DaVinci Resolve – Resolution To Learn It

April 25, 2026 | davinci-resolve | By

all-scribbly, video

Cheat Sheet


[ ] Open template: File → Open Project → Template-Dev-YouTube.drp 
[ ] Save as new project: File → Save As… → "Your-Project-Name.drp"
[ ] Import media: File → Import Media → select clips → keep folder structure if needed
[ ] Append first clip: select in Media Pool → CMD+T (or CMD+Insert) to timeline
[ ] Append next clips: use CMD+T (APPEND) or CMD+Shift+T (INSERT) as needed
[ ] Trim edits: use I/O, CMD+K, CMD+B, CMD+L, Shift+Drag to clean the timeline
[ ] Add markers: M at key points (Intro, Key1, Key2, Outro)
[ ] Add titles: drop text clip to V3 → edit text in Inspector → keep font/size consistent
[ ] Switch to Color page → apply Base-Look node preset to first node
[ ] Balance clips: tweak Lift/Gamma/Gain/Saturation to taste, keep it simple
[ ] Switch to Fairlight → set A1 as voice, A2 as music
[ ] Add limiter to voice track; keep voice ~-6dB, music ~-12dB to -18dB
[ ] Switch to Deliver page → add job → choose preset “YouTube-1080p”
[ ] Set export path (e.g., ~/Videos/Exports/...) → click Start Render
[ ] After render finishes: File → Save Project, then File → Close Project

Big‑picture structure

  • Week 1–2: “Get‑clips‑onto‑timeline‑and‑export”
  • Week 3: “Good‑enough‑color + audio so you don’t hate your own videos”
  • Week 4: “One‑template workflow that you can copy‑paste forever”

You can do this on a Mac, 2–3 sessions a week, ≈1 hour per session.

Week 1 – “Just make it work”

Goal: You can import, trim, and export without fighting the UI.

  • Day 1 (30–60 min)

    • Install Resolve and run through the Blackmagic “Beginner’s Guide” PDF basics (pages 1–10): project creation, importing media, timeline, basic cuts.[1][2]
    • Create one dummy project, import 1–2 clips, drag them to the Edit page, and render a short movie.

  • Day 2 (45–60 min)

    • Focus on cutting and navigation:

      • Learn at least 5 shortcuts:

        • I/O (in/out),
        • CMD+K (cut),
        • CMD+B (split),
        • T (trim edit mode),
        • Shift+Drag to extend/trim with snapping off.[3][4][5]

    • Practice: assemble a 30‑second sequence from 4 clips, then export.

  • Day 3 (30–45 min)

    • Add titles and basic audio:

      • Text tool + one title card.
      • Put music under your main clip and adjust volume.[4][5]

    • Export one “final”‑style video (1080p H.264) for YouTube.

Week 2 – “Polish the edit”

Goal: You can shape pacing, structure, and simple transitions.

  • Day 4 (45–60 min)

    • Use the Cut page for a simple YouTube/social‑style edit:

      • One main track, one audio track, maybe one B‑roll over it.
      • Use markers for “cut‑here” or “where sections start.”[5][4]

    • Practice: build a 1‑minute tutorial‑style video (even if the audio is garbage, just the structure).

  • Day 5 (45 min)

    • Learn transitions and handles:

      • Simple cross‑fade, maybe one “slide” or “dip‑to‑color.”
      • Use Fade Start / Fade End controls on the clip, not effects‑browser overload.[4][5]

    • Cleanup: find and delete unused audio/video fragments.

  • Day 6 (30–45 min)

    • Do a “one‑practice project”:

      • Start from scratch: new project, import 5–10 clips, build a 1‑minute edit, add titles, export.

    • Treat this as your “baseline” skill checkpoint.

Week 3 – “Color + audio that don’t suck”

Goal: You can make your video feel “not‑flat” without falling into the rabbit hole.

  • Day 7 (60 min)

    • Color basics on the Color Page:

      • Use one node, tweak Lift, Gamma, Gain, Saturation and Contrast.
      • Learn Inspector → Color tab → Color Wheels and Curves.[6][7]

    • Do this on your Week 2 practice project.

  • Day 8 (45 min)

    • Add one‑click “look”:

      • Load a simple LUT (or just drag a still image with a look onto the node).
      • Adjust Saturation and Exposure to taste.[7][6]

    • Export both “before” and “after” so you see the difference.

  • Day 9 (45 min)

    • Audio in Fairlight:

      • Turn on the Fairlight page, look at the track mixer, and adjust 2–3 things:

        • Main voice track level,
        • music track,
        • basic normalization / limiter on voice.[8][1]

    • Export again and decide if you hear an improvement.

Week 4 – “Your forever template”

Goal: You have a workflow you can reuse for almost every video.

  • Day 10 (60 min)

    • Build a master template project:

      • Create a 1080p 24/30 fps timeline.

      • Add 3–4 tracks:

        • Main video,
        • B‑roll/overlay,
        • Titles,
        • One‑music‑track‑only bus.[1][5]

      • Save this as “Template‑Dev‑YouTube.drp”.

  • Day 11 (45 min)

    • Set up one preset export:

      • Go to Deliver page, create a preset:

        • 1080p H.264,
        • YouTube‑style bitrate,
        • save as “YouTube‑1080p.”[2][5]

  • Day 12 (45 min)

    • Real‑world test:

      • Take a real screen‑recording session,
      • Import into your template,
      • build a 1–2 minute dev‑tutorial edit,
      • export, and watch it without editing in your head.

  • Day 13–14 (optional, 30–60 min each)

    • If you feel like it, dip into:

      • Fusion (for one text‑animation),
      • Photo Page (import one still image, grade it, export).[9][10][11]

How to keep it from “dying in the middle”

  • Minimum grind: 2 sessions per week (≈1 hour each) is enough.
  • Reference: keep the “Beginner’s Guide” PDF open and use it as a “cheat‑sheet” instead of guessing.[2][1]
  • Ignore: all “Studio‑only” features (Magic Mask, some AI, HDR, 10‑bit stuff) unless you’re sure you need them; you’re living in the free version.[12][13][14]

If you want, next step is:

  • I’ll dump a tiny “one‑sheet” checklist (with shortcuts and “do this once, never again” actions) you can stash in your desk‑notes or Notion so every time you open Resolve, it’s just:

    • File → Open Project → Use Template → append clip → export.

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