Table of Contents
Davinci Resolve history
The first iteration came from da Vinci Systems development in 2003. They offered three different configurations :
- the Resolve DI digital intermediate color correction tool,
- the Resolve FX visual effects tool
- the Resolve RT 2K resolution processing tool.
The price range varied from $200k – $800k. The Australian company black magic design bought da Vinci systems. Grant Petty, BMD CEO, announced the price would drop under $100K.
In June 2011, they announced the free limited functionality version “lite version”.
The moral of the story, the software was based on decades of color-processing knowledge from the analog era. To be able to run such a behemoth of software on a portable laptop computer today is truly amazing.
Davinci Resolve is the Industry standard
All editing software, from Avid to Final Cut Pro, has had grading capabilities. Adobe Premiere Pro initially introduced a dedicated application called “SpeedGrade,” which ran for two years until its discontinuation in 2017. Its functionalities were transferred to the Lumetri tool, accessible within Premiere and After Effects.
Filmlight’s Baselight was a strong competitor, initially priced at $95,000 in 2010. However, the latest V5 version is available for $995. The high initial cost posed a significant barrier for new users interested in trying the software.
As prosumer cameras developed flat color profiles and the LOG format, users sought ways to grade their footage for a cinematic appearance. While LUTs could provide decent results, they lacked customizable controls.
Davinci Resolve stands as the only color grading tool in the market that consistently delivers professional results.
Color management
This term hasn’t crossed my path much outside the realm of printed media. To get accurate colors in graphics software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, a grasp of color processing basics and profiles is crucial. Color management, as per Wikipedia, involves the controlled conversion between different devices’ color representations, spanning scanners, digital cameras, monitors, printers, and various media.
In simpler terms, DaVinci’s color management involves mapping camera color data across the entire spectrum for optimal outcomes. Examples like ACES and DaVinci Wide Gamut illustrate distinct color spaces. While LUTs can shift color spaces, they lack customizable controls over the final output.
Effective color management yields consistent, high-quality results even when using inexpensive cameras and compressed codecs.
The Quality of the tools and filters
Lens Blur, Haze, Film Grain, and Noise Reduction are frequently found tools shared among various applications, yet DaVinci’s rendition stands apart in its uniqueness. Its distinctive capability lies in the precision of fine-tuning, allowing for the reproduction of consistently clean and lifelike outputs each time it’s employed. DaVinci’s implementation elevates these features to a level that transcends conventional usage, delivering unparalleled control and refinement, thereby ensuring an exceptional output quality unmatched by its counterparts in other software suites.
Next time you edit, try to apply the same effect in Davinci and Premiere for instance, and see for yourself.
Software Compatibility
DaVinci Resolve excels in its non-proprietary nature, enabling seamless transitions both into and out of the software. It boasts comprehensive support for prevalent file formats, accommodating the needs of various workflows effortlessly. From XML for editing to OMF for sound, and including EDL and AAF, the software covers a wide spectrum of file format compatibilities, ensuring fluidity and ease in integrating with different tools and platforms.
Node-based system
The initial intimidation that keeps people from delving into Davinci Resolve’s Color and Fusion pages often stems from the shift from a layer-based system to working with node trees, which can appear daunting at first glance. However, the true appreciation for this setup emerges once you immerse yourself in its functionality. As you become accustomed to linking nodes and experimenting with various node types, you realize it offers a superior and more seamless workflow compared to the traditional layer-based approach.
The node-based system in DaVinci Resolve offers several advantages:
Flexibility and Non-Destructive Editing: Nodes allow for non-linear workflows, enabling users to make changes without altering the original footage. Each adjustment or effect exists within its node, providing immense flexibility in rearranging, tweaking, or removing elements without affecting the rest of the project.
Visual Understanding and Control: The visual representation of nodes in a tree-like structure provides a clear and intuitive way to understand the flow of effects and corrections applied to the footage. This visual layout allows for precise control and adjustment of individual elements, enhancing the overall quality of the final output.
Efficiency and Reusability: Nodes can be easily duplicated, saved as presets, or reused in different parts of the project or across multiple projects. This reusability streamlines workflows, saves time, and ensures consistency in applying specific looks or effects.
Complexity Handling: For intricate grading or effects work, the node-based system excels in managing complexity. Users can create complex chains of nodes, managing various adjustments, effects, and corrections in a structured manner, making it easier to handle intricate editing tasks.
Interoperability and Collaboration: Nodes allow for better collaboration as they facilitate sharing specific portions of the node tree. This enables collaborators or team members to work on designated sections independently, enhancing overall project efficiency.
Experimentation and Creativity: The node-based system encourages experimentation and creativity by allowing users to try different combinations of effects and adjustments in a non-destructive manner. This freedom fosters innovative approaches to achieve unique looks or effects.
Overall, the node-based workflow in DaVinci Resolve offers a powerful, versatile, and visually intuitive method for color grading, compositing, and visual effects, empowering users to achieve high-quality results with efficiency and creativity.
Developer Scripting Language / DCTL
DCTL stands for DaVinci Color Transform Language. It’s a scripting language used within DaVinci Resolve primarily for creating custom color transformations and effects.
DCTL allows users to write scripts or plugins that can manipulate colors and perform various transformations within Resolve’s color grading pipeline. It offers more advanced and customized color grading capabilities beyond what’s available through the standard tools in Resolve.
This language is particularly useful for creating complex and unique color grading effects or transformations that may not be achievable through the software’s built-in features. DCTL scripts can be shared and used by other Resolve users, enhancing the software’s flexibility and extending its capabilities in color grading workflows.
Low Point of Entry / Free
The availability of comprehensive documentation and a wealth of free tutorials, accompanied by accessible project files, stands as a testament to the excellent support offered. DaVinci Resolve’s free version boasts a remarkable array of tools and features, enabling users to achieve exceptional results due to its robust capabilities. The depth and breadth of its functionalities empower creators with a versatile toolkit, fostering the production of high-quality outputs without the necessity of a premium subscription.
Conclusion
DaVinci Resolve stands tall as more than just a color grading tool; it represents a transformative force in the industry, democratizing high-quality editing and grading. Its evolution from a high-cost system to a freely accessible software embodies innovation, accessibility, and a commitment to empowering creators worldwide, cementing its place as an indispensable asset in the realm of visual storytelling.