DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Release Notes

DaVinci Resolve 21.1 introduces AI assistant integration and expanded creative toolsets

Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 21.1, a major update that integrates AI assistants to automate repetitive production tasks and expands the software's capabilities in photo editing, 3D graphics, and multi-cam workflows. The update is available as a free download from the Blackmagic Design website.

AI Assistant Integration for Workflow Automation

DaVinci Resolve 21.1 now integrates with AI assistants including Claude, Claude Code, and ChatGPT Codex. This integration allows users to use conversational language to perform technical tasks that previously required manual navigation of the software's complex interface.

Key AI-driven capabilities include:

  • Project Management: Analyzing projects, organizing media, and adjusting settings via text commands.
  • Automated Editing: Creating highlight edits from long-form video and removing unwanted clips.
  • Rendering: Managing batch rendering and delivering final files through conversational prompts.

Expanded Photo Page and Camera Support

The Photo page has been updated to support a wider range of native camera formats, eliminating the need for external file conversion. New supported formats include:

  • Fujifilm: GFX and X series
  • Leica: SL
  • Sony: A7R V1

Additionally, image settings in the inspector can now be adjusted using DaVinci Resolve color panels, including the Micro Color Panel. The Color page also receives enhanced sky replacement capabilities for still images via ResolveFX.

Fusion 3D and Krokodove Graphics Tools

Fusion's 3D and shape toolkit has been expanded with over 25 new "Krokodove" tools designed for sophisticated graphic design and 3D environment manipulation:

  • Connect 3D: Creates vertex connections.
  • Heightfield Create 3D: Enables depth-based plane distortion using image maps.
  • Tube Create 3D: Generates path-following pipe shapes.
  • 3D Region Toolset: Isolates effects to specific areas within a 3D environment.
  • sPrimitive Create: Quickly generates basic shapes such as stars, polygons, rectangles, and crosses.

Enhanced Editing and Multi-Cam Workflows

Multi-Cam and Timeline Improvements

  • Multi-Cam Mode Button: A new timeline viewer button displays the current clip in the source viewer, allowing for seamless angle switching without losing place in the media pool.
  • capacitor Syncing: Multi-cam clips can now be split at timecode gaps to speed up synchronization.
  • Expanded Shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts now support up to 25 multi-cam angles and track selection for up to 32 tracks.
  • Audio Scaling: Audio waveforms now automatically scale to fill track height, improving visibility of levels across clips with varying volumes.

Edit and Cut Page Updates

  • Trim Editor: Now allows direct dragging in the viewer for frame-level adjustments.
  • Inspector Presets: Users can save and recall favorite parameter configurations for transitions, transforms, audio, and video.
  • Index Panel: Markers can now be exported as a polished PDF report for client collaboration.
  • Cut Page: Two new source timecode timer options have been added for source tape and multi-source viewer modes.

Color Grading and HDR Workflows

Colorists can now perform individual trim passes for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR Vivid workflows using the multimaster trim feature. This allows for independent grading of each HDR format without affecting others. Additionally, output sizing can be overridden for each trim, and individual timeline caching per trim is now supported to prevent re-caching when switching deliverables.

Technical Specifications and Performance

  • Hardware Support: Added support for NVIDIA RTX Spark systems on Windows and hardware-accelerated HEIC decoding on Apple Silicon.
  • Codec Support: GPU-accelerated HTJ2K decoding using Kakadu is now available.
  • Color Spaces: Native support added for GoPro Log, Leica L-Log, DJI D-Gamut2/D-Log2, and Vivo Wide Gamut/Log.
  • Automation: 20 new scripting APIs with built-in console support have been introduced.

Community Insights and Technical Feedback

While the update has been praised for its ability to lower the learning curve for a highly complex tool, community members have highlighted several technical friction points:

  • Linux Support: Users continue to report difficulties with installation and a lack of support for modern Linux distributions beyond Rocky Linux. Specific requests include support for VST3 plugins, JACK, and native H.264/AAC support on Linux to avoid tedious re-encoding.
  • AI Accessibility: Some users noted that advanced scripting and certain AI/MCP (Model Context Protocol) integrations now require the paid Studio version, creating a barrier for free users.
  • API Limitations: Early testers of the Claude connector reported that some basic timeline interactions, such as repositioning a clip, are still not supported by the current scripting API.

"Powerful tools like color grading and nodes take years to truly master... but making it easier for users to collaborate with the agents they already use to help learn and perform basic tasks should help with the learning curve." — @neovive

Sources

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