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In recent years, DaVinci Resolve has upped its game when it comes to the features that it has added to the editing software. Everything from using amazing premade effects to easily creating and uploading videos to social media. Best of all, the basic version is free.

Is that enough to entice you to download the video editing software and try it out for yourself? If not, below are nine reasons that you should test out DaVinci Resolve and see why it is a deserving competitor against the other editing software out there.

1. Edit on a Vertical Timeline

Adding files to media pool in DaVinci Resolve

Whether you’re an influencer or someone who just enjoys making TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts, DaVinci Resolve makes it easy for you to edit your videos on a vertical timeline and even upload them to social media.

Additionally, if you have the Studio version of DaVinci Resolve, you can use Smart Reframe as well. This feature helps to keep the object of the video in the center frame, so you never have to worry about your videos not being centered again.

Note: DaVinci Resolve Studio is the paid version of the editing software that comes with even more features. It costs a one-time fee of $295.

2. Create Auto-Subtitles

Customizing subtitles on the timeline on DaVinci Resolve

With the release of DaVinci Resolve’s 18.5 version, creating subtitles has become easier than ever before. They are auto-generated, thanks to the company implementing AI into its software. However, it is important to note that the feature is only available with DaVinci Resolve Studio.

With DaVinci Resolve’s auto-generated subtitles, you have the option of either attaching the subtitles to the video before rendering it, or you can simply download the subtitles to be uploaded alongside the video at a later time. Additionally, the feature comes with a large selection of languages that you can choose from.

3. Transcribe Your Videos

Transcription window on DaVinci Resolve open to show transcript

The transcription feature in DaVinci Resolve Studio is a game changer if you are looking for video clips with audio and don’t want to spend your valuable time scrubbing through them.

The main purpose of the AI is to give you a transcript of your video, but there are so many ways to take advantage of the feature. With just a few clicks, you can insert the video clips with only audio into the timeline. If there’s a specific section you’re looking for in the clips, you also have the option to search for it.

4. Import GIFs Into the Media Pool

Duck GIF in Timeline and preview window on DaVinci Resolve

Who doesn’t love a cute or funny GIF that pops up in a video? It’s easy to find transparent GIFs on the interest, and with DaVinci Resolve, you can add them to your videos in seconds.

Just download the GIF, add them to the Media Pool like you would any video clip, and then drag them into your timeline. You may have to copy and paste the GIF several times to get the length you want, but it’s definitely easier than having to create the GIF yourself.

5. Use Magic Masking

Girl in black and white while background is color from using Magic Mask in DaVinci Resolve

Have you ever wondered how video editors can offset colors of different subjects or get text behind objects in their videos? Magic Mask in DaVinci Resolve is how you can do it.

Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to use. All you do is draw your cursor around the object, and the software masks it for you. From there, let your imagination run wild to see what you can come up with.

6. Adjust the Speed With Retime Curve

Retime Curve with speed and frame change option in DaVinci Resolve

Retime Curve allows you to edit the speed of your clips by simply moving a line up or down. It helps you visualize the length of the clip while making the edits.

You have two options here when adjusting the curve. You can use Retime Speed, which adjusts the percentage of the speed like going from 100% to slowing it down to 75%. You can also adjust the clip with Retime Frame, which allows you to adjust the speed by frame rate. It is all based on how you prefer to edit your clips.

7. Relight Your Scenes

Using Relight tool in DaVinci Resolve with nodes present

Let's say you recorded one scene in the midmorning and another in the afternoon, but you want the scene to look like the same time of the day. You can change the lighting with an effect called Relight by working with nodes in DaVinci Resolve.

After setting up the nodes and the Relight effects within them, you’ll find you can change the direction of the lighting by just moving your cursor. There are three types of lighting you can choose from, which gives you more control over your work. It truly is state-of-the-art AI technology that you won’t want to miss out on.

8. Use the Object Remover

Using object remover to remove rock on DaVinci Resolve

No matter how much you try, sometimes an object that wasn’t supposed to be in your shot somehow shows up. That’s not a problem when you’re working with DaVinci Resolve Studio, though.

Object Remover is an amazing tool that allows you to mask, track, and remove objects from your videos while letting the software take care of blending in the leftover pieces with the rest of the scene.

9. Edit With Face Refinement

Using Face Refinement on girl in video on DaVinci Resolve

Have you ever gone to edit your videos and found that your face was too red or your forehead looked too shiny? Instead of reshooting the scene, DaVinci Resolve allows you to fix it instead.

The editing software allows you to edit your face with Face Refinement. With this feature, you can retouch blemishes and even apply makeup—it’s like a built-in beauty filter for your videos that you have complete control over.

DaVinci Resolve Has Everything You Need for Your Video Editing Software

It’s great to have so many video editing features at your disposal, whether you’re working with DaVinci Resolve’s free version or you splurged for the Studio version. Something as simple as editing in portrait mode and adjusting the frame with Smart Reframe can help make your experience less stressful in the long run.

Before your next video project, download Davinci Resolve and see what the software can offer you as either a new editor or an experienced moviemaker.