Ideas For Using The Resolve 18.5 Relight Effect

Integrating the new Relight ResolveFX into a fixed node tree

After demonstrating Resolve 18.5 on the show floor at NAB, I was very impressed with the new Relight ResolveFX. The plugin works by using machine learning to generate a normals map of an existing image and then, with that normals map, build a lighting matte for color grading.

This means that scenes and objects can be re-lit or adjusted in 3d, even if geometry data isn’t available – a huge feature for colorists. Like any machine learning-based automatic tool – the true test of usefulness, however, is:

• Can you integrate the tool into a real-world color grading workflow?
• Can you tweak its results?
• Or is it a set-and-forget black box?
• Can you use it to build additional tools and workflows?
• How flexible is it?

Fortunately, in those questions’ context, Blackmagic nailed it with Relight. It’s extremely versatile and customizable. In this Insight, I’ll show you how I’ve modified my fixed node tree to make the best use of it – with the goal of minimizing set-up time during the color grade.