Why DaVinci Resolve?
There are dozens of editing programs. But only one combines everything you need without compromise — and it's completely free. DaVinci Resolve isn't just an editor. It's a complete post-production studio.
Free
The standard version is completely free and includes 95% of the Studio version's features. No watermarks, no time limits, no subscription trap. For 99% of users, the free version is enough.
Professional
Used in Hollywood for feature films — from "Dune" to "Avatar". The same software that powers $200 million budgets runs on your laptop. For free.
All-in-One
Edit, color grade, mix audio, create motion graphics, VFX, and deliver — all in one program. No switching between apps, no compatibility issues, no money wasted on plugins.
Community
A massive, growing community. Countless tutorials, free presets, LUTs, and templates. Whatever you don't know, someone has already explained it in a video. The learning curve is steep — the payoff is worth it.
The 7 Pages at a Glance
Resolve is divided into 7 specialized workspaces ("Pages"). Each page is a complete program in itself. You jump between them depending on what you're currently working on.
Media
Import, organization, and media management. Here you load your footage, sort clips into bins, and create proxy files for smooth editing. The starting point for every project.
Cut
The fast editing page. Ideal for rough cuts, quick assembly, and timeline experiments. Fewer buttons, more speed. Perfect for YouTube workflows.
Edit
The full editing page. All tools for fine cutting: transitions, effects, keyframes, titles, composite modes. You'll spend most of your time here.
Fusion
Professional motion graphics and VFX. Node-based, infinitely flexible. Titles, animations, green screen compositing, tracking — everything is possible.
Color
The world's best color grading software. Primaries, secondaries, power windows, tracking, LUTs, HDR grading. This is why Hollywood loves Resolve. Unbeatable.
Fairlight
Professional audio post-production. EQ, compression, noise reduction, ADR, surround mixing. Fairlight is a complete recording studio integrated into Resolve.
Deliver
The export page. Presets for YouTube, Vimeo, ProRes, H.264, H.265, and more. Batch rendering, GPU-accelerated, with all the codecs you need.
Quickstart: Your First Project
Resolve can feel overwhelming. But getting started is easier than it looks. Follow these 5 steps and you'll have your first project up in 10 minutes.
1
Create a Project
Launch Resolve and click "New Project". Give it a name and choose the right settings: 1920×1080, 25 fps, timeline format matching your footage.
2
Import Footage
Switch to the Media page and drag your files into the Media Pool. Organize them in bins (folders) by topic, scene, or date. Good organization saves hours later.
3
Edit on the Edit Page
Switch to the Edit page. Drag clips from the Media Pool onto the timeline. Use Blade (B) to cut, Selection (A) to move. The rough cut emerges through experimentation.
4
Color on the Color Page
Switch to the Color page. Start with the Primaries (Lift, Gamma, Gain) to correct exposure and contrast. Then apply a LUT or create your own look.
5
Export on the Deliver Page
Switch to the Deliver page. Select "YouTube 1080p" from the presets. Set In/Out points, choose the destination, and click "Add to Render Queue" then "Render All".
Pro Tip: In the settings under "User → Project Settings", enable "Stop playback when a frame grab is detected". This prevents Resolve from pausing every time you click on the timeline.
Resolve for Our Modules
Every module in the Pansonic Video Lab has a direct connection to a Resolve page. Here's the map showing you where to find what.
Module 04 — Editing
Edit Page: Timeline, Razor tool, transitions, J-cuts, L-cuts, speed ramping, multicam. The Edit page is your home for everything editing-related.
Module 05 — Color & Grading
Color Page: Primaries wheels, curves, qualifier (HSL keying), power windows, tracker, LUTs, HDR panel. The Color page is why professionals use Resolve.
Module 06 — Audio & Sound
Fairlight Page: EQ, dynamics (compression), noise reduction, audio tracking, ADR, surround panning. Also on the Edit page: basic audio tools for quick adjustments.
Module 07 — Motion Graphics
Fusion Page: Node-based compositing and animation. Titles, lower thirds, particle effects, tracking, keying. Or use the Edit page title templates for simple animations.
Module 09 — Export
Deliver Page: Presets for all platforms, custom codecs, batch rendering, GPU-accelerated export. ProRes master, H.264 web, H.265 efficient — everything from one place.
Module 10 — Storytelling
Edit Page: Timeline organization with markers, chapter markers for YouTube, structured bins for scenes. Use flags and markers to visually plan your story structure.
Essential Shortcuts
Shortcuts are the difference between a beginner and a pro. Learn these 10 keyboard combinations and you'll work twice as fast.
Cut & Select
A = Selection, B = Blade, Shift + B = Razor (all tracks), Ctrl/Cmd + Z = Undo, Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z = Redo. The Blade is your best friend.
Timeline Navigation
J = Reverse, K = Pause, L = Forward (2× = double speed). I = In-Point, O = Out-Point. Space = Play/Pause. These keys replace the mouse 80% of the time.
Color Shortcuts
Shift + H = Split-screen comparison, Cmd/Ctrl + D = Disable node, Alt + S = Screenshot. On the Color page: 1–8 toggles between different viewer modes.
Pages & Workflow
Shift + 2–8 = Switch between Pages (Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight, Deliver). F11 = Full screen. Ctrl/Cmd + S = Save — very important, Resolve has no auto-save by default.
Important: Save regularly with Ctrl/Cmd + S. Resolve has no automatic saving in the default setting. A crash without a saved state means lost work.
Resources & Links
Resolve thrives on its community. Here are the best sources to deepen your knowledge.
Official Download Page
Download the latest version of DaVinci Resolve directly from Blackmagic Design. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Official Manual (PDF)
The complete, free Resolve manual — over 3,000 pages explaining every feature. The gold standard for reference.
Blackmagic Design YouTube Channel
Official tutorials directly from the developers. The "Fairlight Sound Library" and "Fusion" series are especially excellent.
Resolve Community Forum
The official forum with thousands of active users. For every question, there's an answer — or someone willing to figure it out with you.