DaVinci Resolve 20.1 introduces a range of significant updates, enhancing workflow efficiency, creative controls, and compatibility for video editors and colorists alike. The update brings new keyboard shortcuts for common tasks, improved timeline management features, and expanded support for media formats . New Search Effects Keyboard Shortcut This update introduces a handy keyboard shortcut (Shift + Space) that allows users to quickly search for and insert effects, transitions, and generators directly onto the timeline without needing to open the effects library , . This streamlines the editing process by making it faster to apply common elements, working across the Edit, Cut, and even Color pages for various effect types . The tool also keeps a history of recent searches for easy access to frequently used items . Rulers and Guides DaVinci Resolve 20.1 now features customizable rulers and guides within the preview window, a long-awaited addition for many users . These guides can be manually placed, precisely edited by entering numerical values, and even made to snap to elements, assisting with precise placement and composition . Users can set up rule of thirds, safe zones, and other visual aids, with the option to bypass snapping temporarily by holding Alt or Option . Mouse Pointer to Playhead Shortcut A new shortcut (the 'C' key) has been added that instantly moves the playhead to the current mouse pointer's position on the timeline . Holding down the 'C' key makes the playhead continuously follow the mouse cursor, creating a "magnetic pointer playhead" experience similar to Final Cut Pro . This feature offers a quick way to navigate the timeline and review specific sections of footage without needing to click around repeatedly . Subclips on the Timeline Subclips, previously primarily used with source material, can now be created directly from sections of clips on the timeline . This allows users to easily define specific segments of a clip as new, independent subclips within their media pool . This functionality is particularly useful for experimenting with edits, reverting to previous versions, or reusing specific sections in different parts of the current or other timelines , . Consistent Audio/Video Only Import The update introduces a new dropdown menu for source clips, enabling users to consistently import only video, only audio, or both, as needed , . This eliminates the need to remember specific keyboard shortcuts or click positions, simplifying the process of selectively bringing in media components from a source clip into the timeline . This setting remains consistent until manually changed, ensuring a predictable import workflow . Improvements to Keyframe and Curves Editor The Keyframe and Curves editor, introduced in DaVinci Resolve 20, has received several enhancements for improved behavior and consistency . Key improvements include better easing, more consistent curve editing for active curves, and the ability to easily switch between keyframe and curve views within the timeline's keyframe tray . This makes it much easier to refine animations, especially for complex movements like those used in vertical video re-framing, allowing for quick application of ease-in/out across multiple keyframes . WEBP Image Support DaVinci Resolve 20.1 now supports WEBP image files, allowing users to import and utilize this modern image format directly within their projects . While there's a minor workaround required (dragging to the preview window or using keyboard shortcuts F9/F12 instead of direct timeline drag-and-drop) to prevent them from appearing as a single frame, this addition broadens the range of supported image types . Automatic Image Update Images imported into DaVinci Resolve will now automatically update in the project if the source file is modified and saved externally (e.g., in Photoshop or Affinity) . This feature, especially powerful when combined with DaVinci Resolve 20's automatic synced folders, significantly streamlines the workflow for content creators who frequently edit images in external applications and need those changes reflected instantly in their Resolve projects , . Downscale to Timeline Resolution in Fusion For Fusion compositions, there's a new project setting that allows media to be automatically downscaled to the timeline's resolution for "timeline clip compositions" . This can significantly improve performance and smoothness within Fusion, especially for users with older hardware or when working with high-resolution footage on a lower-resolution timeline, as Fusion will have less data to process , . This indicates Blackmagic Design is addressing resolution-related performance issues, potentially paving the way for more flexible resolution handling in the future . Easier Fusion Control Editing Editing user controls within Fusion has been simplified, especially for those creating macros or plugins . Instead of navigating through a large list of controls, users can now right-click directly on a control in the Inspector panel and select "Edit Control" to jump straight to its customization options . This makes the process faster and ensures users are editing the correct parameter, improving the development workflow for custom Fusion tools . 32-bit Float Audio Recording for Voiceovers DaVinci Resolve 20.1 introduces the ability to record voiceovers in 32-bit float audio . This "high dynamic ranged" recording format offers increased headroom, meaning that even if audio is recorded too loudly, much of the clipped information can still be recovered, resulting in a higher quality and more forgiving recording , . To enable this, users must tick the "Use 32bit float recording" option in the Fairlight project settings, assuming their microphone and audio pipeline also support 32-bit float , . Magic Mask 2 in Fusion (Studio Only) The powerful Magic Mask 2 feature, previously available on the Color page, has been integrated into the Fusion page . This Studio-only feature allows users to quickly isolate and track specific subjects or areas (like a person's face or hair) within a clip by simply clicking on them . It provides a robust tracking engine and refinement tools for precise selections, making complex rotoscoping and isolation tasks much more efficient within Fusion's node-based environment . Color Tone Diffuser (Studio Only) A new Studio-only effect called "Color Tone Diffuser" has been added to the Color page . This tool creates a low-contrast, diffused look reminiscent of old film, often achieved by bringing up shadows . It offers various presets (e.g., subtle, strong, teal soft) and extensive customization options, including color space controls, diffusion settings, and tone adjustments, allowing colorists to easily achieve a popular cinematic aesthetic . Split Tone (Studio Only) The Color page now includes a dedicated "Split Tone" tool, another Studio-only feature . This tool allows users to apply different colors to the highlights and shadows of an image, offering more precise control than previous methods . With presets like "natural" and "strong," along with customizable strength, pivot, and hue angle controls, colorists can easily create specific stylistic looks by manipulating the color balance between the brightest and darkest parts of a shot , . This functionality was previously more cumbersome, often requiring external tools or complex node setups . Other Color Page Additions (Studio Only) Several other improvements have been made to the Color page for Studio users : Grain to Skin for Face Refinement: The ability to add grain to skin when using the face refinement tool, enhancing realism. Improved Light Rays and Glow Effect: Enhancements to these effects, including new atmospheric controls for Light Rays and secondary glow options within the Glow effect, providing more creative possibilities , . Miscellaneous Enhancements The update also includes various minor but handy changes : Smart Reframe Options: Additional options for Smart Reframe, allowing control over pan-only or tilt-only movements. Clip Enable/Disable Shortcuts: New shortcuts for enabling and disabling clips. Timeline Zoom Shortcuts: Improved shortcuts for zooming in and out of the timeline.