How to use the DaVinci Resolve Clone Tool

Transfer and Backup Footage in DaVinci resolve 17

In this tutorial, we take a look at the DaVinci Resolve Clone Tool. This is one of the best ways to transfer and backup your footage. This checksum feature is available in both the Free and Studio version of DaVinci Resolve, so it's worth giving the clone tool a try.

 
 

when it comes to client work I like to be a bit more secure.

In this video, we're going to take a look at DaVinci Resolves built-in checksum feature for offloading your footage.

Some of you may be familiar with other checksum programs such as Shotput Pro, which is an industry-standard offloading software.

There may be a few of you that haven't even heard of checksum software, so what is it?

A checksum is a sequence of numbers and letters used to check data for errors. These are used to verify data integrity when copying data from one source to another.

Why are these important?

When you're working with a lot of important data, let's say with the footage from a big film set, TV show or commercial, you want to be 100% certain that when you've offloaded that card or mag that it has all been copied successfully.

A DIT (Digital Image Technician) or whoever is doing Data Wrangling on set, will use checksum software to do this.

ShotPut Pro is one of the most common as I mentioned before, however, you may not know that DaVinci Resolve has its own checksum feature built into it.

This is available in both the Free and Studio version of DaVinci Resolve, so even if you don't do a lot of color or editing work in Resolve, it may be worth downloading the free version, just for this feature, as software such as ShotPut Pro can cost you roughly £150.

This is a really easy feature to use and even if you are still quite unfamiliar with the program, hopefully, should be able get to grips with this part in no time.

The Clone tool can be found in the Media Tab, next to the media storage icon.

  1. To start the process, simply click on "add job" in the clone tab.

  2. From here, select and drag your source folder to where it says source.

  3. Next, select and drag your destination folder to where it says destination.

  4. You can add multiple destinations if you want to set up a few backups.

  5. Once you have selected everything, all you need to do now is click on "clone"

  6. This will begin the transfer and checksum process.

  7. Once it has been complete, it will let you know with a green "complete" icon.

If for some reason there has been an error in the checksum process it will also let you know.

You can view the verified checksum file in the destination folder.

It's worth keeping in mind that this will take slightly longer than if you are just dragging and dropping your files because of the checksum feature, but it's well worth it for the peace of mind knowing everything has transferred successfully.