Beginner Guides

New to DaVinci Resolve? Start here. These beginner guides cover your first project, the page-based workflow, basic editing and color, and how to export — one step at a time.

16 guides, updated for Resolve 21

What this library covers

Choose the task, then open one focused guide

Choose by the result you need, not by the name of a Resolve page or tool. Each card takes one job from the first setting to a result you can check.

Start with the resultPick the card that matches what you need to finish, fix or understand.

Use one guide at a timeEach article owns one task, so you do not have to decode a giant index.

Move to the next real stepRelated tasks stay visible without repeating every link on the page.

Choose the task

Guides in this library

One card opens one focused guide. Covers stay visible, and the same article is not repeated in a second link list.

DaVinci Resolve timeline split with Blade tool and playhead shortcut

8 min read How to Split a Video in DaVinci Resolve Use the Blade tool when you want to click one specific clip. Use Split Clips at the playhead when you want every intersecting clip on Auto Select-enabled tracks cut at once. Keep linked selection on for normal audio/video edits, and protect other tracks with Auto Select or track locks.

DaVinci Resolve free version features, what is included without Studio

10 min read DaVinci Resolve Free Version Features: What You Lose Without Studio DaVinci Resolve 21 Free includes Cut, Edit, Color, Fusion, Fairlight, the Photo page, HDR grading and collaboration. It outputs up to Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps. Studio adds Neural Engine tools, video noise reduction, Resolve FX, multiple-GPU support, more formats and advanced delivery.

DaVinci Resolve tutorial for beginners, a first edit from import to export

10 min read DaVinci Resolve Tutorial for Beginners For a first Resolve 21 project, use the free version unless you already need a Studio-only feature. Set frame rate before importing, build a short edit on the Edit page, add one title, balance audio, make a restrained color pass, then export and play the file from beginning to end.

DaVinci Resolve system requirements workstation with graphics card RAM and NVMe storage

9 min read DaVinci Resolve System Requirements (2026) Blackmagic's Resolve 21.0.4 readme requires Apple Silicon and macOS 15 Sequoia or later. Windows and Linux needs are mostly unchanged: GPU VRAM sets effects and 4K headroom, while RAM and storage shape overall smoothness.