RESOLVE API / TIMELINE LAB / 03

Enumerate timeline clips with Python

Every occurrence gets a separate record, even when it shares a source.

Enumerate video, audio and subtitle items without hiding empty states or failures. Preserve track indices, occurrence IDs and fractional boundaries, then compare two observations.

THE RESULT

A flat list of top-level TimelineItems with explicit scope and issue reporting.

PYTHON / RESOLVESTUDY MODEL
01count = timeline.GetTrackCount(kind)

Read a separate count for every selected type. Indices begin at 1, not 0.

CHECK

Enumeration scope 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.
TimelineItemGetUniqueId()
Input
No arguments.
Returns
The ID of this timeline occurrence.
Check
Do not substitute a name or MediaPoolItem ID.
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.

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

MediaPoolItem is a source; TimelineItem is an occurrence

A source in the media pool and a clip on an edit track are different objects. One MediaPoolItem may appear at several positions and in several timelines. Linked video and audio should not be collapsed into one record either: they belong to different tracks and can have different extents.

In the report, id identifies the TimelineItem, while source.media_pool_id records its source link when available. Names are for human recognition. Repeated names are not duplicate data and must not overwrite entries in a dictionary.[3]

04 / UNDERSTAND

Start with an explicit track scope

By default the example reads video, audio and subtitle. Use --types to choose, for example, video audio; the report records that selection. This is not a claim that the entire project was read: the scope is the active timeline and selected types only. Nested sequences remain single top-level items.

GetTrackCount returns the count for one track type; valid indices are range(1, count + 1). An empty track can return [], which is valid. None does not establish emptiness, so enumeration stops. The old GetItemListInTrack(...) or [] pattern is removed because it hides missing data.[3]

05 / UNDERSTAND

Report order is not compositing order

Within each track, records are sorted by observed start and ID. Track types and indices remain separate. This gives a reproducible report order, not a guarantee of native API list order and not an algorithm for choosing the visible clip.

GetStart(True), GetEnd(True) and GetDuration(True) preserve fractional frames, which matter for audio. Positions use timeline coordinates; the timeline need not start at zero. Seconds, timecode and source-file mapping require separate conversions.[3]

06 / UNDERSTAND

The flat list is a read result, not a stream of write permissions

The main example obtains a checked collect_map report, then flattens tracks[].items into items. It does not expose live proxies while enumeration is unfinished. Another function therefore cannot begin deleting items partway through this read via yielded objects.

complete applies only to the requested structural fields. An unavailable field becomes null with an issue, whereas an enumeration failure makes the overall read untrustworthy and stops it. Even complete: true does not mean that pictures, effects or audio content were analyzed.[3]

PYTHON / COMPLETE EXAMPLE

Read the code. Then run it deliberately.

Three files in the same folder

Download iterate_timeline_clips.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) ↓
iterate_timeline_clips.py
"""Enumerate top-level items: one row per TimelineItem, never per filename."""
import argparse
from resolve_api_connection import connect
from resolve_api_timeline import collect_map, dumps


def main(argv=None):
    p = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
    p.add_argument("--types", nargs="+", choices=["video", "audio", "subtitle"],
                   default=["video", "audio", "subtitle"])
    a = p.parse_args(argv)
    report = collect_map(connect(), a.types)
    # Build a flat list only AFTER the bounded, checked read has finished.
    rows = [item for track in report["tracks"] for item in track["items"]]
    print(dumps({"timeline_id": report["timeline_id"], "scope": report["scope"],
                 "complete": report["complete"], "issues": report["issues"],
                 "units": report["units"], "consistency": report["consistency"],
                 "item_count": len(rows), "items": rows}))
    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

All types

All types
python iterate_timeline_clips.py

Includes top-level video, audio and subtitle.

Selected types only

Selected types only
python iterate_timeline_clips.py --types video audio

Subtitles are explicitly excluded and the scope records it.

What the code does

  1. Tracks

    Read a separate count for every selected type. Indices begin at 1, not 0.

  2. Occurrences

    One source can occur several times. Do not merge its timeline occurrences by name or path.

  3. Check

    Build the output after enumeration and a second comparison. A track failure cannot become an empty result.

  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 repeated use of a single source

  1. Use one source twice in a test edit, add separate audio and an empty track.
  2. Read every type and then video only.
  3. Compare IDs, record counts and the explicit scope.
ACCEPT WHEN

The two occurrences are not collapsed by name, audio remains present, and video-only output is explicitly scoped. The report does not alter the project.

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

FAQ

Questions that matter in practice.

Why not identify clips by name?

Names are not unique. Identify an occurrence with its TimelineItem ID, scoped to the timeline ID and track.[3]

Are disabled clips skipped?

No: they remain part of the structure. enabled is preserved; task-specific filtering is a separate step.[3]

Are nested timelines expanded?

No. scope.depth explicitly says top_level_only. Expansion needs a separate time-mapping, nesting and cycle-protection design.[3]

Can track names repeat?

Do not use a name as a key. Type and one-based index identify the track in this observation; editing can change that index.[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

Build a timeline clip map

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.

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 / 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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