How to ADD TEXT BEHIND Objects in Davinci Resolve | Magic Mask Tutorial

Learn how to seamlessly place text behind moving subjects in DaVinci Resolve using the AI-powered Magic Mask and layer duplication techniques.

To add text behind an object or person in DaVinci Resolve, you must duplicate your video clip, sandwich a text layer between the two copies, and use the Color page Magic Mask tool on the top layer. By isolating the foreground subject with a single stroke, the top layer becomes transparent, allowing the text underneath to peek through while the original background remains visible.

What is the "text behind object" effect?

Placing text behind a subject is a popular compositing technique used in music videos, vlogs, and sports highlights to create a sense of three-dimensional depth.

Instead of a flat title simply overlaying the video, the text appears physically integrated into the scene. This effect requires separating the foreground element (the person or object) from the background. Historically, this meant hours of tedious frame-by-frame rotoscoping. In DaVinci Resolve Studio, the AI-powered Magic Mask automates this process entirely.

How to set up the Edit page timeline for the effect?

Before applying the mask, you must structure your timeline with the correct layer order (the "sandwich" method).

Place the Base Video: Drag your original video clip onto Video Track 1 (V1).
Duplicate the Video: Hold the Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) key, click the clip on V1, and drag it straight up to Video Track 3 (V3). You now have identical copies of the video on V1 and V3.
Add the Text Layer: Open the Effects Library, go to Titles, and drag a Text+ or basic Text node onto Video Track 2 (V2), sandwiching it exactly between the two video clips.
Format the Text: Select the text clip on V2, open the Inspector, type your word, choose a bold font, and scale it up significantly so it will be obvious when placed behind the subject.
Hide the Top Layer (Optional): Temporarily disable Video Track 3 by clicking the small D (Disable) or the eyeball icon on the track header. This allows you to position your text exactly where you want it behind the subject before masking. Re-enable V3 when finished.

How to use Magic Mask to isolate the subject?

With the timeline structured, you must now make the background of the top layer (V3) transparent so the text on V2 can show through.

Select the Top Clip: Click the duplicate video clip on Video Track 3 (V3).
Navigate to the Color Page: Click the "Color" tab at the bottom of the screen.
Open the Magic Mask Panel: In the middle toolbar, click the "Magic Mask" icon (a person with a dotted outline).
Draw a Positive Stroke: Ensure the eyedropper tool with the plus icon (+) is active. Draw a quick stroke down the center of your subject (e.g., the person walking). A red overlay will instantly appear, highlighting the masked area.
Track the Subject: Move the playhead to the first frame of the clip. In the Magic Mask panel, click the "Track Forward" button (the play icon). The AI will analyze the movement and keep the mask locked onto the subject for the duration of the clip.

How to create transparency using an Alpha Output?

The Magic Mask isolates the subject, but you must explicitly tell DaVinci Resolve to make the unmasked area transparent.

Add Alpha Output: Right-click the empty grey area in the Node Graph section (top right) and select "Add Alpha Output." A blue dot will appear on the right side of the graph box.
Connect the Node: Click the blue square on the right side of your node and drag a line to the new blue dot (the Alpha Output).
View the Result: Instantly, the background of the V3 clip becomes transparent. Because your text is on V2 and your original video is on V1, the text now appears perfectly sandwiched behind the moving subject.

How to refine the edges of the text reveal?

If the subject has frizzy hair or the mask edges look harsh and pixelated against the text, you must soften the matte.

To refine the mask, adjust the "Matte Finesse" settings in the Magic Mask panel:

* Radius: Increase the Radius slightly to blur the absolute edge of the mask, helping it blend naturally over the text.

* In/Out Ratio: Drag the In/Out Ratio slightly negative to shrink ("choke") the mask inward, removing any colored halo from the original background.

* Clean Black/White: Adjust these sliders to remove any flickering artifacts inside the mask or stray pixels left on the text layer.

How to animate the text behind the subject?

Static text behind a moving subject looks good, but animating the text adds significantly more kinetic energy to the edit.

* Slide In: Go back to the Edit page. Select the text clip on V2. In the Inspector, set a keyframe on the "Position X" value to slide the text out from behind the subject's back.

* Scale Up: Keyframe the "Zoom" value so the text grows larger as the subject walks forward, mimicking the camera's perspective.

* Drop Shadow: To increase the 3D depth, enable the "Drop Shadow" in the Text Inspector. This casts a shadow from the text onto the background (V1), while the subject (V3) remains clean in the foreground.

How to speed up heavy compositing workflows?

Applying Magic Mask and building multi-layered composites requires immense GPU power and slows down the editing process.

Professional editors never attempt this workflow while still building the story:

* Pre-Edit the Structure: They upload raw footage to Cutsio to quickly extract the narrative using AI transcripts and export the selections via XML.

* Assemble in Resolve: They import the XML into DaVinci Resolve to establish the pacing and dialogue cuts.

* Composite Last: Only after the timeline is locked do they identify the 3-second hero shot that requires text. They duplicate that specific clip and apply the Magic Mask, ensuring they don't waste hours rendering VFX on footage that gets cut.

* Render Cache: Once the mask is tracked, they right-click the top clip on the Edit timeline and select Render Cache Color Output to ensure smooth playback.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I put text behind an object in the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

Yes, but you cannot use the automated Magic Mask, as it is a Studio-only feature. In the free version, you must duplicate the clip, go to the Color page, draw a Power Window (Pen tool) around your subject, manually track it, and rotoscope the edges frame-by-frame—a highly tedious process.

Why is the background turning black instead of showing my text?

If the background is black, you likely forgot to place the original video on Video Track 1 (V1). The Alpha Output makes the V3 background transparent; if there is nothing underneath the text on V2, DaVinci Resolve defaults to a black background.

Why does the text disappear when the subject turns around?

The Magic Mask AI relies on visual patterns. If the subject turns completely around or leaves the frame, the tracking data breaks. You must pause the track, manually draw new strokes on the problematic frame, and track forward again to update the AI's reference.

By mastering the timeline layer structure and the Color page Alpha Output, you can use Magic Mask to instantly place text, graphics, or logos behind moving subjects in DaVinci Resolve Studio.