DaVinci Resolve for iPad will be Free and Opens Projects From Desktop Version

Blackmagic Design has unveiled more details about the upcoming iPad version of DaVinci Resolve. The app will initially include the Cut and Color pages, with Fairlight and Fusion tools coming at a later date. It will be entirely free and a Studio upgrade will also be available.

Just a few days ago, Apple introduced two new iPad Pro models that come equipped with more processing power thanks to the latest M2 Apple silicon chip and integrated ProRes video recording capabilities.

Along with this product announcement came the introduction of an upcoming iPad version of DaVinci Resolve. Blackmagic Design has now released further details about the tablet version of their post-production suite. So let’s take a look at what we know so far.

Cut and Color Pages

In the beginning, the iPad version of DaVinci Resolve will only include two pages, Cut and Color. These will pack the full set of features that users are already familiar with from the desktop version, with minimal UI adjustments to adapt to the tablet’s form factor.

Moreover, the company announced that the Fairlight and Fusion pages are currently undergoing a redesign process, so that iPad users will benefit from advanced audio and visual effects tools with future updates.

However, it is likely that the Edit page won’t ever make it to the iPad. Indeed, according to Blackmagic, any attempt to alter the nature of its UI to fit a smaller screen would interfere with the typical workflow of professional editors. To make up for this lack, the company is committed to enriching the Cut page in the future by adding better audio and editing tools.

Integration with desktop version

A great thing about the upcoming iPad version of DaVinci Resolve is that the project files it creates are fully compatible with the desktop version of the software and viceversa. This makes it easy to start building a rough cut while traveling, and then fine-tune the edit on a larger screen once back home, for example.

In truth, this is something that Adobe has been offering for years now, since Premiere Rush projects created on iPhone or iPad can seamlessly be moved to a desktop-based computer via Creative Cloud. However, Premiere Rush is way too basic, so it’s nice to see Blackmagic Design come up with a fully-featured Cut page for iPad iOS.

Furthermore, supported file types in DaVinci Resolve for iPad include H.264, H.265, Apple ProRes, and even the company’s proprietary BRAW format. Users will be able to access files directly from the iPad’s internal storage and Photos library or import media from iCloud and external USB-C drives.

Compatibility with M1 and M2 chips?

In terms of compatibility, it seems to be working on M1 iPad Pros as well. The press release states, “HDR is also supported for customers using an 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the M1 chip” but provides no further details on what doesn’t work (if anything) on the M1 chip machines.

Price and availability

The iPad version of DaVinci Resolve will be available to download for free from the App Store later this year. Just like with the desktop version, a Studio variant of DaVinci Resolve for iPad will also be available as a one-time in-app purchase. The upgrade should cost about $95.

Featured image credit: Blackmagic Design

Do you often edit videos on the fly using a tablet? What do you think of the upcoming iPad version of DaVinci Resolve? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!