Where Does Davinci Resolve Save Projects and Project Files?

Knowing where all your saved files are located in DaVinci Resolve can come in handy in a number of ways, whether you’re migrating to a new PC, or you just want to share some files with a co-worker or friend.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly where to locate and modify the file paths for all your working files in DaVinci Resolve.

Understanding DaVinci Resolve's Storage Method

Before we dive too far into the topic of where DaVinci Resolve saves your projects, it’s important to understand the unique storage method used by DaVinci Resolve.

DaVinci Resolve employs a storage method that utilizes a database system instead of conventional folder-based saving. Without getting too technical, basically this approach centralizes all your projects, making management and retrieval more efficient.

It’s especially handy for those of us who handle multiple projects simultaneously. The database stores not just the projects, but also cache files (temporary pre-rendered video files), media, and settings.

Locating Your DaVinci Resolve Project Files

Let’s take a closer look at where you can often locate the various files you’ll be working with in DaVinci Resolve.

1. Finding Media Files in DaVinci Resolve

Here are the 3 main methods to locate your media files in DaVinci Resolve:

• Media Pool: Start by checking the Media Pool. It's the primary location where all your imported media clips are displayed.
• Metadata Display: Right-click on any clip in the Media Pool and right at the bottom you’ll see the option “Open File Location”.
• Media Storage: The Media Storage section in DaVinci Resolve shows all the drives and folders accessible to the software. You can browse here to locate your media files.

2. Where Are Cache Files and Proxy Files Stored?

To find cache and proxy files in DaVinci Resolve

• Project Settings: Access the Project Settings from the bottom right gear icon.
• Optimized Media and Render Cache: Navigate to the "Master Settings" then "Optimized Media and Render Cache" tab, below this you’ll see the “Working Folders” section.
• File Paths: The location of proxy files (if generated) will be displayed here alongside the Cache files location.

3. How to Find Project Files

To locate DaVinci Resolve project files on different operating systems:

Default Locations:

• Windows: Typically found in C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\Resolve Disk Database\Resolve Projects\
• macOS: Generally located in /Users/[Username]/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Support/Resolve Disk Database/Resolve Projects/

You can also try these options to locate your project files in DaVinci:

• Database Manager: Open DaVinci Resolve, go to the "Database Manager" which is accessible from the Project Manager screen. Your projects are stored within the databases listed here. You can also see the file path for the database location.
• Manual Search: If the default location has been changed, you can use your operating system’s search feature to find files with the .drp extension, which is the file format for DaVinci Resolve projects.

4. Setting Up Autosave and Project Backups

Setting up autosave and project backups is a great idea to prevent yourself from losing hours of work. To adjust the Autosave and backups settings click “DaVinci Resolve” in the top right hand and click “Preferences”. From here click the “User” tab and navigate to “Project Save and Load”.

• Live Save: Ensure the Live save box is checked. This ensures that DaVinci Resolve will automatically save your work as you go.
• Backups: From here you can also change backup frequency and backup file locations.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter while navigating project and file storage in DaVinci Resolve:

• Project Not Visible in Project Manager: Ensure you are in the correct database. DaVinci Resolve can have multiple databases, and switching between them can be done in the Project Manager.
• Unable to Save Projects: This might be due to insufficient permissions or disk space. Check your drive's available space and ensure that DaVinci Resolve has the necessary permissions to write to the folder.
• Lost Projects After an Update or Crash: Always backup your projects regularly. If you’ve lost a project, check in the backup location or the autosave folder, which can be found in the preferences under 'Project Save and Load'.
• Database Corruption Issues: Keep your database maintained by regularly backing it up. If corruption occurs, use a recent backup to restore your projects.

Wrapping Up

In this guide, I’ve walked through DaVinci Resolve's unique project storage system, offering insights on how to effectively manage media, cache, proxy, and project files. I’ve also outlined setting up autosave and backup locations, ensuring your projects are secure and easily retrievable.

Before you go, Check out these 10 FREE DaVinci Resolve Templates!

Happy editing!