🎬 Editing In Resolve

Though Resolve has many features, editing is at the core of creating a message using video, so we’ll start here.

Editing, at its heart, means you have a lot of source material from which you need to pull small pieces and assemble into something that conveys a message. Many programs feature a two-window interface with a “source” preview on the left (your original ‘source’ material) and a “timeline” or “output” window on the right (the cut version). Basic editing is as simple as setting an “in” point, an “out” point, and then placing the section of material intelligently into the timeline/sequence. In this regard, Resolve is exactly the same, so if you come from another NLE you should be operational within minutes. Resolve does have some additional features, however, and the integration of sound, VFX, and color with the “edit” page make Resolve truly unique.

Click on the link below (it will open in Facebook and you’ll have to unmute it) for an excellent primer on the basics of video editing in Resolve, made by the creators of the software, Blackmagic Design.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=966182420436245

Keyboard Shortcuts

Use the interactive keyboard database below to learn my prioritized set of recommended keyboard shortcuts. “Priority” indicates how essential they are to know (1 being highest priority). The table will default to sort by 1st priority shortcuts, but feel free to use the search feature to find a specific shortcut or filter the table in any way you’d like. You can print the results (or save them to an eco-friendly PDF) as well.

βŒƒControl   ⇧Shift    βŒ₯Alt    ⌘Cmd   ⇕Scroll   MMB (Middle Mouse Button) *Fenn Custom Key
Type
Operation
Keys
Notes
Priority
EditingSet In and Out pointsI & O1
EditingJKL ShuttleJKLJ goes backwards; K stops; L goes forward. Press more times to increase speed.1
EditingMatch frame in timeline with source mediaF1
EditingCut and Ripple Clipβ‡§βŒ˜XAdding "Shift" ripples with cutting and pasting operations in Resolve.1
EditingInsertF9This inserts source media and shuffles the timeline for it to fit1
EditingOverwriteF10This overwrites the timeline with the source clip. You can enable 'preview marks' to see where 3-pt edit will fall in timeline. Cool thing is, you can drag the preview marks to change source I/O.1
EditingRipple Overwrite⇧F10Replace timeline clip w/ viewer clip of different length rippling timeline to accomodate1
EditingReplaceF11Replaces the timeline clip with the source clip2
EditingReplace⇧F11"Fit to Fill" (retime) inside I/O points or the clip beneath the playhead on the timeline2
EditingPlace on TopF12Places source clip atop highest video track2
EditingAppend at end⇧F12Places source clip at the end of the timeline's content2
InterfaceNew BinβŒ˜β‡§N1
InterfaceReveal Timeline Clip in BinβŒ₯ Double Click1
NavigationPan around viewer window and timelineMMB Click & Drag1
NavigationZoom to fit (viewer&timeline)⇧ZDon't forget this is a toggle to go in and out1
NavigationHorizontal Timeline Zoom⌘+ or ⌘ -1
NavigationJump to first/last frame; or 'Add ⇧ for keyframe navigation1
NavigationNavigates between clips (I and O) on selected tracks (after β€˜v’ too)↑↓1
NavigationDeleteDelBackspace delete won't ripple. Delete by "home" key will. Add Fn for ripple delete on laptop.1
TimelineShows curve editor⇧C3
TimelineShows keyframe editorβ‡§βŒ˜C3
TimelineNavigate keyframes[ or ]2
Interface*Duplicate ItemβŒ₯ D(CURRENT TIMELINE or MEDIA POOL CLIP). You can also alt+drag on Mac.1
NavigationMoves active area between source, program and timeline, etc.⌘1,2,3...2
NavigationSwitch between source and timeline viewerQ2
TimelineDestination TrackβŒ₯ Track#Add ⌘ for audio track selection. It's also a toggle turning on/off if you press same number twice. Add ⇧ to toggle track lock.1
TimelineAudio track destination⌘βŒ₯↑↓2
TimelineVideo track destinationβŒ˜β‡§β†‘β†“2
TimelineToggle 'auto-select' trackβŒ₯ FnFn means function keys (e.g. F1, F2). Add cmd for audio, just like with target tracks. For some reason it doesn't always work on V1.2
TimelineAll video auto select on/off (add cmd for audio or shift+click icon)βŒ₯F92
TimelineSolo the auto-select trackβŒ₯ Click2
TimelineAdd Default Transition⌘ T1
TimelineMark Clip with In/Out pointsX1
TimelineMark selection with I/O points (you can select multiple clips)⇧A2
TimelineClear In/OutβŒ₯ XβŒ₯I clears only in while βŒ₯O clears out point1
TimelineAdd marker M⇧M modifies and βŒ₯M deletes.⇧↑↓ for marker navigation.1
TimelineClip enableDUse it all the time. I don't miss Premiere's convoluted shortcut for this one πŸ™‚1
TimelineToggle Link/Unlink audio and video⌘ βŒ₯ LThe manual is wrong on this one πŸ™‚ It's much easier to just βŒ₯ Click anyway.3
TimelineTurn linking on/offβŒ˜β‡§L2
EditingSwap Edit feature βŒ˜β‡§(no need for ripple paste) (drag clip and hold). You can select multiple clips at the same time.
EditingInsert edit ⌘βŒ₯(same as swap edit but inserts when you drag clip)
EditingTrim Start ⇧[Add ⌘ to ripple or use β€œT”rim mode. Cuts what's selected, or cuts everything with no selection made. 1
EditingTrim End⇧]Add cmd to ripple!1
EditingExtend EditE(requires selection)2
EditingNudge edit, or .Hold ⇧ for larger increments1
EditingSelect nearest video editβŒ₯E(the <> symbol in the track header excludes tracks from operations like these-remember alt+F keys)1
EditingSelect nearest audio edit⇧E(the <> symbol in the track header excludes tracks from operations like the above-remember alt+F keys)1
ToolsBlade ToolB2
EditingRazor split at playhead⌘B or ⌘\Use ⌘+\ if you have a selection1
EditingJoin a "through edit" AKA "split edit"βŒ₯ \ or Delete1
TimelineNavigate to Previous GapβŒ₯ ⌘ ;βŒ₯⌘' should go to Next Gap but doesn't work for me unless triggered via menu2
PlaybackPlays in to outβŒ₯ /Consider ⌘/ beforehand to turn on/off loop1
PlaybackPlay around current frame/1
TimelineToggle SnappingN1
TimelineAudio Scrubbing⇧S2
Move destination controlsCmd+Shift+ArrowsAlt instead of shift for audio destination
EditingRetime currently selected clipR
EditingRetime⌘R1
EditingSelect Clips Forward of Playhead on current trackY2
EditingSelect all clips forwardβŒ₯Y2
EditingSelect all clips backward⌘Y3
EditingSelect Clips backward of playhead on current track⌘βŒ₯Y3
Editingβ€œTrim" Edit ModeTToggles a ripple/insert mode for editing operations as well as behavior where clicking top of the clip selects for β€˜slipping’ and the bottom of the clip for β€˜sliding’. You can also press β€˜S’ to use , and . on keyboard which toggles β€œslide mode” on/off. Enter trim mode to drag marquee to select edits. Add "W" key to trim with JKL keys.1
EditingDynamic trim with a point selected⌘ J/K/L2
EditingSelect nearest edit point (playhead moves) (use up/down nav)VRecall βŒ₯E and ⇧E to specify audio or video1
EditingSpecify selection of nearest audio or video clip edit?βŒ₯⇧C(requires selection)3
EditingSelect nearest clip/gap⇧V2
EditingSelect which side of edit to modifyUβŒ₯U toggles audio and/nor video1
Editing*Select nearest edit for ripple trim in/out⌘U or βŒƒU1
Editing*Convert In and Out to Duration MarkerβŒƒβŒ₯ XI like to use this to highlight sections of a clip with potential. It's a more modern form of creating "selects". Hit ⇧M immediately after to name the marker. The duration marker created can be used exacly as a subclip in a timeline, or even dragged to any bin and made into a subclip.2
EditingModify Marker⇧MThis acts upon the CURRENTLY SELECTED marker instead of the one at the playhead like all other marker commands do
Editing*Set In and Out from Duration Marker= Ctrl+Alt+Cmd+XβŒƒβŒ₯⌘X2
InterfaceShow Viewer Overlay = Shift+`⇧`2

These shortcuts can be customized if you prefer the conventions of another NLE or wish to add your own. Either way, get used to editing via the keyboard for maximum efficiency.