AUTOMATED RECURRING CUT TIME

[Dean Baker]

You could try using an edit decision list (.edl) and import it.

An example would be:

Let’s say your clip’s file name is ClipA.mp4 and you want to create a timeline with ClipA cut into 0.5sec segments. ClipA starting timecode is 00:00:00:00 and shot at 24 fps so 0.5 secs is 12 frames.

Create an edl file (simple text file with extension .edl) something like this:

———————————————————-

TITLE: Cutting Up Clips

FCM: NON-DROP FRAME

001 AX V C 00:00:00:00 00:00:00:12 00:00:00:00 00:00:00.12

* FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

002 AX V C 00:00:00:12 00:00:01:00 00:00:00.12 00:00:01:00

* FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

003 AX V C 00:00:01:00 00:00:01:12 00:00:01:00 00:00:01.12

* FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

004 AX V C 00:00:01.12 00:00:02.00 00:00:01.12 00:00:02.00

* FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

005 AX V C 00:00:02.00 00:00:02.12 00:00:02.00 00:00:02.12

* FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

006 AX V C 00:00:02.12 00:00:03:00 00:00:02.12 00:00:03:00

* FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

————————————————————-

Then in DaVinci, go File -> Import -> Pre-conformed EDL

Select the EDL you just created, give the new timeline a title, select the correct bin the ClipA.mp4 clip is in and hey-presto, you have a timeline with your clip cut up into 0.5sec bits.

I have attached a sample file for you, I had to rename it to .txt so Creative Cow would allow the upload but just rename it to test.edl before you import it into Resolve.

test.edl_.txt 682 B Text File - Click to view

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TITLE: Cutting Up Clips FCM: NON-DROP FRAME 001 AX V C 00:00:00:00 00:00:00:12 00:00:00:00 00:00:00.12 * FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4 002 AX V C 00:00:00:12 00:00:01:00 00:00:00.12 00:00:01:00 * FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4 003 AX V C 00:00:01:00 00:00:01:12 00:00:01:00 00:00:01.12 * FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4 004 AX V C 00:00:01.12 00:00:02.00 00:00:01.12 00:00:02.00 * FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4 005 AX V C 00:00:02.00 00:00:02.12 00:00:02.00 00:00:02.12 * FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4 006 AX V C 00:00:02.12 00:00:03:00 00:00:02.12 00:00:03:00 * FROM CLIP NAME: ClipA.mp4

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[Dean Baker]

Creating EDLs from scratch can be tedious, I usually use Excel to create the file, especially if your clip is long and then I export it as csv and use this tool (https://en.editingtools.io/edl/) to do the conversion. It can get a bit fiddly but worth it if you have long clips.

[Dean Baker]

I’m trying to attach a sample Excel spreadsheet for you but Creative Cow is misbehaving. Try this: https://bppmediashare.s3.amazonaws.com/MISC/EDL_sample.xlsx

You only need columns A-I for the CSV file for the online tool I mentioned, just make sure you copy/paste values to remove the Excel formulas.

Good luck!

[Paul Carlin]

A easy approach would be:

1) Use the Solid Color generator to make a slug .5 seconds long on a new layer above what you want to cut up.

2) Make this slug into a Compound Clip. Call it “SLUG”

3) Hold down F11 to overwrite this new compound clip from the media pool onto the new layer to create a long string of slugs the length of your timeline.

4) With Autotrack Selector enabled for the layers you wish to chop up and the new layer, press the down arrow followed by the keyboard shortcut for Razor (Command B). Repeat this until you reach the end of the timeline.

5) Alternately, you could export an EDL from the new SLUG layer and use the previously mentioned Preconform method.

Personally, I have written Python scripts to do this inside of BBEdit. If this is your chosen career, I would seriously look into BBEdit and the use of Text Filters for all sorts of time saving ways of manipulating EDLs. Perhaps ChatGPT can write the Python code for you? 🙂

[Paul Carlin]

Also, the ability to copy transitions from one layer to another is a long standing request of mine with BMD. Feel free to add your vote by requesting this as well. This would make step 4 much easier.