Workflows
Status: This page describes Forge's media-preparation modes. Standard-mode H.264/AAC review-media preparation is the proven path today; broader formats and Resolve-enabled RAW are in development and validated during controlled access.
Forge is being built around standard and Resolve-enabled media-preparation workflows. The mode determines which processing engine is used.
Standard Mode
Standard mode uses FFmpeg for proxy generation. It prepares H.264/AAC review media today. Broader FFmpeg formats (ProRes, H.265, DNxHD, and others) are being validated during controlled access.
Standard mode is the default. It requires no external software.
Resolve-Enabled Mode
Resolve-enabled mode is the planned route for camera RAW formats such as BRAW, R3D, and ARRIRAW that FFmpeg cannot decode. This mode is in development and will route supported workflows through DaVinci Resolve Studio on a workstation where Studio is installed, licensed, and running.
Resolve-enabled mode will require a licensed installation of DaVinci Resolve Studio on the same machine. Forge does not include Resolve and does not substitute for it.
Choosing a Mode
Use Standard mode unless your source media requires Resolve Studio for decoding. The safety model is the same between modes: source media stays unchanged, outputs are written separately, and local job records are kept.
| Criteria | Standard | Resolve-enabled |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | FFmpeg | Resolve Studio |
| RAW support | No | In development |
| External dependency | None | Resolve Studio |
| Default | Yes | No |
Settings Compatibility
Preparation settings are mode-aware. Settings created for Standard mode will not automatically run in Resolve-enabled mode, and vice versa. This prevents accidental misconfiguration when switching between modes.