RESOLVE API / TIMELINE LAB / 04

Build a timeline clip map

Not a bag of proxies: a structure with coordinates, provenance and explicit completeness.

Build a versioned map of project, timeline, tracks and occurrences. Keep empty tracks, raw boundaries and enabled states; compare repeated reads and expose missing fields.

THE RESULT

A JSON-compatible top-level map suitable for reports and subsequent checked calculations.

PYTHON / RESOLVESTUDY MODEL
01origin = timeline.GetStartFrame()

Store the timeline origin alongside IDs and the raw FPS label. Do not substitute report zero for edit start.

CHECK

The coordinate system is explicit.

Switching steps changes the explanation. Nothing connects to Resolve or runs on your computer.

01 / BEFORE THE CODE

Set the conditions before you run.

01

Start with a working connection

Use local Python 3.8+ with Resolve Studio. Complete the S01 connection check, then keep the main example and both helpers together. The official Blackmagic module comes from your installed Resolve, not this download.

02

One identifiable target

Open a small test project and the intended timeline. Save changes and do not switch active objects during a read. To create a timeline, select the intended Media Pool folder first; an existing active timeline is not required.

03

Keep the example scope explicit

Enumeration is top-level only, with at most 128 tracks per type and 10,000 items overall. Nested edits are not expanded. Limits are checked after native lists return; they cannot interrupt a blocked API call or bound its memory allocation.

Current Studio edition guidance and the installed scripting documentation take precedence over older console or Free-edition tutorials.[1][4][3]

02 / API CONTRACT

Which object. Which method. Which result.

TimelineGetTrackCount(trackType)
Input
video, audio or subtitle.
Returns
An integer track count, including zero.
Check
None and limit violations do not become zero.
TimelineGetItemListInTrack(trackType, index)
Input
A type and one-based track index.
Returns
A list of TimelineItems.
Check
An empty list is valid; None is an error.
TimelineItemGetStart(True) / GetEnd(True) / GetDuration(True)
Input
True requests fractional frame precision.
Returns
Numeric positions and duration.
Check
Preserve raw values; do not cast to int.
TimelineGetStartFrame()
Input
No arguments.
Returns
The timeline start frame.
Check
Use it as an origin, not a duration.

Resolve method contracts are documented by Blackmagic; Python and author helpers are labelled separately. The defensive checks are our example design. A non-empty object is not proof of full API compatibility.[3]

03 / UNDERSTAND

The map contains more than clips

The root contains schema_version, project/timeline IDs and names, Resolve version, enumeration scope, time units, the raw rate label and tracks. A track has type, index, name, enabled and items. Empty tracks remain: omitting them would discard structural information.

Each item contains its occurrence ID, enabled state, raw boundary-method values, a checked interval and its MediaPoolItem link. Live API proxies are not serialized. Source paths are not requested at all; use the dedicated S02 guide and extend the schema explicitly when working with files.[3]

04 / UNDERSTAND

Absolute position, offset and duration

start_raw and end_raw are TimelineItem positions on the edit scale. offset_from_timeline_start is start_raw minus timeline_start_frame. In a teaching example with an origin of 86400 and an item at 86424, the offset is 24 frames, not 86424 seconds. These numbers are illustrative, not mandatory project settings.

Duration is read independently. To model the half-open range [start, start + duration), the example requires positive duration and agreement between end − start and duration. A discrepancy is not repaired by adding one: the range becomes null with an issue. Do not transfer this end convention to Timeline.GetEndFrame, render In/Out or source boundaries without separate verification.[3]

05 / UNDERSTAND

Unknown, empty and disabled are different states

An empty items array means enumeration returned an empty list. enabled: false means the method explicitly returned False. null with an issue means a field could not be read or validated. Turning None into False would incorrectly exclude an item or track from analysis.

source.status: none is an observed lack of MediaPoolItem; it does not automatically mean “missing file” or identify a generator. source: null with an issue means the link could not be read. Compound clips, multicam and nested timelines are not expanded; their internal edits are outside this map.[3]

06 / UNDERSTAND

Consistency and the limits of a double read

collect_map reads the same structural fields twice and checks active project_id and timeline_id after each pass. A difference stops collection; it does not wait indefinitely for the project to “settle.” complete: false permits diagnostic viewing but blocks a complete-map export.

Matching reads do not rule out a brief change followed by a return to the previous state. They cannot detect changes to effects that are not read. This is why consistency is named two_equal_reads_not_atomic, not snapshot_verified. Do not use the report as unconditional authorization for later batch edits.[3]

PYTHON / COMPLETE EXAMPLE

Read the code. Then run it deliberately.

Three files in the same folder

Download collect_timeline_map.py, resolve_api_timeline.py and resolve_api_connection.py into one folder. The bundle contains all seven examples, both helpers and RU/EN instructions. The helpers are fully visible below. For interval calculations, the assumptions are part of the input, not a verified image analysis.

Download all examples + instructions (.zip) ↓
collect_timeline_map.py
"""Read a structured top-level timeline map. It is NOT a project backup."""
from resolve_api_connection import connect
from resolve_api_timeline import collect_map, dumps


def main():
    report = collect_map(connect())
    print(dumps(report))
    # Empty tracks remain present. Missing fields are null with explicit issues.
    # Native proxy objects and source paths never enter this JSON structure.
    return 0 if report["complete"] else 2


if __name__ == "__main__":
    raise SystemExit(main())

Timeline helper — enumeration, boundaries and interval model

Author code, not the SDK. Structural reads compare two observations; they do not lock the edit. create_empty is the only function that changes Resolve. export_map creates an explicitly requested local file. v1_segments never certifies pixel visibility.

resolve_api_timeline.py
"""S03 tutorial helpers. Python 3.8+. Read-only except create_empty().

A double read detects some changes, not every concurrent edit. No atomic snapshot,
UI lock, native-call timeout, pixel analysis, source retime mapping, or live certification.
Limits apply after each native list call; they cannot bound its memory/time cost.
"""
from __future__ import annotations

from datetime import datetime, timezone
from fractions import Fraction
import hashlib
import json
import math
from pathlib import Path
import re

TRACK_TYPES = ("video", "audio", "subtitle")
MAX_TRACKS = 128
MAX_ITEMS = 10000
MAX_TIMELINES = 1000


class InspectionError(RuntimeError):
    """An observation cannot be trusted or a requested target is ambiguous."""


class OutcomeUnknown(InspectionError):
    """A write was attempted. Inspect Resolve; do not retry or roll back blindly."""


def call(obj, method, *args):
    fn = getattr(obj, method, None)
    if not callable(fn):
        raise InspectionError("Required method unavailable: " + method)
    return fn(*args)  # Propagate native failure; never try an invented fallback.


def text(value, label):
    if not isinstance(value, str) or not value.strip():
        raise InspectionError(label + " is not a non-empty string")
    return value


def uid(obj):
    return text(call(obj, "GetUniqueId"), "unique ID")


def number(value):
    if type(value) not in (int, float) or not math.isfinite(value) or abs(value) > 2**53 - 1:
        raise InspectionError("Expected finite frame value within the exact integer range")
    return value


def count(value, cap):
    if type(value) is not int or not 0 <= value <= cap:
        raise InspectionError("Invalid count or tutorial scope limit exceeded")
    return value


def items(value, cap=MAX_ITEMS):
    if not isinstance(value, (list, tuple)) or len(value) > cap:
        raise InspectionError("Expected a bounded list; None is not an empty list")
    if any(x is None for x in value):
        raise InspectionError("Null object in native list")
    return list(value)


def boolean(value):
    if type(value) is not bool:
        raise InspectionError("Unknown enabled state; do not coerce to True/False")
    return value


def dumps(value):
    return json.dumps(value, ensure_ascii=False, indent=2, allow_nan=False)


def digest(value):
    data = json.dumps(value, ensure_ascii=False, sort_keys=True, separators=(",", ":"), allow_nan=False)
    return hashlib.sha256(data.encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()


def parse_rate(raw):
    """Describe the numeric text exactly; never infer 24000/1001 from 23.976."""
    result = {"raw": raw if (isinstance(raw, str) or type(raw) is int or (type(raw) is float and math.isfinite(raw))) else None,
              "status": "unavailable", "label_fraction": None,
              "drop_frame_suffix": "unknown", "physical_timebase": "not_inferred"}
    if not isinstance(raw, str) or not raw.strip():
        return result
    result["status"] = "unrecognized"
    if len(raw) > 64:
        return result
    m = re.fullmatch(r"\s*(\d+(?:\.\d+)?|\d+/\d+)\s*(DF)?\s*", raw)
    if not m:
        return result
    try:
        rate = Fraction(m.group(1))
    except (ValueError, ZeroDivisionError):
        return result
    if not 0 < rate <= 1000:
        return result
    result.update(status="parsed_label", label_fraction={"numerator": rate.numerator, "denominator": rate.denominator},
                  drop_frame_suffix="present" if m.group(2) else "not_marked")
    return result


def project_context(resolve):
    manager = call(resolve, "GetProjectManager")
    if manager is None:
        raise InspectionError("Project Manager unavailable")
    project = call(manager, "GetCurrentProject")
    if project is None:
        raise InspectionError("Open a test project first")
    return manager, project


def timeline_context(resolve):
    manager, project = project_context(resolve)
    timeline = call(project, "GetCurrentTimeline")
    if timeline is None:
        raise InspectionError("Open the intended timeline; no automatic selection")
    return manager, project, timeline


def assert_current(manager, project_id, timeline_id):
    current = call(manager, "GetCurrentProject")
    if current is None or uid(current) != project_id:
        raise InspectionError("Active project changed during the read")
    active = call(current, "GetCurrentTimeline")
    if active is None or uid(active) != timeline_id:
        raise InspectionError("Active timeline changed during the read")


def read_rates(resolve):
    manager, project, timeline = timeline_context(resolve)
    identity = (uid(project), uid(timeline))
    def read():
        # Read the two owners independently. Project is never a silent fallback.
        return {"timeline": parse_rate(call(timeline, "GetSetting", "timelineFrameRate")),
                "project": parse_rate(call(project, "GetSetting", "timelineFrameRate"))}
    first, second = read(), read()
    assert_current(manager, *identity)
    if first != second:
        raise InspectionError("Rate settings changed between observations")
    return {"project_id": identity[0], "timeline_id": identity[1], **second,
            "status": "observed_not_timecode_calibrated", "consistency": "two_equal_reads_not_atomic"}


def collect_once(resolve, project, timeline, track_types):
    issues = []
    def observe(label, operation):
        try:
            return operation()
        except Exception as exc:
            issues.append({"field": label, "error_type": type(exc).__name__})
            return None
    result = {"schema_version": "resolve-timeline-map/1", "project_id": uid(project),
              "project_name": text(call(project, "GetName"), "project name"),
              "timeline_id": uid(timeline), "timeline_name": text(call(timeline, "GetName"), "timeline name"),
              "resolve_version": text(call(resolve, "GetVersionString"), "Resolve version"),
              "scope": {"track_types": list(track_types), "depth": "top_level_only", "source_paths": "not_read"},
              "units": {"positions": "timeline_frames", "ranges": "half_open_start_plus_duration", "subframes": True},
              "timeline_start_frame": number(call(timeline, "GetStartFrame")),
              "timeline_end_frame_raw": number(call(timeline, "GetEndFrame")),
              "start_timecode_raw": text(call(timeline, "GetStartTimecode"), "start timecode"),
              "rate": parse_rate(call(timeline, "GetSetting", "timelineFrameRate")), "tracks": [], "issues": issues}
    seen = set()
    total = 0
    for kind in track_types:
        n = count(call(timeline, "GetTrackCount", kind), MAX_TRACKS)
        for index in range(1, n + 1):
            key = kind + ":" + str(index)
            track = {"type": kind, "index": index,
                     "name": observe(key+".name", lambda: text(call(timeline, "GetTrackName", kind, index), "track name")),
                     "enabled": observe(key+".enabled", lambda: boolean(call(timeline, "GetIsTrackEnabled", kind, index))),
                     "items": []}
            # Failure to enumerate is fatal: an unknown track cannot become empty.
            native_items = items(call(timeline, "GetItemListInTrack", kind, index))
            total += len(native_items)
            count(total, MAX_ITEMS)
            for item in native_items:
                item_id = uid(item)
                if item_id in seen:
                    raise InspectionError("Duplicate TimelineItem ID in enumeration")
                seen.add(item_id)
                row = {"id": item_id, "track_type": kind, "track_index": index}
                row["name"] = observe(item_id+".name", lambda: text(call(item, "GetName"), "item name"))
                row["enabled"] = observe(item_id+".enabled", lambda: boolean(call(item, "GetClipEnabled")))
                pair = observe(item_id+".track", lambda: items(call(item, "GetTrackTypeAndIndex"), 2))
                row["reported_track"] = pair
                if pair is not None and (len(pair) != 2 or type(pair[1]) is not int or pair != [kind, index]):
                    issues.append({"field": item_id+".track", "error_type": "TrackMismatch"})
                for field, method in (("start_raw", "GetStart"), ("end_raw", "GetEnd"), ("duration_raw", "GetDuration")):
                    row[field] = observe(item_id+"."+field, lambda method=method: number(call(item, method, True)))
                a, b, d = row["start_raw"], row["end_raw"], row["duration_raw"]
                row["range"] = None
                if a is not None and b is not None and d is not None:
                    # This is a checked model, not a claim about every API endpoint's end convention.
                    if d <= 0 or b <= a or not math.isclose(b-a, d, rel_tol=0, abs_tol=1e-7):
                        issues.append({"field": item_id+".range", "error_type": "UnqualifiedBoundaryConvention"})
                    else:
                        row["range"] = {"start": a, "end_exclusive": number(a+d),
                                        "offset_from_timeline_start": number(a-result["timeline_start_frame"])}
                def source():
                    media = call(item, "GetMediaPoolItem")
                    return {"status": "none"} if media is None else {"status": "linked", "media_pool_id": uid(media)}
                row["source"] = observe(item_id+".source", source)
                track["items"].append(row)
            track["items"].sort(key=lambda row: (row["start_raw"] is None, row["start_raw"] or 0, row["id"]))
            result["tracks"].append(track)
    result["item_count"] = total
    result["complete"] = not issues
    result["rate_usable_as_label"] = result["rate"]["status"] == "parsed_label"
    return result


def collect_map(resolve, track_types=TRACK_TYPES):
    kinds = tuple(track_types)
    if not kinds or len(set(kinds)) != len(kinds) or any(x not in TRACK_TYPES for x in kinds):
        raise InspectionError("Select distinct documented track types")
    manager, project, timeline = timeline_context(resolve)
    identity = uid(project), uid(timeline)
    first = collect_once(resolve, project, timeline, kinds)
    assert_current(manager, *identity)
    second = collect_once(resolve, project, timeline, kinds)
    assert_current(manager, *identity)
    if first != second:
        raise InspectionError("Timeline changed or reads disagree; no stable report produced")
    second["consistency"] = "two_equal_reads_not_atomic"
    second["captured_at_utc"] = datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()
    second["limitations"] = ["No nested timeline expansion, source-time mapping or compositing analysis",
                             "Equal reads do not prove no intervening edits or provide a database revision"]
    return second


def locate_item(report, item_id):
    matches = [x for t in report["tracks"] for x in t["items"] if x["id"] == item_id]
    if len(matches) != 1:
        raise InspectionError("Item ID must identify exactly one entry in the observed scope")
    row = matches[0]
    pair = row["reported_track"]
    if not isinstance(pair, (list, tuple)) or len(pair) != 2 or type(pair[1]) is not int or list(pair) != [row["track_type"], row["track_index"]]:
        raise InspectionError("Reported track was not verified")
    return row


def export_map(report, output):
    """Explicit local file write, never overwrite. Does not change Resolve."""
    if report.get("complete") is not True or report.get("issues") or report.get("consistency") != "two_equal_reads_not_atomic":
        raise InspectionError("Refusing an incomplete/unmatched map as a complete export")
    path = Path(output).expanduser()
    if not path.is_absolute() or not path.parent.is_dir() or path.suffix.lower() != ".json":
        raise InspectionError("Use an absolute .json path in an existing trusted directory")
    payload = (dumps(report) + "\n").encode("utf-8")  # Validate before opening output.
    if len(payload) > 16 * 1024 * 1024:
        raise InspectionError("Export exceeds tutorial size limit")
    # Exclusive create handles existing files and final-component symlinks without overwrite.
    # A disk failure may leave a partial new file. No silent deletion/repair follows.
    with path.open("xb") as stream:
        stream.write(payload)
        stream.flush()
    if path.read_bytes() != payload:
        raise InspectionError("Export readback differs; inspect the new file")
    return {"status": "written_and_read_back", "path": str(path), "bytes": len(payload),
            "sha256": hashlib.sha256(payload).hexdigest(), "restorable_project_backup": False}


def subtract_ranges(base, covers):
    """Half-open interval subtraction. Pure math, not visibility detection."""
    start, end = map(number, base)
    if end <= start:
        raise InspectionError("Base interval must have positive length")
    clipped = []
    for a, b in covers:
        number(a); number(b)
        if b <= a:
            raise InspectionError("Cover interval must have positive length")
        lo, hi = max(start, a), min(end, b)
        if lo < hi:
            clipped.append((lo, hi))
    merged = []
    for a, b in sorted(clipped):
        if merged and a <= merged[-1][1]:
            merged[-1] = (merged[-1][0], max(merged[-1][1], b))
        else:
            merged.append((a, b))
    cursor, remaining = start, []
    for a, b in merged:
        if cursor < a:
            remaining.append([cursor, a])
        cursor = max(cursor, b)
    if cursor < end:
        remaining.append([cursor, end])
    return remaining


def v1_segments(report, opaque_v2_model=False):
    if report.get("complete") is not True or report.get("issues"):
        raise InspectionError("Cannot calculate from incomplete observations")
    tracks = {t["index"]: t for t in report["tracks"] if t["type"] == "video"}
    if 1 not in tracks:
        raise InspectionError("No V1 in this scope")
    if report.get("scope", {}).get("track_types") != ["video"]:
        raise InspectionError("Use an explicit video-only observation")
    for idx, track in tracks.items():
        boolean(track["enabled"])
        if idx > 2 and track["enabled"] and any(boolean(x["enabled"]) for x in track["items"]):
            raise InspectionError("Active V3+ items are outside the two-layer tutorial model")
    result = {"status": "model_not_confirmed", "pixel_visibility_verified": False,
              "model": "opaque_full_frame_V2_hard_cuts_only", "segments": [],
              "assumptions": ["No alpha, opacity animation, crop, transform, transition or compositing effects",
                              "No adjustment clips, nested compositions or other visible layers"]}
    if not opaque_v2_model:
        return result  # No numeric result that could be mistaken for actual visibility.
    base_track = tracks[1]
    if not base_track["enabled"]:
        result.update(status="conditional_model_result", reason="V1_disabled")
        return result
    upper = tracks.get(2)
    covers = []
    if upper and upper["enabled"]:
        for row in upper["items"]:
            if boolean(row["enabled"]):
                if row["range"] is None:
                    raise InspectionError("Unqualified V2 range")
                covers.append((row["range"]["start"], row["range"]["end_exclusive"]))
    for row in base_track["items"]:
        if not boolean(row["enabled"]):
            continue
        if row["range"] is None:
            raise InspectionError("Unqualified V1 range")
        spans = subtract_ranges((row["range"]["start"], row["range"]["end_exclusive"]), covers)
        result["segments"].append({"item_id": row["id"], "timeline_ranges": spans})
    result["status"] = "conditional_model_result"
    return result


def creation_state(resolve, name):
    manager, project = project_context(resolve)
    pool = call(project, "GetMediaPool")
    folder = call(pool, "GetCurrentFolder")
    if folder is None:
        raise InspectionError("Choose a Media Pool folder")
    n = count(call(project, "GetTimelineCount"), MAX_TIMELINES)
    timelines = []
    for i in range(1, n+1):
        t = call(project, "GetTimelineByIndex", i)
        if t is None:
            raise InspectionError("Timeline enumeration incomplete")
        timelines.append({"id": uid(t), "name": text(call(t, "GetName"), "timeline name")})
    if len({x["id"] for x in timelines}) != n:
        raise InspectionError("Repeated timeline ID")
    active = call(project, "GetCurrentTimeline")
    state = {"name": name, "project_id": uid(project), "folder_id": uid(folder),
             "active_timeline_id": uid(active) if active is not None else None,
             "timelines": sorted(timelines, key=lambda x: x["id"])}
    if uid(call(manager, "GetCurrentProject")) != state["project_id"]:
        raise InspectionError("Project changed")
    return state, pool


def create_empty(resolve, name, apply=False, project_id=None, folder_id=None, plan_digest=None):
    text(name, "new timeline name")
    if len(name) > 128 or name != name.strip() or any(ord(c) < 32 for c in name):
        raise InspectionError("Use a trimmed name, at most 128 characters, without control characters")
    before, pool = creation_state(resolve, name)
    again, _ = creation_state(resolve, name)
    if before != again:
        raise InspectionError("Creation plan changed between reads")
    if any(x["name"].casefold() == name.casefold() for x in before["timelines"]):
        raise InspectionError("Name already exists; no create-or-open fallback")
    token = digest(before)
    if not apply:
        return {"status": "plan_only", "plan_digest": token, **before}
    if (project_id, folder_id, plan_digest) != (before["project_id"], before["folder_id"], token):
        raise InspectionError("Explicit project/folder IDs and matching reviewed digest required")
    latest, pool = creation_state(resolve, name)
    if latest != before:
        raise InspectionError("State changed just before create")
    try:
        created = call(pool, "CreateEmptyTimeline", name)
        if created is None:
            raise InspectionError("CreateEmptyTimeline returned no object")
        new_id = uid(created)
        after, _ = creation_state(resolve, name)
        old = before["timelines"]
        expected = sorted(old+[{"id": new_id, "name": name}], key=lambda x: x["id"])
        if new_id in {x["id"] for x in old} or after["timelines"] != expected:
            raise InspectionError("Timeline inventory does not match exactly one new timeline")
        if (after["project_id"], after["folder_id"]) != (project_id, folder_id):
            raise InspectionError("Target changed during create")
        if after["active_timeline_id"] not in (before["active_timeline_id"], new_id):
            raise InspectionError("Unexpected active timeline after create")
        for kind in TRACK_TYPES:
            for index in range(1, count(call(created, "GetTrackCount", kind), MAX_TRACKS)+1):
                if items(call(created, "GetItemListInTrack", kind, index)):
                    raise InspectionError("New timeline is not empty")
        return {"status": "created_empty_readback_confirmed", "timeline_id": new_id,
                "active_timeline_id": after["active_timeline_id"], "saved_by_script": False}
    except Exception as exc:
        raise OutcomeUnknown("Create attempted; inspect the project before any further write") from exc

Shared connection helper — inspect and download

This file only locates and loads the installed bridge. Native imports can write Python bytecode caches and can block; this is not a sandbox or a timeout mechanism. Use a trusted local installation.

resolve_api_connection.py
"""Load the installed Blackmagic module; do not install a similarly named package.

This helper uses standard desktop installation paths or RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API.
It does not enable scripting, start Resolve, open projects or retry API calls.
Validate Python/native-library compatibility against your installed README.txt.
"""
from __future__ import annotations

import importlib.util
import os
from pathlib import Path
import struct
import sys


class ResolveConnectionError(RuntimeError):
    """An explicit environment, module, or application-connection failure."""


def scripting_root() -> Path:
    configured = os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API")
    if configured is not None:
        if not configured.strip() or configured != configured.strip():
            raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API is empty or has outer whitespace")
        if configured.startswith(('"', "'")) or configured.endswith(('"', "'")):
            raise ResolveConnectionError("Do not store literal outer quotes in RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API")
        root = Path(os.path.expandvars(configured)).expanduser()
    elif sys.platform == "win32":
        root = Path(os.environ.get("PROGRAMDATA", r"C:\ProgramData")) / "Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Support/Developer/Scripting"
    elif sys.platform == "darwin":
        root = Path("/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting")
    elif sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
        root = Path("/opt/resolve/Developer/Scripting")
    else:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Set RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API for this platform/installation")
    if not root.is_absolute():
        raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API must be an absolute Scripting directory")
    return root


def module_file() -> Path:
    # RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API points to Scripting, not its Modules subdirectory.
    return scripting_root() / "Modules" / "DaVinciResolveScript.py"


def load_resolve_module():
    if struct.calcsize("P") * 8 != 64:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Use a compatible 64-bit Python interpreter")
    source = module_file()
    if not source.is_file():
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Official DaVinciResolveScript.py not found at: " + str(source))
    configured_lib = os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB")
    if configured_lib is not None:
        lib = Path(os.path.expandvars(configured_lib)).expanduser()
        if not lib.is_absolute() or not lib.is_file():
            raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB must name the installed native library file")
    name = "DaVinciResolveScript"
    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(name, source)
    if spec is None or spec.loader is None:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Cannot create a loader for the official module")
    previous = sys.modules.get(name)
    module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
    sys.modules[name] = module
    try:
        spec.loader.exec_module(module)
        # Blackmagic's wrapper can replace its sys.modules entry with a native module.
        loaded = sys.modules[name]
        if not callable(getattr(loaded, "scriptapp", None)):
            raise ResolveConnectionError("Loaded module does not expose scriptapp")
        return loaded
    except Exception as exc:
        if previous is None:
            sys.modules.pop(name, None)
        else:
            sys.modules[name] = previous
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Official module was found, but loading it failed") from exc


def connect():
    module = load_resolve_module()
    try:
        resolve = module.scriptapp("Resolve")
    except Exception as exc:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("scriptapp failed; inspect the original exception") from exc
    if not resolve:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("No Resolve object: check running Studio, Local access and Python environment")
    return resolve


def project_manager(resolve):
    manager = resolve.GetProjectManager()
    if not manager:
        raise ResolveConnectionError("Resolve connected, but Project Manager is unavailable")
    return manager

Launch commands

Display the structural map

Display the structural map
python collect_timeline_map.py

Prints to the terminal; no automatic file or Resolve mutation.

What the code does

  1. Context

    Store the timeline origin alongside IDs and the raw FPS label. Do not substitute report zero for edit start.

  2. Map

    Keep the modeled interval separate from GetEnd. Check agreement between start, end and duration first.

  3. Coverage

    Compare two reads and verify active IDs again. Missing fields are listed rather than concealed.

  4. Result boundaries

    Two matching reads check observation consistency; they are not an atomic snapshot or a collaborative-editing lock.

Boundaries to keep

Two matching reads check observation consistency; they are not an atomic snapshot or a collaborative-editing lock.

JSON can contain project names, clip names and IDs. Source paths are not read, but the other fields are not automatically anonymized.

DEBUG / OBSERVATION FIRST

An error is a starting point, not a diagnosis.

None instead of a list

Possible reasonTrack enumeration was not confirmed.

Next checkDo not hide the failure with or []; check the version and target state.

complete: false

Possible reasonSome fields were unavailable or failed validation.

Next checkInspect issues. Do not present the report as a complete map.

The observations disagree

Possible reasonThe edit or its settings changed during enumeration.

Next checkStop editing and reread; there is no automatic waiting loop.

The scope limit was exceeded

Possible reasonThe example is bounded to a tutorial-sized dataset.

Next checkDo not truncate the list. Design a separately bounded collector for a larger project.

PRACTICE / YOUR OWN EVIDENCE

Test the schema on a deliberately awkward timeline

  1. Use a non-zero origin, an empty track, a disabled item and a repeated source.
  2. Compare raw start and offset with the UI; separately inspect subframe audio.
  3. Change an item between reads in the test harness: the report must be rejected.
ACCEPT WHEN

Empty tracks and disabled items remain, ranges are labelled, and no proxies or paths are included. Incompleteness is not reported as success.

This is a checklist for your test, not a report of a test already performed on the website.

FAQ

Questions that matter in practice.

Is this a timeline backup?

No. The map lacks full edit state, effects, media and settings. Restoration requires supported formats and a separate restore test.[3]

Why keep both raw values and range?

raw preserves the API response; range is the example’s checked model. Discrepancies cannot disappear during normalization.[3]

Does complete mean the entire project?

No. It only means the selected top-level fields of the scoped active timeline were read. Nested structures and visual content are excluded.[3]

Can I modify clips directly from the map?

No. Re-establish the target and preconditions before a write. The edit may have changed since the report.[3]

SOURCES / VERSION BOUNDARIES

Sources, not implied certification.

The source review, offline Python tests and UI checks are different kinds of evidence. None establishes that every example works with every Studio build, operating system or Python version. The date below is the editorial review date, not a live-test certificate.

  1. Blackmagic Design — DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 release notes

    8 September 2026. The release announcement assigns Python scripting to Studio. Edition requirements, not a test report for our examples.

  2. Blackmagic Design — Support Center

    Release catalogue checked on 5 October 2026: 21.1.1 is listed. The latest release is not the minimum version of every method.

  3. Blackmagic Scripting README — snapshot 24 July 2026 (Resolve 21.0.4)

    Public mirror of Blackmagic’s original README, maintained by X-Raym. Used for basic signatures; not official hosting and not a 21.1.1 README. Locate your installed Developer/Scripting/README.txt through Resolve’s Help/Documentation menu; exact menu nesting can vary.

  4. Blackmagic Design — Scripting and Automation

    Official description of Studio Python/Lua scripting and integrations. Do not extend Studio capabilities to Free without checking the exact release.

KEEP BUILDING

Continue with a precise next task.

API / Timeline

Find the track of a specific timeline item

Use GetTrackTypeAndIndex(), validate the index through timeline enumeration and compare the result with the track that yielded the object. No invented GetTrackIndex fallback or MediaPoolItem substitution.

API / Timeline

Export a timeline map to JSON

Use a versioned schema, UTF-8, completeness checks, no-overwrite output and byte-for-byte readback. Separate a structural report from an actual edit backup format.

API / Projects

How to Get the Current DaVinci Resolve Project in Python

Obtain Project Manager, check the current project name and ID, and read timeline count and the active Timeline. An absent timeline is allowed; implicit loading and project creation are excluded.

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