One great option is DaVinci Resolve 16 from Blackmagic Design.

The software is available for free from Blackmagic, but it's not the only low-cost entry in the NLE arena, so what makes it different, and why is it so attractive to users getting into video editing for the first time?įirst, a little bit of history. Originally created by da Vinci Systems in 1985, the software was designed mainly for color grading and color correction and ran on hardware costing more than $150,000. It has evolved both in terms of features and pricing model since Blackmagic Design acquired it in 2009. The most recent version, Resolve 16, introduces a more streamlined and less complicated workflow for many users, particularly those new to using NLEs, to edit video. Opening up the software for the first time can be rather intimidating for those who haven't used an NLE before.

The sheer number of windows and buttons can be rather daunting. The only NLE I can think of which doesn’t introduce this sort of shock is iMovie, however that program has limitations for users who might want to move their work into the professional arena. When opening Resolve you're initially greeted with a window that allows you to open an existing project or create a new one. Once you have a project open in the main interface, you'll see a row of workspaces for various parts of your edit along the bottom of the window. These are termed Media, Cut, Edit, Fusion, Color and Deliver, and are arranged left to right in order to assist with the workflow. The newly introduced Cut page allows a more simplified workflow.

The introduction of the new Cut page in Resolve 16 has simplified some of the traditional workflow that was visually complicated.

Davinciresolve 15