Unit 1: Video Editing Techniques

1. Import and Organize Media

• Importing Media: Understand the different file formats supported by DaVinci

Resolve, such as MP4, MOV, AVI, and RAW formats.

• Creating Bins: Organize media files into bins (folders) within the Media Pool for
efficient project management.

• Metadata Management: Utilize metadata (e.g., keywords, descriptions) to tag and

search for media assets.

• Media Storage: Understand different storage solutions for video editing, including
local drives, NAS (Network Attached Storage), and cloud storage.

• Proxy Generation: Create proxy files (lower-resolution versions) for smoother

playback and editing on less powerful systems.

• Linking Media: Understand how to link media to the project and relink if media
files are moved or renamed.

• Media Pool Organization: Use smart bins to automatically organize media based
on metadata or other criteria.

• Conforming Media: Understand the process of conforming media, which involves

matching the media in your project to the original source files.
2. Edit Clips on the Timeline

• Timeline Basics: Understand the layout and functions of the DaVinci Resolve
timeline, including tracks, playhead, and transport controls.

• Basic Editing Techniques: Master essential editing techniques like cutting,

trimming, and rearranging clips on the timeline.

• Ripple Edit: Understand how ripple editing affects subsequent clips on the
timeline when adjusting clip length.

• Roll Edit: Adjust the cut point between two clips without changing the overall
duration.

• Slip Edit: Change the content of a clip without changing its position or duration on
the timeline.

• Slide Edit: Move a clip along the timeline, affecting the clips before and after it.

• Markers: Use markers to add notes, identify important sections, or synchronize

audio and video.

• Keyframes: Utilize keyframes to create dynamic changes in clip properties over

time, such as position, size, and opacity.

• Multicam Editing: Edit footage from multiple cameras simultaneously using the
multicam editing feature.

3. Apply Transitions and Effects

• Transitions: Apply transitions such as dissolves, wipes, and fades between clips to
create smooth visual flow.

• Effects Library: Explore the built-in effects library in DaVinci Resolve, including
blurs, glows, and distortions.

• OpenFX Plugins: Utilize OpenFX (OFX) plugins to extend the functionality of

DaVinci Resolve with third-party effects.

• Applying Effects: Apply effects to individual clips or entire tracks on the timeline.
 • Adjusting Effect Parameters: Modify effect parameters to customize the look and
feel of transitions and effects.

• Keyframing Effects: Use keyframes to animate effect parameters over time,

creating dynamic and engaging visuals.

• Compositing: Combine multiple video layers using compositing techniques to

create complex visual effects.

• Motion Graphics: Create basic motion graphics using the built-in tools in DaVinci
Resolve, such as text animations and lower thirds.

Unit 2: Color Grading Essentials

1. Understand Color Wheels and Curves

• Color Wheels: These are circular representations of color hues, used to adjust the
color balance in an image or video.

• Primary Colors: Red, green, and blue (RGB) are the primary colors in digital color
grading.

• Secondary Colors: Cyan, magenta, and yellow are created by mixing two primary
colors.

• Color Temperature: Measured in Kelvin, it defines the warmth or coolness of an

image. Lower temperatures are warmer (yellow/orange), and higher temperatures
are cooler (blue).

• Exposure: Refers to the overall brightness of an image.

• Contrast: The difference in luminance or color that makes an object

distinguishable.

• Saturation: The intensity of color in an image.

• Lift/Gamma/Gain: These are controls that adjust the shadows, midtones, and
highlights, respectively.
 • Curves: Graphs that allow for precise adjustments to the tonal range of an image.
The x-axis represents the original brightness values, and the y-axis represents the
adjusted brightness values.

• RGB Curves: Allow for adjusting the red, green, and blue channels independently.

• Luma Curve: Adjusts the overall brightness of the image without affecting the
color.

• Hue vs. Hue Curves: Adjust specific hues to other hues.

• Hue vs. Sat Curves: Adjust the saturation of specific hues.

• Hue vs. Luma Curves: Adjust the luminance of specific hues.

• Sat vs. Sat Curves: Adjust the saturation of specific saturations.

• Luma vs. Sat Curves: Adjust the saturation of specific luminances.

2. Use LUTs for Color Correction

• LUT (Look-Up Table): A file containing a mathematical transformation used to

change the colors in an image or video.

• 1D LUT: Applies a color transformation to each color channel independently.

• 3D LUT: Applies a color transformation based on the combination of all three

color channels (RGB), allowing for more complex color grading.

• Technical LUTs: Used for converting footage from one color space to another (e.g.,
Log to Rec. 709).

• Creative LUTs: Used for applying a specific look or style to footage.

• Applying LUTs: Involves importing the LUT file into the color grading software
and applying it to a clip or node.

• Adjusting LUT Intensity: Many software programs allow you to control the
strength or intensity of a LUT.

• Creating Custom LUTs: LUTs can be created from scratch or by modifying

existing LUTs.
 • LUT Formats: Common LUT formats include .cube and .3dl.

• Log Footage: Footage recorded in a logarithmic color space, which preserves more
dynamic range.

• Rec. 709: A standard color space for HDTV.

• Color Space Conversion: The process of converting footage from one color space
to another.

3. Create and Apply Color Grades

• Primary Color Correction: Adjusting the overall exposure, contrast, and color
balance of an image.

• Secondary Color Correction: Isolating and adjusting specific colors or ranges of

colors.

• Color Grading Nodes: A non-destructive way to apply color corrections and

effects in a layered manner.

• Serial Nodes: Nodes connected in a sequence, where each node’s adjustments

affect the subsequent nodes.

• Parallel Nodes: Nodes connected in parallel, where their adjustments are

combined.

• Layer Nodes: Nodes that are layered on top of each other, with blending modes
controlling how they interact.

• Color Warper: A tool that allows for making broad color adjustments by
manipulating hue and saturation.

• Qualifiers: Tools used to select specific colors or ranges of colors based on hue,
saturation, and luminance.

• Power Windows: Tools used to isolate specific areas of an image for color
correction.

• Tracking Power Windows: The process of automatically following the movement

of an object with a power window.
 • Color Matching: Matching the colors between different shots to create a
consistent look.

• Creating a Look: Developing a specific visual style for a project.

• Shot Matching: Ensuring consistent color and exposure across multiple shots in a
scene.

• Using Scopes: Utilizing waveform, vectorscope, and histogram displays to analyze

and adjust color and luminance levels.

Unit 3: Audio and Exporting

1. Edit and Mix Audio Tracks

Edit and Mix Audio Tracks

• Audio Editing Basics: Understand the principles of audio editing, including

cutting, trimming, and rearranging audio clips.

• Audio Levels: Learn to adjust audio levels to ensure consistent loudness and
prevent clipping.

• Audio Mixing: Combine multiple audio tracks, adjusting their levels and panning
to create a balanced mix.

• Panning: Position audio in the stereo field to create a sense of space and
separation.

• Equalization (EQ): Use EQ to adjust the frequency content of audio, enhancing

clarity and reducing unwanted noise.

• Compression: Apply compression to reduce dynamic range, making audio louder

and more consistent.

• Noise Reduction: Implement noise reduction techniques to remove unwanted

background noise from audio recordings.
 • Audio Effects: Explore various audio effects, such as reverb, delay, and chorus, to
enhance the sound.

• Audio Monitoring: Use headphones or studio monitors to accurately assess the

audio mix.

• Audio Metering: Monitor audio levels using meters to ensure they are within
acceptable ranges.

2. Add Sound Effects and Music

Add Sound Effects and Music

• Sound Effect Selection: Choose appropriate sound effects to enhance visual

elements and create atmosphere.

• Music Selection: Select music that complements the video’s mood and message.

• Sound Effect Placement: Precisely place sound effects to synchronize with on-
screen actions.

• Music Editing: Edit music tracks to fit the video’s length and structure.

• Sound Design: Create a cohesive soundscape by blending sound effects and music.

• Foley: Record or acquire foley sounds to enhance realism.

• Copyright Considerations: Understand copyright laws related to music and

sound effects.

• Royalty-Free Resources: Utilize royalty-free music and sound effect libraries.

• Audio Ducking: Automatically lower the volume of music or other audio when
dialogue is present.

• Crossfades: Use crossfades to smoothly transition between music tracks or sound

effects.
3. Export Projects in Various Formats

Export Projects in Various Formats

• Video Codecs: Understand different video codecs, such as H.264, H.265 (HEVC),
and ProRes.

• Audio Codecs: Understand different audio codecs, such as AAC and PCM.

• Resolution and Frame Rate: Select appropriate resolution (e.g., 1080p, 4K) and
frame rate (e.g., 24fps, 30fps, 60fps) for the target platform.

• Bitrate: Adjust the bitrate to control video quality and file size.

• Export Presets: Utilize export presets for different platforms (e.g., YouTube,
Vimeo, broadcast).

• Custom Export Settings: Configure custom export settings to fine-tune video and
audio parameters.

• Container Formats: Understand different container formats, such as MP4, MOV,

and AVI.

• Color Space: Select the appropriate color space (e.g., Rec. 709, Rec. 2020).

• Render Settings: Optimize render settings for speed and quality.

• Metadata: Add metadata to the exported file, including title, description, and
keywords.