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Disconnecting from a Network Project Library ������������������������������������������������������������������ 4137 Backing up a Network Project Library ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4137 Restoring a Network Project Library��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4137 Duplicating a Network Project Library ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4138 Optimizing a Project Library������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4138 Sharing a Key to a Network Project Library�������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4139 Using the DaVinci Resolve Project Server Application ������������������������������������������������� 4139 Installing the DaVinci Resolve Project Server ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 4139 The DaVinci Resolve Project Server Interface���������������������������������������������������������������������� 4140 Creating New Network Project Libraries ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4142 Backing Up and Restoring Project Libraries������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4142 Upgrading Project Libraries�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4142 Viewing Project Library Contents ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4143 Optimizing Project Libraries ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4143 Member Management in the DaVinci Resolve Project Server ��������������������������������������� 4144 Sharing Network Project Libraries via the Project Server������������������������������������������ 4146 Cloud Project Libraries���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4147


What is a Project Library?

A Project Library (formerly project database), is a database file storing one or more DaVinci Resolve projects. When you create or load a project from the Project Manager, or save a current project, you read from or write to a project library. A project library contains multiple projects, and each project contains all the timelines, grades, clip metadata, visual effects, audio mixing, etc. for your film. A project library does not store the original media itself, only the instructions on how to use that media to create a finished film. DaVinci Resolve can access multiple project libraries, but can only connect to one project library at a time.


Using Project Libraries

Setting up a structure for storing projects and project libraries is an important part of creating streamlined and efficient workflows. For example, creating a separate project library for each TV series, commercial, or film a post house is working on helps compartmentalize your clients, and improves performance by only loading up what you need for a specific project.

There are three ways DaVinci Resolve uses to access project libraries, and the choice of which to use is largely determined by the amount of people working on the same project, and where they are in the world. Each option is described in detail below.

Local Project Libraries: (the default option) Best used for productions using a single workstation to complete the entire film. Multiple people may work on the same project, but they work one

at a time on the same machine. Your project libraries are stored locally on the computer where DaVinci Resolve is installed, and all media drives in the project are connected locally.

Network Project Libraries: Best used for post houses or productions that have multiple DaVinci Resolve workstations in the same building, and want to be able to work on the same

project from each room, or collaboratively at the same time. Your project libraries are stored on a separate computer, running the DaVinci Resolve Project Server application. All workstations must be connected to this computer on the same local area network (LAN), and either connected to the same media drives via a NAS or MAM system, or each having a locally connected copy (or proxies) of the media available.

Cloud Project Libraries: Best used for post houses, companies or productions that have multiple DaVinci Resolve workstations in different places around the world, and want to be able to work on the same project from each location individually, or collaboratively at the same time. Your project libraries are stored in the Blackmagic cloud service. All workstations must be connected to the internet, and each system must have a locally connected copy (or proxies) of the media available.


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The three types of Project Libraries: local, network, and cloud


Navigating the and using the Project Libraries sidebar is common to all the above types of project libraries.

Project Library: Each accessible project library is listed by name, and clicking on it will connect that library and its contained projects to DaVinci Resolve. You can choose from many libraries, but only one library can be active at a time.

Sort Libraries: Selects the sort order of how the project libraries appear, options are Name, Schema (date), Status, and Location. They can be sorted in both Ascending and Descending order.

Restore: Allows you to load a project library that you previously backed up.

Search: Allows you to search for a specific project library by text, and you can limit the search by Name, Schema, Status, and Location.


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Project Libraries sidebar controls (L-R): Sort, Restore, Search