Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 12.5 User manual

Reference Manual

March 2017

DaVinci

Resolve

12.5

Welcome

Welcome to DaVinci Resolve 12.5 for Mac, Linux and Windows!

DaVinci is the world’s most trusted name in color and has been used to grade more Hollywood

films, TV shows, and commercials than anything else. Now, with DaVinci Resolve 12.5,

you get a complete set of professional editing and advanced color correction tools combined in

one application so you can edit and grade from start to finish, all in a single tool!

DaVinci Resolve 12.5 has the features professional editors and colorists need, and is built

on completely modern technology with advanced color and image processing that goes far

beyond what any other system can do. With this release, we hope to inspire creativity by letting

you work in a comfortable, familiar way while also giving you an entirely new creative toolset

that will help you cut and finish projects at higher quality than ever before!

We hope you enjoy reading this manual. With its customizable interface and keyboard

shortcuts, DaVinci Resolve 12.5 is easy to learn, especially if you’re switching from another

editor, and has all of the tools you need to create breathtaking, high end work!

The DaVinci Resolve Engineering Team

Grant Petty

CEO Blackmagic Design

3Contents

Contents

1 Introduction to Resolve 20

Getting Started 23

Switching Among Pages 27

The Media Page 27

The Edit Page 31

Edit and Color Page Effects andFusionConnect 35

The Color Page 36

The Deliver Page 40

User Interface Conventions in Resolve 43

2 Logging In and The Project Manager 51

Single-User versus Multi-User Installations 53

Logging In and Creating New Users 53

Using the Project Manager 56

User Pop-Up Menu 58

Saving Projects 62

Dynamic Project Switching 63

Archiving and Restoring Projects 64

3 Project Settings and Preferences 66

Opening and Editing Project Settings 69

Presets 70

Master Project Settings 71

Image Scaling 76

Editing 78

Color 79

Camera Raw 82

Color Management 82

4Contents

Versions 88

Audio 89

General Options 90

Capture and Playback 92

Control Panel 94

Auto Save 95

Keyboard Mapping 96

Metadata 96

DaVinci Resolve Preferences 97

4 Camera Raw Settings 101

Camera Raw Decoding Explained 103

Using ARRI ALEXA files 105

Using RED files 107

Using Sony Raw Files 112

Using CinemaDNG files 114

Using Phantom Cine Files 117

5 Improving Performance, Proxies, and the Render Cache 119

Understanding the GPU Status Display 121

Prioritizing Audio or Video PlaybackintheEditPage 121

Using Proxies to Improve Performance 122

Reducing Decode Quality to ImproveRawPerformance 122

Using Optimized Media to ImproveOverallPerformance 123

Using the Smart Cache to ImproveEffectsPerformance 126

Other Project Settings for ImprovingPerformance 131

5Contents

6 Data Levels, Color Management, ACES, and HDR 132

Data Levels Settings and Conversions 134

DaVinci Resolve Color Management 137

Color Management Using ACES 142

High Dynamic Range (HDR) GradinginResolve 145

7 Using the Media Page 161

Understanding the Media PageUserInterface 163

Viewer 167

Media Pool 168

Metadata Editor 171

Audio Panel 172

Dual Monitor Layout 173

Customizing the Media Page 174

8 Adding and Organizing Media 175

Copying Media Using the Clone Tool 177

Adding Media to the Media Pool 178

Adding Media in the Edit Page 182

Removing Media From the Media Pool 182

Adding and Removing External Mattes 182

Adding Offline Reference Movies 184

Extracting Audio 185

Organizing the Media Pool 185

Creating and Using Smart Bins 190

Finding Clips and Timelines intheMediaPool 193

6Contents

9 Working With Media 194

Renaming Clips Using Display Names 196

Editing Clip Metadata 198

Importing and Exporting MediaPoolMetadata 201

Syncing Audio 203

Changing Clip Attributes 206

Relinking Media Simply 212

Locating Media Files in the MediaStorageBrowser and Finder 213

Update Timecode from Audio – LTC 213

Changing Clip Thumbnails intheMediaPool 214

Creating Subclips 214

Organizing Stereo 3D Media 214

Camera Raw Decoding 215

10 Using Scene Detection 216

Using Scene Detection 218

The Scene Detect Window Interface 218

An Example Scene Detect Workflow 223

11 Ingesting From Tape 225

Tape Ingest 227

The Tape Capture Interface 227

Setting Up to Capture From Tape 228

The Three Methods of Capture 230

Batch Capture Via EDL 232

7Contents

12 Capturing From the Cintel Film Scanner 234

Controlling the Cintel Film Scanner 236

The Cintel Scanner Interface 237

Cintel Media Page Settings 239

Film Scanning Workflows 243

Grading and Sizing Scanned Media 251

13 Using the Edit Page 253

The Edit Page User Interface 255

The Interface Toolbar 255

The Media Pool 256

More About Timelines 257

Effects Library Browsing 260

Edit Index 262

Source and Timeline Viewers 265

Metadata Editor 270

Inspector 271

Timeline 271

Toolbar 275

Navigating the Edit Page Using the Keyboard 276

Dual Monitor Layout 277

Customizing the Edit page 278

Undo and Redo in the Edit Page 278

14 Editing Fundamentals 279

Creating and Duplicating Timelines 282

Selecting Clips in the Media Pool to Edit 284

Transport Controls and TimelineNavigation 286

Setting In and Out Points 290

8Contents

Working With the Timeline 292

Assembling Clips in the Timeline 295

Source/Record Editing 297

Three-Point Editing 301

Different Types of Edits 309

Subclips 319

15 Working in the Timeline 320

Match Frame Operations 322

Selecting Clips in the Timeline 324

Deleting Clips From the Timeline 329

Selecting Edits in the Timeline 331

Linking and Syncing Audio and Video 333

Locking Tracks 336

Moving, Resizing, and Rolling Clips inSelectionMode 337

Shuffle or Swap Edits and Inserts 341

Splitting and Joining Clips 343

Copying and Pasting Clips in the Timeline 344

Duplicating Clips and Transitions intheTimeline 346

Flagging and Marking Clips for Reference 346

Color Coding Clips in the Timeline 352

Enabling and Disabling Clips and Tracks 353

Finding Clips, Timelines, Media, Markers,andGaps 354

16 Multicam Editing, Take Selectors,

CompoundClips,andNestedTimelines

355

Multicam Editing 357

Take Selectors 365

Compound Clips 367

Nested Timelines 369

9Contents

17 Trimming 372

Using Trim Mode and the Trim Tool 374

Summarizing Trim Operations 374

Trim Tool Operations With the Keyboard 379

Trimming Without the Heads Up Display 382

Trimming Using Timecode Entry 382

Trimming Clips in the Source Viewer 383

Ripple Editing Rules 384

Commands to Start Trimming Quickly 386

Trimming Multiple Edits or Clips at Once 387

Keyboard Trimming DuringLoopedPlayback 392

Dynamic Trimming 393

Trim Start and Trim End 395

Extend Edits 397

18 Using Transitions 399

Working With Transitions 401

Adding and Editing Transitions 401

Adding Transitions When There’s Not EnoughHandles 402

Transition Properties in the Inspector 403

Using Transition Curves 404

DaVinci Resolve Transitions 405

OpenFX Transitions 409

Organizing Transitions 409

Changing the Standard Transition 410

10Contents

19 Edit Page Effects 411

Using the Inspector 414

Adding Titles 416

Using Generators 421

Using Stills 421

Composite Modes and TransparencyEffects 422

Keying, External Mattes, andWindowCompositing 428

Transform, Cropping, and Lens Correction 428

Speed Effects and Retiming 432

Keyframing Effects in the Edit Page 441

Paste Attributes 450

Fusion Connect 451

20 Working With Audio 458

Compatible Audio Formats 460

Assigning Audio Channels intheMediaPool 460

Editing Audio Into the Timeline 463

Editing Audio In the Timeline UsingInandOutPoints 468

Setting Clip Levels and Pan 470

Keyframing Audio 472

Audio Fade Handles 475

Audio Crossfades 475

Audio Meters 476

The Audio Mixer 477

Automation Recording 479

Using Audio Filters 482

Pro Tools Export 484

11Contents

21 Media Management 485

What is Media Management in Resolve? 487

File Formats Compatible With MediaManagement 487

Using Media Management 488

Options in the Media ManagementWindow 491

File Naming When Consolidating DuringMediaManagement 493

22 Importing Projects and Relinking Media 494

Preparing to Move Your ProjecttoResolve 497

How DaVinci Resolve Conforms Clips 504

Creating Digital Dailies ForRound Trip Workflows 511

Conforming XML and AAF Files 517

Conforming AAF Files 521

Conforming EDL Files 530

Verifying Imported Projects With OfflineReference Clips 535

Manually Conforming and RelinkingMedia 538

23 Introduction to Color Grading 548

The Goals of Color Correction 550

Maximizing the Look of Your Media 550

Emphasizing What’s Important 553

Audience Expectations 554

Balancing Scenes 555

Adding Style 557

Quality Control 560

Never Stop Experimenting 561

12Contents

24 Using the Color Page 562

The Color Page Interface 565

Customizing the Color Page 571

Using the Viewer 571

Monitor Calibration 579

Viewing Broadcast Safe Exceptions 581

Comparing Clips in the Viewer 581

Using Video Scopes 586

Navigating Using the Color Page Timeline 590

Sorting and Filtering Clips in the Timeline 593

Using the Lightbox 600

The Info Palette and Clip Information 602

Undo and Redo 604

25 Color Page Basics 605

Color Controls Covered in This Chapter 607

Camera Raw 607

Color Match Palette 611

Color Wheels Palette 616

RGB Mixer Palette 631

Automated Grading Commands 634

Using CDL Grades and ARRI Looks 638

26 Curves 639

Introduction to Using Curves 641

Custom Curves 643

Soft Clip 650

The HSL Curves 654

13Contents

27 Secondary Grading Controls 662

Secondary Qualifiers 665

Basic Qualification Using the 3D Keyer 669

Basic Qualification Using the HSL Keyer 672

HSL Qualifier Presets 675

Using Highlight to See What You’re Isolating 676

Qualifier Parameters 677

Matte Finesse Controls 682

The Many Ways to Invert a Key 685

Combining Qualifiers and Windows 685

Manipulating Keys Using Additional Nodes 686

Power Windows 687

The Window Palette Interface 689

Drawing a PowerCurve 694

Combining Power Windows WiththeMaskControl 697

Copying and Pasting Windows 699

Saving Window Presets 699

Using Windows and Qualifiers Together 700

Manipulating Windows Using aControlPanel 701

Motion Tracking Windows 702

Tracker Palette Controls in More Detail 705

Cloud Tracker Workflows 710

Point Tracker Workflows 716

Rotoscoping Window ShapesAfterTracking 721

28 The Gallery and Grade Management 727

Using the Gallery 730

The Gallery Window 737

Importing and Exporting Stills 738

14Contents

Using and Organizing Memories 739

Using Versions to Manage Grades 740

Copying Grades 751

Copying Individual Nodes and Settings 757

Rippling Adjustments Among Multiple Clips 757

Appending A Node to Multiple Clips 759

Scroll Copy Grades Using the DaVinciControlPanel 759

Rippling Changes Using the DaVinciControlPanel 760

Using Groups 763

Exporting Grades and LUTs 769

29 Color Page Effects 771

Motion Effects Palette 773

OpenFX 780

The Blur Palette 791

Transforms and the Sizing Palette 795

Image Stabilization in the Tracker Palette 805

Data Burn 813

Dust Removal 817

Black Sun Highlight Correction 819

30 Working in the Node Editor 820

Node Editor Basics 823

Grading Order of Operations 834

Copying Nodes and Node Settings 835

Serial, Parallel, and Layer Node Tree Structures 836

Applying a LUT Within a Node 843

Using Compound Nodes 844

RED HDRx Input Support 845

15Contents

Clip vs. Timeline Grading 849

Manipulating and Combining Keys 850

Using External Mattes 856

Using the Key Mixer 863

Using the Key Palette 867

Isolating, Splitting, and Converting Color Channels 871

Putting Nodes into HDR Mode 875

Compositing Using the Alpha Output 875

31 Keyframing in the Color Page 883

Introduction to Keyframing 885

The Keyframe Editor Interface 886

All/Color/Sizing 887

Keyframing Methods 888

Using Specific Keyframing Tracks 891

Automatic Keyframing 893

Modifying Keyframes 893

Copying Keyframes 896

Keyframes and Saved Stills 897

Adding EDL Marks 897

32 Copying Grades Between Timelines Using ColorTrace 898

Copying Grades Using ColorTrace 900

Using ColorTrace in Automatic Mode 902

Using ColorTrace in Manual Mode 905

Importing CDL Data Using ColorTrace 907

16Contents

33 Using the Deliver Page 909

The Deliver Page 911

The Interface Toolbar 911

Rendering Files vs. Outputting to Tape 912

The Render Settings 912

The Deliver Page Timeline 913

The Viewer 914

The Render Queue 915

34 Delivery Effects Processing 916

Delivery Effects Processing 918

35 Rendering Media 922

Using Presets for Fast Rendering 924

Choosing a Location To Render 926

Single Clip vs. Individual Clips 926

All Other Render Settings for Output 927

Additional Outputs 934

How to Avoid Overwriting Clips When RenderingOutput Media 935

Defining a Range of Clips and Versionsto Render 935

Using the Render Queue 937

Rendering Jobs from Multiple Projects at Once 939

Remote Rendering 940

36 Delivering Using EasyDCP 942

Licensing EasyDCP 944

EasyDCP Color Management 945

EasyDCP Output in the Deliver Page 945

KDM Generation and Management 947

Publishing Your Encrypted Digital Cinema Package 947

17Contents

37 Delivering to Tape 948

The Tape Output Interface 950

Setting Up for Tape Output 952

Edit to Tape Queue Option Menu Settings 954

Tape Output Procedures 955

38 Exporting Timelines to Other Applications 957

Exporting to AAF/XML 959

More About Exporting to AAF 960

Exporting an EDL 960

Exporting a Missing Clips EDL 961

Exporting Timeline Markers to EDL 961

Exporting to CDL 961

Exporting the Edit Index as a CSV or TXT File 962

Exporting to ALE 963

Exporting to ALE with CDL 965

Exporting Timeline Markers to EDL 966

Exporting and Importing Media Pool Metadata 966

39 Resolve Live 968

More About Resolve Live 970

Configuring Your System for Resolve Live 970

Grading Live 971

Using Resolve Live Grades Later 973

Using LUTs in Resolve Live Workflows 974

18Contents

40 Stereoscopic Workflows 975

Stereoscopic Workflows 977

Hardware Requirements for Working in Stereo 3D 977

Supported Stereo 3D Media 978

Creating Stereo 3D Clips 979

Converting Clips Between Stereo and Mono 981

Attaching Mattes to Stereo 3D Clips 982

Organizing and Grading Stereo 3D Dailies 982

Conforming Projects to Stereo 3D Media 984

Adjusting Clips Using the Stereo 3D Palette 985

Outputting Stereo 3D Media in the Deliver Page 995

41 Managing Databases and Database Servers 996

Using Databases 998

Switching to a PostgreSQL Database 998

Switching to a Disk Database 1000

Working With the Database Manager 1001

Configuring and Using a Remote Database Server 1003

Setting Up a DaVinci Resolve Project Server 1004

Connecting to Projects on a Server 1005

Troubleshooting Tips When Setting up aProjectServer 1006

42 Collaborative Workflow 1009

Setting Up to Collaborate 1011

Opening Projects to Collaborate Upon 1011

Using Collaborative Workflow 1012

19Contents

43 Remote Grading 1015

Introduction to Remote Grading 1017

Requirements for Remote Grading 1017

Setting Up for Remote Grading 1018

Remote Grading Restrictions 1018

44 Using Variables and Keywords 1019

Using Metadata Variables 1021

Using Keywords 1024

45 Creating DCTL LUTs 1025

About DCTL 1027

DCTL Syntax 1027

A Simple DCTL LUT Example 1029

A Matrix DCTL LUT Example 1029

A More Complex DCTL LUT Example 1030

46 TCP Protocol for Resolve Transport Control 1031

About the TCP Protocol Version 1.2 1033

TCP Protocol Stream 1034

47 Control Panel 1035

DaVinci Resolve Control Panels 1037

DaVinci Resolve Micro Control Panel 1038

DaVinci Resolve Mini Control Panel 1042

DaVinci Resolve Advanced Control Panel 1045

Copying Grades Using the Advanced Control Panel 1056

Rippling Changes Using the AdvancedControlPanel 1058

1

Introduction to Resolve

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Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 12.5 User manual

Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 12.5 User manual

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