Unlock DaVinci Resolve’s Project Management Capabilities
When you launch Resolve, the Project Manager is your first stop. From here you can load an existing project or start a new one. Unlike some NLEs, Resolve handles project files internally, so you won’t see a traditional save‑location dialog. Instead, all non‑media data lives in a dedicated database that keeps every project in a single, secure location on your system drive.
At first glance this may seem restrictive, but it’s a deliberate design that protects project integrity. Moving or renaming projects outside of Resolve can corrupt the database, so all backup and transfer tasks should be performed within the application itself.
Transferring and Restoring Projects
Right‑click a project in the Project Manager and choose Export Project Archive. This action copies the entire project—including media, render cache, and proxy files—to a folder of your choice. The original media remains untouched at its source.
Because the archive includes every file used in the timeline, it can consume substantial disk space. If you’re working with large media libraries, ensure the destination drive has ample free space before proceeding.
Need guidance on selecting the right storage? Our guide on Choosing Between SSD and HDD can help you decide how to pair these drives for optimal workflow.
To restore an archived project, right‑click anywhere in the Project Manager, select Restore, and navigate to the .dra file. Resolve will re‑import the project, bins, and media exactly as you left them.
Whether you’re pausing an edit for mandays or sending the work to a collaborator, archiving keeps everything self‑contained and portable.
Importing and Exporting Project Files
The import/export options differ from archiving. They transfer only the project structure—timelines, bins, settings—without the media. This is ideal when you already have the media on another computer or want a lightweight backup for cloud storage.
Exported project files can’t be opened directly; you must import them through the Project Manager. After importing, media will be offline even if the same files exist on your drive, so use the bulk relink feature:
Right‑click the master bin, choose Relink Clips for Selected Bins, and point Resolve to your media folder. The program will reconnect all missing clips automatically.
Backing Up Projects
DaVinci Resolve includes a built‑in backup system that creates snapshots at user‑defined intervals (minutes, hours, days). Each snapshot preserves a previous project state, allowing you to roll back if you accidentally delete a timeline or receive a last‑minute client change.
Enable this feature by pressing Ctrl+ to open Preferences, then navigate to Project Save and Load and activate the backup rotation. Once enabled, Resolve will maintain a rotating set of backups that overwrite the oldest entry when the maximum count is reached.
Access your backups from the Project Manager: right‑click, then Other Project Backups. Here you can load or delete individual backups. To restore an archived project, use Restore Project Archive from the Project Manager’s context menu.
Exporting Projects for Collaboration
Use the Export (formerly Save As) function to create a new copy of a project. This action switches Resolve to edit the new copy while leaving the original untouched—ideal for sharing drafts with teammates.
Deleting Projects Safely
Deleting a project from the Project Manager is permanent and cannot be undone. Before removal, always back up any work you might need later. Use the backup and archive tools discussed above to safeguard your edits.
For more advanced Resolve tips, explore these articles:
- Using DaVinci Resolve on the M1 vs. a Beefy PC
- How to Add YouTube Chapters Directly from DaVinci Resolve
- One Year After Giving up Premiere Pro for DaVinci Resolve
- How to Effectively Reduce Noise in DaVinci Resolve
- How to Stabilize Footage in Post‑Production Using DaVinci Resolve
Cover image via Sutipond Somnam.