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How to re-size your video to suit TikTok & YouTube shorts vertical format, using Hitfilm Express

Film & Animation

Introduction

Hello and welcome to another Wobbly Camera Guy tutorial! If you need to change the format of a video clip from landscape to portrait—perhaps to upload a video to TikTok—this guide will show you how to do it using HitFilm Express.

There are plenty of videos out there on this subject, but they don't always cover all the details you need. Hopefully, this tutorial will help you make your TikTok videos just the way you want them. Let's get started!

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Setting Up the Project

  1. Open the Timeline: Load your video clip into the timeline.
  2. Change Project Settings:
    • Navigate to File > Project Settings.
    • The current settings are probably at 1080p with a width of 1920 and a height of 1080.
    • What we need to do is reverse these settings.
    • Click the chain icon to unlink width and height.
    • Set the width to 1080 and the height to 1920.
    • Rename the settings to something like "New Portrait Format".
    • Click OK to apply the changes.

Step 2: Adjusting the Video Clip

  1. Fit to Frame:
    • The video is now in portrait format, but the clip might not fill the frame top to bottom.
    • Right-click the video clip.
    • Select Transform > Fit to Frame Height.
  2. Reposition:
    • Click and hold the left mouse button to drag the video clip and reposition it as needed for the best view.
    • Play the video clip to check everything looks good.

Step 3: Exporting the Video

  1. Add to Queue:
    • Click the arrow icon to add the video to the export queue.
    • Select Entire Timeline.
  2. Create New Export Preset:
    • Click Preset > New Preset > MP4.
    • Name the new preset something like "New Portrait Preset".
    • Ensure the "Keep Aspect Ratio" option is checked.
    • Click OK.
  3. Using the New Preset:
    • Go back to the queue.
    • Select the new preset from the list.
    • Right-click and choose Start Exporting.
  4. View Output:
    • After exporting, right-click and select Reveal Output to view the exported video.
    • Double-check to ensure the video is in the desired portrait format.

That's all there is to it! Hopefully, you found this tutorial helpful. If you did, please check out my channel for more HitFilm Express tutorials and other content. Thanks for watching, and I'll catch up with you soon!

Keywords

  • HitFilm Express
  • Portrait format
  • TikTok video
  • Export preset
  • Video editing
  • Transform and fit
  • Timeline

FAQ

How do I change the video orientation in HitFilm Express?

To change the video orientation, navigate to File > Project Settings, and then reverse the width and height values from 1920x1080 to 1080x1920. Make sure to unlink the values before making changes.

How do I make my video fill the entire frame in portrait mode?

Right-click on the video clip in the timeline, select Transform, and then choose Fit to Frame Height. You can also manually reposition the clip by clicking and dragging it.

How do I create a new export preset in HitFilm Express?

Go to Preset > New Preset > MP4, name your preset, and make sure the "Keep Aspect Ratio" option is checked. Click OK to save.

How do I start exporting my video?

After adding the video to the export queue, right-click and select your newly created preset. Then, right-click again and choose Start Exporting.

Where can I find my exported video?

Once the export is complete, you can right-click the job in the export queue and select Reveal Output to find your exported video.