Learning a brand new program like DaVinci Resolve is equal parts exciting and frustrating. Exciting because you’re on a journey, learning something that will help you create projects in a different way. And frustrating because there’s so much to learn. But we’re here to help – in this post, we’ll break down the four main DaVinci Resolve file types to help you get familiar with your new editor. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly introduction on how to use DaVinci Resolve, check out our post covering the basics. Keep reading to learn all about these file types, or watch the video below!
DaVinci Resolve file types: .settings, .drfx, .dra, and .drp
The four main file types we’ll be reviewing are .settings, .drfx, .dra, and .drp. Each one has a different function within the program, so understanding how they’re all used is important to learning the ins and outs of DaVinci Resolve. If you’re interested in learning more about LUTs in DaVinci Resolve, you can check out this post.
.settings Files: Multi-use macros
Let’s begin with the .settings files. These are DaVinci Resolve macros that you can use for effects, generators, titles, and transitions.
How to open .settings files in DaVinci Resolve
To use these files, open the fusion tab and then navigate to “Effects” > “Templates” > “Edit.”
Next, choose the template type you want to work with, then right click and select “Show Folder”.
Once you’ve done that, you can drag and drop in your .settings files.
.drfx Files: Unleashing the power of effects presets
Next up, we have the .drfx files, designed specifically for effects presets. These files can be seamlessly imported by double clicking the .drfx file with Resolve open, then clicking “Install” on the pop-up window. This quick and efficient process allows you to incorporate predefined effects into your project, saving both time and effort.
.dra Files: Archiving your creativity
Next are .dra files, which stand for Davinci Resolve Archive files. These serve the vital function of compressing your entire project into one file, making sharing and creating backups simple. .dra DaVinci Resolve file types are a safeguard for your creative endeavors, ensuring that your hard work remains secure and accessible.
How to open .dra files in DaVinci Resolve
To open an archive file, click the home button and then right-click in the “Projects” window.
From there, select “Restore project archive” from the options and open your .dra folder.
Note: If you’re using a .dra file to access a DaVinci Resolve template, please make sure to have the custom font that the template was made with prior to opening the project for the best experience.
.drp Files: The Heart of Your Project
Last but not least, we have the .drp files—standard Davinci Resolve Project files. These files encapsulate essential information about your project settings, timelines, and edits. It’s important to note that .drp files don’t include any project assets themselves.
To access the core of your project, simply double-click the file or navigate to “File” > “Import Project” and select the .drp file you wish to open.
Explore more of DaVinci Resolve
Understanding these DaVinci Resolve file types is pivotal to mastering the intricacies of the software. It takes time to learn, but you can find even more tutorials on our blog to help you along the way. If you’re looking for ways to work faster, check out our top recommended plugins for DaVinci Resolve. If you’re using DaVinci Resolve templates to help you speed up your projects and more easily incorporate advanced effects into your videos, you’ll likely encounter these file types (and more, including .drb files, which we go over in this post).
You can find thousands of templates to practice with and learn from in Storyblocks’ stock library – sign up today to get unlimited downloads of royalty-free footage, backgrounds, music, sound effects, and more.
