Problem
DaVinci Resolve color nodes produce different results after a timeline is moved between color-managed projects.
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
DaVinci YRGB Color Managed timelines evaluate color nodes relative to the project's global Input, Timeline, and Output Color Space definitions. When a timeline or individual clips are copied into another project that uses differing color management settings (e.g., DaVinci Wide Gamut vs Rec.709-A), existing color node adjustments are applied on mismatched color gammas. This results in severe over-saturation, crushed blacks, or clipped highlights.
Actionable Fix:
1. Align Project Settings -> Color Management across both projects: ensure Color Science (DaVinci YRGB Color Managed), Timeline Color Space, and Output Color Space match identically.
2. Export project color settings as a Project Preset or PowerGrade album so settings transfer intact alongside timeline XML/DRT files.
3. Verify on the Color page scopes (Waveform and Vectorscope) that skin tones and peak highlights match the original project reference frame.
Pro Tip:
Mastering in DaVinci Wide Gamut / Intermediate color space provides future-proof color science, allowing painless trimming for HDR and SDR deliverables without altering node balances.
DaVinci YRGB Color Managed timelines evaluate color nodes relative to the project's global Input, Timeline, and Output Color Space definitions. When a timeline or individual clips are copied into another project that uses differing color management settings (e.g., DaVinci Wide Gamut vs Rec.709-A), existing color node adjustments are applied on mismatched color gammas. This results in severe over-saturation, crushed blacks, or clipped highlights.
Actionable Fix:
1. Align Project Settings -> Color Management across both projects: ensure Color Science (DaVinci YRGB Color Managed), Timeline Color Space, and Output Color Space match identically.
2. Export project color settings as a Project Preset or PowerGrade album so settings transfer intact alongside timeline XML/DRT files.
3. Verify on the Color page scopes (Waveform and Vectorscope) that skin tones and peak highlights match the original project reference frame.
Pro Tip:
Mastering in DaVinci Wide Gamut / Intermediate color space provides future-proof color science, allowing painless trimming for HDR and SDR deliverables without altering node balances.