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DaVinci Resolve supports the CMX 3600 format for EDL import and export. The universality of EDLs is due, in part, to their longevity; different EDL formats have been in use for decades. It’s also due to their simplicity. At least as used by DaVinci Resolve, EDLs describe a very narrow range of editorial information, including clip arrangement, clip name (via embedded comments), video transitions (cuts or dissolves), and linear speed settings (percentage of fast forward or slow motion).
Another limitation is that EDLs only support a sequence of shots on a single video track. If you need to move projects with multiple tracks of audio and video, then you can export each track as a separate EDL from the originating application, and then right-click the timeline you want to import them into
NOTE: While the EDL format supports a variety of SMPTE-defined video transition codes, all EDL transitions are turned into cross dissolves of identical duration in DaVinci Resolve.
NOTE: While the EDL format supports a variety of SMPTE-defined video transition codes, all EDL transitions are turned into cross dissolves of identical duration in DaVinci Resolve.
NOTE: While the EDL format supports a variety of SMPTE-defined video transition codes, all EDL transitions are turned into cross dissolves of identical duration in DaVinci Resolve.
in the Media Pool and use the Timelines > Import > EDL to New Track contextual menu command to import each separate EDL to a new track of a single timeline in DaVinci Resolve. This is described later in this chapter.
If you’re not familiar with the EDL format, each edit appears as a numbered event that contains the reel number, edit type, source timecode (In and Out points), and record timecode (In and Out points). Here’s a sample of a simple four event EDL:
TITLE: Pool Shark FCM: NON-DROP FRAME | Edit | ||||
001 REEL_ONE AA/V | C | 10:59:23:01 | 10:59:28:16 | 01:00:00:00 | 01:00:05:15 |
002 REEL_ONE AA/V | C | 11:39:48:15 | 11:39:51:13 | 01:00:05:15 | 01:00:08:13 |
003 REEL_ONE AA/V | C | 13:16:30:21 | 13:16:34:19 | 01:00:08:13 | 01:00:12:11 |
004 REEL_ONE AA/V | C | 14:09:43:16 | 14:09:44:20 | 01:00:12:11 | 01:00:13:15 |
Since DaVinci Resolve was originally designed to work by importing and exporting EDLs, there are several methods you can use to import projects using EDLs. In all cases, you must first add the media referenced by that EDL to the Media Pool before you can import its EDL.
The three primary workflows are:
— Conforming EDLs to individual media files: Importing an EDL that references a collection of discrete media files that have already been imported into DaVinci Resolve.
— Preconforming, or “notching,” a “flattened” master media file using an EDL: Importing an EDL that references a “flattened” master media file. Flattened master media files are created when an entire sequence is exported from an NLE as a single self-contained media file.
— Importing an EDL directly to a new track of an existing edit: If you’re importing a multi-track video project, and the only means of doing so is using EDLs, you can export each track of the source project as an individual EDL, and then import each EDL into DaVinci Resolve directly into additional tracks of the same Timeline. This is also useful for workflows where effects clips are being managed on a separate track assembled elsewhere, that you can then import directly into a graded timeline to place many new effects clips all at once.