In short
- An XML file carries over the cuts and structure of your projects.
- You can use Final Cut Pro keyboard shortcuts from day one.
- Titles, Motion effects and plug-ins do not carry over and must be rebuilt.
It’s for you if…
- You want a program that is stronger in colour and audio without paying.
- You also need to work on Windows or Linux, or exchange projects with other teams.
- Your Mac has enough memory, or you are happy to work with proxies.
Better pick something else if…
- You rely on the magnetic timeline and how fast Final Cut Pro runs on your Mac.
- You use many Motion templates and Final Cut Pro plug-ins every day.
From Final Cut Pro to DaVinci Resolve: equivalents
| Final Cut Pro | DaVinci Resolve |
|---|---|
| Library | Database and projects |
| Event | Media Pool bins |
| Magnetic timeline | Tracks on the Edit page, or the Cut page |
| Connected clips | Clips on higher tracks |
| Motion | Fusion page |
| Colour wheels | Color page |
| Audio roles | Tracks and buses on the Fairlight page |
| Compressor | Deliver page |
Step by step
Install DaVinci Resolve
Download the free version from the Blackmagic Design website or the Mac App Store. Do not confuse it with Resolve Studio, the paid version.
Gather your media
In Final Cut Pro, use File > Consolidate Library Media to keep files in one place. That makes them easier for Resolve to find.
Export the XML
Select the project and use File > Export XML. This saves an .fcpxml file with your timeline cuts.
Import into Resolve
Create a project with the same resolution and frame rate. Use File > Import > Timeline and choose the .fcpxml. If clips are missing, relink them from the Media Pool.
Turn on Final Cut shortcuts
In DaVinci Resolve > Keyboard Customization, choose the Final Cut Pro preset. It will save you weeks of habit-building.
Rebuild titles and effects
Check the timeline and replace what did not carry over: titles with Text+, effects in Fusion and colour on the Color page. Export from the Deliver page.
Files and formats
.fcpbundle libraries do not open in Resolve. The route is File > Export XML, which creates an .fcpxml with the cuts, and then importing the timeline. Resolve reads ProRes, H.264 and H.265 without trouble, the most common formats on Mac, so your media does not need converting.
What you won’t find
- Motion titles and effects, as well as plug-ins, do not carry over.
- It needs more memory and graphics power than Final Cut Pro to run smoothly.
- Some AI features and advanced effects are only in Resolve Studio.
Tips
- Start with the Cut page if you like Final Cut’s immediacy, and move to Edit when you need more control.
- If your Mac is tight on power, generate proxies to edit more freely.
- Try a short project before moving long jobs: you will see what gets lost in your case.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open my Final Cut libraries?
Not directly. Export each project to XML and import it into Resolve as a timeline.
Is it really free?
Yes. The free version does not expire, exports up to Ultra HD and suits most projects. Studio adds paid advanced features.
Does it run well on an Apple silicon Mac?
Yes, it is a native app. The more memory you have, the smoother it runs, especially in colour and effects.
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