Colorist's Guide
The best DaVinci Resolve plugins — when Resolve's built-in tools aren’t quite enough.
Resolve does more out of the box than any other NLE, so this guide focuses on the OFX plugins that genuinely add something — advanced denoise, authentic film looks, and one-click retouching. Then how to get the graded cut client-approved.
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The OFX plugins worth adding
Chosen for what Resolve can't already do brilliantly on its own — denoise, film emulation, retouching, and finishing effects.
Boris FX Sapphire
The high-end OFX effects and transitions suite — glows, flares, film looks, and stylised transitions — running natively on Resolve's node-based pipeline for finishing-grade work.
Neat Video
The gold standard for noise reduction. Cleans grain and chroma noise from underexposed or high-ISO footage while preserving genuine detail — indispensable for run-and-gun material.
Dehancer
Physically-modelled film emulation — authentic stock color response, halation, bloom, and grain. For colorists who want a real film feel rather than a LUT approximation.
FilmConvert Nitrate
Fast, preset-driven film emulation with camera profiles and grain. The pragmatic choice when you need a convincing filmic grade quickly on a deadline.
Digital Anarchy Beauty Box
One-click skin retouching as an OFX node. Smooths and evens tone while keeping detail — a huge time-saver on interviews, beauty, and commercial talking-head work.
Boris FX Continuum
A broad OFX toolbox — image restoration, lens effects, keying, and transitions. A versatile safety net for the wide range of fixes a finishing colorist gets handed.
Once the grade is locked: get it approved
The plugins shape the look. This is how you get precise, frame-accurate sign-off from the client or DP.
Deliver a graded export
Render an H.264 MP4 of the graded timeline — light enough to review instantly in the browser.
Share a review link
Upload to FileFeedback and send a link. The client or DP opens it with no account and no download.
Get notes pinned to the shot
'Too warm at 0:12' lands on that exact frame — precise grading feedback instead of vague impressions.
Approve the final grade
Stack revised passes as versions and capture a named, timestamped sign-off on the approved grade.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know.
Popular OFX picks: Sapphire and Continuum (effects), Neat Video (denoise), Beauty Box (retouching), and Dehancer or FilmConvert Nitrate (film looks). Resolve's built-in tools are strong, so add plugins for specific needs.
The plugins finish the grade. FileFeedback gets it signed off.
When the grade is locked, share a review link and let the client comment shot-by-shot — then approve. No account for them, no notes lost to email, no ambiguity about the final look.
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