How To Create a Countdown Timer Effect In Davinci Resolve

Creating a Countdown timer effect in Davinci Resolve is easy to do. It’s just a few minutes to make. This effect is very useful for creating a Countdown effect or also for making your video more engaging for viewers. First, we create a counter effect, and then we change into a reverse count effect to make that effect perfect. Let’s dive into that and know how to do that. I also added some pro tips, so don’t miss it.

First, we customize a text, then we add a countdown effect.

• Go to the effect panel and search ‘Text+’ and add that Text+ layer.
• Select the layer and go to the inspector > Text Box.
• In the text box! Right-click it, and after that, a pop-up box opens.
• Select ‘TimeCode’, and now you can see your text will change into a counter effect.
• Adjust the text layer according to your needs, like 5 seconds or 10 seconds.
• Now change the text fonts and color according to your needs.
• Here, your first steps are complete.

Now we customize the counter effect.

• Scroll down in that same inspector panel, and you will see the option called ‘Write on.’
• This option can remove unwanted counterparts like minutes or hours.
• Simply drag the start option to another side, and you will see that first the hours option is gone, and after that, the minute option is also gone.
• Note: If you want to only add the Minutes option so you can adjust both options, ‘Start and End,’ just make sure you check your time code perfectly.
• After you set your write-on option perfectly, you can now see that the timer is running properly, but for now, it’s in ascending order! To make this timer reverse & descend order, we need to add one more step.

Our count effect is done perfectly; now we can convert it into a countdown timer effect.

• Right-click that Text+ layer and select ‘New Compound Clip’ and press OK to make that text+ layer into a compound clip.
• Now again, right-click that layer and select ‘Change clip speed.’
• Check the ‘Reverse speed’ and press the ‘Change’ button.
• Now you can see that your countdown effects are done. Now you can adjust its size and position using ‘transform.’
• Now your Countdown Effect is done.

• If you want to edit the style of your Countdown effect, simply right-click on the compound clip and select ‘Open in Timeline.’ You can then change its style.
• After your changes are done, you can put that compound clip out using a timeline changer button on top of the preview window.
• If you want to know how to animate an object along a path, I also wrote a detailed blog post! You can read it here: How to Animate Objects Along a Path in DaVinci Resolve.

Creating a countdown effect in DaVinci Resolve is very easy. It just takes a few minutes to do. This effect can make your audience more curious to know what’s next after the countdown is finished. What are your thoughts about that effect in DaVinci Resolve? Let me know in the comments. If you want to see a full step-by-step tutorial, you can watch my YouTube video as well. Here’s the video; check it out.

Have a nice day.

Topic: DaVinci Resolve, Countdown Effect.