CrossFlow FAQ
Frequently asked questions: find all the answers here
Can’t find your answer? See the documentation
Does CrossFlow work with the free version of DaVinci Resolve?
No. CrossFlow requires DaVinci Resolve Studio (the paid version), 20.0 or newer.
If you specifically need free-Resolve support, get in touch.
Note: if you just need to prepare the Premiere project before transferring, then no need to have Resolve installed.
What versions of Premiere Pro and Resolve are supported?
Premiere Pro 25.0+ and DaVinci Resolve Studio 20.0+. Projects saved by older Premiere versions usually convert too, but are not officially supported.
Windows 10+ and macOS 12.0 (Monterey)+ on both.
Do I need Premiere Pro installed on the machine running CrossFlow?
Only for Automatic Transcoding, or for Return to Premiere on a single computer. A plain conversion from Premiere to Resolve just needs the .prproj file. And with Machine Transfer, a colorist can convert a received project and send the graded clips back without Premiere Pro on that computer.
Do I need DaVinci Resolve installed on the machine running CrossFlow?
Only if you want to transfer your project to/from Resolve. For example, you could just want to prepare your current Premiere Project for sending: transcoding everything which cannot be transferred, cleaning the project, keeping only some sequences, … In such case, you don’t need Resolve to be installed.
With Machine Transfer, the editor’s computer doesn’t need Resolve either: only the computer that builds the Resolve project does.
Can Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve be on two different computers?
Yes, that’s Machine Transfer. Export for Another Computer saves a transfer file and lists the media to send. On the other computer, CrossFlow finds the media, even if they moved, and builds the Resolve project. The colorist then sends the graded clips back. Windows and Mac work in any combination, and a project sent from a licensed computer converts in full on the other one, so one license is enough. The transfer file does not contain your media: you send them yourself, on a drive or through any transfer service. Resolve Studio is needed on the computer that builds the Resolve project. More in the Machine Transfer guide.
What happens to effects or clips Resolve can’t reproduce?
If you enable transcoding, CrossFlow automatically renders them through Adobe Media Encoder before the project reaches Resolve, so the visual or audio result is preserved instead of silently dropped. This covers things like unsupported effects, After Effects Dynamic Link clips or masked clips. It’s on by default and configurable per category.
Note: After Effects clips, graphics and media with transparency use a separate preset with alpha, such as ProRes 4444.
Should I use XML, AAF, EDL or OTIO instead of CrossFlow?
It depends on what has to survive. For a cut with basic framing, a free FCP XML export is often enough. For a whole project with its effects, keyframes, multicam, bins and mix, CrossFlow carries far more. We tested them all, frame by frame: How to move a Premiere Pro project to DaVinci Resolve.
Can I bring color-graded clips back into Premiere?
Yes! That’s the “Return to Premiere” feature. Once you’ve applied a Color Node to a clip in Resolve, CrossFlow detects it, exports it, and builds a copy of the original Premiere Pro project with the graded shots replaced.
So you keep the same exact original project, with all special Premiere features, and only get the graded clips replaced.
Is my project or media uploaded anywhere?
No. CrossFlow runs entirely on your computer and writes directly to your local DaVinci Resolve database: your project and your media never leave it. The only things sent are anonymous usage statistics (ranges, no names), which you can turn off in Settings & License.
How can I test CrossFlow before buying?
Download CrossFlow from the download page. The trial will transfer the first 10 clips of every sequence you have, so you can make your tests on those clips to see them effectively transferred.
How do I activate my CrossFlow PRO license?
Once you have bought your license, you will receive the license key by email (check your spam folder!). Then open the CrossFlow app, go to the “Settings & License” tab, paste your license key in the license input then click Activate License and voilĂ ! You’re ready to transfer your whole project!
What if I hit a bug or a case CrossFlow doesn’t handle?
Please report it! CrossFlow is directly shaped by real editor feedback. Use the in-app “Create Logs Zip” tool and reach out via the contact page.
The logs alone are not enough: they don’t include your email address, so please also send me an email describing what happened.
Still have a question?