Shivaraj P's VFX Report
8 / 1 / 2025
This report details my journey exploring DaVinci Resolve, a professional video editing software. Starting with the installation, I navigated through its intuitive yet initially complex interface, learned editing techniques via tutorials, and completed assignments showcasing my growth in using this tool.
Installation of Davinci Resolve Software
I downloaded the free version of DaVinci Resolve from the official Blackmagic website. After the installation was complete, I launched the software with great excitement. However, the interface felt overwhelming because I had never used PC editing software before. To overcome this, I turned to YouTube tutorials where I learned basic editing techniques like working with cuts, transitions, and adding text to videos.
Once I felt confident, I started exploring the seven main pages of DaVinci Resolve: Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color, Fairlight, and Deliver. Each page serves a specific purpose, and here’s what I discovered while using them:
Exploring the Pages of DaVinci Resolve
1. Media Page
The Media Page is the starting point of any project. It allows you to import video and audio clips easily through drag-and-drop or by right-clicking on the media panel. I found this page simple to use and well-organized for managing all the clips required for a project.
2. Cut Page
The Cut Page is designed for quick and straightforward editing. It has tools for trimming and adding clips to the timeline. This page is ideal for creating a rough outline of the video, with the main editing work happening later in the Edit Page. The interface includes a media pool, a preview panel, and a timeline panel, making it easy to manage the workflow.
3. Edit Page
The Edit Page is the heart of video editing. It contains all the essential tools for detailed work, such as transitions, text effects, and audio adjustments. Initially, I found the tools a bit tricky to use, especially the trim blade and snapping features. However, with frequent use, I became more comfortable navigating the timeline and effects panels. I especially appreciated the clear separation of audio and video tracks in the timeline, which made editing more manageable.
4. Fusion and Color Pages
These pages are advanced tools meant for professional editors. The Fusion Page is used for motion graphics and visual effects, while the Color Page focuses on color grading to enhance the visual storytelling. I explored these pages briefly but decided to skip them for now, as they require deeper knowledge and practice. I plan to revisit them in the future as I advance in my editing journey.
5. Fairlight Page
The Fairlight Page is dedicated to audio editing and mixing. While challenging at first, I found it exciting to learn how to refine audio tracks. For a friend’s introduction video, I used the Noise Reduction effect to remove background noise and the Equalizer panel to balance frequencies. The Equalizer allowed me to adjust the sound by crafting a custom curve, and I used the “Dialog Male Lav Finisher” preset to achieve a clear and polished audio track.
6. Deliver Page
The Deliver Page is where the final video is exported. It provides options for render settings and a render queue to manage multiple projects. For high-definition videos, I used the H.264 codec with 1080p resolution and 30 fps. For compressed videos, I opted for the H.265 codec, which reduces file size while maintaining decent quality. Exporting a project was as simple as adding it to the render queue and clicking “Render All.”
Assignments
TASK 1: Video on CUT & EDIT pages
I edited a video based on the theme of “Time,” using stock nature clips sourced from open websites. I combined the clips with transitions and added a separate audio track to create a cohesive narrative. The video was rendered in high definition using the H.264 codec.
The related video can be viewed through the link below!
Watch Video-001 on YouTube
TASK 2: Video on FAIRLIGHT page
For another assignment, I worked on a friend’s introduction video. The focus was on audio editing using the Fairlight Page. I reduced background noise with the Noise Reduction effect and fine-tuned the audio using the Equalizer panel. The result was a clean and professional sound, free of external disturbances.
Access Video on Google Drive
Conclusion
Learning DaVinci Resolve has been a rewarding experience. It introduced me to the world of video editing, from managing clips in the Media Page to refining audio in the Fairlight Page. Although some tools were challenging at first, consistent practice helped me overcome these hurdles. While I have mastered the basics, I look forward to exploring the advanced features in the Fusion and Color Pages to further enhance my skills. This journey has boosted my confidence and sparked my interest in professional video editing.