Fremont, CA—Blackmagic Design introduced DaVinci Resolve 18, a major cloud collaboration update that allows multiple editors, colorists, VFX artists and audio engineers to work simultaneously on the same project, on the same timeline, from anywhere.
“This is a major release that totally revolutionizes remote project collaboration using cloud-based workflows,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “With Blackmagic Cloud, customers can collaborate on the same timeline anywhere in the world.
“Imagine editing in Tokyo while a colorist is grading in LA on the same timeline, at exactly the same time! The new DaVinci proxy workflow makes working with proxy files or camera originals seamless, relinking in just one click.”
DaVinci Resolve 18 supports the Blackmagic Cloud for hosting and sharing projects. Consequently, users can host their project libraries on the DaVinci Resolve Project Server in the cloud.
It also supports a new DaVinci proxy workflow. The update also includes new Resolve FX AI tools powered by the DaVinci Neural engine, as well as time-saving tools for editors.
Update Highlights
The release features cloud-based workflows for a new way to collaborate remotely. Customers can host project libraries using Blackmagic Cloud and collaborate on the same timeline, in real time, with multiple users globally. Moreover, the new Blackmagic Proxy generator automatically creates proxies linked to camera originals, for a faster editing workflow.
In addition, the new Blackmagic Proxy Generator app automatically creates and manages proxies from camera originals. Create a watch folder and new media is automatically converted into H.264, H.265 or Apple ProRes proxies to accelerate editing. Plus, users can extract proxies into a separate folder for offline work.
They can also switch between camera original footage and proxies in a single click. With Blackmagic Proxy Generated proxies, DaVinci Resolve knows where in the file tree to find them, instantly linking to the camera originals in the media pool. Subsequently, users can edit with proxies then relink to camera originals to grade.
DaVinci Resolve 18 also adds intelligent media location management. When users are collaborating, they can quickly link media to their unique file paths. As a result, users don’t need to manually relink or search for assets when working remotely.
The collaboration update also provides major performance enhancements if customers are using a secure private network. They now get immediate updates of editorial and color changes when collaborating on a remotely hosted project library. Thus, creative decisions are made in real time based on the latest changes.
In addition, users can livestream their DaVinci Resolve Studio viewer and display on a remote computer monitor or a reference grading monitor, via DeckLink.
More New Tools
DaVinci Resolve 18 additionally offers new tools for colorists. Located in the magic mask palette, the new object mask recognizes and tracks the movement of thousands of unique objects. The DaVinci Neural engine intuitively isolates animals, vehicles, people and food, as well as countless other elements for advanced secondary grading and effects application. 
Furthermore, the new depth map effect lets customers instantly generate a 3D depth matte of a scene. This enables them to quickly grade the foreground separately from the background, and vice versa. They can also bring attention to action in the foreground; help interview subjects stand out; and add atmosphere in the background of a scene.
What’s more, with the surface tracker, users can apply graphics to surfaces that warp or change perspective in dramatic ways, like T-shirts, flags or the side of a face. Its customizable mesh follows the motion of a textured surface. Users can also add graphics, composite tattoos or cover up logos with this tracking tool.
In addition, the new ultra-beauty function gives users advanced control over a subject when performing corrective beauty work. Developed with professional colorists, the ultra-beauty tool helps to address general imperfections by smoothing skin and recovering detail to produce natural results.
Subtitles, Transitions, Multicam Viewer
Subtitle support was also expanded to include TTML and XML timed texts and embedded MXF/IMF subtitles. Users can view and import subtitles from media storage; create regions to support multiple simultaneous captions per track; and also set individual presets and text positions when indicating different speakers.
Furthermore, transitions in the effects library’s shape, iris and wipe categories now have a checkbox. As a result, customers can reverse the direction of the transition, providing them with more flexibility when using these types of transitions.
And a new 5×5 option in the multicam viewer now allows customers to view 25 different angles in a single multicam clip simultaneously. For large multicam projects, this makes viewing, cutting and switching between more angles easier, rather than moving between pages.
When performing coverup work or graphic design, GPU acceleration generates and displays paint brush strokes in real time, for a more intuitive approach. Instant visual feedback allows users to assess their work and make corrections in any stroke style or shape.
Additional Improvements
The speed and playback performance of text, text+ and shape templates were also improved in DaVinci Resolve 18. New memory management and data handling means that Fusion templates are up to 200% faster.
Moreover, FlexBus is Fairlight’s flexible audio busing and routing system for managing high track counts; extensive plug-in processing; synchronization; and multiple project d
eliverables. Now, users can convert legacy fixed bus Fairlight projects to FlexBus with a single click.
The Dolby Atmos deliverable toolset was also expanded to support rendering of a binaural output from a complex Dolby Atmos mix. A Dolby 7.1.4 mix now renders to playback in a pair of headphones while maintaining the immersive sound experience from just two audio channels.
Further, new options in the decompose menu enhance collaboration; they permit editors to compile their work to a single timeline. Nested timelines are decomposed with all track data, including FX and automation.
What’s more, DaVinci Resolve supports the latest industry standard audio formats natively. Among them are immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos, Auro 3D, MPEG-H, NHK 22.2 and SMPTE.
The DaVinci Resolve 18 public beta is available for download from the Blackmagic Design website.
