AVID - How to Export an AAF and QuickTime To Davinci Resolve 1080 HD workflow

Don't use this workflow if you have 2K and 4K original footage EX: Alexa, Sony F5 etc.

Use this workflow

AVID – How To Export an .aaf and QuickTime export to Davinci Resolve After Relinking to 2K or 4K Native files

This workflow is created to explain how to link back to your camera originals and then convert the files to DNxHD 175X or DNxHR full res files.

If you are already editing in DNxHD 175 or higher then you don't need to relink to camera originals.

You will create a QuickTime and then go to the Exporting to AAF step in the middle of this wiki document.


Change from this

To This

Relink to the volume that the raw .r3d or other .movs or uncompressed native files are on. Go to >Tools>Source Browser

Locate the original Native Pro Res .movs QuickTimes 




Click Open

Use the settings "Bins Based on Current AMA Setting" 


Click OK

When ready to online reconnect to the native camera files. 

Select all AMA FILES in the AMA folder 

Right click the sequence to relink and choose Relink

Use the standard relinking options after the AMA media has been mounted 

Choose Selected Items in All open bins 

Choose to relink by Tape Name or Source file Name

If that doesn't work choose 





Choose to relink by Tape Name or Source file ID

Change the timeline Clip Color to show AMA clips as a different color so you can make sure you are linked to the "Native" ProRes .mov QuickTimes 




Go to the Timeline "fast menu" 

Choose Clip Color






Choose a color for the AMA clips and make sure the "checkbox" is checked for Linked Clips

Notice in this timeline only part of the clips turned purple. You should have the entire timeline show purple clips so that you know all the clips are relinked.

On AVID timeline, you can -Match Frame>Find Bin>Reveal File to double check the files are relinking back to the original camera native files


Next go to >File>Output>Export to File>


Export as .aaf

Check the AAF Edit Protocol box

Check to Include All Video/Data Tracks in Sequence

Choose to Render Video Effects

Transcode Video to DNxHD 175X MXF

Choose a folder to save the .mxf and .aaf files
Or use the same folder as where you are saving the .aaf

Click - Save


Choose where to save the .aaf and title it keeping the .aaf extension. Don't worry what the Export Settings Drop down states. We set the "Options" correctly

Click Save


The export when finished will look like this

Avid MediaFiles folder and an .aaf


Deliver this folder and the DNxHD quicktime to the colorist or if you are color grading your own project import the .aaf into resolve.