DaVinci Resolve APIIntermediateTimeline

How to Export a DaVinci Resolve Timeline Clip Map to JSON

GetTrackCount, GetItemListInTrack, GetStart, GetEnd, and JSON serialization of Timeline structure

Build a technical JSON map of the current Timeline containing media type, track number, clip name, start, end, duration, and source path when available.

API

Resolve Scripting API

Language

Python

Resolve

19–20+

Requires

Running Resolve

Syntax

result = api_method()

Parameters

• The relevant arguments are shown in the complete working example below. Validate paths, object types, and required project state before calling the API method.

Returns

Always validate the returned object, list, identifier, or boolean before continuing to the next automation step.

Complete working Python exampleuse it as a starting point for your own script

import os
import sys
from pathlib import Path


def import_resolve_module():
    try:
        import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr
        return dvr
    except ImportError:
        search_paths = [
            os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API", ""),
            os.environ.get("RESOLVE_MODULES", ""),
            r"C:\\ProgramData\\Blackmagic Design\\DaVinci Resolve\\Support\\Developer\\Scripting\\Modules",
            "/opt/resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            "/opt/BlackmagicDesign/DaVinciResolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            "/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            str(Path.home() / "Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules"),
        ]
        for path in search_paths:
            if path and os.path.isdir(path) and path not in sys.path:
                sys.path.append(path)
        import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr
        return dvr


def safe_call(obj, name, *args, **kwargs):
    try:
        fn = getattr(obj, name, None)
        if callable(fn):
            return fn(*args, **kwargs)
    except Exception:
        return None
    return None


def get_project_and_timeline():
    dvr = import_resolve_module()
    resolve = dvr.scriptapp("Resolve")
    if not resolve:
        raise RuntimeError("DaVinci Resolve API is unavailable")

    project_manager = safe_call(resolve, "GetProjectManager")
    project = safe_call(project_manager, "GetCurrentProject") if project_manager else None
    if not project:
        raise RuntimeError("No DaVinci Resolve project is open")

    timeline = safe_call(project, "GetCurrentTimeline")
    if not timeline:
        raise RuntimeError("No active Timeline")

    return resolve, project, timeline

import json


def media_path(item) -> str:
    media_pool_item = safe_call(item, "GetMediaPoolItem")
    props = safe_call(media_pool_item, "GetClipProperty") if media_pool_item else {}
    props = props or {}
    return props.get("File Path") or props.get("FilePath") or ""


def export_timeline_clips(timeline) -> list[dict]:
    result = []
    for media_type in ("video", "audio"):
        track_count = int(safe_call(timeline, "GetTrackCount", media_type) or 0)
        for track_index in range(1, track_count + 1):
            items = safe_call(timeline, "GetItemListInTrack", media_type, track_index) or []
            for item in items:
                start = int(safe_call(item, "GetStart") or 0)
                end = int(safe_call(item, "GetEnd") or start)
                result.append({
                    "media_type": media_type,
                    "track_index": track_index,
                    "name": safe_call(item, "GetName") or "",
                    "start": start,
                    "end": end,
                    "duration": int(safe_call(item, "GetDuration") or max(0, end - start)),
                    "source_path": media_path(item),
                })
    return result


resolve, project, timeline = get_project_and_timeline()
clips = export_timeline_clips(timeline)
out_path = Path.cwd() / "timeline_clips.json"
out_path.write_text(json.dumps(clips, ensure_ascii=False, indent=2), encoding="utf-8")
print("Saved:", out_path)

Guide

What the exporter does

The code walks every video and audio track, collects basic properties from each TimelineItem, and serializes the resulting rows into a JSON file.

Why the workflow is safe

The script is read-only with respect to the Resolve project. It can be used for diagnostics, project documentation, offline analysis, or as an interchange layer for another tool without changing Timeline content.

What the JSON contains

Each row includes media type, track index, item name, start frame, end frame, duration, and source path when that path can be resolved through the associated MediaPoolItem.

How the example works

Connect to Resolve

Establish a Resolve Scripting API connection and stop early if the application object is unavailable.

Validate the current context

Check the active project, Timeline, Media Pool, source paths, or Render Queue state required by this specific operation.

Run the core API operation

Execute the operation demonstrated in this guide: how to export a davinci resolve timeline clip map to json.

Validate the result

Check the returned value before the workflow continues. Resolve methods often signal an unavailable object or failed operation with None, False, or an empty result.

Resolve API notes

GetStart() and GetEnd() return Timeline positions in frames.
source_path can be empty for generators, titles, and other items without a normal source file.
Make sure the destination directory is writable before saving JSON.
Convert frames to timecode separately when a human-readable timecode field is required.

Common errors

Resolve API is unavailable

Reason: Resolve is closed or Python cannot import/use DaVinciResolveScript.

Fix: Start Resolve and verify the Developer/Scripting/Modules path from the same Python interpreter used by the script.

The method returns None or False

Reason: A required project, Timeline, clip, preset, path, or application state is missing.

Fix: Validate each input and add explicit result checks after important Resolve API calls.

The script only works on one workstation

Reason: Paths or environment assumptions are hard-coded for a single operating system or machine.

Fix: Move paths into configuration and support the required Windows, Linux, and macOS locations explicitly.

Next step

Continue only after the current operation has returned the expected Resolve object or result.

Related API guides

Timeline