Timeline¶
The timeline is the central part of Kdenlive. It is made of 4 different areas (see screenshot).
1 - Track resizing icon. This icon allows you to adjust the track height in the timeline from normal to small. This does not affect the video or the render in any way. The default height of tracks can be configured in Kdenlive’s Configure Kdenlive dialog.
2 - Timeline ruler. This shows the time in frames or in hh:mm:ss notation. The area highlighted in green is called the selection zone, and is useful if you want to render only a part of your project. Left-clicking in the timeline ruler will move the Timeline and seek to that position.
Right click into the timeline ruler opens the context menu and allows you to:
3 - Track header. This box shows some options for a track. First is the track name (Main Video Track in the screenshot). That name can be changed by simply clicking in it. Below are icons to
which will prevent adding clips, removing clips, or moving of clips on the timeline;
from this track; and,
allows you to enable or disable the effects applied to the track.
Right clicking in the track header will give you a context menu allowing to manage (add / delete) tracks. See configure tracks
4 - The track itself, this is where you can drop your clips.
Zoombars¶
New in version 21.04.0.
Besides the availability of zoombars in the monitor and keyframe scroll bars, zoombars are now available in the timeline as well. You can easily zoom in/out in the timeline by dragging the edges of the timeline scrollbar. (Vertical zoombars coming soon.) Recommend playing this video in full-screen mode.
Key binding information¶
New in version 21.04.0.
Key binding info has been added on the left while context item information has been moved to the right of the Status Bar. Recommend playing this video in full-screen mode.
Timeline visuals¶
New in version 21.04.0.
The timeline got a visual overhaul with more and better looking guides/marker colors, the guides have been moved above the timeline ruler while preview and zone bars have been moved below.
Before (above) and after (below)
Split Audio/Video¶
New in version 19.04.0.
The way timeline tracks work has changed. Each track is now either audio or video, and will only accept audio and video clips respectively. When dragging an AV clip from the project bin in the timeline, the clip will be automatically split, the video part going on a video track, and the audio part on an audio track.
The separation of audio/video is important for implementing same-track-transitions.
Timeline Cursor/Position Caret/Playhead¶
This indicates the position we are displaying in the Monitors. You can scroll the position by dragging the Timeline cursor (a.k.a Position Caret or Playhead).
Beginning with version 0.9.4, dragging the timeline cursor will play the audio of the clip (a.k.a. Audio Scrubbing). This feature only works if you have checked in Configure Kdenlive.
Tracks¶
The timeline is made of tracks. There are two kinds of tracks: audio and video. The number of tracks is defined when creating a new project in the Project Settings Dialog. Adding a clip in timeline can be achieved by dragging it from the The Project Bin or the Monitors. More about tracks see Tracks
Resizing tracks¶
New in version 19.04.0.
Tracks can be individually resized. (Holding down Shift makes all video or audio tracks change in height simultaneously.)
Switch live between two different layout modes (Mixed or Split).
Keyboard Navigation¶
New in version 19.04.0.
You now have the possibility to move clips and compositions with your keyboard. To do it, select a clip in timeline and use the Grab Current Item (Shift + G) function from the menu.
You can then move the item with your arrow keys. Keyframes can also be moved individually. Just click on a keyframe in timeline, then move it left/right with arrows, change its value with + and -. Alt + arrow to go to another keyframe.
Keyframe handling¶
New in version 19.04.0.
Add a new keyframe by double clicking in timeline.
You can move a keyframe without altering its value by using the vertical line that appears when you are above or below a keyframe.
Remove a keyframe by dragging it far above or below the clip limits.
Configurable tracks¶
New in version 19.04.0.
Video track: You can choose to display between:
In frame
In/Out frames
All frames or
No thumbnails.
Audio track: You can enable:
Show Record Control to record audio direct into the track. More details see Audio recording.
Separate Channels to see each channel of an audio track (i.e stereo, 5.1)
Normalize Audio Thumbnails maximize the audio level peak to -3dB.
Disabling individual clips¶
New in version 19.04.0.
Individual clips can be disabled while still in the timeline but with no audio and no video – (works for all clip types). Right-click on the clip and choose Disable clip or Enable clip.
Continuously loop playback¶
Disable Pause playback when seeking in Timeline settings ().
Make a timeline zone the length you like to loop.
Loop Zone (Ctrl + Shift + Space)