Import .txt Into Davinci Resolve

7 min read Oct 03, 2024

Importing .txt Files into DaVinci Resolve: A Step-by-Step Guide

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software known for its color grading capabilities and comprehensive editing tools. But what if you need to import a .txt file into your project? You might be wondering how to incorporate text files into your video editing workflow. While Resolve might not have a built-in function to directly import .txt files, there are several creative workarounds and external tools you can use to bring this data into your project.

Understanding the Purpose

Before diving into the methods, let's first consider the reason behind importing a .txt file into DaVinci Resolve. The primary purpose usually involves:

Adding Text Overlays: You might have a .txt file containing lines of dialogue, subtitles, or titles that you want to display in your video.
Using Text as Data: The .txt file could contain data points, timestamps, or other information that you want to visualize or use for specific video effects.

Method 1: Copy and Paste

This is the simplest method. If your .txt file contains short text segments, you can simply:

Open the .txt file: Use a text editor like Notepad or TextEdit to access the file.
Select the text: Highlight the text you want to import.
Copy the text: Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy the selected text.
Paste into DaVinci Resolve: Go to your Resolve project and paste the text into a text overlay or title card.

Method 2: Importing into a Spreadsheet

For more extensive text data, a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can be helpful:

Import the .txt file: Open your spreadsheet program and import the .txt file. This will typically arrange the data in rows and columns.
Clean and Format: Clean up any formatting issues or unwanted characters within the spreadsheet.
Export as a CSV: Save the spreadsheet as a comma-separated value (CSV) file.
Import into Resolve: DaVinci Resolve can directly import CSV files. You can then use this data to create visualizations or use it in your video editing.

Method 3: Using External Software

There are numerous third-party software options that can help you import and manipulate .txt files for use in DaVinci Resolve:

Subtitle Software: Programs like Subtitle Edit or Aegisub allow you to import .txt files containing subtitle information and then export them in a format compatible with DaVinci Resolve (e.g., SRT).
Text-to-Speech (TTS): If your .txt file contains a script, you can use TTS software to generate audio from the text. This audio can then be imported into Resolve.
Data Visualization Tools: Software like Tableau or Power BI can be used to create visually engaging charts and graphs from your .txt file data, which you can then incorporate into your Resolve project.

Method 4: Scripting

For more advanced users, Python scripting can be a powerful way to handle .txt file data:

Write a Python Script: Use Python libraries like openpyxl to read and process data from your .txt file.
Export Data: Format the data into a suitable structure for DaVinci Resolve (e.g., JSON or CSV).
Import in Resolve: Import the exported data into Resolve and use it for further manipulation.

Tips for Success

Check File Encoding: Ensure that the .txt file's encoding matches the encoding expected by DaVinci Resolve.
Formatting is Key: Carefully format your text file for easier processing. Separate lines, use delimiters, and maintain consistent structure.
Explore Resolve's Plugins: There might be plugins available that specifically handle .txt file imports. Check Resolve's online marketplace.

Conclusion

While DaVinci Resolve itself may not have a native way to directly import .txt files, the methods outlined above provide practical ways to bring text data into your video editing workflow. Choose the approach that best aligns with your needs and the nature of your .txt file. By utilizing these techniques, you can leverage the power of .txt files to enhance your video projects and achieve your creative goals.