Every pro editor faces the time crunch: clients demand review cuts with timecodes, draft captions, and version slates, often after just a few rounds of tweaks. Here’s how to set up a repeatable workflow in DaVinci Resolve, so review exports with all the essentials can be generated in minutes—without endless manual fuss.

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Step-by-Step: Building an Automated Review-Comp Workflow in DaVinci Resolve

1. Set Up Version Slates and Burn-In Timecode

Version Slate:

• Design a Slate Template: Use the Fusion page to create a standard slate (title card) with project name, version, date, contact, and any notes.
• Save as Macro/Template: Right-click your node tree in Fusion, select "Macro," and set up parameters for text fields you often update (like version number).
• Reuse: Import this macro at the head of each project. Just fill in the new details per version—no re-creation every time.

Burn-In Timecode:

• Go to the Edit page.
• Add an Adjustment Clip spanning the whole timeline.
• With the adjustment clip selected, go to Effects Library > OpenFX > ResolveFX Generator > Timecode, and drag it to the clip.
• Configure size, position, and format in the Inspector (make yours small and high-contrast for client readability).
• TIP: Save this as an adjustment clip preset or include in your timeline template.

2. Automate Draft Captions/Subtitles

If you already have a transcript (from client, or Resolve’s transcription):

• Go to the Edit page > File > Import > Subtitles. Choose your .srt or .xml caption file.
• The captions will auto-populate in the timeline, ready to burn in.

To Generate Captions within Resolve Studio (v18+):

• On the Edit page, right-click audio clip > “Audio Transcription.” Resolve will automatically generate caption tracks.
• Export or clean up as needed via the Inspector or Subtitle Track controls.

Burn-in Captions:

• By default, exporting with "Export Subtitle" enabled keeps captions as selectable tracks.
• For forced burn-in: In the Deliver page, under Subtitle Settings, select "Burn into Video".

3. Use Deliver Page Presets for Rapid Review Exports

• Create a custom Deliver preset:

  • Go to the Deliver page.
  • Set an output folder, file name, and codec (for review, ProRes Proxy or H [264]. with watermarking often works well).
  • Under Video, check your resolution, frame rate, and quality settings.
  • Enable ‘Burn In’ options:
    • Under "Video", ensure "Use Timeline Settings" includes "Burn-in" overlays.
    • Under "Subtitle Settings", choose "Burn into Video" if you want hardcoded captions.
  • Under "File", you can set template variables for {project name}, {version}, etc., for automated file naming.
  • Save as Preset: Click the three-dot menu next to your custom settings > “Save As New Preset.” Give it a descriptive name.

• For repeat projects, this shortcutted render setup saves hours over manual exporting.

4. One-Click Render for Client Review

• Before each export, update your slate macro and timeline version markers.
• Drag your adjustment clip (with generator effects: timecode, watermarks, etc.) and confirm caption track placement and formatting.
• Queue your timeline for export using your saved Deliver preset.
• If needed, batch multiple timelines or versions using the Render Queue.

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Common issues & fixes

• Captions not burning in: Make sure the subtitle track is enabled and “Burn into Video” checked in Deliver page.
• Timecode not visible on full timeline: Confirm your adjustment clip spans the entire timeline and your generator is atop all layers.
• Caption formatting issues: Edit subtitle track font/size in the Inspector before render, as baked-in look will persist.
• Incorrect versioning in filenames/slates: Double-check template variables and slate macro fields before export.

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VIDIO Shortcut

While Resolve can automate much of this process, you can skip straight to captioned, client-ready review clips even faster with VIDIO’s VibeEdit. This AI-powered tool can automatically generate short review edits, add captions, scene breaks, and even version slates without manual timeline setup. You get timecoded, captioned clips to share with clients in a fraction of the time—and you can round-trip these back into Resolve for precision finishing, if needed.

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Streamlining your burn-in and review copy workflow in Resolve is all about pre-made templates, presets, and caption automation. Reclaim your hours for creative editing, not technical exports—and when you really need to fly, VIDIO can handle the heavy lifting with review-ready assets in a single step.