flowblade

Video Editor for Linux

2,636

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Quick Overview

Flowblade is an open-source, multitrack non-linear video editor for Linux. It is designed to provide a fast and precise editing workflow, with a focus on stability and efficiency. Flowblade supports various video and audio formats, and offers a range of tools for professional video editing.

Pros

Fast and responsive editing experience, even on older hardware
Comprehensive set of video and audio editing tools
Supports a wide range of media formats
Active development and community support

Cons

Limited to Linux operating systems
Steeper learning curve compared to some other video editors
Less extensive documentation compared to more popular video editing software
Fewer third-party plugins and extensions available

Getting Started

To get started with Flowblade on a Linux system:

Install Flowblade using your distribution's package manager:

sudo apt-get install flowblade  # For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems

sudo dnf install flowblade  # For Fedora-based systems

Launch Flowblade from your applications menu or by running:
```
flowblade
```
Create a new project or open an existing one.
Import your media files into the project.
Begin editing by dragging clips to the timeline and using the various tools and effects available in the interface.

For more detailed instructions and tutorials, visit the official Flowblade documentation at https://jliljebl.github.io/flowblade/

Competitor Comparisons

shotcut

10,740

cross-platform (Qt), open-source (GPLv3) video editor

Pros of Shotcut

Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
More extensive video and audio filters
Larger and more active community

Cons of Shotcut

Steeper learning curve for beginners
Interface can be cluttered and overwhelming
Slower rendering times for complex projects

Code Comparison

Flowblade (Python):

def _get_track_counts():
    audio_tracks_count = PROJECT().get_track_counts()[1]
    video_tracks_count = PROJECT().get_track_counts()[0]
    return (video_tracks_count, audio_tracks_count)

Shotcut (C++):

void MultitrackModel::moveClip(int fromTrack, int toTrack, int clipIndex, int position)
{
    if (fromTrack == toTrack) return;
    QScopedPointer<Mlt::Producer> clip(m_trackList[fromTrack]->remove(clipIndex));
    if (clip) {
        m_trackList[toTrack]->insert(*clip, position);
        emit modified();
    }
}

Both Flowblade and Shotcut are open-source video editing software projects. Flowblade is written in Python and focuses on providing a streamlined, keyboard-driven workflow. Shotcut, written in C++, offers a more feature-rich experience with a wider range of tools and effects. While Flowblade may be more approachable for beginners, Shotcut's extensive capabilities make it suitable for more advanced users and complex projects.

openshot-qt

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Pros of OpenShot

More user-friendly interface, suitable for beginners
Wider range of supported file formats and codecs
Active development with frequent updates and new features

Cons of OpenShot

Can be resource-intensive, especially with complex projects
Some users report stability issues with larger projects
Limited advanced features compared to Flowblade

Code Comparison

OpenShot (Python):

class Timeline(QGraphicsScene):
    def __init__(self, *args):
        QGraphicsScene.__init__(self, *args)
        self.scale = 1.0
        self.tracks = []

Flowblade (Python):

class TimelineGuiMode:
    def __init__(self):
        self.default_mode = True
        self.move_mode = False
        self.trim_mode = False

Both projects are written in Python and use Qt for the GUI. OpenShot's codebase appears to be more object-oriented, while Flowblade's code structure is more functional. OpenShot's Timeline class inherits from QGraphicsScene, indicating a more graphical approach to timeline representation. Flowblade's TimelineGuiMode class suggests a focus on different editing modes within the timeline.

kdenlive

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Free and open source video editor, based on MLT Framework and KDE Frameworks

Pros of Kdenlive

More extensive feature set, including advanced video effects and transitions
Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, Windows, macOS)
Larger and more active community, resulting in frequent updates and improvements

Cons of Kdenlive

Higher system requirements and potentially slower performance on older hardware
Steeper learning curve for beginners due to its comprehensive toolset
Occasional stability issues, especially with complex projects

Code Comparison

Flowblade (Python):

def _get_media_type(file_path):
    mime_type = utils.get_file_type(file_path)
    if mime_type.startswith("video"):
        return appconsts.VIDEO
    elif mime_type.startswith("audio"):
        return appconsts.AUDIO
    elif mime_type.startswith("image"):
        return appconsts.IMAGE
    else:
        return appconsts.UNKNOWN

Kdenlive (C++):

QStringList ProjectManager::slotGetSupportedImageFormats()
{
    QStringList formats;
    formats << QStringLiteral("png") << QStringLiteral("bmp") << QStringLiteral("jpeg") << QStringLiteral("jpg") << QStringLiteral("gif") << QStringLiteral("svg") << QStringLiteral("kra");
    return formats;
}

This comparison highlights the different approaches to media type handling in both projects. Flowblade uses a more dynamic approach with MIME type detection, while Kdenlive relies on a predefined list of supported image formats.

olive

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Free open-source non-linear video editor

Pros of Olive

More modern C++ codebase with Qt framework
Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Active development with frequent updates and new features

Cons of Olive

Less mature project with potential stability issues
Smaller community and fewer learning resources available
Limited advanced features compared to Flowblade

Code Comparison

Olive (C++):

void Clip::set_timeline_in(const rational &r)
{
  timeline_in_ = r;
  InvalidateCache(TimelineCoordinate(0, r), kInvalidateAll);
}

Flowblade (Python):

def set_clip_in(self, clip, frame):
    self.clips[clip.id].clip_in = frame
    self._update_clip(clip)
    self.update_length()

Both projects use different programming languages and approaches, with Olive utilizing C++ for performance and Flowblade opting for Python's simplicity. Olive's code demonstrates more complex data types and invalidation mechanisms, while Flowblade's code is more straightforward and readable.

Natron

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Open-source video compositing software. Node-graph based. Similar in functionalities to Adobe After Effects and Nuke by The Foundry.

Pros of Natron

More comprehensive node-based compositing system
Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Extensive plugin ecosystem

Cons of Natron

Steeper learning curve for beginners
Less frequent updates and maintenance
Larger resource footprint

Code Comparison

Flowblade (Python):

def _show_audio_levels(self):
    if editorstate.audio_scrubbing == False:
        return
    if editorstate.timeline_visible() == False:
        return
    if current_sequence().tracks_len() == 0:
        return

Natron (C++):

void NodeGraph::createNodeInternal(const CreateNodeArgs& args)
{
    NodePtr node = Node::create(args, shared_from_this());
    if (!node) {
        return;
    }
    node->setNodeGuiPointer(NodeGui::create(this, node));
}

Flowblade is a video editor focused on simplicity and efficiency, primarily for Linux. It uses a traditional timeline-based interface and is written in Python. Natron, on the other hand, is a node-based compositing software similar to Nuke, offering more advanced features for visual effects and motion graphics. It's cross-platform and written in C++, providing a more powerful but complex toolset for professional use.

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README

Flowblade

--- FIX FOR NON_WORKING VIDEO PREVIEW ISSUE ---

Start application from terminal with command:

SDL12COMPAT_NO_QUIT_VIDEO=1 GDK_BACKEND=x11 SDL_VIDEODRIVER=x11  /usr/bin/flowblade

More info on Issue here: Issue #1134

--- FIX FOR NON_WORKING VIDEO PREVIEW ISSUE ---

Introduction

Flowblade is a multitrack non-linear video editor for Linux released under GPL 3 license.

With Flowblade Movie Editor you can compose movies from video clips, audio clips and graphics files. Clips can be cut at the desired frames, filters can be added to clips, and you can create multilayer composite images using compositor objects.

Features Overview

Editing:

Toolset with 6 editing tools available
4 methods to insert / overwrite / append clips on the timeline
Drag'n'Drop clips on the timeline from Clip monitor and media panel
Clip parenting and audio synchronizing
Max. 21 combined video and audio tracks available

Image compositing:

Standard Track Compositing workflow
- Fades, transition and alpha channel manipulation achieved using with filters
- Blend mode is settable per clip
Compositor based workflow
- Multiple compositors available. Mix, zoom, move and rotate source video with keyframed animation tools
- 19 blends. Stardand image blend modes like Add, Hardlight and Overlay are available
40+ pattern wipes, user created patterns can be used also

Image and audio filters:

50+ image filters: color correction, image effects, distorts, alpha manipulation, blur, edge detection, motion effects, freeze frame, etc.
30+ audio filters: keyframed volume mixing, echo, reverb, distort, etc.

Advanced features:

Generators: Powerful media generator plugin framework available to create e.g. animated texts and backgrounds.
Range Log: Save and edit clip in/out ranges to easily utilize best parts of your material
G'Mic Tool: Create media with beatiful, complex effects not available in any other editor
Text Tool: Create text plates with a handy purpose build tool with large set of features like text shadow, outline etc.
Batch Encoding: Render multiple output clips automatically
Media re-linking: Fix projects with missing media to be editable again.
USB Shuttle playback control: Control playback with all the most popular USB Shuttle/Jog devices available on market.