Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 18, bringing the popular professional video editing app out of beta. DaVinci Resolve 18 is a major release and includes many key new features, including support for cloud-based workflows.

The new version supports Blackmagic Cloud, allowing users to host project libraries on the DaVinci Resolve Project Server in the cloud. You can share projects and collaborate with editors, colorists, VFX artists and audio engineers. Users can work on the same project, regardless of location. The new Blackmagic Proxy Generator App automatically creates and manages proxies from original camera files. You can create a watch folder where new media is automatically converted to H.264, H.265 or ProRes proxy files. You can also extract proxies into an offline folder.

The update allows for ‘immediate updates’ of any editorial or color changes when collaborating on a remotely hosted project library. You can also live stream your DaVinci Resolve Studio viewer for display on a remote computer monitor or reference grading monitor using DeckLink. This means that a low-latency, 10-bit image can be viewed from anywhere, allowing for remote editing or color grading.

DaVinci Resolve 18 also includes major updates to its color tools. A new object mask located in the magic mask palette can recognize and track the movement of ‘thousands of unique objects.’ The tool is powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine and automatically isolates animals, vehicles, people, food, and ‘countless other elements’ for advanced secondary grading and effects work.

The app includes a new depth map effect that generates a 3D depth matte of a scene. You can use this feature to color grade the foreground and background independently. Blackmagic says this can be useful for bringing more attention to your subject or adding atmosphere to the background of a scene.

A new feature lets users track moving warped surfaces, such as text or a logo on a shirt or other fabric. Blackmagic has added updated Resolve FX Beauty. Developed with professional colorists, the ultra beauty tool lets you address general skin imperfections. Additional AI tools include Person Mask to detect and track people in a shot, SuperScale to increase the resolution of an image, Smart Reframe for social media applications, face refinement, dead pixel filler, object removal, patch replacer, and more.

Editing tools have been improved thanks to better subtitle support. Users can now reverse the direction of shape, iris and wipe category transitions. A new 5×5 view option is available for viewing up to 25 simultaneous multicam angles, which is ideal for large multicam projects. When delivering to QuickTime formats or uploading directly to YouTube, DaVinci Resolve 18 can automatically create chapter markers from one set of colored timeline markers. All you need to do is add and rename markers to your timeline.

Performance has received attention as well. GPU acceleration allows paint brush strokes to be generated and displayed in real-time. Text, text+, and shape templates have improved speed and playback performance. Fusion templates are up to 200% faster. Also, the app has support for Apple’s M1 Ultra silicon. The app promises increased Dolby Vision support, including HDR viewing on Apple XDR displays and some of Apple’s latest notebooks.

DaVinci Resolve 18 isn’t only about the video; it also includes powerful audio tools. The latest version includes expanded support for converting Dolby Atmos mixes into binaural output. Users can also now convert legacy fixed bus Fairlight projects into FlexBus, Fairlight’s flexible audio busing and routing system.

A new atmospheric simulation feature quickly generates randomized noise data to replicate different atmospheric and particle effects, like smoke and mist. Improved edge detection promises better sharpening and halo effects if you want to increase detail rather than reduce it.

DaVinci Resolve 18 includes 8K digital negative debayering editing and grading in real-time, a unique feature other video editing applications lack. You can work directly on raw footage and achieve the most ‘accurate results.’

For the full breakdown of DaVinci Resolve 18, visit Blackmagic Design. DaVinci Resolve 18 Studio is available now for $295. There’s also a free version available that lacks some key features of the full Studio version. Blackmagic also offers the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor, a hardware accessory that you can use to speed up your editing workflow. You can purchase DaVinci Resolve 18 Studio plus the Speed Editor for $395.