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DaVinci Resolve Tutorials / Video Editing

How to Cut Videos in DaVinci Resolve [Split & Source Monitor]

Cut videos in davinci resolve
Published 31 August 2020

Last updated on 26 October 2022

DaVinci Resolve is one of the best video editing programs out there, and still, some things are not very straightforward. In this tutorial, we are going to see how to cut videos in DaVinci Resolve.

Everything is pretty straightforward, and there are two ways you can use order to achieve your desired results.

To cut videos in DaVinci Resolve, go to the “Edit” mode, and select the cut tool by clicking the “Blade Edit Mode” button shown just above the timeline. Please see our detailed walk-through with images below.

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Method 1 – Using the “Cut” tool in the timeline

The first method is about using the “Cut” tool directly in your timeline. This basically just splits the video in half where you have clicked using the Blade tool.

1. Go to “Edit” mode

In order to access all the edit tools, switch to the “Edit” tab.

Edit tab davinci resolve

2. Select the “Cut” tool & use it on your video clip

Once your video is in the timeline, you can use either one of the below tools to cut your video.

a. Blade Edit Mode

This is the best method to cut videos. You can use the “Blade Edit Mode” in order to split the clip and continue editing from there. This is a very easy method, and you can cut the footage where you need to.

Blade edit mode davinci resolve

b. Trim Edit Mode

In DaVinci Resolve, you can use the “Trim Edit Mode” in order to cut the video. This mode allows you to cut the video by dragging it from the beginning or end. It’s the best method you can use if you want only to cut either end of the clip.

Trim edit mode davinci resolve

Method 2 – Using the Source Monitor to cut selects

With this method, you can cut the videos before actually adding them to the timeline. This helps by keeping your timeline organized.

Video walkthrough in 37 seconds

1. Go to the “Edit” tab

With this method, you will cut the video before adding it to the timeline. After you import the video, go to the “Edit” tab.

Edit tab davinci resolve

2. Click “Dual Viewer Mode”

In the top-right of the video preview, you will see two little squares (if it has not been enabled yet). Click those, and the Source Monitor will appear alongside the Video Preview monitor.

Dual viewer mode

3. Drag the video from the “Media Pool” to the Source Monitor

Here is where you will cut down the video before dragging it to the timeline.

4. Cut the video by adding in and out points

Next, you will add In and Out points to choose the part of the video you want to add to the timeline.

5. Drag & drop the cut video into the timeline

Simply just click on the video and drag it onto the track in the timeline.

How to cut in DaVinci Resolve video runthrough

If you want to see a longer detailed run-through of other methods with a voice, give this video a watch.

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As a digital marketer, Andreea also has an incredible passion for photography, so she's here to give you all the information you need on the topic!