Your First Edit in Davinci Resolve

Your First Edit in DaVinci Resolve: A Simple Guide

DaVinci Resolve can be intimidating, but basic editing is straightforward. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to get you started.

Start a New Project

Open Resolve.

Click "New Project" and give it a name.

Click "Create."

Importing Your Media (Adding Clips)

Before we can edit, we need to bring our video files into Resolve. We’ll do this on the Edit Page (which is where you will spend 90% of your time).

Step 1: Open the Edit Page

Look at the very bottom of your screen. You will see a row of icons (Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight, Deliver).

• Click the third icon from the left—the Edit tab.

  
  

Step 2: Import Your Footage

In the top-left corner of the interface, you'll see a panel called the Media Pool. This is your project's digital bucket.

• The Quick Way: Drag and drop your video files directly from your computer's file explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) straight into the Media Pool.

• The Shortcut Way: Press Ctrl + I (Windows) or Cmd + I (Mac), select your files, and click open.

The "Change Frame Rate" Pop-up: If DaVinci asks, "Would you like to change the timeline frame rate to match?", always click Change. This ensures your project settings perfectly match the video you shot.

Building Your Timeline (Editing Clips)

Now that your clips are in the Media Pool, it's time to assemble them into a story.

Step 1: Create a Timeline

Drag your first video clip from the Media Pool and drop it into the large empty space at the bottom half of your screen.

• Boom! Resolve automatically creates a new timeline and places your clip on it.

  
  

Step 2: The Essential Navigation Rules

The Playhead: The red vertical line on your timeline indicates what frame you are looking at.

Zooming: Press Ctrl + / Ctrl - (Windows) or Cmd + / Cmd - (Mac) to zoom in and out of your timeline. Trust me, you will use this every 10 seconds.

Play/Pause: Use the Spacebar to play and pause your video.

Step 3: Cutting and Trimming Your Footage

You don’t want the awkward seconds at the beginning or end of your clips where you’re adjusting the camera. Here is how to trim them:

The Edge Drag (Simplest): Hover your mouse over the very beginning or end of a clip on the timeline until your cursor turns into a bracket tool. Click and drag inward to shorten the clip.

The Blade Tool (For cutting in the middle): Press the B key on your keyboard to activate the Blade tool. Click anywhere on a clip to slice it in half. Press A to switch back to your normal Selection Arrow.

Deleting Gaps: If you delete a chunk of video, it will leave a blank gray gap. Click the empty gap on your timeline (it will turn light gray) and press Backspace or Delete to automatically ripple-delete the gap and pull your clips back together.

Pro-Tip: Try a Split Edit! Want to make your video feel instantly more professional? Try making a J-Cut or L-Cut. Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and drag only the edge of your audio clip to let it play a second before (J-Cut) or after (L-Cut) your video cuts.

Phase 3: Exporting Your Video (Delivering)

You’ve cut your clips together, cleaned up the dead air, and your video looks great. It’s time to share it with the world.

Step 1: Go to the Deliver Page

Look back at that bottom menu bar and click the rocket ship icon on the far right—the Deliver Page.

Step 2: Choose Your Settings

On the left side of the screen, you will see a panel called Render Settings. DaVinci has made this incredibly easy by offering handy presets.

For a Quick, High-Quality Export: Click the Custom Export or H.264 Master preset. (Alternatively, you can select the YouTube preset if you are uploading directly).

Give it a Name: In the File Name box, type the title of your video.

Choose a Destination: Click Browse next to "Location" to choose exactly where on your computer you want the finished video to save.

Step 3: Add to Render Queue & Export

At the bottom of the Render Settings panel, click the big button that says Add to Render Queue.

You will see your job appear in a box on the top-right side of the screen.

Click the Render All button at the bottom of that right-hand panel.

Now, sit back and watch the progress bar fill up. Once it hits 100%, your very first edited video is ready to watch, upload, and share!