Studio 21.1.1
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SETUP & MEDIA

How to archive a project with its media

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

A project export and a project archive serve different purposes. Use an archive when you need project data packaged with selected media for handoff or recovery.

Before you begin

Have a project open and a short source clip on a mounted drive.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Project Manager: projects in the local library
Project Manager: projects in the local library Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 15. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Save the approved project and open Project Manager. Right-click its tile and choose Export Project Archive.
  2. Choose the archive destination and review the options for including source media, proxies, and cache files. Confirm the destination has sufficient space.
  3. Let the archive finish, then record external dependencies such as fonts, LUTs, third-party plugins, and licensed graphics separately.
  4. Restore the archive as a separate project and test it with original source paths unavailable. Inspect representative clips and render a short section.

Check your result

The restored project works from the archive’s media without silently relying on the original drive.

If it doesn’t work as expected

A small .drp export contains project instructions, not all footage. Keep it useful, but do not mistake it for a complete media backup.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Media, organized from the start

Go deeper with the course’s explanations, exercises, and knowledge checks.

Open module 02 →
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Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.