If you’re new to video editing, you may find some terms being used that can be a bit confusing to understand at first. However, several editing tools in DaVinci Resolve can help you become a more proficient editor once you understand the mechanics of them.
Ripple editing is one of these tools. With the ripple feature, you’ll find yourself editing quicker than ever before without having to stop to adjust your clips along the way.
Keep reading for a guide on what rippling is, and the different ripple techniques you can use to advance your editing skills.
What Is Ripple Editing?
Photo from Pixabay; no attribution
https://pixabay.com/photos/video-editing-videographer-vlogger-6834406/
In a nutshell, ripple editing in DaVinci Resolve is when you either add, remove, or adjust clips on the timeline, and doing so affects the rest of the video.
Like how one droplet of rain can cause a wide rippling effect on the surface of some water; it’s important to note that ripple editing will cause the timeline to change.
All the clips to the right of the edit will move no matter what track the clip is on—unless the track is locked. However, all the clips to the left of the edit will remain in place. It’s worth noting that it could still be affected, but we’ll explain more about this later.
Rippling is especially useful if you’re altering the middle of the timeline, as everything after the changed element will move accordingly. In other words, one fix to your timeline won’t cause gaps or issues with other clips.
It also allows you to add elements without manually shifting the rest of the clips over, which helps video editors work more efficiently.
All the ripple editing techniques discussed in this article will be done on the Edit page, though you may also use ripple edit on the Cut page too. There are plenty moretips for using the Edit page in DaVinci Resolveif you’re looking to streamline your workflow.
Ripple Delete
Ripple delete is used when you need to remove a clip from the timeline and all the clips to the right of the deleted clip end up shifting to the left.
To do a simple ripple delete on a single track—that includes both the video and audio track—select the clip you want to delete and pressShift + Delete. When you do that, you’ll see the clip disappear and all the other clips move over at the same time.
Screenshot by Sam Wolfe; no attribution
If you just have a gap in your timeline that you want to get rid of, simply highlight the gap and pressDeleteon the keyboard.
Ripple Delete on Multiple Tracks
Now, if you’re working with multiple clips on multiple tracks, it can get a bit tricky. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter which track you’re deleting a clip from, the same principles apply. Just make sure your tracks are not locked, so the rippling can happen evenly.
Let’s say you have two video and two audio tracks open with multiple clips staggered on top of each other, like the example in the image above. If you highlight a clip and pressShift + Delete, the clips to the right will shift over without causing any of them to overlap.
However, if you highlight a gap (not a clip) and use the same technique, your clips will move over but be slightly altered, due to some clips overlapping.
Ripple Trim
If you have a section of a clip that you know you want to keep, using ripple trim can help you make cuts to your timeline with only a couple of keystrokes.
Make sure your playhead is where you want the clip to begin and pressCommand/Control + Shift + [. You’ll see the beginning of the clip disappear and everything on the timeline shift over.
you may do the same for the end of the clip that you want to trim by pressingCommand/Control + Shift + ].
Ripple Overwrite
Ripple overwrite is great for when you want to replace a clip in the timeline with another clip from your media pool. You’ll want to have your playhead over the clip you want to replace (you don’t need to click on the clip). The beginning of the new clip will start in the same spot as the old clip.
The length of the new clip will determine how far the clips on the right are shifted over. If you need to trim your new clip beforehand,take advantage of DaVinci Resolve’s Cut pageto do so.
To use ripple overwrite, grab and drag your new clip to the preview window. Here you’ll see multiple options appear on the right-hand side, including an option for Ripple Overwrite. Drop the clip onRipple Overwrite.
From there, you’ll see your new clip has replaced your old clip, and everything to the right of the clip has shifted to the appropriate location.
Ripple Insert
Ripple insert works a lot like ripple overwrite, except you’ll be inserting a clip into the timeline while moving all the existing clips over.
The inserted clip will start where your playhead is, so make sure it’s in the correct position. Just like overwriting, you will grab and drag the clip you want to insert over to the right-hand side of the preview window. Simply drop it on top ofInsertto complete the action.
Ripple Speed
Ripple speed is useful when you find a clip that needs the speed altered. For example, if you have to slow down a clip to 75% speed, enabling ripple will mean the clips to the right will shift over, allowing room for the change.
To apply ripple speed, highlight the clip you want to edit, right-click on it, and selectChange Clip Speed.
From there, edit your speed percentage and make sureRipple Timelineis check-marked. When you’re done, clickChange.
Customize Keyboard Shortcuts to Make Ripple Editing Easier
DaVinci Resolve’s essential keyboard shortcutscan help speed up your workflow. However, there are a couple of rippling effects that may not have a shortcut assigned. To make editing easier for you, you can add the shortcuts yourself.
In the upper left-hand corner, click onDaVinci Resolve>Keyboard Customization. From there, the keyboard shortcut panel will appear.
TypeRipplein the search bar to see if there are any options that don’t have a keystroke shortcut in place. Or for existing shortcuts, you change them to align better with the way you use keystrokes for editing. Once you’re happy with your keyboard shortcuts, clickSave.
Try Out Ripple Editing for Your Next DaVinci Resolve Project
DaVinci Resolve has so many features available to streamline the video editing process, and ripple editing is just one of them. Sure, there are times when you’ll have to be more hands-on in your timeline editing, but for a lot of the simple work, ripple trim and ripple delete can do the job well.
The next time you open DaVinci Resolve, practice using ripple editing to help move your editing along quicker.
