Color encyclopedia · Sizing
A practical guide to Input Sizing, Edit Sizing, Node Sizing, Output Sizing and Reference Sizing using the real Resolve 21 panels. The goal is to understand not only what the controls do, but at which stage of the image pipeline each transform is applied.
Sizing is not one universal Transform panel. The same Pan or Zoom can affect the shot differently depending on whether it is applied before the node tree, inside one node, after the grade or only to a reference.
Five Sizing modes
This is the main distinction to remember. The same geometry control can belong to the source setup, timeline framing, one specific node, final output or reference comparison.
Input Sizing changes image geometry before the signal passes through the Color nodes. It is a useful place for basic reframing and positioning that should belong to the clip setup rather than to a creative adjustment inside the node tree.
Edit Sizing reflects the clip transform state used on the Edit page. Think of it as the editor-level geometry branch: it is distinct from Color-page Input Sizing even though both affect the clip rather than the whole timeline.
Node Sizing is used when a geometry adjustment should live inside a specific node. That is the key difference from Input and Output Sizing: the transform becomes part of the node pipeline and can belong to one particular grading task.
Output Sizing applies to the entire timeline, not just the selected clip. That makes it the delivery-level geometry stage for global framing and blanking decisions after clip- and node-level transforms are already established.
Reference Sizing does not change the main clip itself. It independently scales and positions a reference image for comparison, which is useful when the reference has a different aspect ratio, scale or composition.
Core controls
The controls themselves are straightforward. The harder part is keeping geometry clean and understanding where the transform sits in the overall workflow.
Move the image horizontally and vertically. These are the basic controls for restoring composition after a zoom or for making a small positional correction.
Zoom scales the image uniformly, while Width and Height let you scale the axes independently. Independent scaling is useful but can distort geometry, so it should be used deliberately.
Rotate turns the frame in-plane, while Pitch and Yaw create a more perspective-like transform. This goes beyond simple reframing, so strong values quickly become visible.
Flips the image horizontally or vertically. It is useful for technical tasks and mirroring, but needs care when the frame contains text, logos or directional lighting.
Cropping trims the image edges in Edit Sizing, while Blanking defines visible boundaries in the relevant Sizing modes. They belong to different stages and should not be treated as one universal control.
Edit Sizing includes a dedicated Lens Correction section with Analyze and Distortion. It is meant for correcting lens geometry rather than for colour grading itself.
Working logic
A simple structure keeps projects readable and prevents hidden double transforms.
The first question is not which slider to use, but where the transform should live: before the nodes, inside a node, after the nodes or only on a reference. That decision determines the Sizing mode.
If the same zoom is applied in Edit, Input and Node Sizing, the project becomes difficult to reason about. Keep each geometry task in one logical place.
Scaling almost always changes composition. After a zoom, re-check the face, horizon, product or other visual centre instead of leaving the frame accidentally shifted.
Output Sizing and Blanking should be checked at the final resolution and aspect ratio. Something that looks fine in the viewer can still create an unexpected edge or crop at delivery.
Sizing vs other tools
Sizing changes image geometry. Windows isolate a region, while grading tools change colour and luminance. Keeping these roles separate makes the node tree much easier to understand.
Windows isolate where a correction works. They do not reframe the image itself in the same way Sizing does.
Node Sizing only makes full sense when you understand where that node sits in the grading chain.
Reference Sizing is especially useful when comparing the current shot with a still or reference that has different framing.
FAQ
Short answers about the five modes and where each one belongs.
Input Sizing applies a clip transform on the Color page and remains separate from Edit-page transforms. Output Sizing applies to the entire timeline. Similar controls therefore operate at very different scopes.
Use Node Sizing when the geometry adjustment belongs to one specific node or grading operation. It keeps that transform inside the node-based logic instead of making it a global clip adjustment.
Edit Sizing reflects the transform changes applied to the clip at the Edit-page level. Use it when you intentionally want to work with that editor-level geometry rather than the separate Color-page Input Sizing state.
No. Reference Sizing changes how the reference image is positioned for comparison. It is intended for matching and alignment, not for changing the graded clip.
Because hidden stacked transforms make the project harder to read and troubleshoot. It is better to keep each geometry task at one clear stage unless there is a specific technical reason to split it.
Input, Edit, Node, Output and Reference Sizing should not be chosen just because their Pan/Zoom controls look familiar. Blackmagic's Colorist Guide distinguishes them by processing scope: Edit Sizing reflects Edit Inspector transforms, Input Sizing provides a separate Color-page transform at the same clip level, Node Sizing belongs to the selected node, Output Sizing acts at timeline output level, and Reference Sizing affects only the reference still/movie in wipe mode. That determines what is inherited, what belongs to a node/still, and where geometry sits relative to the grade.
| Mode | Scope | What it changes | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edit Sizing | clip / Edit page | reflects/edits the transform associated with the Edit Inspector | editorial reframing that should remain part of the edit |
| Input Sizing | clip / Color page | a separate set of clip-level geometry from the Edit transform | colourist reframing without changing the editor's Transform |
| Node Sizing | selected node | geometry only within the selected node context | an effect/isolation/branch where the transform must belong to the node tree |
| Output Sizing | timeline | final geometry of the whole timeline output | global framing, blanking and delivery/aspect-ratio adaptation |
| Reference Sizing | Viewer reference | only the active still/reference movie in wipe mode | align the reference and current shot for matching |
| Cropping / Lens Correction | Edit Sizing toolset | frame edges and geometric distortion | technical correction before creative reframing |
If it is editorial framing, use Edit. If it is a colourist clip-level decision, use Input. If only one grade branch needs the transform, use Node. If the whole timeline needs it, use Output. If only the reference needs it, use Reference.
Hidden transform stacks are difficult to diagnose. Before adding another adjustment, inspect Edit, Input, Node and Output — especially when framing differs between timeline and render.
Blackmagic explicitly notes that grading potential and key-dependent secondary accuracy are reduced at lower timeline resolutions. Return the timeline to its intended working resolution for final Color/qualifier work.
Blanking and output framing belong to delivery. With multiple aspect ratios or HDR/SDR trims, confirm that each output uses the intended geometry and does not inherit an accidental global crop.
Zoom is stacked across Edit + Input/Node/Output Sizing
reset/bypass each level in sequence plus the Inspector Transform
part of the secondary analysis depends on the working raster/resolution
return to final timeline resolution and re-check edges, track and key
clip/output sizing was used instead of Reference Sizing
switch to Reference Sizing and adjust only the reference
Output Sizing/blanking is acting at timeline or trim/output context
Output Sizing, project/output resolution, trim-specific blanking and Deliver settings
In Resolve 21's MultiMaster Trim workflow, Output Sizing adds Use Trim blanking so blanking can be set separately for a specific trim pass, independent of the main grade. This matters when delivering SDR/HDR or other variants that require different framing/blanking.
