Export to DaVinci Resolve

Silverstack enables you to export clips to DaVinci Resolve, including clip metadata as well as ASC-CDL color metadata. Additionally, it is possible to set up DaVinci Resolve with the according LUTs to reflect the exact color processing done in Silverstack. The associated exporter article provides more information about the individual options.

Workflow overview#

For this task, the following steps are necessary:

  1. Export all necessary information using the associated DaVinci Resolve exporter
  2. Import the files into DaVinci Resolve
    1. Import timelines using FCPXML files
    2. Use the CSV import function in DaVinci Resolve to add clip metadata
    3. Use DaVinci Resolve’s ColorTrace function to add ASC-CDL color information

1. Export from Silverstack#

Select the desired bin or folder in the library. To start the export, you have the following options:

  • Right-click the bin and click Export to > Davinci Resolve Export
  • Use the toolbar button Export and select the dedicated exporter

A new window will open, allowing you to select the files that should be covered by the export. Select the desired assets and their media file paths. When you are ready, click Continue to view the final export options.

By default, all checkboxes are enabled. Regarding the timeline, you can choose which FCPXML version you would like to use. If you want to export all metadata, keep all options enabled. Next, click Export… and select a location to save all files to.

2. Import in DaVinci Resolve#

Open DaVinci Resolve, create a new project, or open an existing one. Click File > Import > Timeline… and navigate to the location where you saved the exported files from Silverstack. Select the FCPXML file and click Import to open up DaVinci Resolve’s timeline import window as shown below.

Figure 1: Settings for loading an XML in DaVince Resolve

Check the following settings:

  • Automatically set project settings: By default, this should be enabled. The option makes sure that all settings are adapted to match the clips from the FCPXML file.
  • Automatically import source clips into media pool: This imports the source clips (e.g., useful when you started a new project)
  • Ignore file extension when matching: Using this option, can help in specific cases when matching did not work.

Click OK to import the files into a new timeline.

2.1 How to add clip metadata using a CSV file#

Click File > Import Metadata To… > Media Pool

In the following opening dialog, choose the exported CSV file from Silverstack and click Open to open it. In the metadata import window, configure the import and merge options as needed and click OK to import the metadata.

Figure 2: Metadata import options

DaVinci Resolve informs you on how many clips could be matched successfully. All matching clips in the bin should now have received the configured metadata. Select a clip and check the metadata sidebar on the right side of DaVinci Resolve’s interface. If you cannot see it, you need to enable it by clicking the button Metadata in the top right toolbar.

2.2 How to add color metadata to the clips#

To attain a proper match of the CDL values per clip, you have to make sure that the clip’s reel names in DaVinci Resolve match the reel names from Silverstack’s EDL.

2.2.1 Setting the Reel name#

In DaVinci Resolve’s project settings (gear icon in the bottom right corner), navigate to General Options > Conform Options and enable the checkbox Assist using reel names from .

Based on your clip types, path structure and clip file names, the settings that match your workflow could differ but here’s an overview:

  • Embedding in source clip file: Usually works for QuickTime ProRes and ARRIRAW.
  • Pattern for source clip file pathname: Consult the DaVinci Resolve manual to learn how to use extraction patterns to pull reel names from your media paths.
Note: Be aware that the ColorTrace matching wizard also gives you the opportunity to “Ignore Reel Names” (see also fig. 3) .

2.2.3 Use the ColorTrace function to add ASC-CDL color metadata#

Select the timeline in the media pool. It should be marked with a little XML icon on it’s lefthand side. Right-click it to open the context menu and choose Timelines > ColorTrace > ColorTrace from CDL. In the open dialog, select the EDL file exported from Silverstack and open it. In the following open dialog, you need to select the CCC file.

After having opened both of them, you see the ColorTrace window as shown below.

Figure 7: The ColorTrace option window

Figure 3: The ColorTrace option window

If all of the clips have green borders, everything matches fine. Click Copy Grade and Exit in the bottom right corner to copy the according grades to the clips. This is important as you can do this without applying any look if all of the clips are marked with a red border.

Tip: You can check the “Ignore Reel Names” box to make sure that the reel name is not taken into account. Please see the section above to be able handling multiple reels in parallel with distinct reel names.

Switching to the color tab presents you with the clips that now have the ASC-CDL color metadata from Silverstack.

Figure 8: Switch to the color tab to see the clips with added color metadata

Figure 4: Switch to the color tab to see the clips with added color metadata

Last updated: March 10, 2022