When using DaVinci Resolve, have you ever wished you could see different views of the footage you are working on without having to keep pressing the undo button? Well, there is a way, and it’s relatively simple to do.

This feature is called Versions. Though it has been around for a while, since DaVinci Resolve’s 18.5 upgrade, it’s become more efficient.

Keep reading to learn more about how to use Versions on DaVinci Resolve’s Fusion and Color pages.

What Exactly Is the Versions Feature in DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve has several great features worth checking out—Versions is one of them. Versions is a feature that allows you to have multiple visual representations of the same thing.

For example, let's say you created a title on the Fusion page and wanted to see what it would look like in different fonts or with other effects added to it. You can create up to six Versions of the title and switch between them to see which one stands out the most.

It is a very effective tool to use for multiple effects.

How to Use Versions on the Fusion Page

Let’s continue with the example of using Versions to create different titles.

Start on the Edit page and add a Text+ effect to your timeline from Effects > Toolbox > Titles. You don’t need to edit anything for the title yet.

In the Inspector tab, click on the Fusion icon—it looks like a magic wand. From there, the Fusion page will open, and you’ll be able to start editing your title.

In the Inspector tab on the Fusion page, click on the Versions icon—it looks like two rectangles stacked on top of each other. From there, you’ll see six tabs for six Versions of your title. Start editing Version 1 of your title.

When you’ve edited your title how you want to, click on Version 2. This will allow you to continue editing your title without worrying about changing the original.

You can repeat this process up to six times with different styles such as font, spacing, shear, shading, and anything else you can imagine. To view the different titles, click between the different Versions, and you’ll be able to pick your favorite from there.

How to Use Versions on the Color Page

The Color page is where you can add all types of cool effects like blurring and tracking moving objects and using DaVinci Resolve’s color correction tools. The Versions feature on the Color page works a bit differently from Fusion.

Let’s say you want to alter the highlights and shadows of your footage a bit, but you don’t want to mess with the original just in case you don’t like it.

Start by having the Clips tab open. Since Version 1 is not going to be altered, you’re going to immediately create Version 2. To do this, right-click on the clip in the Clips tab. Select Local Versions > Create New Version. Name it whatever you like and click OK.

If you right-click on the clip again, you’ll notice at the top that you are in Version 2 of the clip. You can edit this clip as much as you want, and it won’t affect the Version 1 clip. You can do this step as many times as you want to create as many different Versions as you need.

When you’re ready to look between the different Versions, simply right-click on the clip and choose which Version you want to view. The Version with the checkmark next to it will be the one you are currently working with.

Use the Versions Feature to See Your Footage in Different Styles

Versions is a convenient feature for when you are not ready to commit to an edit. Additionally, using it is pretty easy.

If you find that you’re having trouble deciding which way to edit your clips, try using Versions, so you can see all the samples and choose which Version is right for your project.