Customizing interface

The user interface model has a clear division between the different panes, that they work on allows you to reorder them, drag them out into separate windows or size them up as you will.

The interface is divided into many sections. The menu is on top and then on the left you can make a note about the project. All loaded clips and videos are in the project bin, the second section. Third section is the Effect list. You can apply many transaction effects on your video. You can always watch the project preview in the last section. You can create as many audio/video track as you need. This is impressive about Kdenlive. If you’re new to video editing then this is very useful. You can import multiple title clips inside video track.

Remove/Adjust Sections

You won’t notice on the spot, but the tabs that appear on the bottom of the panes aren’t built in them, but change according to what panes you have aggregated into that particular frame. This way you can group functions that you don’t expect to use simultaneously into a single place on the user interface, thus reducing clutter.

If you don’t want certain sections on the screen then you can simply delete them to make other sections wider. Just click the close button on that section and that section will be closed, by removing unnecessary video/audio tracks and now you can organize enough space to preview your project and all other necessary sections are wider.

Kdenlive’s default Screen Layout, editing view

1. Project Bin

The top left section of the screen is known as the bin, library or browser, where clips, still images, audio files etc. are displayed, ready for use. Replicating the folder naming system within the editing software library will help keep everything organized. It may be helpful to label each clip with one or more descriptive keywords. These can be searched and are a useful way to rapidly locate the desired footage, especially with the use of many clips. It is preferable to edit using the same frame rate and frame size that the footage was shot with.

2. Clip Monitor

The preview or canvas window (top centre) plays what is currently selected in the project bin.

3. Project Monitor

This screen shows all clips, still images, audio files and effects such as titles or transitions were be applied to the footage in the timeline. To apply effects, select it from the effects menu and then drag and drop it between the two clips where it is.

4. Timeline Toolbar

Trimming and other editing tools do not alter or delete the original footage, they only adjust the copy that has been added to the timeline.

5. The Timeline

This is the area where clips are placed in the order in which they will appear in the final video and trimmed to the desired length and content. When assembling the initial “rough cut” of the video, users can place clips from the project bin into the timeline in the desired sequence. To reorder clips simply click and drag them to a new position. Trimming tools allow only the relevant footage to be used by marking the desired start and end (“in” and “out”) points on each clip, to shorten or lengthen it.

6. Audio Mixer

The sound quality and volume can be adjusted, either for the entire sequence or selected sections. The editing software will display audio meters and generally any dialogue or narration in a video should be at about -10dB most of the time.

7. Status Bar

On the left side you see hints what you can do when you hover over items. In the middle you see the names of the clips you hover over in the timeline. Followed by mode you are in (default is Select). On the right end are switches for Labels, Thumbnails, Snap and for zooming the timeline.