Unlock the Secrets of Automating DaVinci Resolve with Python - Free Version Edition

DaVinci Resolve is one of the most widely used video editing software in the world. Its free version is already very powerful, but often lacks advanced features found in the paid version. However, using Python, it is possible to automate some editing operations even in the free version.

Unfortunately, the official DaVinci Resolve documentation is not very clear on how to use Python. In addition, much of the information available online only applies to the paid version. In this article, we will show you a way to use Python in the free version of DaVinci Resolve.

Secret 1: Putting the Python script in the right folder

The free version does not allow standalone python scripts to interact with DaVinci Resolve as shown in many tutorials. Even the built in python console did not work well for me. The way I found to use Python in DaVinci Resolve is to put a Python file in the ~/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Fusion/Scripts/Edit folder. This will cause the file to appear in the "Workspace/Scripts" menu in DaVinci Resolve. To run the file, simply click on it in the "Scripts" menu. It is also possible to assign a shortcut for running the file, although sometimes this option doesn't work.

Secret 2: The global variables

When the script is run from the DaVinci Resolve menu, three variables will be available in your script: resolve, fusion and bmd. This is the basis for interacting with the DaVinci Resolve program and it is possible to access many DaVinci Resolve functions and automate some editing operations.

Secret 3: Documentation and sample files

The /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting folder contains a documentation file with the main functions and some sample files. More sample files can be found in the Scripts folder where close to where you put your script in secret 1. This documentation file is essential for using Python in DaVinci Resolve. The sample files are useful for understanding how to use the functions.

A basic script could be something like this

    projectManager = resolve.GetProjectManager()
    project = projectManager.GetCurrentProject()
    timeline = project.GetCurrentTimeline()
    videoitem = timeline.GetCurrentVideoItem()
    ... do something with timeline or video item

In conclusion, we have revealed the three secrets to automating DaVinci Resolve using Python in the free version.
While the official documentation for Python in DaVinci Resolve may be lacking, with these three secrets, you can now begin automating editing operations and streamlining your workflow in the free version of this powerful video editing software.