Independent training, updated for Resolve 21
Cut. Grade. Deliver.
DaVinci Resolve Tutorials, Fixes and Workflow Guides
Find the setting, follow the workflow and understand the trade-off. Practical guides to editing, color, audio and export, with Free and Studio differences explained.
Drag the handle, or focus it and use the arrow keys to compare.
Actually free
Start with the free editor for cutting, color and audio. Some effects, AI tools and export options need Studio.
Studio: US$295 list price
Check your regional desktop price and taxes before buying. Cloud rental, hardware bundles and the iPad purchase are separate options.
Resolve 21.1 is available
Read the release notes and check your platform before updating. Back up your project library and important projects first.
Mac: Apple Silicon baseline
Resolve 21.1 lists Apple Silicon and macOS 15 or later. On an Intel Mac, check Resolve 20 requirements against your exact Mac and macOS version.
Start with your task
All free toolsHardware & compatibilityPC checkerBitrate calculatorExport preflight
Latest Guides
New and recently published Resolve workflows, comparisons and fixes.
How to Outline a Subject in DaVinci Resolve (Person, Logo or PNG)
Resolve has no outline setting for clips, so the outline is built on the Fusion page from the alpha channel. Here are the node trees for a logo and a person, the Erode Dilate width in pixels, edge cleanup and a reusable Edit page effect.
How to Put Text Behind a Person in DaVinci Resolve
Stack the clip on V1, the title on V2 and a duplicate on V3, then cut the person out of the copy: Magic Mask in Studio, a tracked Curve window in the free version. Here are both routes, the Fusion setup and tracking times.
How to Make Rolling Credits in DaVinci Resolve
Drop the Scroll title after your last shot, paste the credits and set the clip length. For credits that stay crisp on a big screen, move them a whole number of pixels per frame in Fusion. Here are the speed math, two-column layouts and export checks.
How to Make a Two-Color (Duotone) Effect in DaVinci Resolve
Desaturate in one node, then push Lift toward the shadow color and Gain toward the highlight color. Here are the Log wheel and Split Tone versions, a Fusion gradient map, and how to keep two colors while the rest goes grey.
How to Add Camera Shake in DaVinci Resolve (Free and Studio)
The Camera Shake effect on the Edit page is a Studio feature, and the Fusion node does the same job in the free version. Here are the settings that change the feel, beat-synced shakes, and copying real handheld motion.
How to Export a GIF in DaVinci Resolve Without a Huge File
Resolve renders GIFs natively since 18.5, free version included. Here are the Deliver settings, the timeline tricks that keep the file small, transparency, and when animated WebP is the better export.
Learn DaVinci Resolve
The beginner path, from install to your first finished edit.
Start here
DaVinci Resolve Tutorial for Beginners
Resolve has no outline setting for clips, so the outline is built on the Fusion page from the alpha channel. Here are the node trees for a logo and a person, the Erode Dilate width in pixels, edge cleanup and a reusable Edit page effect.
How to Put Text Behind a Person in DaVinci Resolve14 min readStack the clip on V1, the title on V2 and a duplicate on V3, then cut the person out of the copy: Magic Mask in Studio, a tracked Curve window in the free version. Here are both routes, the Fusion setup and tracking times.
How to Make Rolling Credits in DaVinci Resolve14 min readDrop the Scroll title after your last shot, paste the credits and set the clip length. For credits that stay crisp on a big screen, move them a whole number of pixels per frame in Fusion. Here are the speed math, two-column layouts and export checks.
How to Make a Two-Color (Duotone) Effect in DaVinci Resolve10 min readDesaturate in one node, then push Lift toward the shadow color and Gain toward the highlight color. Here are the Log wheel and Split Tone versions, a Fusion gradient map, and how to keep two colors while the rest goes grey.
Fix a Resolve Problem
When the edit stops, start with the diagnosis, not the reinstall.
Featured fix
DaVinci Resolve Playback Lag: How to Fix Slow, Choppy Playback
It's Blackmagic Design's free Blackmagic RAW package: the Player, Speed Test, the SDK and the Premiere Pro and Avid plugins for .braw camera files. Keep it on any machine that edits .braw, remove it on a PC that never sees Blackmagic footage, and reinstall it when the Player breaks.
DaVinci Resolve No Panels Found: What It Means and How to Fix It13 min readThe message comes from DaVinci Control Panels Setup, not the editor. Without Blackmagic hardware, open DaVinci Resolve instead. With a Speed Editor, Micro Color Panel or other panel, check the cable, the OS, firmware, Resolve's preferences and the reset keys in that order.
DaVinci Resolve Unable to Run in CUDA Mode: Fix the NVIDIA Driver Error12 min readThe CUDA mode warning means your NVIDIA driver is older than that Resolve version's minimum. Here's the driver floor for every release from 18.6.6 to 21.1.2, how to read your driver number, and the fixes for Windows, laptops, Linux and older GTX cards.
DaVinci Resolve OpenFX Directory: Where OFX Plugins Install9 min readOFX plugins go in /Library/OFX/Plugins on a Mac and C:\Program Files\Common Files\OFX\Plugins on Windows. How to install one, find it in Resolve, and fix a plugin that's missing, stale or crashing.
Master the Workflow
Audio, titles, color and a clean export: every edit runs through these.
Workflow guide
DaVinci Resolve 21 Photo Page: Full Walkthrough
DaVinci Resolve 21.1 reads WebM only when the video is VP8. Copy VP9 or AV1 video into an MP4 with ffmpeg and convert the Opus audio, and it imports. For WebM delivery, render a master and convert it, transparent overlays included.
How to Add Echo and Reverb in DaVinci Resolve10 min readDrag the Echo Fairlight FX from Effects Library > Audio FX onto the clip, then set Delay Time, Feedback and Dry/Wet in the Inspector. Plus reverb, echo on one word, and the fix for tails that cut off at the clip end.
How to Delete Audio from Multiple Clips in DaVinci Resolve9 min readTurn off Linked Selection, select only the audio with a selection box, Command-click or Y, then press Delete (Backspace on Windows). The picture stays put. Plus ranges, whole tracks, and keeping audio out of the timeline in the first place.
DaVinci Resolve Text Not Showing: Viewer and Export Fixes6 min readSeparate title, subtitle and Fusion failures, then follow the missing text from the timeline to the Viewer and final render.
Compare and Choose
Picking an editor, a license or an upgrade? The honest breakdowns.
One task. A clear next step.
Start with the job in front of you: a first edit, a missing clip, a difficult grade or an export. Follow the relevant guide, check its version and edition notes, then try the steps on a copy of your project. About the club
Practical Resolve training
DaVinci Resolve Club is built for editors who want a clear answer fast: where to click, which setting matters, and what to check before exporting. The guides cover the full Resolve workflow: importing media, organizing bins, editing on the Cut and Edit pages, creating proxy media, color correction and grading nodes, Fusion effects, Fairlight cleanup and Deliver page render settings.
Start with the beginner tutorial path if you are opening Resolve for the first time. Use the workflow guides when playback is slow, proxies are confusing or media goes offline. Use the color grading section for scopes, color management, LUTs, node order and matching shots.
Covered topics
- Beginner tutorial and first edit workflow
- Media page, import, bins, relinking and proxies
- Edit page timeline tools and shortcuts
- Color correction, grading, scopes, nodes and LUTs
- Fusion compositing, titles and tracking
- Fairlight cleanup, EQ and loudness checks
- Deliver page exports for YouTube, Shorts and clients
Questions editors ask
What is the best way to learn DaVinci Resolve as a beginner?
Start with the full edit path: install Resolve, import footage, make a simple timeline, adjust audio, add basic color correction and export. Then learn proxies, shortcuts, color nodes and Fairlight as separate skills.
Why is DaVinci Resolve playback slow?
Heavy codecs, high-resolution footage and effects can make playback struggle. Check the affected clips, available hardware and storage, then consider proxy media, optimized media or render cache. Test a short range before changing project-wide settings.
Which export settings should I use for YouTube, Shorts and Reels?
Use the Deliver page to match the platform: correct resolution, frame rate, codec, bitrate, audio format and color tagging. For vertical platforms, confirm timeline resolution before rendering.
Should I use DaVinci Resolve Free or Studio?
The free version covers most beginner editing, basic grading, audio work and standard exports. Studio matters for advanced noise reduction, some AI features and heavier professional workflows.
How do I start color grading?
Correction before the look: set exposure and contrast, fix white balance, use scopes, keep a clean node order, then add creative grading or LUTs.