There must be a way to do this, I just can’t find it. Resolve 15.2>right click on timeline in timeline bin>timeline>duplicate timeline is no longer an option. [Edit] It’s called duplicate clip. The only thing I could do was right click -> create timeline from clip. Interestingly, to see the situation about sub mixes I went back to resolve and did the whole thing above again, and got slightly different results with naming (i.e. gobbledegook). Thanks for the informative response. Hmm. Pretty simple but I didn’t think to do it.
I just figured out that if you click in the preview window, then in the Edit menu the correct choice is “duplicate clip”. If, however, you click in the timeline and go to the Edit menu, “duplicate clip” is replaced by “duplicate timeline”, which appears to work just the same. I have to say, this is a UI change I don’t like. I generally don’t mind when they add a feature, but I do object when they *remove* features. I would rather they restore the right-click contextual menu that has the Duplicate Timeline function, and ALSO provide the ability to duplicate clips or timelines in the Edit pulldown menu.
Cut-and-paste has been very dodgy for me throughout 15.2, particularly with nodes. Sometimes it works… sometimes it “forgets” what’s in the clipboard. I agree with Marc Wielage on this. Why delete a common feature like this. I don’t think you would instinctively know to replace duplicate timeline with cut and paste commands. I want it back where it was behaving as it should. I was helping a friend finish her show and it drove me nuts not having such a basic feature. Copy paste was also weird causing a crash. I put it down to being on Mac not Win but clearly they have removed something I need on every job. The other problem with removing this feature is that it adds time to the process. The copy and paste does indeed work, sometimes; and the ‘sometimes’ is the problem. Also, the older method immediately put you into the duplicated timeline. The new method does not. You have to copy, then paste and then select the copied timeline.
Agreed with everyone’s frustrations above. Should be drop dead simple and have a few ways of doing it… e.g. right clicking on a timeline should show “Duplicate timeline”… in addition there should be obvious options to Duplicate Timeline in the dropdown menus. Reply to this Discussion!
Understanding the current options in Resolve 15.2
The discussion centers on how duplicate timeline functionality has shifted between the right-click context and the Edit menu, and how Resolve 15.2 sometimes requires a two-step process (copy then paste) rather than a direct duplicate timeline action. Some users report that the action appears as “duplicate clip” in certain views (preview window) and as “duplicate timeline” in others (timeline area). This inconsistency appears to be part of a UI change that some users dislike, especially those who rely on quick duplication for fast workflow iterations.
Practical steps observed by users
- In the preview window: Edit menu shows “duplicate clip.”
- In the timeline area: Edit menu shows “duplicate timeline” or, after clicking, behaves similarly to duplication by creating a new timeline from a clip.
- Right-click on a timeline in the timeline bin may no longer display the direct “Duplicate timeline” option, depending on the UI context.
- Alternative flow: right-click → create timeline from clip, which is a distinct operation from duplicating a timeline.
- Copy-paste workflow can be inconsistent and has caused crashes or clipboard issues, particularly on certain OSes (Mac vs Windows).
Implications for sub mixes and naming
Users noted that attempts to reproduce the workflow sometimes yield different results in naming, described as gobbledegook. This suggests that the renaming or metadata handling during duplication may be inconsistent across sessions or project states, impacting clarity when managing multiple timelines or sub mixes.
Guidelines for a smoother workflow
- Always test the duplication method in both the preview window and the main timeline to confirm which command is active in your current context.
- When the right-click context menu lacks a direct “Duplicate timeline” option, consider duplicating from the Edit menu via the active window (preview or timeline) to determine whether “duplicate clip” or “duplicate timeline” is available and behaves as expected.
- Use the “duplicate clip” approach in the preview window if you need a new clip-based copy, and be prepared for a subsequent step to assemble it into a new timeline if required.
- Be mindful of the two-step copy-paste workflow: copy, then paste, then select the copied timeline, which can be slower but remains reliable when direct duplication is not available.
- Maintain a consistent naming convention for duplicated items to reduce confusion when dealing with sub mixes and multiple timelines.
Why these changes matter in production contexts
The removal or relocation of a familiar “Duplicate Timeline” feature can add time to the editing process, especially on complex projects with many timelines and sub mixes. For editors who rely on rapid duplication to test edits, color grades, or node configurations, a two-step workflow reduces speed and increases cognitive load during sessions. The community discussion around this feature reflects a broader tension between adding new capabilities and preserving intuitive, time-saving shortcuts.
Potential enhancements to consider
- Restore a direct “Duplicate Timeline” option in the right-click timeline context menu to mirror prior behavior.
- Offer a dedicated duplicate shortcut in the Edit pulldown menu accessible regardless of the active panel.
- Ensure consistent behavior for duplication across macOS and Windows platforms to reduce platform-specific issues.
