Cutsio Blog

Automating Proxy Generation in DaVinci Resolve: Overnight Batches for Massive R3D Ingestion

Automate RED R3D proxy generation in DaVinci Resolve, then use the resulting ProRes for Cutsio search, review, and linked-original workflows.

How do you automate proxy generation for massive R3D ingestion in DaVinci Resolve?

To automate massive proxy batches, use the DaVinci Resolve Blackmagic Proxy Generator, set the raw R3D drive as a watch folder, choose ProRes Proxy, and let it process new files. Upload the approved ProRes to Cutsio for Visual Intelligence search and browser review. On Enterprise, attach the matching R3D original to the same asset for download and conform.

When a DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) offloads 4 Terabytes of 8K RED RAW (R3D) footage at the end of a shoot day, the assistant editor cannot manually transcode clips one by one. DaVinci Resolve includes a standalone application called the Blackmagic Proxy Generator specifically for this bottleneck. You point the app to the root folder of the camera cards. The app runs autonomously in the background, scanning for new R3D files and instantly transcoding them into lightweight proxy formats. Because it runs independently of the main DaVinci Resolve interface, it can churn through massive data dumps overnight without tying up an edit bay.

Working with raw camera footage? Check out How to Build a Searchable Library From ARRIRAW, RED R3D, and ProRes Footage.

For more DaVinci Resolve tips, read our guide on DaVinci Resolve AI Tools for Colorists and Editors.

Why should you use the standalone Proxy Generator instead of the Deliver page?

The standalone Proxy Generator is superior because it automatically links the generated proxies to the raw media via background metadata tracking, whereas exporting from the Deliver page requires manual relinking in the Media Pool.

In the past, assistant editors would drop all raw footage onto a timeline, export low-res MP4s from the Deliver page, and manually sync them later. This workflow is obsolete. The Blackmagic Proxy Generator creates a hidden "ProxyMedia" subfolder next to the camera originals. When the lead editor opens the main DaVinci Resolve application and imports the R3D files, Resolve instantly detects the adjacent proxy folder and attaches them automatically. The editor simply clicks "Prefer Proxies" and begins cutting immediately.

When should you skip local proxy generation entirely and use cloud-based ingestion?

Do not skip the production's required proxy or dailies step on the assumption that Cutsio decodes native R3D. Cutsio indexes and streams the ProRes review file; Enterprise can keep the matching camera original linked for conform and finishing.

The Blackmagic Proxy Generator still consumes compute and local storage, but the resulting ProRes can serve several jobs at once: editorial proxy, Cutsio Visual Intelligence source, streaming review media, and the searchable companion to the camera original. That avoids generating a separate cloud-review encode after the editorial proxy already exists.

The original RED R3D files are retained as attachments on each asset, available for download and conform when the project moves to finishing. Visual Intelligence indexes every frame of the review stream, making the footage searchable by visual content — particularly valuable for RED shoots where MOS footage has no scratch audio to search by.

| Step | Local Proxy Workflow | Cutsio Cloud Workflow |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Card offload | DIT copies to RAID | DIT copies to RAID |

| Transcode | Proxy Generator creates the editorial ProRes | Reuse that approved ProRes for Cutsio review and search |

| Upload | Upload ProRes for editorial/review | Upload ProRes; attach the matching R3D original on Enterprise |

| Review | Director reviews next morning | Director reviews minutes after upload |

| Original files | Managed on separate RAID storage | Attached to each asset in Cutsio |

| Visual Search | Not available | Frame-level search of every clip |

How do you present the first assembly of proxy footage to stakeholders?

Render the first assembly and upload it to Cutsio for branded browser review. This is separate from the camera-original pairing: the assembly is the reviewable cut, while the ProRes/RAW asset pairs keep source footage searchable and available for conform.

Once the proxies are cut into a rough assembly, the director or agency needs to see the progress. Sending a rough cut via a generic Dropbox link looks unprofessional, especially since proxy footage is intentionally low-resolution. By uploading the assembly to Cutsio, you elevate the viewing experience. Cutsio provides a branded, password-protected environment with view tracking, frame-accurate commenting, and approval gates. The stakeholder experiences frictionless playback, and the team can use Cutsio's approval gates to get sign-off on the pacing before moving back to the high-resolution R3D files for color grading.

How does Visual Intelligence help you find specific shots across terabytes of R3D dailies?

Visual Intelligence indexes every frame of the uploaded review stream, allowing editors and directors to search R3D footage by visual content — finding specific compositions, actions, or objects without scrubbing through clips by filename.

When a RED shoot generates hundreds of R3D files named A001_C001_0426BC.r3d, finding a specific shot by memory alone is impractical. Visual Intelligence analyzes the visual content of every frame and makes it searchable. A director reviewing dailies can search for "wide shot of talent entering the warehouse" and get the exact clip and timestamp from across the entire shoot day. This is especially valuable for RED shoots where the high data volumes make manual logging impractical.

Agentic Chat extends this further. The post supervisor can ask "Show me all the close-ups from the car scene shot at 120 fps" and the system retrieves the matching clips by combining visual content with R3D header metadata like frame rate and compression ratio.

FAQ

Is the Blackmagic Proxy Generator free?

Yes, a basic version of the Proxy Generator is included with the free version of DaVinci Resolve, while the Studio version unlocks advanced hardware acceleration and H.265 encoding.

What is the best proxy format for Mac editors?

ProRes 422 Proxy at 1080p resolution is the absolute best format for Mac editors, as the M-series hardware media engines decode ProRes flawlessly with zero battery drain.

Can the Proxy Generator run on a separate computer?

Yes, many professional workflows install the Proxy Generator on a dedicated "ingest laptop" that runs 24/7, keeping the main editing workstations free for creative work.

How do I use RED R3D originals with Cutsio?

Upload ProRes for search and streaming on Studio or Enterprise. Enterprise teams can attach supported R3D originals to the corresponding ProRes assets. Confirm the exact production format and container with Cutsio before the shoot.

Does Cutsio replace the need for local proxies entirely?

No. Cutsio uses the ProRes file supplied by the production for review and Visual Intelligence. The original R3D remains the finishing source in DaVinci Resolve and should stay protected by the production's normal backup process.