DirectionalScale

DirectionalScale belongs to the Krokodove Image Warp tools integrated into Fusion in DaVinci Resolve 21. Blackmagic describes it as a single-sided scaling tool that stretches an image at a chosen angle. Unlike a regular Transform, the deformation is tied to a directed axis and an anchor.

The best test source is not a photograph: use Text+ with an arrow, an asymmetric logo, or a grid. Straight lines make it easier to see which part of the frame stretches and what changes when the axis rotates. Test the node before adding Blur, Glow or masks.

Image Input receives an ordinary 2D image; Image Output remains a 2D stream for Merge, further processing or MediaOut. DirectionalScale does not track moving subjects and does not create a 3D object.

Center X/Y anchors the deformation. Moving Center toward a title edge can make the stretch appear to launch from that edge rather than the frame center. The provided Controls capture shows 0.5 / 0.5, a saved state rather than a verified universal default.

Axis Angle rotates the principal stretch direction. Check orientation on an arrow or diagonal line while Center and scale stay fixed. An identical numeric angle in another tool, such as DirectionalBlur, does not prove the same orientation convention.

Size Along Axis changes shape along the chosen axis. It is an effective first control for a title punch: find the calm state and the peak stretch, then return to calm. The screenshot shows 5.0, already a strong saved test state rather than a recommended starting value.

Size Lateral Axis controls the perpendicular component. When learning, keep it at a value that visually preserves lateral width (1.0 in the capture), understand Along first, then introduce sideways compression or expansion.

Scale All is a separate Controls checkbox, disabled in the provided capture. The brief public guide does not define its exact relationship with Along/Lateral. Test On and Off with Center, Angle and scale unchanged rather than assigning the control an unverified formula.

Establish a visually neutral state in Viewer rather than copying someone else's Inspector capture. The saved Along 5.0 and Lateral 1.0 are not evidence of default values for newly created nodes in every Resolve build.

The Render tab does not replace geometry controls. First obtain the intended shape using Controls, then examine Warp, Under-Sample Resolution, Filtering and Edges. This separates changes to shape from changes to pixel quality.

Warp is on Render and is set to 1.0 in the provided screenshot. The short public description does not specify its mathematical behavior, so adjust it independently with geometry fixed and judge the result in Viewer.

Under-Sample Resolution affects image calculation and quality; the captured value is 1. Test fine lettering, diagonal edges, flicker during motion, and render performance. Its label alone cannot establish the internal algorithm.

Filtering offers None, Pixel and Area. These are resampling choices during deformation, not solutions to a misplaced Center or Axis Angle. Area is selected in the captured Inspector; compare modes on the same frame with other parameters unchanged.

Edges controls sampling beyond the source frame: Black reveals missing source data, Wrap draws from the opposite boundary, and Duplicate extends border pixels. Wrap is better suited to seamless textures, while strong Duplicate stretches may reveal long streaks.

The normal Effect Mask gates the visibility of the node result. Earlier Krokodove Directional Scale material also describes a Warp Mask for shaping how deformation strength varies over the image. These are different roles and should not be treated as interchangeable.

The presence and exact socket/API identity of a separate Warp Mask connector in integrated Resolve 21 have not been verified live here. The practice graph documents the intended connection role, not a certified API contract; confirm the port on your target build before automation.

To compare the masks, use the same soft gradient in sequence: first as Warp Mask if the socket is available, then as Effect Mask. Using both at once makes it harder to tell whether the deformation itself or only its final visibility has changed.

A useful title flow is Text+ → DirectionalScale → optional DirectionalBlur → Merge/MediaOut. Do not add blur until the clean stretch works: blur can hide broken edges, unwanted shape and alpha issues.

With strong stretching, inspect both RGB and Alpha at 100% Viewer scale. Letter and logo edges may look clean when zoomed out but reveal fringes in the final export. If source pixels run out, preparing overscan is better than concealing the issue with Edges.

For animation, start with one driver: Size Along Axis moving calm → peak → calm. Add Axis Angle, Lateral or externally tracked values only after the timing works. DirectionalScale does not calculate tracking on its own.

Before saving a preset or moving between Resolve versions, record the Controls/Render state and verify .setting/.comp serialization. In particular, confirm Scale All, Warp, Under-Sample and Warp Mask availability in the target build.