Install guide

How to Install Ypresets Step Shutter for DaVinci Resolve

Install, activate, and start using step-print and low-shutter smear looks in a few minutes.

View Step Shutter

Before You Start

  • DaVinci ResolveStep Shutter works in both DaVinci Resolve (free) and DaVinci Resolve Studio, on Mac and Windows.
  • MacApple silicon (M1 or later) or an Intel Mac.
  • WindowsWindows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit.
  • PurchaseOne-time purchase. Your license key and Mac/Windows download links arrive in the license email.
  • Admin accessYour computer password, so the installer can add Step Shutter to the OpenFX plugins folder.
  • InternetNeeded once to activate your license key. After that, Step Shutter works offline.

Install Step Shutter

Buy Step Shutter first. Your license email includes your license key and the Mac and Windows download links. Pick your computer below.

Download links arrive in your license email. Use those links (not Color Lab downloads). Mac and Windows installers are key-gated after purchase.

Mac

  1. Quit DaVinci Resolve.
  2. Download the Mac installer from your license email. It’s a .pkg file named Ypresets-Step-Shutter followed by the version number.
  3. Open the .pkg file from your Downloads folder. The installer is signed and notarized by Apple, so it opens like any other Mac installer.
  4. Click Continue through the Introduction and Read Me, then agree to the license agreement.
  5. Click Install and enter your Mac password when asked.
  6. Click Close when the installer finishes, then open DaVinci Resolve.

Step Shutter is installed in /Library/OFX/Plugins, the standard folder for OpenFX plugins. Installing a newer version replaces the old one automatically.

Windows

  1. Quit DaVinci Resolve. The installer won’t continue while Resolve is open.
  2. Download the Windows installer from your license email. It’s a Setup .exe file named Ypresets-Step-Shutter followed by the version number.
  3. Open the Setup file from your Downloads folder. If Windows shows Windows protected your PC, click More info, then Run anyway.
  4. Click Yes when Windows asks if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device.
  5. Accept the license agreement, click Next through the Read Me, then click Install.
  6. Click Finish, then open DaVinci Resolve.

Step Shutter is installed in C:\Program Files\Common Files\OFX\Plugins, the standard folder for OpenFX plugins. Installing a newer version replaces the old one automatically. The Windows installer supports both x64 and ARM PCs.

Find Step Shutter in DaVinci Resolve

  1. Open your project in DaVinci Resolve and go to the Color page.
  2. Open the Effects library.
  3. Under OpenFX, find the Ypresets group, or type “Ypresets” or “Step Shutter” in the search box.
  4. Drag Ypresets Step Shutter onto a node. Its controls open in the Effects panel.
  5. Pick a built-in preset — Classic 8, Slow Smear, or Long Trail — or set Print Rate, Open Angle, Trail (Behind / Ahead / Both), Trail Decay, and Mix yourself.

All three built-in presets default to Trail: Behind. The difference shows with motion, not still frames. Classic 8 is the everyday stepped look (8 fps / 480°). Slow Smear holds longer (6 fps / 540°). Long Trail keeps Classic 8's cadence but roughly doubles the smear (8 fps / 960°).

Step Shutter reads your timeline frame rate and scales Print Rate and Open Angle so the same settings feel consistent across projects. Your clip duration doesn't change.

My Presets: Save, Use, Rename, or Delete your own looks. Built-ins stay read-only. Custom presets are stored in StepPresets.json under Application Support / Ypresets on this computer.

Step Shutter works like any other Resolve effect. Copy it to other clips, use it on Group or Timeline nodes, or put it on an Adjustment Clip.

Activate Your License

Step Shutter is a one-time purchase. After you buy, activate this computer with the license key from your license email.

Buy first

Purchase Step Shutter on ypresets.com. Your license key arrives by email. It starts with YSS-. Color Lab keys (YCL-) do not unlock Step Shutter.

Licensed

Paste your key in OPTIONS and activate. One person, up to 2 computers. Free plugin updates. No need to reinstall after you buy.

  1. Buy Step Shutter. Your license key arrives by email after your purchase. It starts with YSS- and looks like YSS-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.
  2. In DaVinci Resolve, select the node with Step Shutter and scroll to OPTIONS near the bottom of its controls.
  3. Paste your key into Licence Key and click Activate Licence.
  4. Licence status changes to Activated followed by the last four characters of your key.

Activation needs an internet connection once. After that, Step Shutter works offline.

Moving to a New Computer

Your license is for 1 person and can be active on up to 2 computers at the same time. To move it, free up one of them first.

  1. On your old computer, open OPTIONS in Step Shutter and click Deactivate this computer.
  2. Install Step Shutter on your new computer.
  3. Paste the same YSS- key into Licence Key and click Activate Licence.

Uninstalling Step Shutter doesn't deactivate it, so deactivate before you uninstall or wipe a computer.

Old computer lost, broken or already wiped? Email hi@ypresets.com with your order number and we'll reset your activations.

Updating Step Shutter

Plugin updates are free.

  1. When a new version is available, OPTIONS may show Update available with the version number and a Download Update button. You can also download the latest installer from your license email when an update ships.
  2. Quit DaVinci Resolve, then run the new installer the same way you installed Step Shutter.
  3. Open DaVinci Resolve again.

The installer replaces the old version. Your activation and My Presets stay as they are. To check which version you have, look at the Version line at the bottom of OPTIONS.

Uninstalling Step Shutter

Mac

  1. Quit DaVinci Resolve. If you’re retiring this Mac, deactivate it first.
  2. In Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder, type /Library/OFX/Plugins and press Return.
  3. Drag YpresetsStepShutter.ofx.bundle to the Trash and enter your Mac password if asked.
  4. Open DaVinci Resolve again.

Windows

  1. Quit DaVinci Resolve. If you’re retiring this PC, deactivate it first.
  2. Open the Start menu, search for Add or remove programs and open it.
  3. Find Ypresets Step Shutter in the list, choose Uninstall and follow the prompts.
  4. Open DaVinci Resolve again.

Troubleshooting

Step Shutter doesn't appear in DaVinci Resolve. What should I do?

Quit DaVinci Resolve completely and open it again. Resolve looks for new plugins when it starts.

On the Color page, open the Effects library and look under OpenFX for the Ypresets group, or search for “Step Shutter” or “Ypresets”. Step Shutter works in both DaVinci Resolve (free) and DaVinci Resolve Studio, on Mac and Windows.

Still missing? Check the plugin is installed. On Mac, look for YpresetsStepShutter.ofx.bundle in /Library/OFX/Plugins. On Windows, look in C:\Program Files\Common Files\OFX\Plugins. If it's there, quit Resolve and run the installer again. The installer clears Resolve's plugin list so Resolve finds Step Shutter on the next launch.

I bought Step Shutter — how do I activate it?

After purchase, open OPTIONS on the Step Shutter effect, paste your license key into Licence Key, and click Activate Licence. When status shows Activated with the end of your key, this computer is licensed.

It says “That key does not look like a Ypresets key.”

Copy the whole key from your Step Shutter order email, including YSS- and the dashes. A key looks like YSS-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX. Extra spaces and lowercase letters are fine. Color Lab keys that start with YCL- will not unlock Step Shutter — you need a separate Step Shutter purchase.

Can I use my Color Lab (YCL-) key?

No. Step Shutter uses separate YSS- keys. Color Lab and Step Shutter are different products.

It says “This key is already on 2 computers.”

Your license is for 1 person and can be active on 2 computers at the same time. On one of them, open OPTIONS and click Deactivate this computer, then activate the new one. Can't get to the old computer? Email hi@ypresets.com with your order number and we'll reset your activations.

It says “Could not reach the licence server.”

Activation needs an internet connection. Check you're online, pause any VPN or firewall that might block DaVinci Resolve, then click Activate Licence again. After activation, Step Shutter works offline.

It says “This key has been refunded or revoked.”

This key is no longer active, usually because the order was refunded. If you think that's a mistake, email hi@ypresets.com with your order number.

It says “Too many attempts. Wait a minute and try again.”

Wait a minute, then click Activate Licence once more.

The Windows installer says “Quit DaVinci Resolve before installing Ypresets Step Shutter.”

Save your project and quit DaVinci Resolve, then open the installer again.

Windows says “Windows protected your PC.”

Click More info, then Run anyway. Windows SmartScreen shows this message for many new downloads.

Which Resolve editions are supported?

Step Shutter works in both DaVinci Resolve (free) and DaVinci Resolve Studio, on Mac and Windows.

Where are My Presets saved?

My Presets are saved on your computer and shared by every project. On Mac, they're in ~/Library/Application Support/Ypresets/StepPresets.json. On Windows, they're in %APPDATA%\Ypresets\StepPresets.json. Updating or reinstalling Step Shutter doesn't remove them. Built-in presets (Classic 8, Slow Smear, Long Trail) are read-only and ship with the plugin.

Does Step Shutter work at 24, 30, and 60 fps?

Yes. Step Shutter reads your timeline (or output clip) frame rate and scales Print Rate and Open Angle so the same camera-style settings feel consistent. Clip duration stays the same. If Resolve doesn't report a rate, it falls back to 24 fps.

I'm still stuck. How do I get help?

Email hi@ypresets.com. Let us know whether you're on Mac or Windows, your DaVinci Resolve version, and your Step Shutter version, which is shown on the Version line at the bottom of OPTIONS.