DaVinci Resolve – Professional Video Editing Suite

Complete Guide to DaVinci Resolve: Professional Video Editing

DaVinci Resolve has transformed from a high-end color correction system into a complete video production suite used by Hollywood professionals and independent creators alike. Blackmagic Design offers this industry-standard software with a free version containing nearly all features, making professional video editing accessible to everyone. The application combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single tool.

What sets DaVinci Resolve apart is its node-based workflow for color grading and effects, the same system used in major film productions. Whether editing YouTube videos, short films, or feature-length productions, DaVinci Resolve provides the tools professionals demand.

Installing DaVinci Resolve

# Download from:
blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

# Linux installation:
# Download .zip from website
unzip DaVinci_Resolve_Linux.zip
cd DaVinci_Resolve
./DaVinci_Resolve_xx.x.x_Linux.run
# Follow installer prompts

# macOS:
# Download .dmg
# Double-click to mount
# Drag to Applications

# Windows:
# Download installer
# Run installer
# Follow prompts

# System requirements:
# - 16GB RAM minimum (32GB recommended)
# - Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA/AMD)
# - SSD storage recommended
# - Display: 1920x1080 minimum

Interface Overview

# Page-based workflow:

# Media Page:
Import and organize footage
Browse media
Add metadata
Create smart bins

# Cut Page:
Fast editing workflow
Source/timeline viewers
Quick assembly
Sync bin

# Edit Page:
Traditional NLE layout
Detailed editing
Multi-track timeline
Inspector panel

# Fusion Page:
Visual effects
Motion graphics
Compositing
Node-based workflow

# Color Page:
Professional color grading
Primary/secondary corrections
Scopes and analysis
Power windows

# Fairlight Page:
Audio post-production
Mixing console
ADR tools
Audio effects

# Deliver Page:
Export settings
Render queue
Various formats

Media Management

# Import media:
File > Import > Media
Drag and drop
Media Pool panel

# Organize with bins:
Right-click > New Bin
Drag clips to bins
Smart bins for filters

# Smart bins:
Filter by metadata
- Resolution
- Frame rate
- Codec
- Keywords

# Metadata:
Select clip
Inspector > Metadata
Add keywords, description
Scene, shot, take numbers

# Clone media:
Create archive copies
Verify with checksums
Backup workflow

# Proxies:
Media Pool > Generate Proxy Media
Lower resolution for editing
Switch for export

# Media management:
Media Pool > Show Offline Media
Relink missing clips

Basic Editing

# Timeline basics:
Create new timeline
File > New Timeline
Or: Right-click bin > New Timeline

# Add clips:
Drag to timeline
Or: Select and press F9 (insert)

# Edit modes:
A: Selection mode
T: Trim mode
B: Blade tool
P: Position

# Basic cuts:
Blade tool (B)
Click to cut
Or: Ctrl+B at playhead

# Insert edit:
F9
Pushes clips right

# Overwrite edit:
F10
Replaces content

# Ripple delete:
Select clip
Delete key
Closes gap automatically

# Slip and slide:
T for trim mode
Slip: Move content, keep position
Slide: Move position, keep content

# In/Out points:
I: Set In point
O: Set Out point
Delete In/Out: Alt+X

# Playback:
Space: Play/Stop
J: Reverse
K: Stop
L: Forward
JKL for shuttle control

Color Grading

# Color page workflow:

# Primary corrections:
Lift/Gamma/Gain wheels
Offset adjustments
Contrast/Pivot/Saturation

# Node workflow:
Add nodes for each adjustment
Serial nodes: Process in order
Parallel nodes: Blend results
Layer nodes: Composite

# Add nodes:
Alt+S: Serial node
Alt+P: Parallel node
Alt+L: Layer node
Alt+O: Outside node

# Scopes:
- Waveform (luminance)
- Vectorscope (color)
- Histogram
- Parade (RGB)

# Secondary corrections:
Qualifier (color selection)
Power Windows (shapes)
Tracking

# Qualifiers:
Pick color to isolate
Adjust hue/sat/lum range
Use highlight for preview

# Power Windows:
Create shapes
Track to footage
Feather edges
Invert selection

# Curves:
Hue vs Hue
Hue vs Sat
Lum vs Sat
Custom curves

# LUTs:
Apply creative LUTs
Technical LUTs for log footage
Create custom LUTs

Fusion VFX

# Node-based compositing:

# Basic workflow:
1. Select clip on timeline
2. Go to Fusion page
3. MediaIn brings footage
4. Add nodes between In/Out
5. MediaOut sends to timeline

# Common nodes:
- Merge: Combine elements
- Transform: Position, scale, rotate
- Background: Solid color/gradient
- Text+: Typography
- Mask: Shape masks
- Color Corrector

# Add nodes:
Shift+Space: Node selector
Drag from toolbar
Right-click > Add Tool

# Connect nodes:
Drag from output to input
Yellow = foreground
Green = background
Blue = mask

# Text animation:
Text+ node
Animate via keyframes
Modifiers for effects

# Tracking:
Planar Tracker
Track motion
Apply to elements

# Keying:
Delta Keyer
Ultra Keyer
Primatte

# 3D workspace:
Merge3D node
Camera3D
Lights
3D text

Audio (Fairlight)

# Fairlight page:

# Audio tracks:
A1, A2, etc. on timeline
Mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1
Adaptive tracks

# Mixer:
Channel strips
Volume faders
Pan controls
Mute/Solo

# Effects:
Insert effects per track
- EQ
- Compressor
- Limiter
- Reverb
- Delay
- Noise reduction

# Keyframe audio:
Clip volume: Alt+drag line
Track automation

# ADR (dialogue replacement):
Fairlight > ADR
Record replacement dialogue
Sync to video

# Sound library:
Browser panel
Drag sounds to timeline
Preview before adding

# Bus routing:
Send to buses
Submixes
Master output

Export (Deliver)

# Deliver page settings:

# Quick export:
File > Quick Export
Presets for common platforms

# Render settings:
Format: MP4, MOV, MKV, etc.
Codec: H.264, H.265, ProRes
Resolution: 1080p, 4K, custom
Frame rate: Match timeline

# YouTube preset:
H.264
1080p or 4K
High quality

# Professional:
ProRes 422/4444
DNxHR
EXR for VFX

# Audio settings:
AAC, PCM
Stereo or surround
Sample rate

# Add to queue:
Add to Render Queue
Render multiple versions
Batch rendering

# Individual clips:
Enable Individual Clips
Export timeline clips separately

# Render cache:
Playback > Render Cache
Pre-render effects
Faster preview

Keyboard Shortcuts

# Essential shortcuts:

# Playback:
Space     Play/Stop
J/K/L     Shuttle control
Up/Down   Previous/Next edit

# Editing:
B         Blade
A         Selection
T         Trim
I/O       In/Out points
F9        Insert
F10       Overwrite
Delete    Ripple delete

# Timeline:
= / -     Zoom in/out
\         Fit timeline
Ctrl+Z    Undo

# Clips:
Ctrl+D    Change duration
Ctrl+R    Speed/duration
Alt+Y     Match frame

# Color:
Alt+S     Serial node
Alt+C     Copy grade
Alt+V     Paste grade

# General:
Ctrl+S    Save
Ctrl+Shift+1-7  Switch pages

# Customize:
DaVinci Resolve > Keyboard Customization

Performance Tips

# Optimize playback:
Generate optimized media
Use proxy workflow
Lower preview quality

# GPU acceleration:
Preferences > System
Select GPU
Enable GPU processing

# Memory:
Increase system RAM
Configure in preferences
Close other applications

# Storage:
SSD for cache
RAID for media
NVMe for best performance

# Project settings:
1080p for editing
Upscale on export
Match frame rate to footage

# Cache:
Configure cache location
Clear periodically
Use fast SSD

Conclusion

DaVinci Resolve represents an unprecedented value in professional video production software. Its combination of editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio tools in a single application—available for free—has made professional-quality video production accessible to creators at every level. Whether producing content for social media or cinema, DaVinci Resolve provides the tools demanded by the most discerning professionals.