Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 21.1 alongside Fusion Studio 21.1, introducing over 100 new features led by a natural-language MCP server, extensive Krokodove motion graphics integration, deep compositing upgrades, and a $295 price point for the Studio commercial edition.
Blackmagic Design rolled out significant updates to its post-production ecosystem with the release of DaVinci Resolve 21.1 and Fusion Studio 21.1. While the base edition of DaVinci Resolve remains free, the commercial DaVinci Resolve Studio edition is priced at $295 as a one-time perpetual license without subscription requirements. The latest software version arrives packed with major integrations designed to bridge traditional grading pipelines with modern AI workflows and advanced 3D toolsets.
MCP Server Integration Connects DaVinci Resolve to Claude and Codex
The most striking addition in DaVinci Resolve 21.1 is a new Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables users to connect the post-production suite directly to external artificial intelligence tools like Claude and ChatGPT Codex.
The utility aims to streamline tedious post-production chores. Suggested use cases range from organizing media libraries and updating project settings to complex automated assembly tasks, such as generating a highlight reel from a longer source video. Alongside these AI capabilities, the software adds native support for NVIDIA RTX Spark superchips, expanded GPU-accelerated decoding options, and haptic feedback support for Windows.
Fusion Studio 21.1 and DaVinci Resolve Fusion Page Expand Motion Graphics Tools
Motion graphics artists gain substantial new firepower through the ongoing integration of Krokodove. Originally a free third-party add-on, Krokodove provides over 70 tools for motion design, which Cgchannel noted were first brought into Fusion Studio 21.0. The 21.1 update pushes this further by adding over 25 new Krokodove tools specifically built for 2D shapes and 3D forms.
The updated toolset brings a sPrimitive Create
node for complex primitive shapes like stars and crosses, backed by advanced edge manipulation tools. For 3D workflows, artists can utilize the new Connect3D node to link vertices with line networks, HeightFieldCreate3D to deform 3D planes using bitmap images, and TubeCreate3D for tubular structures. Furthermore, the software introduces native support for two popular 2D motion graphics formats: the JSON-based Lottie format and the HTML-based OGraf format.
Advanced USD Workflows, Deep Compositing, and Upgraded Rendering Performance
Visual effects artists working inside Fusion Studio 21.1 and the DaVinci Resolve Fusion page benefit from major extensions to USD and deep compositing toolsets. The Universal Scene Description integration gains two new nodes—uProjector and uCatcher—for decal projection and texture reprojection. Additionally, the standard 3D renderer now supports Cryptomatte export, matching the ID matte-generation standard widely used across modern digital content creation applications.
Performance optimizations headline the rendering updates. Fusion Studio’s AI-based retiming tool, SpeedWarp, now shares the same underlying retiming engine found on DaVinci Resolve’s Edit and Cut pages. According to Cgchannel, tools like Relight and Depth Map operate up to 6x faster, while hardware-accelerated deep renders achieve speeds up to 8x faster
. The platform also gains native support for Windows on ARM, improving performance on Copilot+ laptops and tablets.
Color Grading, HDR Management, and the New Photo Page Updates
Colorists using the Color page receive significant upgrades for high dynamic range projects. The MultiMaster Trim manager now supports individual grading passes for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR Vivid formats, giving professionals granular control over multiple HDR deliverables. The update also integrates the ResolveFX Panomap node for spherical and hemispherical footage, alongside fresh color profiles such as DJI D-Gamut2, Leica L-Log, and GoPro Log.
The newly introduced Photo page receives its first functional expansion, gaining hardware compatibility with Blackmagic Design’s professional control panels and adding camera support for Fujifilm GFX and X Series, Leica SL-System, and additional Sony Alpha models. Users also gain access to the ResolveFX Sky Replacement tool for isolating and swapping skies in still images.
| Software Edition | Primary Pricing Model | Key 21.1 Additions |
|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Free perpetual | MCP server for Claude/Codex, 25+ new Krokodove tools, MultiMaster HDR trimming |
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | $295 one-time | Advanced deep compositing, hardware-accelerated renders, full hardware panel support |
| Fusion Studio | Perpetual license | uProjector/uCatcher USD nodes, Windows on ARM support, SpeedWarp engine updates |
These comprehensive updates and newly introduced pricing tiers ensure that both professional creators and hobbyists can efficiently integrate the expanded toolsets into their existing post-production workflows.
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