Davinci Resolve 12: How to Download, Install, and Use the Powerful Video Editing Software on Mac
Davinci Resolve 12 Free Download Mac: A Complete Guide
If you are looking for a professional-level video editing software that is free, powerful, and easy to use, you should consider Davinci Resolve 12. This software is used by Hollywood filmmakers, TV show producers, and YouTube creators for editing, color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects. In this article, we will show you how to download and install Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac, and how to use it for your video projects.
Davinci Resolve 12 Free Download Mac
What is Davinci Resolve 12 and why you should use it
Davinci Resolve 12 is a video editing software developed by Blackmagic Design, a company that specializes in digital cinema products and post-production tools. It was originally designed as a color grading software, but over the years it has evolved into a full-fledged video editing software that can handle all aspects of video production.
Davinci Resolve 12 features and reviews
Some of the features that make Davinci Resolve 12 stand out from other video editing software are:
It has a clear, well-designed interface that allows you to switch between different modes: media, edit, color, fusion (for motion graphics and visual effects), and fairlight (for audio editing).
It has a powerful editing toolset that includes standard editing and cutting, effects, motion graphics, color correction, and audio editing. You can also use advanced features such as multicam editing, proxy workflow, keyframing, audio effects, and color grading.
It has a fast render performance that can handle multiple formats and resolutions in real time. You can also export your videos to various formats such as H.264, H.265, ProRes, DNxHD, etc.
It has a free version that offers most of the features you need for video editing. The paid version ($295) adds some extra features such as real-time noise reduction, 4K output, and motion blur capabilities.
Davinci Resolve 12 has received positive reviews from many users and experts who praise its functionality, versatility, and affordability. For example, Videomaker gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and said:
"Not only is this Hollywoods go to program of choice for color correction, but its also free."
PCMag also gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and said:
"A massively powerful professional video production application."
Davinci Resolve 12 system requirements for Mac
Before you download and install Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac, you need to make sure your Mac meets the minimum system requirements. According to the Mac App Store, these are:
Operating System: OS X 10.15 or later
Memory (RAM): 8 GB of system memory (16 GB when using Fusion)
Graphics: Current model Mac with Apple silicon (or a discrete GPU in the MacPro with at least 4 GB of graphics memory recommended)
Storage: A fast SSD or hard disk for video
Display: At least a 1440 x 900 resolution display
How to download and install Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac
Download Davinci Resolve 12 from the official website or the Mac App Store
There are two ways There are two ways to download Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac. You can either download it from the official website or from the Mac App Store. Both options are free and will give you the same software. The only difference is that the Mac App Store version is more convenient to install and update, while the official website version gives you more control over the installation process and allows you to download additional content such as sample projects and tutorials.
Install Davinci Resolve 12 on your Mac
Once you have downloaded Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac, you can install it by following these steps:
If you downloaded it from the official website, double-click on the .dmg file to open it. Then drag and drop the Davinci Resolve icon to the Applications folder. If you downloaded it from the Mac App Store, simply click on the Install button and wait for it to finish.
Launch Davinci Resolve 12 from your Applications folder or Launchpad. You will see a welcome screen that asks you to register your software. You can either enter your name and email address or skip this step by clicking on Register Later.
You will then see a screen that asks you to choose between the free version and the paid version. If you want to use the free version, click on Activate Free Version. If you want to use the paid version, click on Activate License Key and enter your license key.
You will then see a screen that asks you to select your project settings. You can either use the default settings or customize them according to your preferences. You can also change these settings later by going to File > Project Settings.
You are now ready to use Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac. You will see a main window that has five tabs: Media, Edit, Color, Fusion, and Fairlight. Each tab corresponds to a different mode of video editing.
How to use Davinci Resolve 12 for video editing
Davinci Resolve 12 interface and workflow
The interface of Davinci Resolve 12 is divided into four main sections: the media pool, the timeline, the viewer, and the inspector. The media pool is where you import, organize, and manage your media files such as video clips, audio tracks, images, etc. The timeline is where you arrange, edit, and trim your media files in a linear sequence. The viewer is where you preview and playback your media files and see the effects of your edits. The inspector is where you adjust the properties and parameters of your media files such as position, scale, rotation, color, audio levels, etc.
The workflow of Davinci Resolve 12 is based on switching between different modes according to your editing needs. Each mode has its own tools and features that are specific to that mode. The modes are:
Media: This mode is where you import, organize, and manage your media files. You can use the media storage panel to browse your computer or external drives for media files. You can also use the media page toolbar to perform actions such as adding bins, folders, smart bins, metadata, etc. You can drag and drop your media files from the media storage panel to the media pool panel to import them into your project.
Edit: This mode is where you arrange, edit, and trim your media files in the timeline. You can use the edit page toolbar to perform actions such as adding tracks, markers, transitions, effects, titles, etc. You can also use the edit tools panel to select different tools for editing such as selection tool, blade tool, slip tool, slide tool, etc. You can drag and drop your media files from the media pool panel to the timeline panel to add them to your sequence.
Color: This mode is where you perform color correction and grading on your media files. You can use the color page toolbar to perform actions such as adding nodes, curves, qualifiers, windows, etc. You can also use the color wheels panel to adjust the color balance of your media files using primary wheels (lift/gamma/gain) or secondary wheels (offset/contrast/pivot). You can also use the scopes panel to monitor the color information of your media files using waveform, vector scope, histogram, etc. You can also use the gallery panel to save and apply color presets to your media files.
Fusion: This mode is where you create and edit motion graphics and visual effects for your media files. You can use the fusion page toolbar to perform actions such as adding tools, modifiers, masks, etc. You can also use the node graph panel to build and connect different tools for creating complex effects. You can also use the spline panel to adjust the keyframes and animation curves of your tools. You can also use the viewer panel to preview and playback your effects.
Fairlight: This mode is where you edit and mix the audio of your media files. You can use the fairlight page toolbar to perform actions such as adding tracks, buses, effects, automation, etc. You can also use the mixer panel to adjust the volume, pan, EQ, dynamics, etc. of your audio tracks and buses. You can also use the meters panel to monitor the audio levels and peaks of your audio tracks and buses. You can also use the index panel to navigate and edit your audio clips.
You can switch between different modes by clicking on the tabs at the bottom of the main window. You can also customize your interface by resizing, rearranging, or hiding different panels according to your preferences.
Davinci Resolve 12 tips and tricks for beginners
If you are new to Davinci Resolve 12, here are some tips and tricks that can help you get started with video editing:
Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your editing process. You can find a list of keyboard shortcuts by going to Davinci Resolve > Keyboard Customization or by pressing Command + Alt + K.
Use smart bins to automatically organize your media files based on criteria such as file type, resolution, frame rate, metadata, etc. You can create smart bins by going to File > New Smart Bin or by clicking on the smart bin icon in the media page toolbar.
Use markers to add notes, comments, or reminders to your media files or timeline clips. You can add markers by pressing M on your keyboard or by clicking on the marker icon in the edit page toolbar.
Use transitions to add smooth changes between your clips. You can add transitions by dragging and dropping them from the effects library panel to the timeline or by using keyboard shortcuts such as Command + T for cross dissolve or Command + Shift + T for dip to color.
Use effects to add filters, adjustments, or enhancements to your clips. You can add effects by dragging and dropping them from the effects library panel to the timeline or the inspector or by using keyboard shortcuts such as Command + Y for blur or Command + Shift + Y for sharpen.
Use titles to add text or graphics to your videos. You can add titles by dragging and dropping them from the effects library panel to the timeline or by using keyboard shortcuts such as Command + X for text or Command + Shift + X for text plus.
Use fusion clips to create and edit motion graphics and visual effects for your clips. You can create fusion clips by selecting one or more clips in the timeline and then right-clicking and choosing New Fusion Clip or by pressing Option + F.
Use compound clips to group multiple clips into one clip that can be edited as a single unit. You can create compound clips by selecting one or more clips in the timeline and then right-clicking and choosing New Compound Clip or by pressing Option + G.
Use multicam clips to edit multiple camera angles of the same scene as a single clip. You can create multicam clips by selecting one or more clips in the media pool and then right-clicking and choosing Create New Multicam Clip Using Selected Clips or by pressing Option + M.
Use proxy workflow to edit high-resolution footage smoothly on a low-performance computer. You can enable proxy workflow by going to Playback > Use Optimized Media If Available or by pressing Control + P.
Conclusion
Davinci Resolve 12 is a powerful video editing software that can help you create professional-quality videos for free. It has a user-friendly interface that allows you to switch between different modes of video editing: media, edit, color, fusion, and fairlight. It has a comprehensive editing toolset that includes standard editing and cutting, effects, motion graphics, color correction, audio editing, and more. It has a fast render performance that can handle multiple formats and resolutions in real time. It has a free version that offers most of the features you need for video editing, and a paid version that adds some extra features such as noise reduction, 4K output, and motion blur capabilities.
If you want to download and install Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac, you can either download it from the official website or from the Mac App Store. Both options are free and will give you the same software. The only difference is that the Mac App Store version is more convenient to install and update, while the official website version gives you more control over the installation process and allows you to download additional content such as sample projects and tutorials.
If you want to use Davinci Resolve 12 for video editing, you can follow the interface and workflow of the software, which is based on switching between different modes according to your editing needs. Each mode has its own tools and features that are specific to that mode. You can also use some tips and tricks that can help you get started with video editing, such as using keyboard shortcuts, smart bins, markers, transitions, effects, titles, fusion clips, compound clips, multicam clips, and proxy workflow.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to download and install Davinci Resolve 12 for Mac, and how to use it for your video projects. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy editing!
FAQs
Is Davinci Resolve 12 compatible with Mac OS Big Sur?
Yes, Davinci Resolve 12 is compatible with Mac OS Big Sur. However, some users have reported some issues such as crashing, freezing, or slow performance. If you encounter any of these problems, you can try updating your software to the latest version, updating your drivers, or contacting the support team.
How do I update Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac?
If you downloaded Davinci Resolve 12 from the official website, you can update it by downloading the latest version from the website and installing it over your existing version. If you downloaded Davinci Resolve 12 from the Mac App Store, you can update it by going to the App Store and clicking on the Updates tab.
How do I uninstall Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac?
If you want to uninstall Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac, you can follow these steps:
Quit Davinci Resolve 12 if it is running.
Go to your Applications folder and drag and drop the Davinci Resolve icon to the Trash.
Go to your Library folder and delete any files or folders related to Davinci Resolve. You can find them in these locations: Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve; Library/Preferences/com.blackmagic-design.DaVinciResolve.plist; Library/Caches/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve.
Empty your Trash.
How do I get more effects and transitions for Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac?
If you want to get more effects and transitions for Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac, you can either download them from third-party websites or create them yourself using Fusion mode. Some of the websites that offer free or paid effects and transitions for Davinci Resolve are:
[Resolve Transitions]: A website that offers over 1000 transitions for Davinci Resolve in various categories such as zoom, spin, glitch, etc.
[Film Crux]: A website that offers free effects and transitions for Davinci Resolve such as light leaks, lens flares, film grains, etc.
[Motion Array]: A website that offers paid effects and transitions for Davinci Resolve such as titles, lower thirds, logo reveals, etc.
How do I export my video from Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac?
If you want to export your video from Davinci Resolve 12 on Mac, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Deliver mode by clicking on the Deliver tab at the bottom of the main window.
Select a preset from the Render Settings panel or customize your own settings according to your preferences. You can choose the format, codec, resolution, frame rate, quality, etc. of your video.
Select a location and a name for your video file in the File Name and Location panel.
Add your video to the render queue by clicking on Add to Render Queue button.
Start rendering your video by clicking on Start Render button.
dcd2dc6462