How to cut video in DaVinci Resolve

Editing video content is like sculpting. Each cut and trim shapes the story, turning raw footage into something compelling. DaVinci Resolve is the sculptor’s chisel of video editing, packed with precise tools.

This guide dives into how to cut video in DaVinci Resolve, making your edits go from rough to polished with ease.

The Blade Edit Mode in DaVinci Resolve offers even more precision. It lets you select the exact frame for your cut, ensuring that each edit is as accurate as possible. This tool is perfect for fine-tuning, making sure every cut contributes to your vision.

Getting started with DaVinci Resolve

Learning how to cut in a video with DaVinci Resolve for the first time? Think of the Edit tab as your workbench. This is where your video clips lay, waiting to be shaped into your final masterpiece.

It’s crucial to keep this space organized. Having a clean workspace right from the start can make your editing process smoother. It’s a solid foundation for the creative journey ahead.

Learning how to cut in DaVinci Resolve is key to achieve such an organized workflow. It allows you to trim down lengthy footage, remove unwanted scenes, or rearrange your flow.

Basic cutting techniques

Using the Cut tool for basic edits

1. Open DaVinci Resolve. Launch DaVinci Resolve and open your project.
2. Select your clip. On the timeline, select the clip you want to edit.
3. Activate the Cut tool. You can activate the video Cut tool by clicking on the razor icon in the toolbar above the timeline. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command B (Mac) or Ctrl B (Windows).
4. Make your cut. Move your cursor to the point on the clip where you want to make the cut. A simple click will slice the clip into two parts. You can then select and delete any unwanted sections or move them around.

Precision editing with Blade Edit Mode

1. Switch to Blade Edit Mode. Press the B key on your keyboard or select the blade icon from the toolbar.
2. Choose the exact frame. Scrub through your clip in the timeline to find the exact frame where you want to make the cut.
3. Cut at the frame: Once you’ve found the perfect frame, click to make the cut. Blade Edit Mode allows for frame-by-frame precision so your cuts are right where you want them.

Tips for effective cutting

• Zoom in for precision. Use the zoom controls to get a closer view of your timeline. This will help you make more accurate cuts, especially when using Blade Edit Mode.
• Use snapping. The snapping feature makes it easier to align your cuts with other clips or timeline markers.
• Review your edits. Always play back your edits to ensure the cuts are smooth and achieve the desired effect.

Advanced cutting techniques in DaVinci Resolve

Split clips in DaVinci Resolve for flexibility

1. Position the playhead. Navigate through your timeline. Position the playhead where you want to split your clip.
2. Split the clip. Press Command B (Mac) or Ctrl B (Windows) to split the clip at the playhead’s location. You can now rearrange or edit the two separate parts independently.

Trimming clips for precision

1. Enter Trim Mode. To start trimming your clips, press T on your keyboard. This switches to Trim Mode, giving you detailed control over the start and end points of your clips.
2. Adjust start and end points. Click and drag the edges of your clip to adjust its duration. This deletes excess footage from the beginnings or ends of your clips without altering their position on the timeline.
3. Use custom keybinds. For editors looking to expedite their trimming process, DaVinci Resolve keybinds. These allow you to create custom keyboard shortcuts. Set up keybinds for your most-used trimming actions to speed up your editing workflow.

Cropping videos to enhance focus

1. Select your clip. Click on the clip you wish to crop in the timeline.
2. Open the Inspector window. With your clip selected, navigate to the Inspector window. This is typically found in the upper right corner of the interface.
3. Adjust crop parameters. In the Inspector window, locate the Crop section. Here, you can adjust the top, bottom, left, and right crop parameters.

Crafting visually compelling stories

The techniques of splitting, trimming, and cropping are foundational yet powerful tools in your DaVinci Resolve editing arsenal. By employing these methods, you can craft videos that not only capture but also hold your audience’s attention through precise storytelling and focused imagery.

As you become more comfortable with these advanced cutting methods, you’ll discover the vast creative possibilities they unlock.

Tips and tricks for efficient video cutting

Boosting your video cutting efficiency in DaVinci Resolve is all about getting to know the keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts are like secret codes that make your work faster, letting you do more in less time. For example, learning how to cut in DaVinci Resolve using just a simple key press can transform your editing workflow.

A bit of practice goes a long way. Start slow, get to know the shortcuts for how to cut a clip in DaVinci Resolve. Soon, you’ll be able to cut and edit videos with ease.

With patience and practice, you’ll find yourself avoiding those common pitfalls effortlessly.

Linking to Scene Cut Detection

The Scene Cut Detection tool in DaVinci Resolve is a game-changer. Especially when you need to split clips in DaVinci Resolve into short individual scenes. This feature uses advanced algorithms to analyze your footage and identify where cuts occur.

Here’s how to cut clips in DaVinci Resolve using this video cut tool:

1. Open DaVinci Resolve. Open a project where you want to use the Scene Cut Detection tool.
2. Import your footage. Import the clip you want to analyze into your project’s media pool.
3. Access Scene Cut Detection. Navigate to the Media page. Locate the clip you intend to analyze, right-click on it, and select “Scene Cut Detection”. This opens the Scene Cut Detection window, where DaVinci Resolve identifies and marks the transition points between scenes.
4. Analyze your clip. Click the “Analyze” button. DaVinci Resolve will now scan through your clip, identifying potential cuts. This process may take some time, depending on the length and complexity of your footage.
5. Review and adjust cuts. After the analysis is complete, you’ll see a timeline with markers indicating where DaVinci Resolve has detected scene cuts. You can review these and make adjustments. You can adjust any missed or incorrectly marked cut by adding or removing markers.
6. Add cuts to timeline. Once you’re satisfied, click the “Add Cuts to Media Pool” button. DaVinci Resolve will split your clip into individual scenes based on the markers and add them to your media pool.
7. Begin editing. Once you split the clips in DaVinci Resolve, you can start the creative process.

Using the Scene Cut Detection tool can significantly speed up the initial phase of your editing workflow. It allows you to jump straight into the creative aspects of editing without spending hours manually splitting your clips.

Take your editing game to the next level