VFX Media Management Workflow (DaVinci Resolve)

VFX Media Management Workflow

DaVinci Resolve • Remote VFX conform • 5-frame handles • shots + plates included
1

Create a VFX Timeline

Duplicate the picture-locked edit and create a timeline used only for VFX conform.

  • 1–2 editorial video tracks
  • No LUTs, adjustment layers, temp FX
  • Confirm final frame rate and resolution
  • Add all VFX shots
Complex editorial timeline
Before: complex editorial timeline
Simplified VFX timeline
After: clean VFX timeline
2

Include Plates for Every VFX Shot

Resolve only copies media that exists in the timeline.

  • Add clean plates and alternates
  • Plates may be muted or parked above
  • Missing here = missing in delivery
The timeline is the authority. Resolve does not scan bins.
3

Open Media Management

Use timeline-based copying, not transcode.

Resolve Media Management window
Select Timelines → Copy
4

Set VFX Copy Options

Minimal, conform-safe settings.

  • Used media
  • Trim keeping 5-frame handles
  • Project name subfolder: on
  • Transcode: off
Media Management with 5 frame handles
5-frame handles provide sufficient temporal context for denoise and motion-blur analysis without bloating the transfer.
5

Deliver

The generated folder is your VFX handover.

  • Trimmed media (5-frame handles)
  • All VFX plates
  • Low-res reference movie with TC burn-ins
  • VFX shot list