LensFlare

Start with Position, the location of the simulated bright source. Lens Center locates the virtual lens center. The line between them defines the ghost optical path. Moving the source rearranges reflections; moving Lens Center shifts their common pivot.

Flare Alone shows the generated effect, while Final Result composites it against the image. Use isolation to identify an excessive element, then return to the final image. A view mode alone does not guarantee the alpha needed for external compositing.

Source masking builds a quick luminance mask. Mask Threshold separates dark occluders, while Virtual Light Source Size controls how gradually the source disappears behind them. This controls occlusion rather than Flare Spot size, which is adjusted separately in Elements.

Move With Sizing retains the source relative position when Resolve Input and Editing sizing change. It is neither compensation for Global Scaling animation nor an automatic Fusion tracker. Check which positioning controls are available when moving a workflow between Resolve pages.

The aperture defines Starburst geometry and Aperture Shape ghosts. The manual specifies 3–16 blades: an even count gives the same number of rays, while an odd count gives twice as many. This diffraction rule does not double the ghost count.

Show Controls for selects the component being edited. Full-Screen Glare increases near the frame center, Flare Spot creates the central light, Starburst forms rays, and Ghost layers create internal reflections. The supplied Inspector lists Ghost 1–8, whereas the Resolve 21 manual describes seven ghost layers. Check the actual list in your version; the lessons use only Ghost 1.

Ghost shape determines the available controls: None disables a layer, Aperture Shape follows the aperture, Anamorphic Streak creates a horizontal streak, and Disc Shape, Bubble Shape and Corona Rays create different ring structures. Center Brightness, Edge Brightness, Height, Bristle and Ringing depend on the selected shape.

For local compositing, compare the complete Final Result with the original using a normal Merge. The Merge mask limits the processed image contribution but does not replace source occlusion. If you need a separate Flare Alone layer, inspect its RGB/alpha before choosing additive compositing.