FrameReplacer

FrameReplacer is a dedicated Resolve FX Revival effect for repairing a single damaged frame. Unlike FrameAverage it does not continuously accumulate temporal samples over an entire shot: Replace This Frame identifies a targeted position and Replacement Method chooses the source of substitute image data. The effect is documented as Studio-only in DaVinci Resolve 21.

Start by locating the damaged frame during playback and single-frame stepping. Distinguish the timeline frame index, the position within an edited clip and the actual source-frame index. Confusing these time domains can repair an intact frame while leaving the glitch untouched.

Resolve 21 states that checking Replace This Frame automatically adds a keyframe at the appropriate clip location. Do not mistake that for proof of a one-frame-only hold. Confirm that the checkbox is off at N−1 and N+1 for a truly isolated issue and adjust neighboring keyframes when required.

From Previous duplicates N−1; From Next duplicates N+1. These are predictable on a locked-off shot or whenever neighboring object positions are close. At higher motion speed, a duplicated image may look like a very brief freeze.

Blend Prev/Next combines N−1 and N+1. This can soften a small temporal discontinuity, but subjects in substantially different locations may create translucent ghosts. The name of the method does not imply a separate overall Blend slider in the captured Fusion Inspector.

Optical Flow derives a motion-aware reconstruction from both neighboring frames. It can make an isolated repair less jumpy than a duplicate, yet moving occlusions, reflections, hair, water, smoke, motion blur and fast edges can warp or tear during interpolation.

Every method relies on usable temporal neighbors. At the beginning or end of a clip the required earlier or later sample may not be accessible. The source Inspector screenshot does not establish what replacement data the host chooses at these clip boundaries.

The old site article claimed an Effect Mask connector directly on FrameReplacer. A Controls-tab screenshot cannot reveal physical Flow ports, and the Resolve FX Revival passage does not specify their topology. This revision only documents the tutorial’s primary image stream as an illustrative contract; exact socket inventory requires a native Resolve inspection.

For a localized patch without assuming a built-in mask connector, split the original image into two paths: FrameReplacer to Merge.Foreground and the clean image to Merge.Background, with Rectangle.Mask on Merge.EffectMask. Inspect feathered boundaries and continuity over consecutive frames.

For a useful A/B comparison change only Replacement Method. Keep the same source footage, frame N, Viewer zoom, exposure and color pipeline. Inspect the single reconstructed frame at full resolution and review several preceding and following frames during playback.

FrameReplacer does not automatically detect all damaged frames or rescue a long corrupt passage. If adjacent images are damaged as well, a source-frame duplicate, blend or interpolation might be incapable of producing an acceptable repair. Consider manual restoration or replacing the affected segment.

The four choices and the checkbox are supported by the original Inspector capture and the Resolve 21 manual. Typed lessons validate connection contracts only; native keyframe behavior, precise output pixels, color/alpha handling and render results remain unverified.