Blackmagic Forum

I just tried to use the new Python api in the free version of Resolve, but couldn't get it to work. Is Python not supported in the free version?

Code: Select all

import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr_script
resolve = dvr_script.scriptapp("Resolve")
print resolve

>> None

There is some scripting available in the free version using the internal console but you will need the Studio version for external scripting

i really have to ask for rethinking/changing this particular restriction!

yesterday i got a PM asking me, if could help in some python scripting issues, but as much as i usually enjoy this kind of collegial help and shared efforts to solve puzzling troubles, i couldn't contribute in this particular case.

it isn't matter of stinginess -- the studio edition comes indeed at a very affordable price --, but i still prefer to use the free edition, because i'm coming from a linux background and have learned over the years, that public access and shared development efforts can entail incredible positive effects and could be seen as one of the most important value of software and production means per se.

and just as i usually try to utilize my own self written software in daily work, to prove, if it really works and fulfills its goal, i also restrict myself to stay at this free version, because i really want to testify in practice, if it holds true, when i tell others: "you can do serious work in the free edition of resolve, because it includes most of the essential core features of the software."

until now i always had the feeling, that BMD really want's to keep the free edition as practical usable as possible and not just a seducing crippled "demo" to convince customers buying the real thing.

but the strict restrictions concerning scriptability somehow changed this status quo.

is it really a premium feature, which should be only seen as useful in professional production contexts and profitable work? hmm -- i have my doubts. i would see it as much more likely, that most most commercial oriented customers and production facilities don't have much interest in this kind of feature and experimental extensibility of the software, but for those of us, which come from a free software development background, it's a really constricting limitation.

i therefore would really like to see a removal of this particular difference between the studio and the free edition.

at least the necessary development interfaces -- script capabilities just as more powerful APIs to create plugins, as we hopefully will see them sooner or later -- should always be accessible even from the limited core edition.

and in fact this should also have some positive effects from a pragmatic point of view for all resolve customers, because this crazy freedom fighters of the open source world and their voluntary work often produces outcome, which is of interest and value to more common end-users and their needs too.

Martin Schitter wrote:but the strict restrictions concerning scriptability somehow changed this status quo.

what utter nonsense. Scripting is new to Resolve 15, are you saying that you couldn't do serious work in previous versions? Of course you could, and therefore you still can in the free version now. Scripting is for a particular kind of dedicated user, and I'd expect such people to be happy to pay for this feature. You're lucky the free version is so complete to be fair.