--- title: "DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades" description: Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 21.1, a major update to its all-in-one post-production platform for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color grading, audio post-production, and now still photography. author: Sadjad Jahangiri --- ![DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/davinci-21.1/davinci-resolve-21-1.jpg) # DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades [News](https://cinemaengineer.com/news) 08 September 2026 Blackmagic Design has released **DaVinci Resolve 21.1**, a major update to its all-in-one post-production platform for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color grading, audio post-production, and now still photography. While Resolve 21 introduced the new Photo page and a broad range of AI-powered tools, version 21.1 takes the software further into **AI-assisted workflows and production automation**. The update adds a native **MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for AI assistants**, expands camera and still-photography support, introduces new multicam and editing controls, and brings more than **25 new Krokodove-based shape and 3D tools to Fusion**. Blackmagic Design also describes Resolve 21.1 as a major update with **more than 100 new tools and controls for editors and colorists**. For VFX artists and technical users, however, some of the most interesting changes are happening under the hood: Fusion receives new 3D and deep-image capabilities, while Studio gains significantly expanded scripting and automation functionality. ## AI Assistants Come to DaVinci Resolve One of the most significant additions in DaVinci Resolve 21.1 is the introduction of a **native MCP server** in DaVinci Resolve Studio. MCP, or Model Context Protocol, provides a standardized way for AI assistants to interact with applications and their available tools. In Resolve 21.1, this opens the door for compatible AI assistants such as **Claude, Claude Code, and ChatGPT Codex** to interact with Resolve rather than simply providing advice about it. Depending on the available commands and workflow, AI assistants can be used for tasks such as: - Analyzing projects and media - Managing media - Modifying project settings - Creating highlights from longer footage - Performing repetitive editing tasks - Preparing and executing batch renders This moves Resolve another step toward an AI-assisted post-production environment where an assistant can potentially interact with the application itself instead of merely acting as a conversational guide. The practical possibilities will ultimately depend on the tools exposed through the MCP implementation, as well as permissions and production security policies. Nevertheless, its inclusion represents one of the most consequential workflow changes in Resolve 21.1. ## Expanded Scripting and Automation in Resolve Studio Resolve 21.1 also makes a significant change to its scripting architecture. **Python scripting has moved to DaVinci Resolve Studio**, with the Studio scripting API receiving a much broader set of controls. Python 2 support has also been removed. [![DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/davinci-21.1/davinci-resolve-21-1-2.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-1-ai-assistants-25-new-fusion-tools-major-workflow-upgrades "DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades") The expanded API can interact with areas such as: - Keyboard customization presets - Render presets and Quick Export - Codec and audio-render settings - Media Pool transcription data, including speaker and timing information - Multicam creation and flattening - Multicam SmartSwitch - Timeline clip alignment - Transitions - Timeline Inspector properties - Clip fades and speed changes - Audio normalization - Project setting presets - Media-file cloning - Source audio mapping - Output blanking - DCTL validation and encryption For technical artists, editors, and pipeline developers, this is a particularly important change. Combined with the new MCP server, Resolve Studio is becoming considerably more interesting as a **programmable post-production and media-management platform**, rather than simply a collection of creative tools. ## Fusion Gets More Than 25 New Krokodove Tools For VFX and motion graphics artists, Fusion is one of the most interesting areas of the 21.1 update. Blackmagic has added **more than 25 new Krokodove-based shape and 3D tools**, expanding the collection of procedural graphics and 3D-oriented tools available inside Fusion. ### OpenPBR Material Support Fusion 21.1 adds support for **OpenPBR material shaders**, giving artists another option for working with modern physically based material workflows inside the Fusion 3D environment. ### Improved MultiText The MultiText tool receives improved layer alignment controls, making it easier to position multiple text layers relative to one another. ### Better Camera Tracking Workflows Artists can now **import externally tracked results into Camera Tracker**, while additional tracker controls make it possible to trim tracks, inspect them, and change their reference frame. This can make Fusion more practical in workflows where tracking is performed or refined outside the application. ### New Deep Image Capabilities Fusion's deep-image toolset also receives several improvements, including: - Flipbook previews for deep images - Matte objects for Renderer3D in deep mode - Deep motion blur for Renderer3D - Improved deep rendering workflows - Hardware acceleration for 3D deep renders Blackmagic says hardware-accelerated 3D deep rendering can be **up to 8× faster** in supported workflows. For compositors working with deep data, this could be one of the more technically significant improvements in the update. ### Macro Editor Improvements The Fusion Macro Editor now supports loading and saving multi-template DRFX files, along with improved batch selection, grouping, and organization. These changes should make larger collections of Fusion macros easier to manage. ## Color Page Improvements DaVinci Resolve 21.1 also introduces several improvements aimed at professional color workflows. ### Individual MultiMaster Trims Studio users can now create individual MultiMaster trims for: - Dolby Vision - HDR10+ - HDR Vivid Each trim can also have its own output sizing and color-output cache behavior. ### Expanded Camera Color Support The update adds support for additional camera color workflows, including: - DJI D-Gamut2 and D-Log2 - GoPro Log - Leica L-Log - Vivo Wide Gamut - Vivo Log Resolve also improves LUT and DCTL management, including better handling of missing LUTs and DCTLs. ## New Editing and Multicam Workflows Resolve 21.1 brings several quality-of-life improvements to the Edit and Cut pages. The update expands multicam controls and introduces improved keyboard-based workflows for switching between camera angles. The update also improves the Trim Editor and adds additional timeline and track controls. Other editing improvements include: - Inspector presets - Improved font-browser previews - Better AI Music Editor analysis and mixing options - Additional trim controls - Improved timeline editing workflows Inspector presets are particularly useful for editors and motion designers who repeatedly apply the same combinations of settings. ## [![DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades](https://cinemaengineer.com/images/news/2026/davinci-21.1/davinci-resolve-21-1-3.jpg)](https://cinemaengineer.com/news/davinci-resolve-21-1-ai-assistants-25-new-fusion-tools-major-workflow-upgrades "DaVinci Resolve 21.1: AI Assistants, 25+ New Fusion Tools & Major Workflow Upgrades") ## Media Management and Project Organization Resolve 21.1 also makes working with large projects more manageable. The Media Pool list view now supports direct editing of text and checkbox fields, while search can include sub-bins and supports exact text matching. New project archive and media-management options also improve the handling of larger productions. These may not be headline features, but they can have a meaningful impact on production workflows where hundreds or thousands of media assets need to be organized. ## Expanded Still Photography Support DaVinci Resolve 21 introduced the new Photo page, and version 21.1 expands its capabilities further. Camera control support has been expanded for selected Fujifilm, Leica, and Sony cameras, while RAW and still-image workflows receive additional improvements. The result is a broader integration of photography into Resolve's existing color-management and post-production ecosystem. ## Blackmagic Cloud Presentations Gets New Features For collaborative workflows, **Blackmagic Cloud Presentations** now adds: - Subtitle support - Annotation sharing - Comment replies These additions make remote review and client feedback workflows more practical, particularly for productions distributed across different locations. ## DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Free vs. Studio DaVinci Resolve remains available in both a **free edition** and the paid **DaVinci Resolve Studio** edition. The free version continues to provide a remarkably complete editing, color, Fusion, and Fairlight environment. However, Resolve 21.1 increases the importance of the Studio edition, particularly for users interested in AI, advanced color workflows, and automation. | Feature | DaVinci Resolve 21.1 | DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 | | --- | --- | --- | | Editing | ✓ | ✓ | | Color grading | ✓ | ✓ | | Fusion VFX | ✓ | ✓ | | Fairlight audio | ✓ | ✓ | | Photo page | ✓ | ✓ | | Basic multicam workflows | ✓ | ✓ | | Advanced AI features | Limited | ✓ | | Native MCP server | — | ✓ | | Python scripting | — | ✓ | | Advanced scripting API | — | ✓ | | Individual MultiMaster trims | — | ✓ | | Advanced HDR features | Limited | ✓ | | Additional Resolve FX | — | ✓ | | Advanced Neural Engine features | — | ✓ | One of the most important differences in 21.1 is that **Python scripting and the expanded scripting API are now Studio features**. This matters particularly to technical artists, pipeline developers, and users who rely on external automation scripts. The Studio edition remains a **one-time purchase rather than a subscription**, while the standard DaVinci Resolve application remains free. ## Should You Update to DaVinci Resolve 21.1? For users who are between projects, Resolve 21.1 is a compelling update. The combination of **native AI-assistant integration, expanded scripting, new Fusion 3D tools, improved deep-image rendering, enhanced multicam controls, and broader camera support** makes this considerably more substantial than the version number might suggest. For VFX artists in particular, the Fusion improvements deserve attention. OpenPBR materials, additional Krokodove tools, external tracking integration, deep-image improvements, and faster hardware-accelerated deep rendering make Fusion more capable for increasingly complex compositing and 3D workflows. However, users working on active productions should be more cautious. ## Important: Back Up Your Projects Before Updating Blackmagic Design has retained compatibility for the **project library itself** with Resolve 20.3.3, but there is an important limitation: **Projects that are created or opened in DaVinci Resolve 21.1 cannot subsequently be opened in Resolve 20.3.3.** Because of this, users should make a **full Project Library backup and individual project backups where necessary before opening important projects in Resolve 21.1**. This is especially important for professional productions where multiple workstations, collaborators, or render machines may not be upgraded simultaneously. A sensible approach is to install 21.1 on a test machine first, verify critical plugins, scripts, templates, and workflows, and only then migrate the main production environment. ## DaVinci Resolve 21.1: A Bigger Update Than Its Version Number Suggests DaVinci Resolve 21.1 is more than a collection of minor refinements. With AI assistants gaining direct access to Resolve through MCP, Python automation moving further into Studio, Fusion receiving a substantial set of new 3D and deep-image tools, and the Edit, Color, Media, Photo, and Fairlight pages receiving additional improvements, Blackmagic is pushing Resolve further toward being a **complete and programmable post-production environment**. For editors and colorists, there are plenty of workflow improvements. For VFX artists and technical users, however, the combination of **Fusion's new capabilities and Resolve Studio's expanded automation stack** may be the most interesting part of the release. DaVinci Resolve 21.1 is available now as a free update for existing Resolve 21 users, with the free edition and Studio edition available from Blackmagic Design. ### Key Highlights - Native MCP server for AI assistant integration in Resolve Studio - Support for AI assistants including Claude, Claude Code, and ChatGPT Codex - Expanded Python scripting and automation in Studio - More than 25 new Krokodove shape and 3D tools for Fusion - OpenPBR material shader support - Improved Camera Tracker workflows - Deep-image flipbook and Renderer3D improvements - Up to 8× faster hardware-accelerated 3D deep rendering - Individual MultiMaster trims for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR Vivid - Expanded camera and color-management support - Improved multicam editing workflows - New Inspector presets - Enhanced Media Pool search and management - New Blackmagic Cloud Presentations features - Expanded still-photography and camera support **DaVinci Resolve 21.1 is available now from Blackmagic Design.**