Da Vinci Resolve: Comprehensive Tutorial Notes

Introduction to Da Vinci Resolve

• Objective: Learn to create projects in Da Vinci Resolve.
• Covers all process steps: importing media, rough cutting, polishing stories, adding effects, color grading, audio mixing, and rendering.
• Two versions of Resolve: Free version (full functionality) and Paid version ($300).
• Course is based on "Introduction to Da Vinci Resolve" from Ground Control.
• Specialized in teaching Fusion, the effects and graphics portion of Resolve.
• Prerequisites: Good computer, knowledge of video production basics, and time to practice.

Getting Started

• System Requirements: A mid-range gaming PC or recent Mac (M1/M2).
• Downloading Da Vinci Resolve: Available on Blackmagic Design's website.
• Project File: Download project and media files to follow along.

Overview of Da Vinci Resolve

• End-to-End Post-Production Tool: Integrates editing, color grading, audio mixing, and effects.
• Collaboration: Allows multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.
• Interface Breakdown: Different tasks are organized into pages: Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, and Fairlight.

Media Page

• Importing Media: Organizing media before editing, using Media Pool.
• Media Management: Creating bins to organize clips, using smart bins to automate sorting based on properties.
• Previewing Clips: Scrubbing through footage before importing into the project.

Edit Page

• Timeline: Central hub for editing and arranging clips.
• Tools: Use different tools for editing, including cut, trim, and various effects.
• Creating a Rough Cut: Adding clips to the timeline, trimming, and arranging shots to tell a story.

Cut Page

• Streamlined Editing: Designed for quick edits, great for vlogs or straightforward timelines.
• Dual Timeline: Allows for easier navigation without constant zooming in and out.
• Source Tape Feature: Lets you preview all clips in one continuous strip.

Fusion Page

• Compositing Tool: For creating complex visual effects, graphics, and animations.
• Node-Based System: Understanding nodes is key; nodes represent individual tasks or effects.
• Creating Effects: Connect nodes to manipulate images, apply effects, and combine visuals.

Color Page

• Color Correction: Primary focus on correcting color, exposure, and saturation.
• Color Management: Essential for translating log footage into display-ready images.
  • Use CST (Color Space Transform) for color grading.
• Color Wheels and Curves: Tools for adjusting color balance, saturation, and contrast.
• Secondary Corrections: Using masks and qualifiers to adjust specific areas of the image.

Fairlight Page

• Audio Editing: Dedicated environment for audio mixing and sound design.
• Track Management: Managing audio tracks and their properties in a detailed way.
• Effects and Dynamics: Applying audio effects, dynamics processing, and EQ to improve sound quality.
• Buses: Routing multiple tracks through a bus to manage audio collectively.

Deliver Page

• Rendering: Setting up your project for export with various formats and settings.
• Output Options: Configuring settings for video resolution, format, and audio.
• Render Queue: Add multiple outputs for batch processing and rendering.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to practice and create original content using learned skills.
• Link to additional resources for further learning and exploring Fusion.
• Reminder to leave feedback for participation and engagement in the learning process.