DaVinci Resolve Beginners Tutorial 2024: Edit like a PRO for FREE!
TLDRThis tutorial introduces beginners to DaVinci Resolve, a powerful yet free video editing software. It guides users through the basics, including project setup, importing media, editing techniques, audio adjustments, color correction, and exporting the final video. The guide emphasizes the software's versatility and professional potential, encouraging new users to explore its features for content creation and beyond.
Takeaways
- 🌟 DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software with a free version offering 90% of its functionality.
- 🚀 Start by downloading the latest version of DaVinci Resolve from the Blackmagic website and create a new project with a name.
- 📱 The software interface features different workspaces for various tasks, such as Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight, and Deliver.
- 🎥 Import your media directly into the Edit page and adjust project settings like resolution and frame rate according to your footage.
- 🔄 Use the Media Pool to drag and drop files into the project and ensure frame rate consistency with your footage.
- ✂️ Edit your clips using the timeline, with options to cut, adjust, and move clips around for the desired sequence.
- 🎶 Add music and audio tracks, adjusting their levels and using keyframes for precise audio control.
- 📝 Incorporate text and titles using the Effects tab and customize them to fit your video's style.
- 🔄 Apply transitions between clips for smooth video flow if desired, choosing from a variety of preset options.
- 🎨 Perform color correction using the color wheels to adjust color temperature, contrast, shadows, and highlights for a polished look.
- 🚀 Export your final video from the Deliver tab, setting in and out points, choosing the H.264 codec, and adding to the render queue.
Q & A
What is the first step to start using DaVinci Resolve as mentioned in the video?
-The first step is to download the latest version of the DaVinci Resolve software from the Blackmagic website.
Can you use DaVinci Resolve for free and what percentage of its functionality is available without payment?
-Yes, you can use DaVinci Resolve for free, and 90% of its functionality is available without needing to pay for the full version.
What should you do immediately after installing DaVinci Resolve?
-After installing DaVinci Resolve, you should create a new project by giving it a name and clicking 'create'.
What workspace in DaVinci Resolve is recommended for basic edits?
-The 'Cut' workspace is recommended for doing basic edits in DaVinci Resolve.
How can you set the project resolution and frame rate in DaVinci Resolve?
-You can set the project resolution and frame rate by clicking the gear icon on the bottom right to open the project settings and then selecting your desired resolution and frame rate.
What format should you avoid using for proxy media in basic video previews?
-You should avoid using the ProRes 422 format for proxy media in basic video previews, as it is considered overkill; instead, H264 is recommended.
What is the procedure for importing video clips into DaVinci Resolve?
-To import video clips, go to the Media Pool on the left-hand side, where you can drag and drop your files directly into the project.
How do you adjust audio levels for clips in DaVinci Resolve?
-You can adjust audio levels by clicking the faint white line in the audio track and dragging it up or down to increase or decrease the volume.
What steps should you follow to add text and titles to your video in DaVinci Resolve?
-To add text and titles, go to the Effects tab, choose Titles on the left-hand side, preview the text animations, drag your selected effect to the timeline, and customize the text as needed.
What is the recommended way to perform color correction for beginners in DaVinci Resolve?
-Beginners should keep color correction simple by selecting a clip, using the color wheels to adjust color temperature, contrast, shadows, and highlights, and enhancing colors with Color Boost.
Outlines
🚀 Getting Started with DaVinci Resolve
This paragraph introduces the viewer to DaVinci Resolve, highlighting its capabilities and how to get started. It begins with downloading the software from the Blackmagic website, emphasizing that the free version offers substantial functionality. The video then guides the user through creating a new project, navigating the different workspaces designed for various tasks such as Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight, and Deliver. The focus is on the simplicity of the software for beginners, while acknowledging its advanced features. It also covers setting project settings like resolution and frame rate, and importing media into the project.
🎬 Editing Basics and Audio Management
The second paragraph delves into the editing process within DaVinci Resolve. It explains how to import video clips into the Media Pool and adjust frame rates for consistency. The video demonstrates how to use the editing tools, including trimming clips, moving them around the timeline, and working with audio tracks. It also addresses how to remove unwanted audio from clips and add background music, adjusting its levels and applying fades. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of audio balance and provides tips on using keyframes for volume adjustments.
✨ Advanced Editing Techniques and Exporting
This paragraph covers more advanced editing techniques such as color correction, using the color wheels to adjust color temperature, contrast, and color boost for enhanced visuals. It also touches on the Fairlight tab for audio editing but suggests it's more suited for advanced users. The video concludes with instructions on exporting the final video, setting in and out points, choosing the H.264 codec, and adding the project to the render queue. The creator shares a personal testimonial about transitioning from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve, citing improved workflow and efficiency as reasons for the switch.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡DaVinci Resolve
💡workspaces
💡project settings
💡timeline
💡linked selection
💡audio levels
💡color correction
💡text and titles
💡transitions
💡exporting
Highlights
DaVinci Resolve is a powerful and free video editing software.
The free version of DaVinci Resolve offers 90% of the software's functionality.
Begin by downloading the software from the Blackmagic website.
Creating a new project in DaVinci Resolve is straightforward and quick.
Different workspaces in DaVinci Resolve are designed for various tasks like media import, editing, visual effects, color grading, and more.
The Edit page is perfect for simple video projects and allows for direct media import.
Project settings include resolution and frame rate adjustments.
Proxy media format selection is crucial for efficient video previews.
Importing video clips and media is as easy as drag and drop.
Linked selection allows for simultaneous editing of audio and video tracks.
Adjusting the preview size and workspace aspects helps in precise editing.
Cutting and trimming clips can be done with the blade tool or by dragging clip edges.
Removing audio from video clips can be done without affecting the visual content.
Adding music tracks is simple and can be adjusted for optimal audio levels.
Audio levels can be fine-tuned with keyframes for a balanced sound.
Text and titles can be easily added and customized in the Effects tab.
Transitions can be applied between clips for smooth video flow.
Color correction tools like Color Temperature, Contrast, and Color Boost are essential for enhancing video quality.
Multiple clips can be color corrected at once for consistency.
Exporting videos involves setting in and out points, choosing a codec, and adding to the render queue.
DaVinci Resolve is a professional-grade editor suitable for both beginners and experienced users.