da vinci resolve

Getting Started with DaVinci Resolve 20: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

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DaVinci Resolve 20 is an incredibly powerful (and mostly free!) video editing software that combines editing, color grading, visual effects, and audio post-production in one app. If you’re new to it, don’t get overwhelmed—the basics are straightforward once you learn the page-based workflow. This tutorial covers the essential features step-by-step, with pro tips to help you work faster and avoid common beginner mistakes.

Tip #1: Download and Install Correctly

  • Go to the official Blackmagic Design website and download the free version (it has 99% of what beginners need). Only upgrade to Studio ($295 one-time) if you need advanced AI tools, noise reduction, or 8K+ exports.
  • Suggestion: During install, choose “Optimized Media & Render Cache” location on your fastest drive (SSD preferred) to avoid slowdowns later.

1. Creating a New Project and Setting Up

  1. Launch Resolve ? Project Manager window opens.
  2. Click New Project ? Name it ? Create.
  3. Immediately go to File > Project Settings (gear icon bottom-right).
  • Set Timeline Format to your footage’s frame rate (e.g., 23.976 or 30 fps).
  • Under Master Settings > Color Science, choose “DaVinci YRGB Color Managed” for beginners—it’s forgiving and automatic.
  • Enable Automatically set project settings based on first clip added if you’re unsure.

Pro Tip: Always create a Database backup (File > Backup Project Library) before big edits. Resolve’s Live Save is great, but manual backups save lives!

2. Importing Media (Media Page)

Switch to the Media page (top tabs).

  • Drag folders/clips from your computer into the Media Pool (left side).
  • Or right-click Media Pool ? Import Media ? select files/folder.
  • Organize right away: Right-click ? New Bin (like folders) ? name them “Video”, “Audio”, “Graphics”).

Pro Tip #1: Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while dragging clips to create copies instead of references—useful for archiving.
Pro Tip #2: Use the Metadata Editor (right panel) to add keywords, scene numbers, or flag favorites. This makes searching huge projects a breeze later.

3. Quick Editing on the Cut Page (Fastest for Beginners)

The Cut page is designed for speed—perfect for YouTube/social edits.

  1. Switch to Cut page.
  2. Drag clips from Media Pool to the timeline (bottom).
  3. Basic cuts:
  • Play with Spacebar.
  • Press B (Blade tool) ? click to cut.
  • Or hover between clips ? T (Trim tool) ? drag to ripple trim.
  1. Fast edits: Select clip in viewer ? use buttons like Smart Insert (F9), Append (F12), or Overwrite (F10).

Pro Tip: Enable Live Media Preview (viewer menu) to scrub thumbnails in the Media Pool super fast.
Suggestion: For talking-head videos, try the new AI IntelliScript (right-click timeline ? Create Timeline Using Script) if you have transcribed audio— it auto-assembles clips by dialogue!

4. Full Editing on the Edit Page (Most Flexible)

Switch to Edit page for precise control.

  1. Create a new timeline: Right-click bin ? New Timeline ? name it.
  2. Drag clips to timeline or use Insert (F9) / Overwrite (F10).
  3. Trimming tricks:
  • Select edit point ? Comma (,) or Period (.) to ripple trim left/right by 1 frame.
  • U key toggles between ripple/roll/slip/slide modes.
  1. Add transitions: Go to Effects Library > Video Transitions ? drag Cross Dissolve to cut.
  2. Add titles: Effects Library > Titles ? drag “Text+” to timeline ? double-click to edit.

Pro Tip #1: Press N to toggle snapping—turn it off for fine adjustments, on for clean edits.
Pro Tip #2: Use J-K-L keys for playback: J = reverse, K = stop, L = forward (tap L multiple times for 2x, 4x speed). This is 10x faster than clicking play!

5. Basic Color Correction (Color Page)

Switch to Color page—Resolve’s superpower!

  1. Use the Primaries Wheels or Bars for quick fixes:
  • Lift (shadows), Gamma (midtones), Gain (highlights) ? drag wheels to balance exposure.
  • Use Contrast slider and Pivot for punchy looks.
  1. Auto tools: Right-click clip ? Shot Match or Auto Color for instant improvement.
  2. Scopes (bottom-right): Turn on Waveform or Vectorscope to see if your image is balanced.

Pro Tip: Always start with Balance Color (magic wand icon) or the new AI Magic Mask (isolate people/objects easily).
Suggestion: Save good grades—right-click thumbnail in Gallery ? Grab Still ? reuse on other clips with **Apply Grade.

6. Basic Audio Mixing (Fairlight Page)

Switch to Fairlight page.

  1. Volume: Drag yellow line on clip or use Mixer (right side).
  2. Quick fixes: Inspector ? Dynamics ? enable Dialogue Leveler or Voice Isolation (AI noise removal—amazing for podcasts!).
  3. Add music: Drag audio clip ? right-click ? Link Audio/Video if needed.

Pro Tip: Use A key to toggle audio waveform view on timeline—makes finding cuts visually easy.
Suggestion: Try the new AI Audio Assistant (Fairlight menu) to auto-balance levels across your whole timeline.

7. Adding Effects & Titles

Back on Edit page ? Effects tab (top):

  • Search “Film Look” or “Blur” ? drag to clip.
  • For titles: Toolbox ? Titles ? Fusion Title ? customize in Inspector.

Pro Tip: Use Inspector > OpenFX for Resolve FX like Sharpen, Glow, or the new Film Look Creator.

8. Exporting Your Video (Deliver Page)

Switch to Deliver page.

  1. Choose preset: YouTube 1080p or QuickTime H.264.
  2. Set Render Timeline or Individual Clips.
  3. Click Add to Render Queue ? Start Render.

Pro Tip #1: Enable Use Optimized Media if playback stutters during edit—Resolve creates proxies automatically.
Pro Tip #2: For faster exports, check Render Cache > Advanced Settings > Use GPU Acceleration.

Bonus Beginner Tips for DaVinci Resolve 20

  • Keyboard Shortcuts are your best friend — go to DaVinci Resolve ? Keyboard Customization ? search “Premiere” or “Final Cut” to switch layouts if coming from another editor.
  • Use Dual Monitor mode (Workspace ? Dual Screen ? On) if you have two screens—one for timeline, one for viewer.
  • Enable Proxy Workflow early (Project Settings ? Proxy Generation) for smooth editing on slower computers.
  • Free official training: Download the “Beginner’s Guide to DaVinci Resolve 20” PDF from Blackmagic’s site—it’s project-based and excellent.
  • If something feels slow, go to Playback ? Proxy Handling ? Half Resolution or generate proxies.

Practice with sample footage (download free clips from sites like Pexels or Blackmagic’s site). Start small—one scene at a time—and you’ll be editing like a pro in no time. Resolve 20’s AI tools (Magic Mask, Voice Isolation, IntelliTrack) make complex tasks feel magical once you try them!

Happy editing