Blackmagic Design has announced the official release of Davinci Resolve 18. The program has been out as a public beta since April, but this week, Blackmagic officially released the full version of Davinci Resolve 18. The new version of Davinci Resolve adds features for collaboration and cloud-based workflows. It also adds a new proxy workflow.
Let’s run through everything that’s in the full release of Davinci Resolve 18.
Blackmagic Cloud
DaVinci Resolve 18 supports Blackmagic Cloud, so you can host your project libraries on the DaVinci Resolve Project Server in the cloud. This means you can work collaboratively with editors, colorists, VFX artists and audio engineers on the same project simultaneously, anywhere in the world. DaVinci Resolve 18 also adds intelligent media location management so anyone collaborating on a project can quickly link media to their unique file paths.
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Proxy generator
The release of Davinci Resolve 18 introduces the new Blackmagic Proxy Generator App. This app automatically creates and manages proxies from your camera originals. The Proxy Generator App converts your camera footage into H.264, H.265 or Apple ProRes proxies to make your editing run more smoothly. You can also switch between your camera footage and proxy files with a single click.
Gyro stabilization
One major new feature for owners of Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras is the ability to use camera gyro metadata to stabilize your videos. The Pocket series of cameras had the recording of gyro data switched on in the latest camera firmware update. As DaVinci Resolve 18 uses camera position data to stabilize the footage, it doesn’t suffer from the warping artifacts that software stabilization can cause.
New FX
DaVinci Resolve 18 adds a new object mask to the Magic Mask palette. The object mask can recognize and track the movement of objects. There’s also a new Depth Map effect that can instantly generate a 3D depth matte of a scene so you can grade the foreground separately from the background. In addition, with the new Surface Tracker, you can apply graphics to surfaces that warp, such as t-shirts, flags or even the side of a face. The Ultra Beauty gives you advanced control over your subject when performing corrective beauty work.
Other features
DaVinci Resolve 18 has improved subtitle support for TTML and XML timed texts and embedded MXF/IMF subtitles. Transitions also now have a checkbox so you can easily reverse their direction. With the new 5×5 option in the multicam viewer, you can view up to 25 different angles in a single multicam clip simultaneously. In addition, GPU acceleration allows paint brush strokes to be generated and displayed in real time.
Verdict
DaVinci Resolve 18 is a significant new update to the software with many more new features in addition to those covered here. As an editor, it’s now a match for programs such as Premiere Pro. However, Resolve’s color grading options are much more powerful. If you are new to the program, then the free version of DaVinci Resolve 18 includes the majority of features and allows you to test drive it without commitment. If you already own the software, then the new features make the upgrade worthwhile, especially if you shoot with a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.
Availability
The upgrade to the fully featured DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 is available now and is free for existing users. For new users, you can buy the application for $295. However, it is also included free with the purchase of many of Blackmagic Design’s cameras.