DaVinci Resolve Installation - ryzendew/Linux-Tips-and-Tricks GitHub Wiki

DaVinci Resolve Installation on Linux

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Things Change: Understanding the Compatibility Issue
  3. Installation Steps by Distribution
  4. Downloading DaVinci Resolve
  5. Alternative Installation Method
  6. Post-Installation Instructions
  7. Verification
  8. Troubleshooting
  9. Additional Resources
  10. Summary

Introduction

This guide will help you install DaVinci Resolve on various Linux distributions. DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing software developed by Blackmagic Design.

What is zlib and why does it matter?

  • zlib is a software library used for data compression
  • zlib-ng is a newer, optimized version of zlib
  • Some older software (like DaVinci Resolve) may not be compatible with the new library format
  • This guide provides solutions to work around these compatibility issues

Things Change: Understanding the Compatibility Issue

Fedora 43 has switched from using the zlib library to zlib-ng-compat libraries. This change affects DaVinci Resolve installation because the software expects the older library format. However, there are workarounds to get it working. Here's what you can do:

Installation Steps by Distribution

Fedora

Understanding Fedora 43 and AMD GPU Requirements:

Fedora 43 is a cutting-edge Linux distribution. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

For Fedora 43, the required packages are slightly different. Important: This command requires the --allowerasing flag because some packages may conflict with existing packages on your system:

alsa-lib
apr
apr-util
dbus-libs
glx-utils
libglvnd-egl
libglvnd-glx
libICE
librsvg2
libSM
libxcrypt-compat
libXcursor
libXfixes
libXi
libXinerama
libxkbcommon-x11
libxkbfile
libXrandr
libXtst
libXxf86vm
lshw
mesa-libGLU
mesa-libOpenCL
mtdev
nss
ocl-icd
pipewire-alsa
pulseaudio-libs
python3-gobject
switcheroo-control
xcb-util
xcb-util-cursor
xcb-util-image
xcb-util-keysyms
xcb-util-renderutil
xcb-util-wm
patchelf

sudo dnf install --allowerasing rocm-opencl-runtime apr apr-util zlib libxcrypt-compat libcurl libcurl-devel mesa-libGLU fuse fuse-libs

What each part means:

  • sudo: Runs the command with administrator privileges
  • dnf: The package manager for Fedora (Dandified YUM)
  • install: Tells dnf to install the specified packages
  • --allowerasing: Allows dnf to remove conflicting packages if necessary
  • This flag is needed because some of these packages may conflict with newer versions already installed on Fedora 43
  • Without this flag, dnf will refuse to install packages that would require removing other packages
  • Note: This is safe to use - dnf will show you what it plans to do before making changes

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • apr: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • apr-util: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt-compat: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl and libcurl-devel: Networking libraries - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • mesa-libGLU: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations
  • fuse: Filesystem in Userspace core package (needed for mounting and file operations)
  • fuse-libs: Filesystem in Userspace library files (needed for applications to use FUSE)

What this does: This installs all the libraries and compatibility packages needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Fedora 43. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The --allowerasing flag ensures that any package conflicts are resolved automatically.

Step 2: Load NVIDIA Kernel Module (if using NVIDIA graphics)

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you need to load the NVIDIA kernel module:

sudo modprobe nvidia

What this does:

  • modprobe is a command that loads kernel modules (drivers) into the Linux kernel
  • nvidia is the NVIDIA graphics driver module
  • This ensures your NVIDIA GPU is properly recognized by the system

Note: If you don't have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can skip this step.

Fix Resolve broken Icon

How to edit:

  1. Use the arrow keys to move your cursor to the Exec= line
  2. Delete the old line (you can use the Delete or Backspace key)
  3. Type the new line exactly as shown above

Step 5: Check and Add the StartupWMClass Line (if not already present)

Scroll down to the bottom of the file using the arrow keys. Check if there's already a line that says StartupWMClass=resolve.

If it's not there, add it: Add this new line at the end:

StartupWMClass=resolve

What this does:

  • StartupWMClass: This tells your desktop environment (like GNOME or KDE) which window class Resolve uses
  • resolve: The window class name for DaVinci Resolve
  • This helps your system properly identify Resolve windows, which can fix issues with:
  • Application icons in the taskbar/dock
  • Window grouping
  • Application switching

How to add it (if needed):

  1. Move your cursor to the end of the file (after the last line)
  2. Press Enter to create a new line
  3. Type: StartupWMClass=resolve

Note: If StartupWMClass=resolve is already present in the file, you don't need to add it again. Just make sure the Exec= line is updated correctly.

Step 6: Save and Exit nano

After making your changes:

  1. Save the file: Press Ctrl + S (hold Ctrl and press S)
    • You'll see a message at the bottom saying "File written" or similar
    • The ^ symbol in nano's help text means the Ctrl key
  2. Exit nano: Press Ctrl + X (hold Ctrl and press X)
    • If you haven't saved, nano will ask if you want to save - type Y for yes, then press Enter
    • You'll return to the terminal prompt

Complete Example of What the File Should Look Like:

After editing, your desktop file should look like this (this is the complete file):

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=DaVinci Resolve
GenericName=DaVinci Resolve
Comment=Revolutionary new tools for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color correction and professional audio post production
Path=/opt/resolve/
Exec=/opt/resolve/bin/resolve %u
Terminal=false
MimeType=application/x-resolveproj;
Icon=/opt/resolve/graphics/DV_Resolve.png
StartupNotify=true
Name[en_US]=DaVinci Resolve
StartupWMClass=resolve

Key points to verify:

  • The Exec= line points directly to /opt/resolve/bin/resolve %u
  • The StartupWMClass=resolve line should be present at the end
  • All other lines should remain as they were

Step 7: Verify the Changes

You can verify the file was saved correctly by viewing it:

cat com.blackmagicdesign.resolve.desktop | grep -E "Exec=|StartupWMClass"

What this does:

  • cat: Displays file contents
  • |: Pipes the output to the next command
  • grep: Searches for specific text
  • -E: Enables extended regular expressions
  • This will show you just the lines you modified

You should see:

Exec=/opt/resolve/bin/resolve %u
StartupWMClass=resolve

Important Notes:

  • Make sure you've completed the standard installation steps first (installing dependencies, running the installer, post-installation library moves)
  • If you make a mistake in nano, you can exit without saving (Ctrl+X, then type N when asked to save) and start over
  • The desktop file changes will take effect immediately - you don't need to restart your computer

CachyOS

Understanding CachyOS and AMD GPU Requirements:

CachyOS is an Arch Linux-based distribution optimized for performance. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

CachyOS uses the same package manager as Arch Linux (pacman). Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo pacman -S zlib libxcrypt-compat curl glu fuse2

What each package does:

  • zlib: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt-compat: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • curl: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve (includes development files)
  • glu: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations
  • fuse2: Filesystem in Userspace library version 2 - needed for mounting and file operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on CachyOS with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Arch Linux (AMD GPU)

Understanding Arch Linux and AMD GPU Requirements:

Arch Linux is a lightweight, flexible Linux distribution that gives you full control over your system. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo pacman -S rocm-opencl-runtime apr apr-util

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • apr: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • apr-util: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Arch Linux with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Example output:

[sudo] password for yourusername:

Type your password and press Enter.

Step 3: Download DaVinci Resolve

Before proceeding, make sure you've downloaded the DaVinci Resolve installer from the official website: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/event/davinciresolvedownload

The installer file will typically be in your ~/Downloads folder and will have a .run extension, like:

  • DaVinci_Resolve_20.0.1_Linux.run (free version)
  • DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run (Studio version)

Step 4: Navigate to the Download Directory

Open your terminal and change to the directory where you downloaded the installer:

cd ~/Downloads

What this does:

  • cd means "change directory"
  • ~/Downloads is the path to your Downloads folder (the ~ symbol represents your home directory)

Step 5: Make the Installer Executable

Before running the installer, you need to make it executable (give it permission to run as a program):

chmod +x DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run

What this does:

  • chmod changes file permissions
  • +x adds execute permission (allows the file to be run as a program)
  • Replace DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run with the actual name of your downloaded file

Important: If your file has a different name (like the free version), replace the filename accordingly.

Step 6: Run the Installer with Package Check Bypass

Run the installer with the SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK environment variable set. This tells the installer to skip checking for required packages (since we've already installed them):

sudo SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK=1 ./DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run

What each part means:

  • sudo: Runs the command with administrator privileges (needed for installation)
  • SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK=1: Sets an environment variable that tells the installer to skip checking for required packages
  • Environment variables are settings that programs can read
  • Setting this to 1 (which means "true") bypasses the package dependency check
  • ./: Means "run the file in the current directory"
  • DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run: The installer file (replace with your actual filename)

What this does: This runs the DaVinci Resolve installer. The SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK=1 is necessary because the installer might not recognize all the Arch Linux packages we installed, even though they're compatible.

Note: Replace DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run with the actual name of your downloaded installer file.

Step 7: Follow the Installation Wizard

The installer will launch a graphical or text-based installation wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions:

  • Accept the license agreement
  • Choose installation location (default is usually /opt/resolve)
  • Wait for the installation to complete

Step 8: Post-Installation Library Configuration

After the installation completes, you need to move some problematic libraries to prevent conflicts. These libraries are bundled with Resolve but may conflict with your system's versions.

Run the following command:

cd /opt/resolve/libs && sudo mkdir disabled-libraries && sudo mv libglib* libgio* libgmodule* disabled-libraries

Breaking down this command:

This is actually three commands combined with && (which means "run the next command only if the previous one succeeded"):

  1. cd /opt/resolve/libs
    • Changes directory to where Resolve stores its library files
    • /opt/resolve/libs is the standard location for Resolve's libraries
    • /opt is a directory for optional/third-party software
  2. sudo mkdir disabled-libraries
    • Creates a new directory called disabled-libraries
    • mkdir means "make directory"
    • sudo is needed because /opt/resolve requires administrator privileges
    • This folder will store the libraries we want to disable
  3. sudo mv libglib* libgio* libgmodule* disabled-libraries
    • Moves problematic libraries to the disabled folder
    • mv is the move command
    • libglib* matches all files starting with "libglib" (the * is a wildcard that matches any characters)
    • libgio* matches all files starting with "libgio"
    • libgmodule* matches all files starting with "libgmodule"
    • These files are moved to disabled-libraries so Resolve will use your system's compatible versions instead

What this does: These libraries (GLib, GIO, GModule) are part of the GNOME/GTK system libraries. The versions bundled with Resolve may conflict with the versions on your Arch Linux system. Moving them forces Resolve to use your system's compatible versions, which prevents crashes and compatibility issues.

Why this is necessary:

  • Resolve bundles its own versions of these libraries
  • Your Arch Linux system has newer, more compatible versions
  • Using the system versions ensures better compatibility and stability

Step 9: Verify Installation

You can verify the installation by trying to launch DaVinci Resolve:

From the application menu:

  • Look for "DaVinci Resolve" in your application launcher/menu
  • Click on it to launch

From the terminal:

resolve

What to expect:

  • Resolve should launch and display the project selection screen
  • If you see errors, check that all steps were completed correctly
  • Make sure your AMD GPU drivers are properly installed (usually handled automatically by Arch Linux)

Troubleshooting:

Issue: "Command not found" when running resolve

  • Solution: Make sure the installation completed successfully. Try launching from the application menu instead.

Issue: OpenCL/GPU not detected

  • Solution: Verify that rocm-opencl-runtime is installed: pacman -Q rocm-opencl-runtime
  • Make sure your AMD GPU drivers are installed: pacman -Q xf86-video-amdgpu or pacman -Q mesa

Issue: Dependency errors when installing rocm-opencl-runtime

  • Solution: If you see errors about missing comgr, hsa-rocr, or rocm-core dependencies, install them explicitly: sudo pacman -S rocm-core comgr hsa-rocr rocm-opencl-runtime
  • If packages are not found, ensure your system is up to date: sudo pacman -Syu
  • Some ROCm packages may be in the extra or multilib repositories - verify they are enabled in /etc/pacman.conf

Issue: Libraries not found errors

  • Solution: Verify that the post-installation library move was completed: ls /opt/resolve/libs/disabled-libraries

Ubuntu

Understanding Ubuntu and AMD GPU Requirements:

Ubuntu is a popular, user-friendly Linux distribution based on Debian. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo apt-get install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libaprutil1 zlib1g libxcrypt1 libcurl4 libcurl4-openssl-dev libglu1-mesa

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libaprutil1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib1g: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt1: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl4-openssl-dev: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • libglu1-mesa: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Ubuntu with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Linux Mint

Understanding Linux Mint and AMD GPU Requirements:

Linux Mint is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo apt-get install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libaprutil1 zlib1g libxcrypt1 libcurl4 libcurl4-openssl-dev libglu1-mesa

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libaprutil1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib1g: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt1: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl4-openssl-dev: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • libglu1-mesa: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Linux Mint with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

openSUSE

Understanding openSUSE and AMD GPU Requirements:

openSUSE is a stable, community-driven Linux distribution. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo zypper install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libapr-util1 zlib libxcrypt-compat libcurl4 libcurl-devel Mesa-libGLU1

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libapr-util1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt-compat: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl-devel: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • Mesa-libGLU1: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on openSUSE with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

PikaOS 4

Understanding PikaOS and AMD GPU Requirements:

PikaOS is a Linux distribution built on Debian sid. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

PikaOS uses the apt package manager (like Ubuntu and Debian). Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo apt-get install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libaprutil1 zlib1g libxcrypt1 libcurl4 libcurl4-openssl-dev libglu1-mesa libfuse2

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libaprutil1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib1g: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt1: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl4-openssl-dev: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • libglu1-mesa: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations
  • libfuse2: Filesystem in Userspace library version 2 - needed for mounting and file operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on PikaOS with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Debian

Understanding Debian and AMD GPU Requirements:

Debian is a stable, community-driven Linux distribution that serves as the base for many other distributions. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Debian uses the apt package manager. Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo apt-get install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libaprutil1 zlib1g libxcrypt1 libcurl4 libcurl4-openssl-dev libglu1-mesa

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libaprutil1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib1g: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt1: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl4-openssl-dev: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • libglu1-mesa: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Debian with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Manjaro

Understanding Manjaro and AMD GPU Requirements:

Manjaro is a user-friendly Arch Linux-based distribution. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Manjaro uses the same package manager as Arch Linux (pacman). Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo pacman -S rocm-core comgr hsa-rocr rocm-opencl-runtime apr apr-util zlib libxcrypt-compat curl glu

What each package does:

  • rocm-core: ROCm core runtime libraries - required base package for ROCm functionality
  • comgr: Code Object Manager for ROCm - handles code object management for GPU computing
  • hsa-rocr: HSA Runtime for ROCm - provides the runtime environment for heterogeneous system architecture
  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • apr: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • apr-util: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt-compat: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • curl: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve (includes development files)
  • glu: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Manjaro with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Pop!_OS

Understanding Pop!_OS and AMD GPU Requirements:

Pop!_OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution developed by System76, optimized for productivity and gaming. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Pop!_OS uses the apt package manager (like Ubuntu and Debian). Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo apt-get install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libaprutil1 zlib1g libxcrypt1 libcurl4 libcurl4-openssl-dev libglu1-mesa

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libaprutil1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib1g: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt1: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl4-openssl-dev: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • libglu1-mesa: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Pop!_OS with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Elementary OS

Understanding Elementary OS and AMD GPU Requirements:

Elementary OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution focused on design and user experience. If you're using an AMD graphics card (GPU), DaVinci Resolve needs specific OpenCL libraries to utilize your GPU's processing power for video rendering and effects.

What is OpenCL?

  • OpenCL (Open Computing Language) is a framework for writing programs that execute across different computing platforms (like CPUs and GPUs)
  • DaVinci Resolve uses OpenCL to accelerate video processing on AMD GPUs
  • Without the proper OpenCL libraries, Resolve may run slowly or not utilize your GPU at all

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Elementary OS uses the apt package manager (like Ubuntu and Debian). Open your terminal and run the following command to install all necessary packages:

sudo apt-get install rocm-opencl-runtime libapr1 libaprutil1 zlib1g libxcrypt1 libcurl4 libcurl4-openssl-dev libglu1-mesa

What each package does:

  • rocm-opencl-runtime: ROCm OpenCL implementation for AMD GPUs - this allows Resolve to use your AMD graphics card for hardware acceleration and GPU computing
  • libapr1: Apache Portable Runtime library - provides system-level functions that Resolve needs
  • libaprutil1: Apache Portable Runtime utilities - additional utilities and functions for the APR library
  • zlib1g: Data compression library - required for various file operations and data processing in Resolve
  • libxcrypt1: Compatibility library for older password encryption methods - ensures Resolve can work with your system's security libraries
  • libcurl4: Client-side URL transfer library - enables network functionality and downloading features in Resolve
  • libcurl4-openssl-dev: Development files for libcurl - provides headers and libraries needed for building and running applications that use libcurl
  • libglu1-mesa: Mesa OpenGL Utility library - provides OpenGL utility functions needed for graphics rendering and display operations

What this does: This installs all the libraries and drivers needed for DaVinci Resolve to work properly on Elementary OS with an AMD GPU. The ROCm OpenCL package is particularly important as it enables GPU acceleration for video processing, rendering, and effects. The other libraries provide essential system functions, networking capabilities, compression, and graphics utilities that Resolve requires to function correctly.

Step 2: Enter your password when prompted

The sudo command requires administrator privileges. You'll be asked to enter your user password. Note that when you type your password, nothing will appear on screen (this is normal for security reasons).

Step 3: Follow the Installation Steps

After installing dependencies, proceed with downloading and installing DaVinci Resolve following the steps in the Downloading DaVinci Resolve and Alternative Installation Method sections.

Downloading DaVinci Resolve

Step 1: Visit the Official Download Page

Go to the official Blackmagic Design download page: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/event/davinciresolvedownload

Step 2: Select Your Version

  • Choose between DaVinci Resolve (free version) or DaVinci Resolve Studio (paid version with additional features)
  • Select the Linux version
  • Download the installer file (it will have a .run extension)

Step 3: Locate the Downloaded File

The file will typically be downloaded to your ~/Downloads folder. The filename will look something like:

  • DaVinci_Resolve_20.0.1_Linux.run (free version)
  • DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run (Studio version)

Alternative Installation Method

If the standard installation doesn't work, you can bypass package dependency checks using this method:

Step 1: Navigate to the Download Directory

Open your terminal and change to the directory where you downloaded the installer:

cd ~/Downloads

What this does:

  • cd means "change directory"
  • ~/Downloads is the path to your Downloads folder (the ~ symbol represents your home directory)

Step 2: Make the Installer Executable

Before running the installer, you need to make it executable:

chmod +x DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run

What this does:

  • chmod changes file permissions
  • +x adds execute permission (allows the file to be run as a program)
  • Replace the filename with the actual name of your downloaded file

Step 3: Run the Installer with Package Check Bypass

Run the installer with the SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK environment variable set:

SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK=1 ./DaVinci_Resolve_Studio_20.0.1_Linux.run

What this does:

  • SKIP_PACKAGE_CHECK=1 sets an environment variable that tells the installer to skip checking for required packages
  • ./ means "run the file in the current directory"
  • Replace the filename with your actual installer filename

Important: This method bypasses dependency checks, so make sure you've installed all the required packages from the sections above first.

Post-Installation Instructions

After successfully installing DaVinci Resolve, you need to optimize compatibility by moving some problematic libraries.

Step 1: Navigate to the Resolve Libraries Directory

cd /opt/resolve/libs

What this does:

  • /opt/resolve/libs is where DaVinci Resolve stores its library files
  • /opt is a standard directory for optional/third-party software

Step 2: Create a Directory for Disabled Libraries

sudo mkdir disabled-libraries

What this does:

  • mkdir creates a new directory
  • disabled-libraries is the name of the folder where we'll store the problematic libraries
  • sudo is needed because /opt/resolve requires administrator privileges

Step 3: Move Problematic Libraries

sudo mv libglib* libgio* libgmodule* disabled-libraries

What this does:

  • mv is the move command
  • libglib* matches all files starting with "libglib" (the * is a wildcard)
  • libgio* matches all files starting with "libgio"
  • libgmodule* matches all files starting with "libgmodule"
  • These libraries are moved to the disabled-libraries folder to prevent conflicts
  • Resolve will use the system versions of these libraries instead, which are more compatible

Why this is necessary: These libraries (GLib, GIO, GModule) are part of the GNOME/GTK system libraries. The versions bundled with Resolve may conflict with the versions on your system, especially with the zlib-ng changes. Moving them forces Resolve to use your system's compatible versions.

Verification

Step 1: Launch DaVinci Resolve

You can launch DaVinci Resolve from:

  • Your application menu (look for "DaVinci Resolve")
  • Or from the terminal:
resolve

Step 2: Check for Errors

If Resolve launches successfully, the installation is complete! If you encounter errors, check:

  • That all dependencies are installed
  • That the post-installation library moves were completed
  • Your system logs for specific error messages

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue: "Command not found" when running sudo commands

  • Solution: Make sure you're typing the command correctly and that you have sudo privileges

Issue: "Permission denied" when running the installer

  • Solution: Make sure you've made the installer executable with chmod +x

Issue: Resolve won't launch after installation

  • Solution: Verify that all post-installation steps were completed, especially moving the libraries

Issue: Graphics/display problems

  • Solution: Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers installed for your GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel)

Additional Resources

  • Blackmagic Design Support
  • DaVinci Resolve User Manual

Summary

This guide covered:

  1. Understanding the zlib-ng compatibility issue (Fedora 43)
  2. Installing dependencies for different Linux distributions
  3. Downloading DaVinci Resolve
  4. Running the installer (including bypass method)
  5. Post-installation optimization steps
  6. Fixing broken desktop icons/taskbar grouping
  7. Verification and troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues not covered here, please check the official Blackmagic Design support forums or create an issue in this repository's issue tracker.