In short
- The free version covers editing, colour, effects and audio, with no subscription.
- Vegas can export an XML to carry over the cuts, although results vary by project.
- Effects, plug-ins and .veg projects do not carry over.
It’s for you if…
- You want stronger colour and audio tools without paying for licences.
- You have a decent graphics card or can work with proxies.
- You are starting new projects and can leave old ones finished in Vegas.
Better pick something else if…
- Your computer is old and Vegas is the only thing that runs smoothly: look at Shotcut.
- You depend on specific Vegas plug-ins and scripts.
From Vegas Pro to DaVinci Resolve: equivalents
| Vegas Pro | DaVinci Resolve |
|---|---|
| Events on the timeline | Clips on the Edit page |
| Crossfades by overlapping events | Transitions (Ctrl+T) |
| Volume envelopes | Audio keyframes on the clip |
| Event Pan/Crop | Transform and crop in the Inspector |
| Video FX | Effects library and Fusion |
| Color Corrector | Color page |
| Audio mixer | Fairlight page |
| Render As | Deliver page |
Step by step
Check your computer
Resolve relies heavily on the graphics card. Check the requirements on the Blackmagic Design website before switching. With limited memory, work with proxies.
Install DaVinci Resolve
Download the free version from the official website. You do not need Studio, the paid version.
Export from Vegas
Use File > Export and choose the XML option for Final Cut Pro 7/DaVinci Resolve. It works best with simple projects: cuts, crossfades and basic motion.
Import into Resolve
Create a project with the same resolution and frame rate. Import your media to the Media Pool and use File > Import > Timeline. If a clip fails, relink it.
Check and rebuild
Compare the cuts with the original video side by side. Vegas effects, titles and colour corrections must be rebuilt in Resolve.
Adapt your shortcuts
In Resolve’s keyboard customization you can assign your Vegas keys, such as splitting a clip with S. Export your first video from the Deliver page.
Files and formats
.veg projects do not open in Resolve. The bridge is the XML for Final Cut Pro 7/DaVinci Resolve in the File > Export menu, which carries over the basic cuts. Some combinations of video format and timecode can cause errors. Your original media is used as it is, and if something resists, convert only that clip.
What you won’t find
- XML export may fail with complex projects or certain formats.
- Vegas effects, plug-ins, scripts and titles do not carry over.
- It demands more graphics power than Vegas, and some advanced features are Studio-only.
Tips
- If a project imports badly, simplify it first: merge events onto a single track and remove effects before exporting.
- Finish ongoing projects in Vegas and start new ones in Resolve; it is the calmest transition.
- For everyday work, the Cut page gives a sense of speed similar to Vegas.
Frequently asked questions
Can .veg files be opened in Resolve?
No. You have to export an XML from Vegas and then import it as a timeline.
Will I lose quality by switching?
No. Resolve uses your original files, and final quality depends on what you choose when exporting.
Is it harder than Vegas?
At first, yes: it has several pages and more options. For cutting and editing you will not take long to get used to it.
Independent: we have no commercial relationship, sponsorship or affiliation with Vegas Pro or with these alternatives, and nobody pays us to recommend them. Links go to their official websites and are not affiliate links; the site is funded only by Google AdSense ads, which don't influence the selection. Learn more.