position and compare Reflect at Borders states.
- 04
Review introduced lines in motion; turn off redundant seams.
No more than two legible axes and no unwanted black corners.
Animated radial ornament
A rhythmic pattern without chaotic jumps.
PrepareColorful lights, fabric or a gently moving camera.
- 01
Switch Mirror Placement to Rosette.
- 02
Choose Position, then Wedge Width for a readable segment count.
- 03
Keep scale steady and keyframe Angle over a short interval.
- 04
Check the rotation loop and avoid distracting fine-detail flicker.
Stable center, legible rotation and consistent repeat rhythm.
Kaleidoscope title plate
Geometric background that preserves title legibility.
PrepareTextured clip with distinct contrast regions and a separate title track.
- 01
Enable Kaleidoscope and compare 3 / 4 sides.
- 02
Adjust Center Size, then Angle and Position, leaving a quieter region behind the text.
- 03
Place the title in a separate layer/composition so the glyphs are not warped.
- 04
Review legibility at reduced view size and in the final export.
Rhythmic background with readable text throughout.
06SIMILAR LOOK, DIFFERENT PURPOSE
Do you need a mirror, a warp or a layout?
Before building six reflection seams, see whether a simpler Color/Fusion workflow produces the intended result.
| FX | Core mechanism | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Mirrors | Reflection seam, radial wedges or mirrored cells. | When geometric symmetry is the point. |
| Lens Distortion ↗ | Radial warping of lens geometry. | For optical warp or distortion correction without reflection seams. |
| Video Collage ↗ | Multiple panels/tiles with video layout controls. | When you need true multi-panel composition instead of reflections of one image. |
| Transform ↗ | Position, rotation and scaling of an image layer. | When you need a repositioned layer without mirror seams. |
07DIAGNOSE THE SYMPTOM
Find the problem in the right stage.
01Black triangles appear after rotation+
Enable Reflect at Borders; re-check Position/Angle. Reflected borders extend visible image, not real offscreen detail.
02The wrong half of a face is duplicated+
Toggle Flip on the relevant Mirror. Fix the source side before changing Angle or Blend.
03The second seam creates a chaotic composition+
Disable Mirrors 2–6, tune the first and add mirrors one at a time. This teaching model applies sequential reflections; Resolve’s exact ordering was not verified here.
04Wedge Width or Number of Sides is missing+
Check Mirror Placement: Wedge Width belongs to Rosette; Center Size and Number of Sides belong to Kaleidoscope, not Individual.
05Title text is mirrored or unreadable+
Keep titles out of the OFX node: add them after the background treatment or composite on a separate track/branch.
06Low Blend produces double edges+
Blend crossfades two different geometries. Fix seams/Flip/topology at full effect before mixing back the original.
Animate only the parameters that tell the story
A simple transition may only need one seam position; a rosette can rotate with Angle. Keyframing six seams at once often makes the result hard to control.
Reflection does not create genuine offscreen imagery
Reflect at Borders does not expand your camera’s field of view. At strong offsets you may see obvious repeated details from the source edge.
What was and was not verified
Individual controls and the Placement menu match archived PNG; Rosette/Kaleidoscope were checked against the Resolve 21 manual. The lab is an independent teaching model, not OFX or a live Resolve test.
08BEFORE DELIVERY
Review moving images, not only a beautiful still.
This checklist is an editorial reminder, not a certified Resolve test run.
09QUESTIONS THAT MATTER
Do not confuse the mode, seam and blend.
How is Rosette different from Kaleidoscope?
Rosette repeats wedges around a radial center and adjusts density through Wedge Width. Kaleidoscope uses repeating cells with 3/4-side topology.
How many independent reflections can Individual use?
Up to six: Mirror 1–6, each with Enable Mirror, Position X/Y, Angle and Flip.
Does Flip rotate the image?
No. Flip chooses which side of a given seam is reflected; Position and Angle set the seam geometry.
Why are black edges visible?
The geometry may sample outside the frame. Reflect at Borders extends the edge by mirroring rather than recovering out-of-frame imagery.
Does Global Blend reduce the number of wedges?
No, it blends the completed warped image with the input. Rosette repetition is controlled by Wedge Width, and Kaleidoscope cell topology by Number of Sides.
Can Mirrors be applied only to part of a frame?
You can limit a Color node with a Power Window and track it when needed. The window boundary and the mirror seam are different; a transition may be visible.
Is Color Mirrors the same as Fusion Mirror?
No. This is Resolve FX Stylize with Individual/Rosette/Kaleidoscope Mirror Placement. Fusion nodes may have different controls and behaviors.
Which Resolve edition includes Mirrors?
Availability depends on the installed version/platform. The Resolve 21 Stylize chapter does not label Mirrors as Studio Version Only; still check your own installation. No live edition test was performed.
Sources, evidence and limitations
Individual and Mirror Placement controls are checked against six archived screenshots. Rosette and Kaleidoscope behavior is grounded in Resolve 21 documentation. The interactive model is not Resolve’s renderer and has no verified parameter scale.
Screenshots are not generated or retouched, and a live Resolve render was not performed as part of this website-only update. Check parameters, edition availability and exports in your installed release.