Creating a new project in DaVinci Resolve

When you open DaVinci Resolve, you'll typically start at the project manager. However, if you're already inside a project, you can return to the project manager by clicking the home button in the bottom right corner. To create a new project, simply press the new project button and give your project a name. We're calling this one "Demo Project." Clicking "Create" will load you directly into the new project.

Importing media into your project

Initially, your project won't have any media. To start working, you'll need to import some media files. Open your file explorer, locate your demo files, and drag them into your media pool. Upon doing so, DaVinci Resolve might prompt you to adjust the project frame rate. Click "Change" to adapt the frame rate, which we'll discuss shortly.

Understanding project settings

Before proceeding, let's configure the project settings. Use the settings dial in the bottom right to access the project-specific settings. The timeline resolution can be selected from various presets; here, we'll keep it at 1920 x 1080. Next, check the frame rate. DaVinci Resolve defaults to a 24 fps timeline, but you should match this to the frame rate of your original video, which is 30 fps in our case. Make sure the resolution and frame rate are set correctly, then save your settings.

Organizing your media

To keep your project tidy, create a new bin for your media files. Right-click in the media pool, select "New Bin," and name it "Media." Drag your screen recording and video files into this folder for easy access later.

Building a timeline

With your media in place, it's time to create a timeline. In the media pool, right-click and select "Timelines" > "Create New Timeline." You will be prompted to enter a name; we'll stick with "Timeline 1" and keep all other settings as they are, ensuring they align with the project settings. Clicking "Create" will add a timeline with a video and an audio track.

Adding and aligning clips

Begin by adding your screen recording to the timeline. This action will incorporate both the video and audio tracks. Drag it to the start. Next, add your facecam clip above the screen recording, and DaVinci Resolve will create a second video track automatically. Usually, the audio is in sync, but this might not always be the case.

Syncing audio tracks

There are two methods to sync audio tracks:

1. Auto-align by waveform: Select both clips, right-click, choose "Auto Align Clips," and select "By Waveform" to sync based on audio patterns.

2. Manual alignment: Zoom in using alt/option and the mouse wheel. Find a notable point in the waveform, such as a clap or loud sound, to manually align the tracks visually.

Finalizing the audio

After alignment, you can delete one audio track to avoid duplication. To delete, hold alt/option, select the audio clip, and press delete or backspace.

Linking clips for easy editing

Finally, ensure your clips are linked to prevent accidental misalignment. Select both clips, right-click, and choose "Link Clips." Now, any movement or adjustment will apply to both clips, making editing more straightforward and efficient.

Wrapping up the setup

By following these steps, you've effectively set up your project in DaVinci Resolve, organized your media, and created a synchronized timeline ready for editing. Embrace this organized approach to streamline your editing process and focus on creativity!