RESOLVE FX STYLIZE · DAVINCI RESOLVE 21
Scanlines.
Build the signal.
Control the pattern.
The art of visible scanlines: line density is not stripe width, RGB separation is not color correction, and Scanlines Only is not a blending mode. Work through thirteen actual controls, six original screenshots and a live, independent teaching model.
Frequency + Width
Color 1/2 + RGB
Composite + Blend
Start with CRT SOFT; hold Frequency constant and change Width. Then use Scanlines Only to see what the generated pattern actually contains.
Animation changes the line phase, not the source image.
Color · two alternating bands
These offsets shift each channel of the generated pattern, not primary grading channels.
Ten modes above are the modes visible in the actual source screenshot; this does not claim to reproduce the complete OFX menu or Blackmagic’s compositing math. “Only” isolates the generated pattern in this model.
EDUCATIONAL SIMULATION: normalized scales, rasterized stripe profile and blends are independent; they do not reproduce Resolve’s slider ranges, OFX GPU shader, color pipeline or precise output. Source alpha stays unchanged.
6 actual inspector PNGs · 13 controls · RU/EN
4 step-by-step exercises01THREE DISTINCT SYSTEMS
Geometry, palette, compositing. In that order.
A scanline pattern is periodic. The stripe width, channel phase and compositing math answer three different questions.
Frequency is not thickness
Line Frequency determines repetition density, while Line Width defines how much of each period the blanking band occupies. Increase Width at the same frequency and more of the source is obscured.
The pattern need not be static
Line Angle rotates the stripes; Line Shift advances their phase. Keyframing Shift can make a rolling scanline effect without translating the underlying footage.
Color design and compositing are different
Color 1/2 and RGB offsets build a colored pattern. Scanlines Only isolates it, Composite Type determines interaction with the footage, and Global Blend controls the final mix.
Control descriptions checked against: Resolve 21 · Resolve FX Stylize / Scanlines ↗
02ACTUAL RESOLVE INSPECTOR
Thirteen controls, six authentic screenshots.
Compare each explanation with the inspector captures. The open Composite Type image is a partial dropdown, so we do not claim the full list. Demo slider scales are not real OFX ranges.
01 / NATIVE CONTROLS
Pattern geometry and character
- Line Frequency
Sets how many stripes repeat across the frame. More Frequency means denser lines; overly fine patterns risk moiré and shimmer after scaling.
CheckJudge at 100% viewing scale and in the encoded export; lower density if bands flicker.
- Line Sharpness
Controls the softness of the transition between alternating bands. It is not a source-image sharpener: it alters line-edge definition.
CheckCompare crisp and soft band edges on skin and fine type without touching Frequency.
- Line Angle
Rotates the line pattern. The captured zero angle corresponds to horizontal lines; diagonal patterns can intensify aliasing on grids.
CheckInspect diagonals on moving vertical edges and small typography.
- Line Width
Changes the width of the blanking or obscuring band in each period. At a fixed frequency, it changes how much underlying image remains visible.
CheckHold Frequency steady and change Width; inspect faces and dark patches.
- Line Shift
Offsets the phase of the stripes, not the source image. Useful for alignment and animating rolling lines.
CheckKeyframe Shift and review at delivery frame rate for smooth motion without jumps.
02 / NATIVE CONTROLS
Palette and RGB offset
- Color 1
The first color of the alternating pattern. White with black Color 2 produces a classic monochrome look. The eyedropper can sample the incoming image.
CheckStart with a neutral pair and only then design a tinted palette.
- Color 2
The second color, usually tinting the blanking bands that obscure source detail. It need not be black; the chosen tint changes the integration.
CheckTry dark blue instead of pure black and check shadow contrast on low-key shots.
- Red Offset
Offsets the red component of the scanline pattern relative to the others. It can produce colored fringes at band boundaries; it is not the same as primary Red Gain.
CheckOffset R alone with G/B unchanged and inspect a high-contrast edge.
- Green Offset
An independent phase shift for the green pattern channel. Subtle values add electronic character, larger changes visibly separate RGB components.
CheckInspect green fringing on white titles with the other offsets at zero.
- Blue Offset
Independently shifts the blue part of the line pattern. Especially visible on bright stripes, UI graphics and LED-like imagery.
CheckSet R/G to zero, adjust B over light regions and inspect the encoded output.
03 / NATIVE CONTROLS
Isolation and composite behavior
- Scanlines Only
Shows the generated stripe pattern on its own instead of mixing it into the footage. Useful for evaluating frequency, width and tint; generally turned off for the finished grade.
CheckInspect Only first, then disable it and choose Composite Type. In the captured Resolve UI the checkbox belongs to Composite.
- Composite Type
Blend operation between the generated pattern and the source. The actual open dropdown shows Normal, Add, Subtract, Difference, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Hard Light, Softlight and Darken; more entries are outside the crop.
CheckCompare Overlay with Multiply while keeping palette and Width constant; blending cannot replace geometry tuning.
04 / NATIVE CONTROLS
Final effect mix
- Blend
Final effect contribution. At Blend=1.000 the current effect is shown fully; reducing it restores more source. This does not alter stripe thickness.
CheckFinish Frequency, Width, Color and Composite first; then lower Blend for delivery.
03CHOOSE A VISUAL LANGUAGE
One tool. Three very different looks.
Decide whether the lines should be subtle, animated or graphic before building a look; do not copy someone else’s numbers across different resolutions.
CRT / QUIET
Understated CRT texture
Horizontal lines, moderate density, softened edges and a careful Overlay or Softlight blend. Test for flicker over skin and type.
If it looks good in a still but crawls in motion, reduce Frequency.
RETRO / ROLL
Rolling electronic scan
Crisp line pattern with keyframed Line Shift for rolling bands. Shift moves the pattern, not the frame.
On a short render check phase continuity, strobing and final frame rate.
GRAPHIC / RGB
Chromatic graphic pattern
Separate Color 1/2 and RGB Offset decisions; experiment with Angle and Composite Type. Useful on titles and interfaces, not every portrait.
Inspect fringes at 1:1 and in the compressed deliverable.
Important: Scanlines Only outputs the pattern, not a separately tracked Power Window. For local application use the Color node’s own Power Window or another composite path.
04COLOR PAGE SIGNAL PATH
Give the scanlines their own node.
In Color, find Scanlines under Resolve FX Stylize and apply it to a fresh serial node after the base correction. Keep the creative texture separate from balancing.
Shape and combine the scanlines
Tune Frequency, Width and Sharpness, choose Color 1/2, then select Composite Type. Use RGB offsets sparingly and Global Blend at the end.
The green lines symbolize RGB signal, not actual Resolve wiring. This schematic is interactive teaching artwork, not a screen capture or exported node graph.
Related lessons: Color nodes ↗ · Power Window / Tracker ↗
05BUILD IN RESOLVE
Four exercises with observable acceptance criteria.
These are teaching recipes rather than universal numeric presets. Verify the finished look on moving footage and an encoded file.
Subtle CRT without moiré
Suggest a display feel while retaining detail.
PrepareFive to eight seconds of interview or an interface with slight motion.
- 01
Apply Scanlines to its own serial node after primary balance.
- 02
Keep Angle at zero with neutral Color 1/2; set an easily readable moderate Frequency.
- 03
Refine Width and Sharpness; start with Overlay or Softlight and dial back the effect with Blend.
- 04
Inspect at 100% in delivery resolution and render a sample in the real codec.
Bands are visible without crawling or erasing fine type.
Typical failure: overly dense lines produce moiré after export.
Rolling scanline as a visual cue
Create purposeful phase animation.
PrepareFive seconds of footage with a still background and a high-contrast feature.
- 01
Use Angle=0 and a Width large enough to see motion.
- 02
Add a keyframe to Line Shift at the start of the clip.
- 03
Set a different Shift near the end; avoid animating Frequency at the same time initially.
- 04
Review at normal frame rate and verify the underlying image stays stationary.
Only the line pattern travels; density remains stable and phase jumps are absent.
Typical failure: excessive per-frame phase changes look stroboscopic.
RGB display treatment for titles
Make legible electronic graphics without destroying letters.
PrepareA title or UI mockup with bright lines over a dark background.
- 01
Choose readable Frequency and Color 1/2 to match the graphic palette.
- 02
Enable Scanlines Only to study the standalone pattern and alternating colors.
- 03
Turn Only off; offset Red or Blue slightly while keeping other channels at zero.
- 04
Choose Composite Type and Blend, then inspect small glyphs in the export.
RGB fringing reads as intentional while text stays legible at intended size.
Typical failure: extreme channel separation makes small letter edges noisy.
Graphic pattern for compositing
Use Scanlines Only as an isolated graphic texture, not as a random switch.
PrepareA clean high-contrast frame; do additional compositing in Color or Fusion.
- 01
Tune Frequency, Width, Angle and Color 1/2 independent of the underlying image.
- 02
Enable Scanlines Only: the output now isolates the generated pattern.
- 03
Evaluate the pattern separately; disable Only to return to the usual effect.
- 04
If you need a separate matte or layer, build a dedicated node/composite path.
You can distinguish the generated pattern from its composite over footage.
Typical failure: leaving Only on replaces the source view, mistaken for missing video.
06RELATED RESOLVE FX
Distinguish a line pattern from other texture tools.
Similar thumbnail results may be made by completely different mechanisms. Choose deliberately.
| FX | Mechanism | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Scanlines | Alternating stripes, color pairing and built-in composite. | Retro displays, digital titles and graphic transitions. |
| Analog Damage ↗ | A broader simulation of analog television signal damage. | When you need instability and additional analog defects, not just lines. |
| Prism Blur ↗ | Optical RGB fringes, softness and vignette rather than repeated stripes. | Dream looks, lens distortion and stylized highlights. |
| Film Grain ↗ | Stochastic grain texture without periodic stripes. | Film texture and an organic feel without display-line structure. |
07SYMPTOM → FIX
Fix the cause before hiding it with Blend.
01Lines shimmer or moiré appears during motion+
Lower Frequency and soften Sharpness if needed; inspect at real delivery size and codec.
02Faces are obscured by dark bands+
Check Line Width and Color 2, then Composite Type. Reduce Global Blend only after fixing stripe geometry.
03Bands are diagonal rather than CRT horizontal+
Check Line Angle; zero on the captured panel produces horizontal lines. Angle changes pattern geometry, not the image placement.
04Only a colored stripe pattern appears instead of footage+
Disable Scanlines Only in Composite. This is a deliberate isolation mode, not failed media import or broken alpha.
05Colored fringes make type look messy+
Zero all RGB offsets and bring them back one at a time. Check Color 1/2 and contrast at intended resolution.
06Composite modes seem to have little effect+
Make sure Scanlines Only is disabled. Compare with the same palette, Width and Global Blend=1; dark and bright footage may respond differently.
07Animated Line Shift stutters+
Reduce per-frame phase movement; check keyframe interpolation and delivery frame rate. Excessive Frequency makes the jumps more obvious.
Review in motion
A repeated pattern can look perfect on a still yet produce moiré in 1080p scaling or H.264/HEVC encoding. Inspect several seconds of an actual export.
Use a separate Color node
Keep Scanlines separate from balancing, skin treatment and color transforms so you can bypass the whole look, use a Power Window and animate controls without undoing primary corrections.
08FINAL REVIEW
Check actual frames, not slider positions.
The checklist is manual and local to this visit. It is not an automatic signal-quality test.
09FAQ & MISCONCEPTIONS
Seven common Scanlines questions.
Are Scanlines the same as Film Grain?
No. Scanlines creates a repeating geometric pattern with controllable density and width. Film Grain introduces stochastic image texture.
Why did higher Frequency produce moiré?
Dense repeated stripes can interfere with the pixel grid, resampling and encoding. Reduce Frequency, consider softer edges and check the final render.
Can Line Width replace Global Blend?
No. Width changes the proportion of obscuring versus visible bands in each cycle; Blend mixes the entire treated output with the original.
Where is Scanlines Only?
In the supplied Resolve 21 capture it is under Composite just above Composite Type. It shows the isolated pattern instead of the combined result.
Can I animate rolling lines?
Yes. Keyframing Line Shift changes the pattern phase. Check change per frame and the real project frame rate for smooth motion.
Which Composite Type modes are available in Resolve?
The provided open dropdown visibly shows Normal, Add, Subtract, Difference, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Hard Light, Softlight and Darken. The list scrolls, so this screenshot does not establish every additional entry.
Is Scanlines safe for HDR/HLG material?
Review through the correct color-management pipeline for delivery. Composite Type and bright Color 1/2 may affect peak values and chroma; inspect HDR and SDR outputs separately.
Sources, real images and limitations
All six captures come from the project ZIP and remain unchanged. The original Composite Type dropdown is scrollable and only proves the modes visible in its crop. Parameter explanations were checked against the Resolve 21 Stylize reference.
The live model uses custom 0–1 controls, its own stripe renderer and common composite equations. It does not claim matching Resolve parameter ranges, antialiasing, GPU kernels or color-management behavior. Test final quality in a real Resolve project.