Lahari's Level1 Report

25 / 9 / 2024

---

DaVinci Resolve

In the pursuit of expanding my skills in video editing, I commenced my first course using DaVinci Resolve. The installation process was straightforward, allowing me to quickly set up the software. As I began exploring the basic functionalities, I found the initial learning curve manageable. However, as I delved into more advanced features and tools, I faced significant challenges. The complexity of DaVinci Resolve’s extensive range of options required a deeper level of engagement and persistence. This report documents my experience with the software, highlighting both the progress made and the obstacles encountered in mastering video editing techniques.

Media page

The Media page in DaVinci Resolve serves as the foundation for managing and organizing media assets and essential for effective workflow management of the project.

Core components of Media Page:

Media Storage : The Media Storage panel provides access to the file system of the computer or external drives. It facilitates the import of media by allowing users to navigate and select files from different storage locations.

Media Pool: This is the central repository where all media files are imported and organized. It allows for the creation of bins to categorize and manage various types of assets, including video clips, audio files, and images. Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + I to import media directly into the Media Pool.

Metadata Panel/ viewer: This panel displays detailed information about selected media files and edit metadata, which can be useful for sorting and searching assets.

Playback Controls: The playback controls allow users to preview media files within the Media page. This feature aids in reviewing and selecting the appropriate clips for use in the editing timeline. Shortcut: Spacebar to play or pause the media preview.

Panel: Presence of Audio, metadata, inspector in right corner controls the properties of selected clip. Smart bins arepresent which are essential for separating our video/audio and make it more clear.

• Major feature is we can link the Secondary Audio files with our video.
• Categories of information can be stored and organised by writting description about particular clip such as keywords, colorcode, comments and many more.

Edit Page

The Edit page is the core area/ hub of all elements.

Timeline: The Timeline is the central workspace where video clips, audio tracks, and effects are arranged. Users can drag and drop media files from the Media Pool onto the Timeline to build their sequence. Shortcut: Ctrl + T to create a new timeline.

Media Pool: The Media Pool, located on the upper left side of the Edit page, contains all the media assets imported into the project. Users can organize media into bins for easier access and management.

Inspector: The Inspector panel provides detailed information and controls for the selected clip or effect. Users can adjust parameters such as position, scale, and opacity, and apply various effects and corrections. Shortcut: Ctrl + I

Effects Library: The Effects Library, located on the upper right side, contains a range of video and audio effects, transitions, and generators. Users can drag and drop these effects onto clips in the Timeline to enhance their project.

Timeline Controls: The Timeline Controls include playback buttons, zoom sliders, and timecode displays. These controls allow users to navigate through the Timeline, adjust playback speed, and zoom in or out for detailed editing.

Cut and Trim Tools: The Edit page includes various tools for cutting and trimming clips. The Blade tool (B key) allows users to split clips, while the Trim tool (T key) enables precise adjustments to clip boundaries.

Audio Mixer: The Audio Mixer panel provides controls for adjusting audio levels, panning, and effects. It is essential for balancing audio in the project.

• There are 2 viewers, Source viewer and timeline viewer, so thet we can clearly see how the final video will be rendered.
• Specific tools like Link selector are present so that we can select only required audio/ video files.
• User ca change even some audio setting and blend accordingly.
• There is presence of everything that is required to edit a cenimatic video in edit page.

Cut Page

The Cut Page is designed to streamline the editing process, especially for projects that require quick turnarounds like youtube vlogs. Its simplified interface eliminates distractions, allowing user to focus on essential tools.

Dual Timeline: The standout feature that displays two timelines: a zoomed-out view of the entire project for easy navigation, and a zoomed-in view for precise editing.

Source Viewer & Timeline Viewer: The left viewer previews clips (Source Viewer), while the right viewer displays the edited timeline (Timeline Viewer).

Inspector Panel: Quick access to clip adjustments such as scaling, opacity, and audio levels without needing to leave the Cut Page.

Source Tape and Previewing Clips:
The Source Tape feature combines all media clips into a continuous reel, making it easy to skim through footage and find the exact moments user want to use.With the Source Tape, user can quickly browse all clips, set In (I) and Out (O) points, and insert them directly into your timeline.

Smart Editing Tools and Trimming Techniques: The Cut Page includes smart tools for fast, intuitive editing: Smart Insert (Shift + F11): Automatically inserts the clip at the ideal location in the timeline. Append to End (Shift + F12): Adds the selected clip to the end of the timeline. Trim Edit (T): Enables fine-tuning of cuts and transitions using precise frame-by-frame adjustments.

Polishing and Exporting: Transitions are easily applied by dragging and dropping from the Transitions Panel, while titles can be quickly added and customized through the Titles Panel and Inspector.

Audio Levels: Use the Inspector Panel to adjust audio levels or directly manipulate the audio waveform in the timeline. user can also add quick audio transitions like fade-ins/outs by dragging the audio edges.

Fairlight Page

The Fairlight Page in DaVinci Resolve is a powerful tool for professional audio editing. It allows to create polished, high-quality audio tracks within the same software.

• Multitrack Audio Editing
  Fairlight supports working with multiple audio layers, letting to add intro music, dialogue, sound effects, and more. It organizes everything easily in one workspace.

• Built-in Effects and Plugins
  Fairlight includes tools like compression, EQ (Equalization), and reverb for professional audio adjustments. User can also use external plugins like Izotope RX10, Ozone, and Steinberg VST for more advanced editing.

  

• Audio Synchronization
  Fairlight allows you to easily sync audio with video. You can import audio from other software like Adobe Audition or Audacity, making it great for users already familiar with those tools.

• Compression
  Use compression to keep the volume levels consistent across your project.

  

• Reverb and Sound Effects
  Add reverb to create a spacious sound, and use the Fairlight sound effects library to add background noises or special effects.

• Noise Reduction
  Remove background noise and distortion using tools like spectral recovery and de-essing.

• Spectral Recovery
  This tool helps you improve the quality of lower-quality recordings by recovering lost audio frequencies.

• Plugin Support
  Fairlight integrates well with popular plugins like Izotope RX and Ozone to clean up audio by removing noise and enhancing sound.

Once editing is done,user can export audio for different platforms or directly sync it with the Cut Page or Edit Page for final video rendering.

Deliver Page

The Deliver Page in DaVinci Resolve is the final stage of editing process where user prepare video for export. This page provides a range of options and settings to ensure final output meeting user needs, whether for online sharing, broadcast, or other purposes.

• Video Formats: Choose from various formats like MP4, MOV, QuickTime, etc.

• Set the resolution of your export to standard 1080p, 4K, or any custom dimensions based on your project's requirements.

• Use built-in presets optimized for platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media. These presets automatically configure settings to ensure the best quality and compatibility for each platform.

• Add multiple export jobs to the Render Queue. This feature is useful if you need different versions of your project (e.g., various formats or resolutions). DaVinci Resolve will handle the rendering sequentially.

Steps to Export Project

1. Choose Video Format and Codec:

   • Select the file format (e.g., MP4, MOV) suitable for your needs.

2. Set Resolution:

   • Define the resolution for export, such as 1080p, 4K, or custom dimensions.

3. Optimize for Platform:

   • Choose a preset designed for specific platforms (e.g., YouTube) to ensure the best quality and performance.

4. Add to Render Queue:

   • Once configured, add the export job to the Render Queue and click Start Render to begin exporting your project

• Custom Naming and File Path:
  • Customize the output file name and specify the destination folder for rendered video.

The Deliver Page in DaVinci Resolve offers tools for exporting final video. With options to select formats, resolutions, and platform-specific settings, it ensures that project is ready for distribution and viewing.