Problem
An archive contains a graded master but not the ungraded source timeline, preventing a future colorist from making controlled shot-level revisions.
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
Flattened master exports have creative color decisions baked into compressed pixels, restricting dynamic range and clipping highlight/shadow detail. Archiving only the graded deliverable without preserving the ungraded source timeline and individual clip node trees prevents future colorists from performing shot-to-shot balancing or HDR remasters.
Actionable Fix:
1. Clean Ungraded Timeline Preservation: Archive the complete NLE/color timeline containing original raw camera media and non-destructive grade nodes alongside the finished master.
2. EDL / XML Grade Interchange Export: Export a Color Decision List (EDL/CDL) or DaVinci Resolve Project Archive (`.dra`) preserving individual shot grades, tracking data, and keyframes.
3. Node Tree Restoration Audit: Re-open the project in the color grading suite to verify that all individual clip grading nodes, qualifiers, and power windows remain fully editable.
Pro Tip:
Never archive just the final graded video file; keep your original ungraded camera timeline and color project files so you can easily adjust individual shots or re-grade for HDR down the road.
Flattened master exports have creative color decisions baked into compressed pixels, restricting dynamic range and clipping highlight/shadow detail. Archiving only the graded deliverable without preserving the ungraded source timeline and individual clip node trees prevents future colorists from performing shot-to-shot balancing or HDR remasters.
Actionable Fix:
1. Clean Ungraded Timeline Preservation: Archive the complete NLE/color timeline containing original raw camera media and non-destructive grade nodes alongside the finished master.
2. EDL / XML Grade Interchange Export: Export a Color Decision List (EDL/CDL) or DaVinci Resolve Project Archive (`.dra`) preserving individual shot grades, tracking data, and keyframes.
3. Node Tree Restoration Audit: Re-open the project in the color grading suite to verify that all individual clip grading nodes, qualifiers, and power windows remain fully editable.
Pro Tip:
Never archive just the final graded video file; keep your original ungraded camera timeline and color project files so you can easily adjust individual shots or re-grade for HDR down the road.