Blackmagic has announced that DaVinci Resolve 18.6 is out of Beta and available for existing Studio customers to download.
The latest version of Blackmagic’s seminal editing and color grading suite includes a host of new features, a new stand-alone application called Proxy Generator for the Studio version and a “Lite” variant for creating proxies through the standard free DaVinci App.
Image Credit – Blackmagic Design
Every time Blackmagic put out an update, lately, it’s a huge one.
However, the company somehow manages to keep the editor that was once just a color grading app, performing without lagging or slowing down due to the usual evolutionary pitfalls that can easily turn an app into “bloatware” over time.
But Blackmagic’s use of it’s application tabs, and efficient memory management keeps the editor performing at peak condition, and with version 18.6 it’s no different.
DaVinci Resolve 18.6 includes a wide range of new features and improvements, including:
- New Blackmagic Camera cloud workflow syncs capture to cloud projects. This new workflow allows users to capture footage directly to the cloud, where it can be synced with a DaVinci Resolve cloud project in real-time. This makes it easy to collaborate on projects with other users around the world.
- Support for Blackmagic Cloud Storage with synced project media and files. DaVinci Resolve 18.6 now supports Blackmagic Cloud Storage, a new cloud storage service that is optimized for DaVinci Resolve projects. Blackmagic Cloud Storage provides users with a secure and reliable way to store and share their projects with others.
- Automatic proxy generation and upload to Blackmagic Cloud Storage. DaVinci Resolve 18.6 can now automatically generate and upload proxy files to Blackmagic Cloud Storage when a project is created. This makes it easy to work on projects even when the original media files are not available.
- Support for outer text strokes in titles and subtitles. DaVinci Resolve 18.6 now supports outer text strokes in titles and subtitles. This new feature gives users more creative control over the appearance of their text.
- Ability to assign and apply favorite keywords to clips and markers. DaVinci Resolve 18.6 now allows users to assign and apply favorite keywords to clips and markers. This makes it easy to organize and find clips and markers for large projects.
- Support for Fusion USD scenes with materials and volumes. DaVinci Resolve 18.6 now supports Fusion USD scenes with materials and volumes. This new feature allows users to import and work with Fusion scenes directly in DaVinci Resolve.
- Import multiple mono audio files with suffixes as a multichannel clip. DaVinci Resolve 18.6 can now import multiple mono audio files with suffixes as a multichannel clip. This makes it easy to import audio from multitrack recorders and other sources.
- Support for target audio loudness standards by Disney and YouTube with target audio loudness standards on renders. This new feature makes it easy to create renders that comply with specific loudness standards, such as those used for broadcast and streaming. These standards control loudness with a new meter effect, render settings, audio normalization, and other functions in Resolve. This makes it easy to create content that meets the loudness requirements of these platforms.
But the other tabs have gotten some love as well:
Image Credit: Blackmagic Design
Fusion
Fusion gets a laundry list of new tools and features, including:
- The new Polygon Shape tool allows users to create and edit polygon shapes directly in the Fusion node graph.
- The ability to turn polygons and vector graphics into shapes makes it easy to create complex shapes from simple 2D graphics.
- The ability to extrude shapes into 3D makes it easy to create 3D objects from 2D shapes.
- New ResolveFX for Fusion Studio includes a number of new effects, such as the Relight FX and the MaterialX System.
Color
DaVinci Resolve 18.6 includes a number of new features and improvements for color grading that include:
- Per Timeline Color Management allows users to set different color management settings for different timelines in a project. This is useful for users who need to work with different color spaces in the same project.
- A new Color Warper tool allows users to warp colors in a clip without affecting the brightness or contrast.
- A new HSL Qualifier tool allows users to select and qualify colors based on their hue, saturation, and lightness.
- A new Magic Mask tool automatically creates masks based on the colors in a clip.
Image Credit – Blackmagic Design
Fairlight
There are some important improvements for Fairlight including:
- Fairlight Track Groups allows users to group related audio tracks or mixer channels together. This makes it easier to manage and mix large numbers of audio tracks.
- AI Audio Classification allows DaVinci Resolve to automatically identify and classify different types of audio, such as dialogue, music, and sound effects. This can be useful for users who need to quickly organize and edit large audio libraries.
- Vector Keyframing for Automation Curves allows users to create smooth and precise automation curves using Bézier curves.
- Grid Editing to Timecode or Musical Tempo allows users to position clips on a grid for precise timing.
- Fix Bus allows users to quickly and easily fix audio problems such as clipping and distortion.
- Automatic Binaural Rendering allows users to create binaural audio renders that can be played back on headphones for a more immersive listening experience.
New stand-alone Proxy Generator Now included
Resolve Studio now includes a new stand-alone Proxy Generator application.
This application allows users to generate proxy files for their projects outside of DaVinci Resolve. There is also a Proxy Generator Lite version for the standard free version of Resolve.
The Proxy Generator Lite version allows users to generate proxy files for their projects, but it does not include all of the features of the stand-alone Proxy Generator application.
Downloading and Installing DaVinci Resolve 18.6
DaVinci Resolve 18.6 is available now as a free download from the Blackmagic Support Website, for all existing DaVinci Resolve users.
New customers can purchase DaVinci Resolve 18 Studio for US$299. The standard version of DaVinci is available to try out as a free download.
Blackmagic recommends that before installing the new version, users should back up their libraries.
It is also important to wait until any existing project is finished before moving to the new version.
Also be advised that while Blackmagic has made efforts to keep project libraries compatible with DaVinci Resolve 18.1.4, individual projects created or opened in 18.6 will no longer be accessible in 18.1.4.
Users are advised to contact Blackmagic Support with any questions or problems.
[source: Blackmagic Design Forum]
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