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cross-platform (Qt), open-source (GPLv3) video editor
OpenShot Video Editor is an award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows, and is dedicated to delivering high quality video editing and animation solutions to the world.
Free open-source non-linear video editor
Video Editor for Linux
Open-source video compositing software. Node-graph based. Similar in functionalities to Adobe After Effects and Nuke by The Foundry.
Quick Overview
Kdenlive is an open-source, non-linear video editing software that is part of the KDE project. It provides a powerful and feature-rich environment for video editing, supporting a wide range of formats and offering professional-grade tools for both beginners and advanced users.
Pros
- Comprehensive set of video editing tools and effects
- Multi-track editing with support for various video and audio formats
- Active community and regular updates
- Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, Windows, macOS)
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to some consumer-level video editors
- Occasional stability issues, especially with complex projects
- Resource-intensive, may require a powerful computer for smooth performance
- Limited advanced color grading tools compared to some professional software
Getting Started
To get started with Kdenlive:
- Download and install Kdenlive from the official website: https://kdenlive.org/en/download/
- Launch Kdenlive and create a new project
- Import your media files into the project bin
- Drag and drop clips onto the timeline
- Use the various tools and effects to edit your video
- Export your finished project using the render button
For more detailed instructions and tutorials, visit the official Kdenlive documentation: https://docs.kdenlive.org/
Competitor Comparisons
cross-platform (Qt), open-source (GPLv3) video editor
Pros of Shotcut
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Lighter resource usage, suitable for less powerful systems
- More frequent updates and releases
Cons of Shotcut
- Less extensive feature set compared to Kdenlive
- User interface can be less intuitive for beginners
- Smaller community and fewer available resources/tutorials
Code Comparison
Kdenlive (C++):
void MainWindow::slotAddClipToProject(const QUrl &url)
{
QList<QUrl> urls;
urls << url;
pCore->bin()->droppedUrls(urls);
}
Shotcut (C++):
void MainWindow::openVideo()
{
QString filename = QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(this, tr("Open File"), QDir::homePath());
if (!filename.isEmpty())
m_player->open(filename);
}
Both projects use C++ and Qt framework, but Kdenlive's codebase is generally more complex due to its broader feature set. Shotcut's code tends to be more straightforward, reflecting its focus on simplicity and performance.
OpenShot Video Editor is an award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows, and is dedicated to delivering high quality video editing and animation solutions to the world.
Pros of OpenShot
- Simpler and more intuitive user interface, making it easier for beginners
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Faster rendering times for basic projects
Cons of OpenShot
- Limited advanced features compared to Kdenlive
- Less stable, with more frequent crashes reported by users
- Fewer customization options for power users
Code Comparison
Both projects are primarily written in Python and C++. Here's a brief comparison of their main application entry points:
OpenShot (main.py):
def main():
app = QApplication(sys.argv)
window = MainWindow()
window.show()
sys.exit(app.exec_())
Kdenlive (main.cpp):
int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
QApplication app(argc, argv);
KAboutData aboutData(...);
KCrash::initialize();
QCommandLineParser parser;
aboutData.setupCommandLine(&parser);
parser.process(app);
aboutData.processCommandLine(&parser);
MainWindow *window = new MainWindow();
window->show();
return app.exec();
}
Both projects use Qt for their GUI, but Kdenlive integrates more deeply with KDE libraries, while OpenShot remains more independent and cross-platform focused.
Free open-source non-linear video editor
Pros of Olive
- Modern, sleek user interface with a focus on simplicity
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux) without KDE dependencies
- Faster rendering times for some operations
Cons of Olive
- Less mature project with fewer features compared to Kdenlive
- Smaller community and less documentation available
- Still in beta, potentially less stable for production use
Code Comparison
Olive (C++):
void TimelineWidget::mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent *event) {
if (event->button() == Qt::LeftButton) {
startDragging(event->pos());
}
}
Kdenlive (C++):
void TimelineWidget::mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent *event) {
if (event->button() == Qt::LeftButton) {
m_dragStartPosition = event->pos();
emit mousePressed(event->pos());
}
}
Both projects use Qt for their GUI and have similar event handling structures. Olive's code tends to be more concise, while Kdenlive's often includes additional functionality and emit signals for better integration with the KDE framework.
Olive is a promising newcomer in the video editing space, offering a fresh approach with a clean interface. However, Kdenlive remains a more feature-rich and established option, particularly for users already invested in the KDE ecosystem.
Video Editor for Linux
Pros of Flowblade
- Lightweight and efficient, with a focus on performance
- Unique magnetic timeline for precise editing
- Simple and intuitive interface, ideal for beginners
Cons of Flowblade
- Less feature-rich compared to Kdenlive
- Smaller community and fewer resources available
- Limited cross-platform support (primarily Linux-focused)
Code Comparison
Flowblade (Python):
def _get_clip_length(self):
if self.media_type != appconsts.IMAGE:
return int(self.clip_out - self.clip_in + 1)
else:
return int(self.clip_out - self.clip_in)
Kdenlive (C++):
int ClipModel::getPlaytime() const
{
return m_producer->get_playtime();
}
Both projects use different programming languages, with Flowblade primarily using Python and Kdenlive using C++. Flowblade's code tends to be more concise and readable, while Kdenlive's C++ implementation may offer better performance for complex operations.
Flowblade's codebase is generally smaller and more focused, making it easier for new contributors to understand and modify. Kdenlive, being a larger project, has a more extensive codebase with a wider range of features and functionalities.
Open-source video compositing software. Node-graph based. Similar in functionalities to Adobe After Effects and Nuke by The Foundry.
Pros of Natron
- Specialized for visual effects and compositing
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Node-based workflow for complex compositing tasks
Cons of Natron
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Smaller community and fewer resources compared to Kdenlive
- Less frequent updates and development activity
Code Comparison
Natron (C++):
void Node::onInputChanged(int inputNb)
{
Q_UNUSED(inputNb);
computeHash();
}
Kdenlive (C++):
void TimelineModel::requestItemResize(int itemId, int size, bool right)
{
QWriteLocker locker(&m_lock);
std::shared_ptr<AbstractClipItem> item = getItemById(itemId);
if (item == nullptr) {
return;
}
// ... (additional code)
}
Natron focuses on node-based compositing, while Kdenlive is primarily a video editor. Natron's code reflects its emphasis on node operations, whereas Kdenlive's code deals with timeline-based editing functions. Both projects use C++ but have different architectural approaches based on their specific purposes.
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Kdenlive
Kdenlive is a powerful, free and open-source video editor that brings professional-grade video editing capabilities to everyone. Whether you're creating a simple family video or working on a complex project, Kdenlive provides the tools you need to bring your vision to life.
For more information about Kdenlive's features, tutorials, and community, please visit our official website.
There you can also find downloads for both stable releases and experimental daily builds for Kdenlive.
Contributing to Kdenlive
Kdenlive is a community-driven project, and we welcome contributions from everyone! There are many ways to contribute beyond coding:
- Help translate Kdenlive into your language
- Report and triage bugs
- Write documentation
- Create tutorials
- Help other users on forums and bug trackers
Visit kdenlive.org to learn more about non-code contributions.
Developer Information
Technology Stack
Kdenlive is written in C++ and is using these technologies and frameworks:
- Core Framework: MLT for video editing functionality
- GUI Framework: Qt and KDE Frameworks 6
- Additional Libraries: frei0r (video effects), LADSPA (audio effects)
Getting Started
- Check out our build instructions to set up your development environment
- Familiarize yourself with the architecture and coding guidelines
- If the MLT library is new to you check out MLT Introduction
- Join our Matrix channel
#kdenlive-dev:kde.org
for developer discussions and support
Contributing Code
Kdenlive's primary development happens on KDE Invent. While we maintain a GitHub mirror, all code contributions should be submitted through KDE's GitLab instance. For more information about KDE's development infrastructure, visit the KDE GitLab documentation.
Finding Things to Work On
- Browse open issues on KDE Invent
- Check the KDE Bug Tracker for reported issues
- Look for issues tagged with "good first issue" or "help wanted"
Need help getting started? Join our Matrix channel #kdenlive-dev:kde.org
- our community is friendly and always ready to help new contributors!
Top Related Projects
cross-platform (Qt), open-source (GPLv3) video editor
OpenShot Video Editor is an award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows, and is dedicated to delivering high quality video editing and animation solutions to the world.
Free open-source non-linear video editor
Video Editor for Linux
Open-source video compositing software. Node-graph based. Similar in functionalities to Adobe After Effects and Nuke by The Foundry.
Convert
designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot