How to Edit Video Using Davinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a super cool video editing program. Pros use it. People just starting out use it, too. Even better? The free version is packed with features. So, if you want to make awesome videos, it's a great choice. This guide will show you how to use DaVinci Resolve. We'll cover everything. From putting your video clips in, to saving your finished video.

Why DaVinci Resolve?

Why pick DaVinci Resolve for editing videos? Let's see why it's so popular:

• Free is Awesome: The free version has almost everything the paid version has. That's right, free.
• Pro Tools: Pros use DaVinci Resolve for color. You know, to make movies and TV shows look amazing.
• One-Stop Shop: It does it all. Editing, color, special effects, sound. All in one program.
• Works Everywhere: Windows, Mac, Linux. It's all good.
• Help is Here: Lots of tutorials and forums online. You're never alone.

First Steps: Install and Set Up

Okay, first thing's first. Go to the Blackmagic Design website and download DaVinci Resolve. It's easy to install. Just follow the steps on your screen. Then, open the program.

Getting Your Project Ready

When you open DaVinci Resolve, you'll see the Project Manager. This is where the magic begins. Here's how to edit video using DaVinci Resolve right away:

1. New Project: Click "New Project." Give it a name. Something you'll remember.
2. Project Settings: Go to File > Project Settings before you add any video. This is key. You want your video to look its best. These are some important settings:
3. Timeline Resolution: Pick the same size as your video. Like 1920x1080 for HD, or 3840x2160 for 4K.
4. Frame Rate: Match this to your video too. Like 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps.
5. Playback Resolution: If your computer is slow, make this lower. It'll help the video play smoothly while you edit.

Get Your Video Clips In

Time to add your video clips! DaVinci Resolve uses something called a "Media Pool." It's where you keep all your stuff. Like video and music. Keeping things organized is super important.

Adding Video Clips

1. Media Tab: Click the "Media" tab at the bottom.
2. Add Files: You can do this a few ways:
   • Drag and drop files right into the Media Pool.
   • Right-click and pick "Import Media."
   • Go to File > Import > Media...
3. Stay Organized: Make "bins" (folders) in the Media Pool. Put your clips in them. Like "Interviews," "B-Roll," "Music." Right-click and pick "New Bin."

Basic Editing: The Edit Page

The "Edit" page is where you'll do most of your work. This is where how to edit video using DaVinci Resolve gets real.

Make a Timeline

1. Drag and Drop: Drag a clip from the Media Pool to the timeline. A timeline will automatically be created!
2. New Timeline: Or, go to File > New Timeline.

Editing Tools

The Edit page has tools to cut, trim, and move your clips:

• Selection Tool (A): This lets you pick clips on the timeline.
• Blade Tool (B): This cuts clips into pieces.
• Trim Edit Mode (T): This lets you change the start and end of clips.
• Dynamic Trim Mode (Y): This lets you change clip lengths while the video is playing. It's great for timing edits to music.

Basic Edits

1. Cutting Clips: Use the Blade Tool to cut out stuff you don't want. Click where you want to cut. Then, use the Selection Tool to delete the extra bits.
2. Trimming Clips: Use Trim Edit Mode to change the start and end of your clips. Drag the edges to trim.
3. Moving Clips: Use the Selection Tool to move clips around on the timeline.
4. Adding Transitions: Drag transitions from the Effects Library to the beginning or end of your clips. This makes the video flow smoothly. Cross dissolves and dip to black are common.

Advanced Editing Tricks

Once you know the basics, try some advanced stuff. It'll make your video editing even better.

Adjustment Clips

These are like empty layers. You can add effects and color to them. And it will affect all the clips below. It's a non-destructive way to make changes.

1. New Adjustment Clip: Right-click in the Media Pool, pick "New Adjustment Clip." Drag it to the timeline above your clips.
2. Add Effects: Add effects to the adjustment clip. It'll change all the clips under it.

Compound Clips

These let you put multiple clips and edits into one thing. It's good for organizing complex stuff. And adding effects to many clips at once.

1. New Compound Clip: Pick the clips you want to combine. Right-click and pick "New Compound Clip."
2. Edit the Compound Clip: Double-click the compound clip to open it. Then you can edit it more.

Keyframing

This lets you animate effects and parameters over time. It's important for making your digital media interesting and exciting.

1. Pick a Clip: Pick the clip you want to animate.
2. Open the Inspector: Click the "Inspector" tab.
3. Add Keyframes: Click the stopwatch next to the parameter you want to animate. This adds a keyframe.
4. Change the Parameter: Move the playhead and change the parameter. This adds another keyframe. DaVinci Resolve will automatically fill in the changes between the keyframes.

Color Correction and Grading

DaVinci Resolve is famous for its color tools. The "Color" page has everything you need. Learning color correction is super important for content creation.

Basic Color Correction

1. Color Page: Click the "Color" tab.
2. Primary Wheels: Use the Lift, Gamma, Gain, and Offset wheels to change the brightness and contrast.
3. Color Wheels: Use the color wheels to change the red, green, and blue.
4. Scopes: Use the scopes to see the brightness and color levels. Make sure everything looks right.

Creative Color Grading

Once the image looks correct, you can add a style. This is called color grading.

1. Look Up Tables (LUTs): Apply LUTs to quickly change the look. DaVinci Resolve has some built-in. You can also download more.
2. Power Windows: Use power windows to change only certain parts of the image.
3. Qualifiers: Use qualifiers to pick specific colors and change them.

Adding Audio and Music

Sound is just as important as video. The "Fairlight" page has tools for editing audio.

Mixing Audio

1. Fairlight Page: Click the "Fairlight" tab.
2. Import Audio: Drag audio files from the Media Pool to the timeline.
3. Adjust Levels: Use the faders to change the volume.
4. Add Effects: Add effects like EQ, compression, and reverb. Make the sound better.
5. Mix and Master: Use the Fairlight console to mix and master the audio. Make it sound professional.

Exporting Your Video

When you're done editing, it's time to export. This is the final step in how to edit video using DaVinci Resolve. You want your video to look good on different websites.

Saving Your Video

1. Deliver Page: Click the "Deliver" tab.
2. Pick a Preset: Pick a preset for where you're showing the video. Like "YouTube 1080p" or "H.264 Master."
3. Change Settings: Change the settings if you need to:
   • Format: Pick the video format. Like MP4 or MOV.
   • Codec: Pick the video codec. Like H.264 or H.265.
   • Resolution: Set the size of the video.
   • Frame Rate: Set the frame rate.
   • Bitrate: Set the bitrate. Higher is better quality, but the file will be bigger.
4. Add to Render Queue: Click "Add to Render Queue."
5. Start Render: Click "Start Render" to save your video.

Wrapping Up

DaVinci Resolve is a great program. It has lots of features for beginners and pros. This guide showed you how to edit video using DaVinci Resolve. From adding clips to saving your finished video. Practice and try new things. You can unlock the full power of this program. And make amazing digital media for all your content creation needs. Keep practicing! The video editing community is helpful and vast.

Keep learning and trying advanced features. You'll become a video editing master!