Erase It Like It Never Happened: Object Removal in DaVinci Resolve

There’s nothing like capturing a perfect shot — until, of course, you notice that stray cup or uninvited passerby sneaking into the background. But with DaVinci Resolve, banishing these intruders from your frame doesn’t require pro skills, just a bit of know-how and a few clicks. So, how to remove an object in a video using DaVinci Resolve?

Let’s explore some of the most effective ways to erase these distractions, from quick fixes to more detailed edits.

How to Remove Objects in a Video Using Patch Replacer (Studio only)

How to remove objects in a video? DaVinci Resolve thoughtfully provides two ways to access the Patch Replacer tool: either on the Edit or Color pages. Let’s go with the Edit page approach for simplicity and speed, which keeps everything visible right where you’re working.

Start by opening the Effects Library on the Edit page. Under Open FX, scroll to Revival FX Resolve, where you’ll find Patch Replacer ready to go. Drag and drop it onto your footage in the timeline. Next, on your left, beneath your preview window, click the dropdown menu and select OpenFX Overlay. This will activate two circles on your preview screen — the guides for Patch Replacer.

With OpenFX Overlay enabled you’ll see two circles: one for your “copy” source and the other for the “paste” target, with a helpful arrow showing the direction of the effect. To cover up an unwanted object, place the “paste” circle over it and position the “copy” circle over the area you want to replicate. This setup instantly creates a seamless patch, making the object disappear naturally into the background.

For further refinement, open the Inspector in the top right. Here, you can adjust settings for the Patch Replacer, including changing the shape from a rectangle to an ellipse, altering the level of detail, or adding edge blur for a smoother blend. These adjustments help the patched area merge flawlessly with its surroundings.

Once you’re satisfied, turn off the FX Overlay, hit play, and review your now pristine footage.

How to Remove an Object in a Video Using Object Removal Tool (Studio only)

Sometimes, you need a more comprehensive fix, especially when the object appears across multiple frames. For this, DaVinci Resolve’s Object Removal effect is a fantastic option.

1. Go to the Color Page

First, switch to the Color tab at the bottom of DaVinci Resolve. This is where you’ll find the Object Removal tool.

2. Outline the Object

In the Color tab, look for the Power Window section in the toolbar, and use the Pen tool to draw a selection around the object you’d rather not see. It doesn’t need to be a perfect outline — just close enough to let the tool know what to track.

3. Track the Object

Now, go to the Tracker tab (right next to the Window tab) and select one of the tracking options. You can either track reverse, forwards or reverse and forwards. When you make your choice and click it, DaVinci Resolve will automatically track the movement of the outlined object throughout the clip. It’s essentially following the object’s path, so it knows where to remove it in every frame.

4. Add Object Removal

Next, head over to the Effects panel. Find the Object Removal effect, and drag it onto your node (the small square in the node area that represents your clip). You’ll see Object Removal added to your clip.

5. Run Scene Analysis

Once Object Removal is applied, go to the Settings panel (found on the right) and locate Scene Analysis. Click on Scene Analysis to let DaVinci Resolve process your footage and begin removing the unwanted object. 

6. Enable Clean Plate (Optional)

In some cases, you may see a gray or blank area where the object was. If this happens, you’ll want to scroll down in the Inspector and look for the Clean Plate option. Select Build Clean Plate to give DaVinci Resolve a bit more guidance on how to fill in the space.

And that’s it! You can play back your clip to make sure everything looks smooth. This tool handles those objects spanning multiple frames, making sure that unwanted items don’t leave a trace behind.

For a full guide on wielding the Magic Mask, you can check out my comprehensive article here, but for now, rest assured — it’s all simpler than it sounds.