How to Rough Cut in DaVinci Resolve in Under 10 Minutes (Step-by-Step)

The typical rough cut in DaVinci Resolve takes 2 to 5 hours: watch back footage, log the best takes, drag clips into order, repeat until you have something workable. RoughCut by DrRave removes most of that. It runs inside DaVinci Resolve Studio as a Workflow Integration, transcribes every clip in your timeline, and assembles a hero cut, a cut-down version, and a batch of shorts automatically. Here is the exact workflow to get your first automated rough cut done in under 10 minutes.

In this article

• What you need before you start
• Step 1: Get your media pool sorted
• Step 2: Install RoughCut in DaVinci Resolve Studio
• Step 3: Drop your raw footage into a timeline
• Step 4: Run RoughCut and review the assembly
• Step 5: Refine with keyboard shortcuts
• Manual rough cut vs RoughCut: time comparison
• Frequently asked questions

What do you need before you start?

Three things:

• DaVinci Resolve Studio (not the free version: Workflow Integrations are a Studio-only feature)
• RoughCut by DrRave, downloaded and installed
• Your raw footage on your drive, ready to import
• And your Script in a txt file

If you are still on the free version of DaVinci Resolve, upgrade to Studio before continuing. RoughCut will not appear in the Workspace menu without it.

Step 1: How do you organize your media pool for a fast rough cut?

Before RoughCut can transcribe and assemble anything, your clips need to be in your media pool. If you are shooting with multiple cameras, the fastest move is to auto-sort your bins by camera type before you touch anything else.

Sort Media Pool is a free DaVinci Resolve script that detects your cameras (Canon, Sony, Blackmagic, and others) and drops every clip into the right bin automatically. It takes about 3 seconds per card. Running it before RoughCut means your project stays clean as RoughCut builds its output folders.

Already using Sort Media Pool? Read the full setup guide: How to Auto-Sort Your DaVinci Resolve Media Pool by Camera in 3 Seconds.

Step 2: How do you install RoughCut in DaVinci Resolve Studio?

RoughCut installs as a Workflow Integration inside DaVinci Resolve Studio. After purchasing, download the installer, run it, and restart DaVinci Resolve. It then appears in your Workspace menu under Workflow Integrations.

You only set this up once. After the first install, RoughCut is available from the Workspace menu in any project, on any timeline.

Step 3: How do you prepare your timeline for RoughCut?

Make sure your clips are in the Media pool, preferrably in Bins. You do not need to watch it back first. Drop everything in and move to the next step.

RoughCut works best with footage that contains clear, continuous speech: interviews, talking-head YouTube videos, vlogs, tutorials, and scripted narration. Clean audio gives the transcription the most to work with, which produces a more accurate assembly edit.

For multi-camera shoots, add clips from all angles. For simple talking-head videos, a single timeline with your main camera plus any B-roll is enough to get started.

Step 4: How does RoughCut build the rough cut automatically?

Open RoughCut from the Workspace menu, select your script, select the additional options if you like and run it.

RoughCut transcribes every clip, reads through the content, and builds your assembly edit in a new RoughCut Timeline inside your project bin. You get a draft cut, multiple layers with videos and audio mathching the script, all ready to review in the timeline.

Processing time depends on your hardware. On a modern setup with a dedicated GPU, a 30-minute shoot typically transcribes and assembles in under 5 minutes. What used to take 2 to 3 hours of manual logging and dragging is waiting in your bin when the run finishes.

It places the best take on track V1 and stacks alternate takes disabled on V2 and above. Adds green markers for nailed lines, purple for audio-only - B-roll needed, and red for missing lines or reshoots.

Step 5: How do you refine your rough cut quickly in DaVinci Resolve?

Your assembly edit is a starting point. You will still trim the top and tail of clips, reorder sections where needed, and tighten the pacing. This is where keyboard shortcuts matter most.

Custom keyboard layouts let you trim, ripple, and navigate the timeline without reaching for the mouse. If you are using DaVinci Resolve's default layout, you are adding friction to every single edit decision. The DaVinci Resolve Keyboard Shortcuts guide maps the most-used commands to a layout built for speed.

Manual rough cut vs RoughCut: how does the time compare?

Here is where the hours go with a standard manual workflow versus RoughCut on the same footage.

Task	Manual workflow	With RoughCut
Watching and logging footage	30 to 90 min	Automated
Building assembly edit	1 to 3 hours	Under 5 minutes
Creating a cut-down version	30 to 60 min	Automated
Total time to first rough cut	2 to 5 hours	Under 10 minutes

Considering other tools before committing? Read the full head-to-head: RoughCut vs AutoCut vs FireCut: Best DaVinci Resolve Auto Rough-Cut Tool in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Does RoughCut work with the free version of DaVinci Resolve?

No. RoughCut installs as a Workflow Integration, which is a feature available only in DaVinci Resolve Studio. It will not appear in the Workspace menu on the free version.

What type of footage does RoughCut work best with?

RoughCut works best with footage containing clear, continuous speech: talking-head YouTube videos, interviews, vlogs, tutorials, and scripted narration. The AI transcribes the audio to identify content and build the assembly, so clean dialogue gives you the most accurate rough cut. Heavy background noise or multiple overlapping speakers will reduce accuracy.

Is RoughCut a subscription or a one-time purchase?

RoughCut is a one-time purchase at $50. No ongoing subscription required.

How long does RoughCut take to process a 30-minute shoot?

On a modern setup with a dedicated GPU, a 30-minute shoot typically transcribes and assembles in under 5 minutes. Longer shoots with more clips will take proportionally longer. Processing happens locally inside DaVinci Resolve Studio.

Do I need to organise my media pool before running RoughCut?

You do not have to, but it is worth doing. Running Sort Media Pool first keeps your project bins clean and makes it easier to navigate the output folders RoughCut creates. It takes about 3 seconds per card and is free.