The Benefits Of Fixed Node Structures in DaVinci Resolve – Part 2

Day 16: 25 Insights in 25 Days 2019 New Year Marathon!

The Benefits and Advantages Of Using A Fixed Node Structure

In Part One, I introduced the concept of using a fixed node structure for every shot on a project. I mentioned that there are advantages to that workflow. Mostly, fixed node structures speed up your work. I explained some of the reasons why I use them, and shared some tips on building your own. In this Insight – we dig deeper. I’m introducing you to great tools and workflows designed specifically for colorists using a fixed node structure. It’s all designed to get you color grading, faster.

Efficient Tools for Faster Grading

Committing to a fixed node structure for a project opens up a few tools in DaVinci Resolve that most colorists rarely touch. In the video you learn how to:

• Use  the “Switching Clips Selects Same Node” node graph option to avoid going back to your UI monitor to find the node you want to adjust.
• Use multiple playheads to quickly match shots – again, using the “Switching Clips Selects Same Node” option.
• Understand the “Preserve Number of Nodes” options in the Gallery.
• Use Resolve’s powerful Ripple commands, and preferences for making important tweaks to how those commands work.

Ripple: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

The most useful color grading command with a fixed node structure is Ripple. Ripple allows you to apply only what has changed in a node, to that same node in every shot you have selected (or in the current group). This is a super fast way of working across whole scenes while addressing client notes.

But – Ripple also has the potential to be dangerous because it’s applying a change to a bunch of shots instantly. Ripple does NOT cleanly undo if you make a mistake. It’s easy to mess up your grade if you get it wrong. Because of this, as you’re getting started I recommend turning off Live Save.  Then, always Save your project before using Ripple – that way you can always revert back to a previous save if needed.

Don’t let that warning discourage you – once you get your head around how ripple works and the different ways you can use it to apply changes – you find yourself loving how much it can speed up your grading. Especially in fast-paced client-supervised sessions.

-joey