.. meta::
   :description: Introduction to Kdenlive video editor
   :keywords: KDE, Kdenlive, Introduction, documentation, user manual, video editor, open source, free, learn, easy

.. metadata-placeholder

   :authors: - Annew (https://userbase.kde.org/User:Annew)
             - Claus Christensen
             - Yuri Chornoivan
             - Simon Eugster <simon.eu@gmail.com>
             - Ttguy (https://userbase.kde.org/User:Ttguy)
             - Vincent Pinon <vpinon@kde.org>
             - Roger (https://userbase.kde.org/User:Roger)
             - Qubodup (https://userbase.kde.org/User:Qubodup)
             - Thompsony (https://userbase.kde.org/User:Thompsony)
             - Camille Moulin
             - Bernd Jordan

   :license: Creative Commons License SA 4.0

..  TODO:
  * What is kdenlive good for? (Editing videos …)   * Where is it located? (Semi-Pro?) Alternatives? (Cinelerra, OpenShot, Lightworks, ...)   * What components does kdenlive use? See `this image <http://kdenlive.org/sites/default/files/images/kdenlive-mlt-diagram.png>`_.
  * What components does kdenlive use?

  In effect Kdenlive is a front end to melt - also known as MLT. The MLT video framework  relies on the FFMPEG project. Kdenlive writes sh.mlt XML files that code the edit points and transitions and it then calls /usr/bin/kdenlive_render and /usr/bin/melt to render the video.

.. _introduction:

Introduction
============


**Kdenlive** is an acronym for |kde_org| **N**\ on-\ **Li**\ near **V**\ ideo **E**\ ditor.


It is a free software (|gpl_licensed|) primarily aimed at the Linux platform, but it also works on BSD\ [1]_  as it relies only on portable components (|qt| and |mlt|). Windows versions are also available, with some drawbacks. See :ref:`troubleshooting-windows_issues` for more information. A port on MacOS is also available.

.. |kde_org| raw:: html

   <a href="https://www.kde.org/" target="_blank">KDE</a>


.. |gpl_licensed| raw:: html

   <a href="https://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl.html" target="_blank">GPL licensed</a>


.. |qt| raw:: html

   <a href="https://www.qt.io/" target="_blank">Qt</a>


.. |mlt| raw:: html

   <a href="http://www.mltframework.org/" target="_blank">MLT framework</a>


Through the MLT framework **Kdenlive** integrates many effects for video and audio processing or creation. Furthermore, **Kdenlive** brings a powerful :doc:`titling tool </effects_and_compositions/titles>`, a :doc:`subtitling </effects_and_compositions/subtitles>` feature with AI-supported :doc:`speech to text </effects_and_compositions/speech_to_text>` conversion, :ref:`nested timelines <sequence>` (new in version 23.04), :ref:`animation <add_animation>` support through Glaxnimate integration (new in version 22.08) and thus can be used as a complete studio for video creation. Check out :doc:`/more_information/whats_new` for the most recent feature additions.



Video editing features
----------------------

* Multitrack editing with a timeline and virtually unlimited number of video and audio tracks, plus the ability to split audio and video from a clip in multiple tracks

* 3-point editing

* Non-blocking rendering. You can keep working on a project at the same time a project is being transformed into a video file

* Dozens of effects and transitions that can be used with ease and even saved as custom effects with their settings for use in other projects

* Keyframeable effects with linear or smooth curves (more to come in future versions)

* Simple tools for easy creation of color clips, text clips and image clips

* Automatic :ref:`clips` creation from pictures directories, with crossfade transitions among the images

* Configurable keyboard shortcuts, toolbars and interface layouts to accommodate your workflow

* Audio and video scopes

* Proxy editing for your 4K+ footage

* Themable interface supporting dark themes

... and much more!

See the |kdenlive_roadmap| for what the future may bring.

.. |kdenlive_roadmap| raw:: html
   
   <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/kdenlive-roadmap/" target="_blank">Kdenlive Roadmap</a>


Supported formats and codecs
----------------------------

.. lifted from https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Kdenlive/What_Kdenlive_is

There is no need to import or convert footage prior to editing. Kdenlive knows how to handle any format smoothly and supports the following formats, file types and codecs:

* Support for low resolution (DV) camera and camcorder files, including:

  +  DV editing (Raw and AVI)
  +  MPEG4-ASP/MP3 (DivX compatible)
  +  VOB (DVD)
  +  4:3 and 16:9 screen sizes, PAL and NTSC systems

* Support for high (HD) and ultra-high (UHD/4K) resolution camcorder files, including:

  +  MPEG-2, MP4, Matroska, WebM, Apple ProRes 422 HDV
  +  H264 AAC HDV
  +  H265
  +  Native HDV editing, 720 and 1080, interlaced or full frames

* Support for brand new codecs and formats:

  +  SNOW lossless codec
  +  Ogg vorbis, etc ...
  +  Since version 22.08: LOTTIE and RAWR animations

* Ability to mix different video sources in a single project. For example, you can edit a film using two sources: a small mpeg4 camera and an HDV mpeg2 camcorder.

  +  Any resolution. Kdenlive will adapt resolution of source files to the resolution of the project.
  +  Any frame rate (from 15fps to 60 fps or higher). Kdenlive can duplicate/remove frames when needed.
  
* A wide range of image import formats:

  + PNG, GIF, JPEG (jp2, jpe, jpeg, jpg, jpg2), TGA, TIFF, SVG, WEBP
  + Since version 22.08: AVIF, HEIF, HEIC, JPEG XL

* Export to most formats

  +  Export to any format supported by |ffmpeg|, including DVD (PAL and NTSC), MPEG-2 and MP4 (PAL, NTSC and HD, UHD/4K), Matroska-H264/H265, AAC, AC3, MP3, Apple ProRes 422
  +  Export to animated GIF or as image sequence in other formats, including BMP, DPX, JPEG, PNG, PPM, TGA, TIFF, WEBP
  +  Lossless/HQ like FFV1, H.264, HuffYUV and Ut Video
  +  Video with Alpha (Alpha MOV, Alpha VP8, Alpha VP9, Ut Video)

..   +  Export to any DV devices
  
.. |ffmpeg| raw:: html

   <a href="https://ffmpeg.org/about.html" target="_blank">ffmpeg</a>


**Notes**

.. [1] Berkeley Software Distribution