Copying and pasting node edits in DaVinci Resolve, often referred to as "node DaVinci" in practice, is a fundamental task for applying the same look or adjustments across different clips efficiently. You can easily copy the node structure and settings from one clip and paste them onto another.
Quick Answer
To copy and paste node edits in DaVinci Resolve, select the clip with the desired node structure in the timeline, press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac), then select the target clip(s) in the timeline and press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac).
Understanding Copy and Paste Node Edits
When you copy a clip in DaVinci Resolve's Edit page or Color page, you're not just copying the video or audio; you're also copying various attributes associated with it. A key attribute you can paste is the Color Grade, which includes the entire node tree and all its settings from the Color page.
This process is incredibly useful for maintaining visual consistency across shots or applying complex grades quickly without rebuilding them from scratch for each clip.
The provided reference highlights this process: "And Ctrl V on your keyboard. And as you can see our edit has been applied to the other Clips. Including all the five nodes that we added." This confirms that using the standard copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) shortcuts on clips effectively copies and applies the node tree and its effects to the target clips.
Step-by-Step Guide to Copying and Pasting Nodes
Here's how to perform the copy and paste operation specifically for node edits:
- Select the Source Clip: Go to the Edit page or the Color page. In the timeline or the clip viewer, select the clip that has the node setup you want to copy.
- Copy the Clip Attributes:
- Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac) on your keyboard. This action copies all attributes of the selected clip, including the color grade (nodes).
- Alternatively, in the Edit page, you can right-click the clip and choose "Copy".
- Select the Target Clip(s): Select the clip or multiple clips you want to apply the copied node setup to. You can select multiple clips by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and clicking each one, or by dragging a selection box.
- Paste the Attributes (Color Grade):
- Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac) on your keyboard. This is the quickest way, and as shown in the reference, it applies the grade, including all nodes.
- Alternatively, for more control, you can right-click on the target clip(s) and select "Paste Attributes...". This opens a dialog box where you can specifically choose which attributes to paste. Ensure "Color Grade" is checked.
- Verify the Paste: Check the target clip(s) in the Color page. You should see the exact node tree and settings from the source clip now applied.
Using Paste Attributes for Specific Control
While simple Ctrl+V is often sufficient, the "Paste Attributes" option offers granular control:
| Attribute Option | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Video Attributes | Transform, Crop, Dynamic Zoom, etc. | Applying consistent scaling or positioning |
| Audio Attributes | Volume, Pan, EQ, Plugins | Matching audio levels or effects |
| Filters | OpenFX effects applied to the clip | Replicating visual effects |
| Color Grade | The entire node tree and all grade settings | Applying node structures and color looks |
| Power Windows | Shape masks used in nodes | Copying mask shapes |
| Power Grabs | Stills saved with grade data | Reapplying specific saved grades |
| Tracking Data | Motion tracking data for windows or FX | Moving tracking data between clips |
| Speed Changes | Retime effects | Duplicating slow motion or speed ramps |
By using Paste Attributes and only selecting "Color Grade", you ensure that only your node structure is applied, without affecting other settings like position or volume.
Copying and pasting nodes is an essential technique in DaVinci Resolve for maintaining workflow efficiency and visual consistency across your project.
