DaVinci Resolve Tutorial for Beginners

In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to use and edit videos with DaVinci Resolve 18. We walk through how to get DaVinci Resolve, import media, make edits, and render a final video. You can follow along using the provided sample video and music files.

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⌚ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Where to download DaVinci Resolve
01:53 DaVinci Resolve version differences
02:56 Create new project
03:45 Main interface / pages
05:42 Import media
07:14 Project frame rate
08:32 Source viewer
09:11 Generate proxy media
10:26 Timeline
12:30 Set in and out points in source viewer
14:07 Edit on timeline
15:19 Split clips with blade tool
15:55 Delete clips on timeline
16:58 Tracks / layers
17:43 Moving clips on timeline
18:07 Adjusting view
19:32 Build a story
21:43 Add audio / music
23:24 Adjust volume
25:33 Fade audio and video
27:13 Adjust brightness
30:32 Insert text
33:33 Dynamic zoom
34:43 Transitions
36:27 Keyboard shortcuts
37:36 Render video
39:14 Wrap up

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#stratvert

[Robert]

Pro Tip: NEVER USE THE DELETE KEY on the edit page. If you want to remove a clip, select it and hit the backspace key. Then, if you want to remove the gap as well, select the gap between clips and hit the backspace key again. I know this sounds like more work, but believe me, this will save you heart ache. The delete key does something somewhat unusual in Davinci Resolve; particularly if you are working in multiple layers. When you delete a clip off the timeline it also removes the gap without proper respect to the various layers of all the clips to the right. What that means is if you have nearly finished a project and then go back to remove 1 clip from the middle, using delete can screw up ever edit to the right of that on the timeline. If you insist on trying it, experiment carefully and be prepared to hit undo (Ctrl-Z) if you are not happy with the outcome. It may be that there is some special case that this IS what you wanted to do. But I found repeatedly that DELETE caused nothing but trouble. I have stopped using it entirely. Since I don't use the cut page at all, I am not sure how DELETE responds on that page. I am only saying this regarding the edit page.

[Maranatha]

This is exactly how you teach a total beginner. I often get overwhelmed with confusion and questions while listening to tutorials, he stops and confronts almost all of the questions that popped in my head while the expert ist explaining away. brilliant

[emilyfoley]

Possibly the best-done beginner tutorial video on any topic ever? Genuinely, this an example of how to be a great teacher. Kevin's commitment to asking questions from a total beginner's perspective and Casey's patient, useful answers, along with their considering the needs and problems that various users might run into(like when using an older computer), make for such a helpful and also very calm and fun viewing experience.

[Not.L_Lawliet]

Made my First edit on 3:26 A.M. on 23/12/23. Writing this so it will be a memory. Felt Great! Because I felt like I was doing something better for my Life instead of Games. I LOVE EDITING now and hope to be consistent and productive with it and live a better and happier life 😅😊.

Also, the video was Great! Absolutely loved it! Best 40 minutes of my life 😊😊!!!

[AkizzR]

I've recently got into video editing and I have to admit that I've never been so interested watching a 40m long video. This cover all the basics, and I love it! Thank you so much.

[christophergibson]

Finally an actually helpful tutorial. It’s so hard to find one that doesn’t skip key parts assuming you know how to do it.

[stevemorbey]

This is one of the most well structured, clear, and comprehensive YouTube tutorials I’ve seen.
I wish more tutorials were as well thought out like this.

[eustace]

This was incredibly informative. The two person format was great! All the questions being asked directly felt way more interesting and easy to absorb.

[drysocks]

13:00 How to set Media Ins (starts) and Outs (ends).
14:00 Timeline Editing (Trimming).
15:30 Clip Splitting.
16:30 Removing Blank Spaces.
17:00 Moving Clips and How Layers Work.
20:16 Dragging Clips Onto Timeline Viewer.
22:00 Adding Audio.
Note: Audio layers do not take priority over each other based on layers.
23:00 Muting Audio Tracks.
23:41 Adjusting Audio Volume.
24:00 Inspector Alterations.
24:50 Undoing Inspector Changes
25:20 Master Reset.
26:30 Audio Fading.
27:00 Video Fading.
28:00 Adjusting Color/Brightness.
30:50 Adding Effects.
31:10 Adding Titles (text).
31:40 Changing Text.
32:20 Moving Text.
33:04 Dragging and Dropping Text (Transform).
33:50 Zooming Out Over Time.
34:30 Zooming In Over Time.
35:00 Adding Transitions.
38:00 Rendering.

[uniworkhorse]

I absolutely love the two person format! Having two voices is so much more interesting, especially with those clarifying questions sprinkled along the way! I'm sure this took a bit more planning, but man I really found this easy to watch and helpful!

[kingoftheworld]

Amazing video. Covered everything, every question I thought of was immediately answered in the next few minutes, and the order everything was taught was set up perfectly, thank you soo much for this, I'm sure a lot of people learned a lot from this video. You two should be proud of yourselves

[netmailing]

Literally just downloaded DaVinci Resolve and followed this YouTube tutorial to heart. It managed to predict and answer my very next question and guided me on all the necessary functions to create a decent basic video :) Very helpful and thank you!

[tradingcomparisons]

This was so good. I downloaded resolve last night and have never edited a video in my life. I’m also not tech savvy but After watching this video i made my first video. Took 4 clips and put them together and made some cuts. So thankful for your easy to understand way of explaining things. You earned yourself a sub.

[KurtVassall]

Loved the tutorial and the fact that Kevin asked the questions as if he was the beginner. Thanks to you both! and it was very easy to follow.

[caseyrice]

Incredibly helpful! I was just about to jump into my first mini travel vlog project and I thought "meh, I should look up a quick guide". This was PERFECT! Thanks guys!

[annettegrimes]

I am new to DaVinci Resolve. I just want to say you have taught me alot and I've only watched half of the video. I'll be finishing it today. So far I think it's fun editing. But I know it's time consuming but worth it. Thank you both for keeping it simple and for being able to explain how to use it. I was watching a video before I came across this one and he sucked at being able to explain how to edit. Thank you again for taking the time to share with us on how to edit.

[ZeldaMasterBoss]

Ive been editing for more than 12 years and have learned multiple softwares. For any beginner this is a great tool to just have in general. Resolve is intuitive if you are transitioning from Premiere and honestly I kinda like the interface a little bit better. Great Job!

[pauz]

Congratulations Casey
I am thrilled to learn da Vinci from you.
I am super grateful to educational YouTubers like both of you.

Kevin,
The first time I ever saw one of your videos, I didn't like them.
maybe they were too good or the topic what the topics aren't exactly my favorites. I was wrong not to check with you first when I want to learn a new skill.
I try very hard not to judge a cover by its book or let first impressions fool me! I know a lot of people do that to me it hurts sometimes. And sometimes first impressions are detrimental to my success.
Now I think you're one of the greatest content makers I've ever seen.
Absolute great educator ! !
I'm super grateful for your videos.

[samsabastian]

I learnt more from this video that from a heap of others. I'm hooked. Thanks. I am nearly 80 years young, and I must confess, I do not grasp things like I used to, but I got this OK. Thanks again.

[BLUEGOBEATS]

I'm 12 minutes into this video and i just wanted to say thankyou!
This seems so doable, you guys are explaining it like absolute pros!
looking forward to making compilations of the good times in life.