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Best Way to Export XML from DaVinci Resolve

Direct methods for formatting timelines, removing effects, and exporting clean XML files from DaVinci Resolve.

The best way to export XML from DaVinci Resolve is to duplicate the timeline, remove all incompatible third-party effects, and export an FCPXML 1.9 file from the Deliver page.

Here are the direct methods to best export XML from DaVinci Resolve.

What is the fastest way to export a clean XML timeline?

If you need to send a project to Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, you must generate a lightweight XML file that only contains raw video and audio cuts.

To quickly export a clean XML timeline:

  1. Go to the Deliver page at the bottom of DaVinci Resolve.
  2. In the Render Settings panel on the top left, scroll to the right and click the Premiere XML or Final Cut Pro XML preset.
  3. Click Browse to choose a save location on your hard drive.
  4. Click Add to Render Queue and then Render All. DaVinci Resolve will instantly generate the .xml file alongside any necessary media.

How do you remove incompatible effects before XML export?

If the XML file crashes when imported into another editing software, the timeline contains heavy DaVinci Resolve-specific effects (like Fusion titles or complex color grades) that the other software cannot read.

To remove incompatible effects:

  1. Go to the Edit page.
  2. Right-click your active timeline in the Media Pool and select Duplicate Timeline.
  3. Open the duplicated timeline.
  4. Select all clips (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), right-click, and select Remove Attributes.
  5. Check the boxes for Plugins, Color, and Fusion Effects, then click Apply. Export this clean timeline as the XML.

How do you fix FCPXML version mismatch errors?

If Final Cut Pro refuses to open the XML exported from DaVinci Resolve, the exported schema version is too new for the receiving software.

To fix FCPXML version mismatch:

  1. Open the exported .fcpxml file in a plain text editor (like TextEdit or Notepad).
  2. Look at the top of the code for a line like .
  3. Change the version number to a universally supported older version, such as 1.9 or 1.8.
  4. Save the text file. The receiving software will now accept the import.