Universal DaVinci Resolve Installer: One Script for Every Linux Distribution

Universal DaVinci Resolve Installer: One Script for Every Linux Distribution

TECH

6/7/20253 min read

Universal DaVinci Resolve Installer: One Script for Every Linux Distribution

If you've ever tried installing DaVinci Resolve on Linux, you know the struggle is real. Different distributions have different requirements, missing libraries cause cryptic errors, and what works on Ubuntu might fail spectacularly on Arch. After countless hours of troubleshooting across multiple distros, I've created the ultimate solution: a universal installer script that just works.

So Read on download the script

you can buy me a coffee to help with deveolpment as need to get a 6600 card to get it working on steam properly but up to you

coff.ee/gnugent

The Problem with DaVinci Resolve on Linux

DaVinci Resolve is an incredible video editing suite, and while Blackmagic provides a Linux version, the installation process can be a nightmare. Each distribution has its own quirks:

  • Ubuntu users face the t64 library transition in 24.04

  • Fedora/Rocky Linux has SELinux blocking execution

  • Arch-based distros need AUR packages for compatibility

  • CachyOS uses newer libraries that break compatibility

The official installer assumes a generic Linux environment that doesn't really exist. Real-world Linux is diverse, and that's where this universal installer comes in.

Introducing the Universal Installer

This script automatically detects your Linux distribution and handles all the complexity behind the scenes. No more hunting for missing libraries or decoding error messages – just run the script and let it do the heavy lifting.

Supported Distributions

The installer has been tested and works on:

  • Debian-based: Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, Elementary OS

  • RHEL-based: Fedora, Rocky Linux, RHEL, CentOS, AlmaLinux

  • Arch-based: Arch, Manjaro, EndeavourOS, CachyOS, Garuda

  • Gaming: SteamOS

  • And many more!

Key Features
Automatic Distribution Detection

The script identifies your specific Linux distribution and version, then applies the appropriate fixes and dependencies. No need to follow different tutorials for different distros.

Dependency Management

Each distribution requires different packages. The installer knows exactly what your system needs:

  • Qt5 libraries for the user interface

  • OpenGL/Mesa for graphics acceleration

  • Compatibility libraries for older software requirements

  • Distribution-specific packages

Common Issues – Solved Automatically

The installer handles notorious problems that typically require manual intervention:

  1. Missing Libraries: Automatically creates symlinks for libcrypt, libssl, and other commonly missing libraries

  2. SELinux on RHEL/Fedora: Creates a special launcher that handles SELinux permissions

  3. Qt Platform Plugin Errors: Ensures Qt can find the necessary plugins

  4. FUSE/AppImage Issues: Handles extraction when FUSE isn't working

  5. GPU/OpenCL Configuration: Sets up OpenCL for GPU acceleration

Real-World Testing

I've personally tested this installer across seven different distributions:

  1. Pop!_OS: Smooth installation with all NVIDIA optimizations

  2. Manjaro: Handled AUR dependencies perfectly

  3. Fedora 42: Automated SELinux configuration

  4. CachyOS: Fixed libcrypt compatibility issues

  5. Linux Mint: Worked flawlessly out of the box

  6. SteamOS: Gaming-ready installation

  7. Ubuntu: Handled both LTS and latest versions

Quick Start Guide

Getting started is incredibly simple:

Step 1: Download DaVinci Resolve

Visit the Blackmagic website and download the Linux ZIP file. Choose either the free or Studio version.

Step 2: Prepare the File

Place the downloaded ZIP file in your ~/Downloads folder. Don't extract it – the installer handles that.

Step 3: Get the Installer

Download the installer script from https://tinyurl.com/UniversalDR You'll get a single .run file.

Step 4: Run the Installer

bash

chmod +x davinci-resolve-installer.run

the run it

( PLEASE NOTE RUN THE SCRIPT AT YOUR OWN RISK IF IT WIPES YA DRIVE ITS NOT ON ME OK)

./davinci-resolve-installer.run

Step 5: Follow the Prompts

The installer will:

  • Detect your distribution

  • Ask if you want to install dependencies (recommended)

  • Handle all the configuration

  • Create desktop shortcuts

That's it! The whole process typically takes 5-10 minutes.

Technical Deep Dive

For the curious, here's what the installer does behind the scenes:

Distribution-Specific Fixes

Ubuntu 24.04+: Handles the t64 library transition by detecting the Ubuntu version and installing the correct package variants.

Rocky Linux/RHEL: Creates a wrapper script that automatically handles SELinux enforcement, asking for permission to temporarily set permissive mode when launching DaVinci.

CachyOS: Installs libxcrypt-compat from AUR and creates compatibility symlinks for newer library versions.

Arch-based: Detects available AUR helpers (paru/yay) and installs necessary compatibility packages automatically.

Smart Library Management

The script creates symlinks for commonly missing libraries, mapping newer versions to the older names DaVinci expects. For example:

Desktop Integration

The installer creates proper .desktop files with the correct paths and icons, ensuring DaVinci Resolve appears in your application menu regardless of your desktop environment.

Important Notes

Before running the installer:

  • GPU Drivers: Ensure your NVIDIA/AMD drivers are properly installed

  • Sudo Access: The installer needs root privileges to install packages

  • Disk Space: DaVinci Resolve requires about 3GB of space

  • RAM: Minimum 16GB recommended for smooth operation

Compatibility

The installer works with:

  • Both free and Studio versions of DaVinci Resolve

  • X11 and Wayland display servers

  • Systems with NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics

  • Custom kernels (tested on CachyOS's optimized kernels)

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues:

  1. Run the installer again and choose the diagnostic option

  2. Check the error messages – the installer provides clear feedback

  3. Report issues on the GitHub repository

Common fixes:

  • For RHEL/Fedora: Run sudo setenforce 0 before launching

  • For Arch: Install an AUR helper with sudo pacman -S paru

  • For all distros: Ensure your GPU drivers are working with glxinfo | grep direct

Conclusion

Installing DaVinci Resolve on Linux doesn't have to be a painful experience. This universal installer eliminates the guesswork and manual troubleshooting, making professional video editing accessible to Linux users regardless of their distribution choice.

The script is open source and actively maintained. If you encounter issues with your specific distribution, please report them on GitHub. Community contributions have already helped expand support to distributions I hadn't even tested!

Give it a try and let me know your experience in the comments. What distribution are you using? Did the installer work for you? Your feedback helps improve the script for everyone.

Happy editing!

Download the installer: https://tinyurl.com/UniversalDR

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