To import a GIF into DaVinci Resolve, first convert the gif into an image sequence or video, since Resolve doesn’t support direct GIF import. Then import the files inside the “Edit” page of Resolve for further editing and color-grading.
DaVinci Resolve doesn’t support the Gif file format. You can not directly import Gifs inside Resolve. But you can export an animated GIF in DaVinci Resolve version 18.5. Previous versions like Resolve 17, 18.1, etc., don’t support GIF import and export.
Beginners and newcomers to DaVinci Resolve often find it challenging to work with GIFs inside Resolve.
But there are workarounds that can help you import your gif files inside Resolve.
When you try to import a gif inside Resolve from “Media Pool” or “Edit Page“, the GIF file will not be displayed. There won’t be any messages or warnings from Resolve!
How to Import a Gif into DaVinci Resolve?
- First, convert the gif file format to the one recognized by Resolve.
- Convert the gif file into an image sequence. Or…
- Convert the gif file into a video file format like mp4.
- Then import the recognized file format into Resolve.
1. How to Convert a Gif into an Image Sequence?
You can google for “gif to png converter” and pick any site you want. I do the following:
- Navigate to “https://image.online-convert.com/convert/gif-to-png“
- Click on “Choose Files“.
- Select your gif file.
- In the quality settings, select “Best quality (lossless compression). (Or play with other settings.)
- Click on “Start conversion“.
- After it completes the conversion, click on “Download selected files as zip“.
- Extract the zip file. It will display the frames in png format.
- (When you use other online converters, please keep in mind that the names of files should be similar, as you see in the above screenshot – with only the suffix being different. If not, rename them – select all the files, click on any file, rename it, hit enter and it will rename all other files with different suffixes.)
- Select all the files and drag and drop them into Resolve (or you can import from inside of Resolve).
- After importing, you’ll find that Resolve clubs them together into an image sequence.
- You can then add this image sequence to your timeline.
- If you feel the duration is less, then you can copy-paste the sequences to increase the duration.
- You can use this image sequence like any other clip for editing, and color-grading, and then export it into any required format.
If you face any media offline issue after importing the image sequences, then check out “Fix your DaVinci Resolve Media Offline Issue
2. How to Convert Gif into Mp4 – Another Way
- Navigate to “https://video.online-convert.com/convert/gif-to-mp4“
- Choose and upload your gif file.
- If needed, update the “Video Settings(Optional)” according to your needs.
- Start conversion.
- Download your file.
- Import the mp4 file into Resolve.
(Alternatively, you can also use the handbrake desktop app to convert your gif into mp4).
Once you’ve added the gif-related files (image sequence or video – as explained in the above sections), you can go ahead and edit the clips as you would normally do. You can edit and color-grade the clips till you get the desired result.
Then based on your Resolve version, the export process will vary. It is recommended that you upgrade to the latest version of Resolve = 18.5 and above.
But if your work requires you not to upgrade to Resolve 18.5, then there is a workaround below.
How to Make a Gif in DaVinci Resolve 18.5?
- Make sure you have the latest DaVinci Resolve version 18.5
- Import the image sequence of the gif into the “Edit” page of Resolve.
- Place them on a timeline.
- Duplicate the clips by pressing “Alt”, then dragging and dropping to the right-hand side of the existing clips.
- General accepted GIF duration is 6 seconds.
- Now to the “Deliver” page.
- Select “Gif” from the “Format” dropdown.
- Click on “Add to Render Queue” and start rendering!
Click here for a detailed step-by-step guide on DaVinci Resolve GIF Export – natively and externally using free online tools.
Here’s the gif file:
You may also be interested in the below posts:
Can DaVinci Resolve Import / Export Mp3? (+ Helpful Tips)
Thanks for the tip. AND i learned about a new conversion website! Great article
Thanks!