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Shotcut Video Editor Tutorial

Science & Technology

Introduction

Hi everyone, Kevin here. Today, I'm excited to show you how to get and use the free and open-source Shotcut video editor. A few weeks back on my channel, I asked what video editor you wanted a tutorial for, and Shotcut came out on top. It's very versatile and powerful, perfect for creating and editing all kinds of videos.

Getting Started with Shotcut

How to Download and Install Shotcut

Head to the website shotcut.org. On the homepage, you will see a large red text saying "Click to Download." Click that link.

On the download page, you may see several ads that look like download links. Ignore them. Scroll down slightly to find the actual download links. The site automatically determines your operating system—Linux, Mac, or Windows.

Select whether you have a 64-bit or 32-bit system. If unsure, on Windows, go to the Start menu, type in "System Information," and under "System Type," you'll see whether it's a 64-bit or 86-based PC.

Download and install Shotcut, and then rejoin this tutorial. If you'd like to follow along, there's a link in the description to all the video files used in this tutorial. We'll be creating a commercial for the Kevin Cookie Company, and maybe you'll do an even better job at editing!

The Interface of Shotcut

When you first open Shotcut, it may look daunting with all its buttons and frames. But don’t worry, I'll walk you through it.

On the right-hand side, you'll see "New Project" and "Recent Projects." If this is your first time using Shotcut, set up a new project. Define where you'll save it on your PC, name your project, and select the video mode (resolution and frame rate).

Click "Start," and you'll see the main Shotcut interface:

  • Playlist Section: Where you'll add all the video files, photos, and music.
  • Timeline: Down below, organizes the sequence of your video clips.
  • Preview Pane: On the right, shows clips from the playlist or timeline.
  • Toolbar: Contains shortcuts to various functions like "Open File," "Save File," "Filters," etc.

Customizing the Interface

You can adjust the interface to your liking:

  • Docking Frames: Click on the icon to undock a frame.
  • View Modes: Click on "FX" for filters, "Color" for color correction, "Audio" for audio controls, etc.

Editing Video Clips

Basic Editing

  1. **Trimming Clips:**

    • Click on a clip to preview it.
    • Drag the in-point or out-point to trim.
    • Use shortcut keys: I for in-point, O for out-point.

  2. Adding to Timeline:

    • Drag the trimmed clip down to the timeline.
    • You can also use the plus icon to append or overwrite clips on the timeline.

  3. Adjusting the Timeline View:

    • Use the zoom options to view more or less of the timeline.
    • Use toggle snapping for better clip alignment.

  4. Refreshing your Layout:

    • Adjust positions of clips, use "Ripple Trim and Drop" to insert clips without overwriting.

Adding Transitions and Organizing Clips

  • **Adding Transitions:**

    • Drag one clip over another to create a fade effect.

  • Reorganizing Clips:

    • Drag and drop doesn't overwrite with ripple trim and drop enabled.

Adding and Editing Audio

  1. Muting Video Track Audio:

    • Mute the audio on the video track by using the respective button.

  2. Adding an Audio Track:

    • Right-click on the timeline, select "Add Audio Track."
    • Drag and drop an audio file onto this track.

  3. Trimming and Fading Audio:

    • Split and delete unwanted sections.
    • Use the circle icon to set a fade duration.
    • Use filters for more advanced audio adjustments like volume increase.

Text and Keyframes

  1. Adding Text:

    • Click "Open Other," select "Text."
    • Type text, set position, color, and click "OK."

  2. **Using Keyframes for Effects:**

    • Apply the "Size, Position, and Rotate" filter.
    • Use keyframes to set start and end points for zooming in or out.

Exporting Your Video

Once the editing is complete, it's time to export the video:

  1. Choose Export Options:

    • Click "Export."
    • Select what to export: timeline or individual items.
    • Various presets are available like YouTube, GIF, etc.

  2. Saving the File:

    • Choose the location and click "Save."
    • Monitor the export progress in the Jobs pane.

Watch the final render to ensure everything turned out as expected.

Keywords

FAQ

  1. What operating systems does Shotcut support?

    • Shotcut supports Linux, Mac, and Windows.

  2. How do I determine if I need a 64-bit or 32-bit download?

    • On Windows, go to the Start menu, type in "System Information," and check the System Type.

  3. How can I trim a video clip in Shotcut?

    • Use the in-point (I) and out-point (O) shortcut keys for trimming.

  4. Can I add transitions between clips?

    • Yes, you can create transitions by overlapping clips on the timeline.

  5. How do I mute the audio from my video clips?

    • Mute the entire video track by clicking the mute button next to the track.

  6. How do I add text to my video?

    • Use the "Open Other" option and select "Text" to create and insert text onto your timeline.

  7. What can I do with keyframes?

    • Use keyframes to create effects like zoom-in or zoom-out on your clips.

  8. How do I export my finished video?

    • Click "Export," choose your preferred format, select the timeline, and save your file. Monitor the export process in the Jobs pane.

By following this comprehensive tutorial, you can easily create and edit your videos using Shotcut. Happy editing!