What Is DaVinci Resolve? (And What Is It Used For?)
DaVinci Resolve is a video editing solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post production all in a single app.
It has a modern interface that blends power with approachability, and it saves you needing to learn multiple apps or switch software for different tasks.
The software for Mac, Windows, and Linux has been around since 2004 and under current development and management since 2009 with new releases and features hitting regularly.
Here’s a look at what DaVinci Resolve is, and what you can do with it.
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What is DaVinci Resolve?
DaVinci Resolve is a video editing tool. It’s from Blackmagic Design which describes it like this:
“DaVinci Resolve is the world’s only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production all in one software tool! Its elegant, modern interface is fast to learn and easy enough for new users, yet powerful for professionals. DaVinci Resolve lets you work faster and at a higher quality because you don’t have to learn multiple apps or switch software for different tasks. That means you can work with camera original quality images throughout the entire process.”
The tool is professional level and is even used by film studios for major productions. (So, you know it is powerful enough to handle big – and high resolution – jobs.
Regular updates to the app continue to add more smart tools, metadata-based “slate” views, and better preview modes, among other things.
The reason most users like DaVinci Resolve over other options such as Adobe Premiere Pro is that it combines multiple tools for various tasks into one piece of software – media types, cuts, edits, fusion, color correction, sound and Fairlight integration, and delivery.
The company behind DaVinci Resolve, Blackmagic Design is known as a leader of video technology. The founders have a long history in post-production editing and engineering that they combine with extensive experiences in high-end telecine, film, and post, harnessed with a real passion for perfection. They design and develop workstations with software and hardware.
What is DaVinci Resolve Used For?
DaVinci Resolve is the world’s only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production all in one software tool. That makes application and usage pretty varying and wide, depending on your needs.
DaVinci Resolve uses include:
- Editing: The non-linear editor supports track layout, dual monitor design, and traditional workflows. It works for large projects such as commercials or feature films and includes drag and drop editing ability. Plus, it includes what you would expect with media management, organization, and timeline tools.
- Cutting: With a streamlined interface, it’s easy for advanced users to work quickly or beginners to get started. The sync bin and source overwrite tools are the fastest way to edit multicam programs, making it easy to create perfectly synchronized cuts.
- Color correction: High-end options that include primary control sliders will be familiar to anyone that’s used image editing software, making it easy to adjust contrast, temperature, mid-tone detail, saturation, and more.
- Fusion: This tool allows you to create all the cinematic visual effects you can dream up. It includes a node-based workflow that makes it faster and easier to create sophisticated effects and animations than you could ever create using a layer-based approach and hundreds of 2D and 3D tools for visual effects and motion graphics.
- Audio post-production: The Fairlight page features hundreds of pro tools for audio post-production. It’s like having a professional digital audio workstation built into your editing and color system. You can even use keyboard-based editing tools.
- Finishing and delivery: Import and organize footage into bins as well as sync clips and add metadata for editing. Export, output, and upload with ease in multiple codecs and formats.
If you are looking for enhanced capacity and capability, DaVinci Resolve Studio and Resolve FX includes GPU acceleration and effects and it works with third-party storage and plugins with support for multi-user collaboration.
DaVinci Resolve Tools and Training
If you are ready to test DaVinci Resolve but need some help getting started, there are plenty of tools, training guides, and even templates out there to help you make the most of the software.
DaVinci Resolve has quite a few training videos with project files available on their website to help you learn to tool quickly and effectively. Videos range from short, 20-minute lessons to hours of almost hands-on training.
The DaVinci Resolve training section also includes books that you can buy or download with lesson files as well as a database of in-person training for you to search.
Video file templates are another great tool and training resource. Envato Elements has a new section of resources dedicated to DaVinci Resolve. The library already includes more than 900 templates and it is growing. These starter resources can help you do anything from creating video transitions to title screens to glitch effects.
DaVinci Resolve templates are a great way to create good-looking video files and learn how others put together clips and packages. Templates are a huge help because you can learn tools and best practices while designing usable elements.
How Much Does DaVinci Resolve Cost?
DaVinci Resolve has free (registration required) and paid options.
DaVinci Resolve 17 is free to download for Max OS X, Windows, and Linux. It includes a solution for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color correction, and audio post-production.
DaVinci Resolve Studio 17 includes everything in the free version plus DaVinci Neural Engine, stereoscopic 3D tools, dozens of extra Resolve FX filters, and Fairlight FX audio plugins plus advanced HDR grading and HDR scopes. It works on all three platforms as well and is $295.
This is a highly affordable video tool with high function and a professional finish. Start with the free version and upgrade based on your needs.
Conclusion
DaVinci Resolve might not be the most known tool in the video editing market, but it is a powerful and robust option that’s of high value for the price. The best feature is that it combines multiple tools in one piece of software and interface for maximum ease of use.
It’s strong enough to handle massive projects and slick enough to use for small personal video tasks as well. Learn more about the software from DaVinci Resolve.