In the world of video editing, efficiency is one of the, if not the most paramount factor. Hence, mastering the art of using keyboard shortcuts is the key to unlocking full creative potential. Whether you are a seasoned video editing professional or are just getting started on your video editing journey, learning keyboard shortcuts can speed up your workflow, enhance productivity, and most importantly, empower you with the right tools and features to craft visually-appealing masterpieces with ease and finesse.
In this article, we will take a look at what keyboard shortcuts are, and list down some of the most useful DaVinci Resolve shortcuts and hotkeys. So without any further ado, let us dive right into it:
What are Keyboard Shortcuts?
Before we dive into the useful keyboard shortcuts which DaVinci Resolve features, let us take a brief look at what keyboard shortcuts actually are. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of key presses which offer users a quicker and more efficient way to navigate to certain sections, and execute specific commands. In the realm of filmmaking, keyboard shortcuts are like the best friends of filmmakers, they become muscle memory. They’re like guitar chords for a seasoned musician.
70 Useful DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts to Master
Now that you are familiar with keyboard shortcuts, here is a list comprising of DaVinci Resolve’s most useful keyboard shortcuts for both Windows as well as Mac:
Basic Shortcuts
- Cut: Ctrl/Cmd + X
- Copy: Ctrl /Cmd + C
- Undo: Ctrl/Cmd + Z
- Redo: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z
- Paste: Ctrl/Cmd + V
- Paste Attribute: Alt/Option + V
- Select All: Ctrl/Cmd + A
- Deselect All: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + A
File Handling
- Save: Ctrl/Cmd + S
- Save As: Ctrl /Cmd + Shift + S
- New Bin: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N
- New Timeline: Ctrl/Cmd + N
- Import Project: Ctrl/Cmd + I
- Export Project: Ctrl/Cmd + E
- Deselect all tracks: Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + A
Editing
- Trim: T
- Blade: B
- Razor: Ctrl/Cmd + B
- Pointer: A
- Insert edit: F9
- Overwrite edit: F10
- Replace edit: F11
- Place on top edit: F12
- Delete: Backspace
- Dynamic trim mode: W
- Trim mode: T
- Select clips forward: Y
- Edit point type: U
- Snapping on/off: N
- Add transition: Ctrl/Cmd + T
- Set Mark In: I
- Set Mark Out: O
- Mark Clip: X
- Add Marker: M
- Delete Selected: Backspace
- Select Nearest Edit Point: V
- Select Blade: B
- Snapping on/off: N
- Toggle Slide & Slip Mode: S
- Add Parallel Node: Alt/Opt + P
- New Timeline: Ctrl/Cmd + N
- New Bin: Ctrl/Cmd+Shift + N
- Add & Modify New Marker: Ctrl/Cmd + M
- Modify Marker: Shift + M
- Delete Marker: Alt/Opt + M
- Fit to Fill: Shift + F11
- Audio Scrubbing: Shift + S
Playback/Navigation
- Play (forward): L
- Play (reverse): J
- Stop: K
- Go to the first frame: [;]
- Go to the last frame: [‘]
- Go to the previous keyframe: [
- Go to the next keyframe: ]
- Next clip: ↑ (upwards arrow)
- Previous clip: ↓ (downwards arrow)
Nodes
- Disable/Enable Current Node: Ctrl/Cmd + D
- Disable/Enable All Nodes: Alt/Opt + D
- Bypass all grades: Shift + D
- Previous Node: Shift + Alt + ;
- Next Node: Shift + Alt + ’
Views and Displays
- Zoom to Fit: Shift + Z
- Full-Screen Viewer: Shift + F
- Cinema Viewer: Ctrl/Cmd + F
- Retime Controls: Ctrl/Cmd + R
- Loop/Unloop: Ctrl/Cmd + /
DaVinci Resolve Shortcuts Marking
- Set mark In: I
- Set mark Out: O
- Mark clip: X
- Add Marker: M
Adding Keyboard Shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve
This aforementioned list provides DaVinci Resolve keyboard shortcuts that are in-built into the application. However, many editors find some of these keyboard combinations perplexing or difficult and seek to change them to make them more adaptable to their work style. Fortunately, Blackmagic Design makes DaVinci Resolve editing simple with its keyboard customization and shortcut options.
Adding or Editing DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts and Hotkeys
Here are the steps to add or edit keyboard shortcuts in DaVinci Resolve:
Step 1: Select “Keyboard Customization” from the “DaVinci Resolve” option in your menu bar.
Step 2: Determine if you want to create new keyboard shortcuts or copy and edit an existing shortcut layout from another software. Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer are a few that have custom layouts that work on DaVinci. Editors who are used to working with a specific hotkey layout may easily recreate it in DaVinci Resolve without inputting each hotkey manually.
Using a Replica Keyboard Layout
To use and benefit from a replica keyboard layout, follow the given steps:
Step 1: Select the dropdown menu on the top right hand side of the window to utilize a replica keyboard layout, and it should state “DaVinci Resolve” by default. The menu should also display several other options from Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer.
Step 2: In the menu, select the file you wish to replicate, and then press “Save” at the bottom of the box to save your settings.
Creating and Editing Custom Hotkeys and Keyboard Shortcuts
Building tailored DaVinci Resolve keyboard shortcuts facilitates users in getting most out of their editing sessions. Such shortcuts can be added and used in order to increase workflow efficiency and minimize time consumption.
Here is a look at the steps involved in creating and editing custom hotkeys and keyboard shortcuts:
Step 1: Find the command or tool you wish to give by scrolling through the list of commands or searching for it using the search box.
Step 2: Delete the corresponding key or shortcut associated with this command and replace it with your own, or use the “+” symbol next to the assigned key or key combination to add a new shortcut on top of the original shortcut.
Step 3: Once you’ve finished creating all of your assigned shortcuts, use the dropdown menu in the upper right corner to save them to your default keyboard or build a new keyboard layout. To save your new format as its own preset, choose “Save As New Preset.”
Conclusion
Mastering DaVinci Resolve’s keyboard shortcuts can truly enhance your editing speed as well as the overall experience. The aforementioned shortcuts and hotkeys allow users to perform the majority of their tasks, right from basic functions to advanced editing techniques. Therefore, if you are an avid DaVinci user, it is advised that you familiarize yourself with the shortcuts and implement them in your workflow. Remember, practice makes perfect, and thus, the more you practice using these shortcuts, the more smoothly they will become a crucial part of your editing routine.
Although using keyboard shortcuts is a great way to get work done quickly, there could be other issues that may be a hindrance, or cause lag and frustration. Like low RAM or outdated GPU. The best way to deal with those, is by switching to Postudio, a pro-level online creative studio that offers a wide range of post-production tools, including DaVinci Resolve. You can access the platform from anywhere using any old device without worrying about hardware or software constraints. Register today and enjoy the platform’s benefits without any conditions!
