Studio 21.1.1
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EDITING ESSENTIALS

How to trim the start and end of a clip

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

A trim changes how much of a source appears in the timeline. It is usually better than repeatedly splitting off tiny unwanted pieces.

Before you begin

Open a practice timeline on the Edit page. Duplicate it before experimenting.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Timeline trim example across multiple tracks
Timeline trim example across multiple tracks Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 1087. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. Select the clip on Edit and zoom in until its boundaries are easy to target. Identify which side needs to move.
  2. In Selection mode, drag the beginning or end inward to shorten the clip. Watch the viewer feedback as you choose the frame.
  3. Drag outward only when unused source frames are available. Keep an eye on the neighboring gap or edit point.
  4. Play the cut with a few seconds of context. Listen for clipped words and check that the action begins and ends naturally.

Check your result

The visible range is correct and the neighboring timeline spacing matches your intention.

If it doesn’t work as expected

A source boundary cannot reveal footage that was never recorded. For a longer transition, shorten the used range to create handles or choose another shot.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Edit with precision

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

Open module 04 →
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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.