User Manual

Conforming EDL Files
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 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.
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.
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 Edit
FCM: NON-DROP FRAME
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.
This description covers the different ways that EDLs can be used in DaVinci Resolve.
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