Many users who only moved to Linux are faced with problems that are related to the search for suitable software. The categories of such applications include video edits. For distributions of this operating system, you will not find professional solutions similar to Sony Vegas Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro, but some companies are still trying to create more advanced tools that allow mounting rollers. It is about such a software and will be discussed further.
Avidemux.
The first in our list is Avidemux. This software was designed to perform the simplest tasks with video and is available for download for free both on Linux and on Windows. Avidemux is first because in the user repositories it takes the first places, which means it is a popular video editor in the number of downloads. Its interface is implemented in the form of just one track, therefore, impose any effect, text or music over the picture will not work. However, you will not hinder anything to cut into fragments and distribute them to certain places or glue a few videos into one. If you study this solution superficially, then practically no interesting features are found, but here you need to look a little deeper.
Each parameter, for example, the same soundtrack settings, you need to study in more detail by opening a separate window and context menus. In Avidemux, you can create a new encoding for sound, add second audio track to the required place, move audio relative to the video for normalization and use custom plugins for various improvements. With video, things are about the same. You can find black frames for their further deletion, reconfigure key frames, process the picture using the built-in or additional components and change the encoding. Upon completion of the mount, you select the optimal format for saving, that is, Avidemux acts as a converter role. As already mentioned, for downloading this tool is available for free, as well as there is a Russian interface language in it, which will be a plus for many users.
Download Avidemux from the official site
OpenShot.
OpenShot is a very close solution to a professional solution created by just one person. The emphasis in this software was made on the simultaneous ease of use and multifunctionality, which in the end and brought popularity. Now in many OpenShot distributions is the default video editor, which is already talking about the authority of this product. If you pay attention to the following screenshot, you will see that the program interface is very similar to the standard appearance of typical editors. All tools are distributed over different tabs, so there is nothing superfluous before your eyes, and the transition to the necessary functions is carried out in just one click. OpenShot supports any number of tracks, therefore, you can add effects, filters, text and impose music in the way it will be pleased.
OpenShot has all the standard and extended options that you want to see by default in any video editor. Additionally, we note successful integration with the graphic environments of various distributions. This allows you to add content by easy file dragging, saving a considerable amount of time. There is a function for adding 3D elements with various settings, transforming your project. All known file formats are supported, so with the opening, no problem will not arise. The only drawback is the lack of Russian, but is now actively developing on a radically new assembly, because there is still hope for the emergence of localization.
Download OpenShot from the official site
If the link above is not suitable for downloading the program, we recommend using the official repositories. To do this, you will need to perform the appropriate commands in the console. Just copy the lines below and insert them into the terminal.
Sudo Add-APT-Repository PPA: OpenShot.Developers / PPA
Sudo Apt-Get Update
Sudo APT-Get Install OpenShot-Qt
FlowBlade Movie Editor
The next representative, about which we want to talk today, is called FlowBlade Movie Editor and in its functionality is practically not inferior to professional solutions for the Windows operating system. In this software you get the opportunity to work with a multitro editor, add music, videos and pictures of all supported formats, as well as create inscriptions, adjusting the font and transitions to your needs. The toolbars are divided into the usual tabs, so there should be no problems with their use. It is enough just to move to one of the sections to start a full interaction with the elements present there.
Now let's look at the very tools in more detail. Immediately we note a huge built-in library with effects, transitions and filters. There are also special sound processing options that allow you to completely change the level of perception of music. However, if there is a need for fine tuning, you can contact the extensive equalizer. The preview window functions quite correctly and has all the required buttons to control, therefore, with an assessment of the existing material, no difficulties will not appear. Of the minuses, the absence of thumbnails with video fragments on the track is especially highlighted. You can navigate the record only by its name or move the slider to view the frame in preview mode. On the official website of the developers of FlowBlade Movie Editor there are several familiarization rollers. They will suit as training materials when studying this solution.
Download FlowBlade Movie Editor from the official site
Lives.
Lives is one of the most unusual programs of today's material, since its creator is Gabriel Finch. It is known in narrow circles as a kind of video artist. For a long time, he became interested in creating his own application under Linux, which would allow him to realize all his desires. After a little time after discussion and development, the world saw the first version of Lives. Now there are still updates for this, and beginners it becomes more difficult to deal with the specific implementation of certain tools. The main feature of the software is the division into two modes of operation. The first is called Clip Edit: Here you change separate fragments of one video, using different effects, cutting and moving content. The second mode is called Multitrack and is a standard editor with support for the set of tracks.
Now we will not dwell on standard LIVES tools, because they all correspond about what has already been said earlier. It is better to focus on unique opportunities. The first is in choosing a source to capture the video. Use the local storage, moving the file to the program, or the webcam, DVD or YouTube. In most other video edits, the user is deprived of the right to choose a source. If there are several copies of the program located in one local network or on computers that are connected through special servers, you get access to video capture from there. After successfully enrolling the file, it is processed and broadcast further, which allows you to interact with projects on one PC, and play perfectly on another device. However, the full implementation of such an idea is possible only if there is a powerful server.
Download lives from the official site
If, after installing the considered application, you saw that there are no specific functions, they should be added from the official repository using only one command. To do this, run the "Terminal" and enter the Sudo Add-APT-Repository PPA: Noobslab / Apps.
Kdenlive.
The holders of the KDE graphics environment should definitely pay attention to the solution called Kdenlive. It is just focused on interaction with this shell, supporting a large number of useful features, for example, the rapid addition of rollers by transfer. However, for other shells, this video editor will also fit, so we advise you to familiarize yourself with it in more detail. If you look at the image below, it will be seen that the Kdenlive interface is implemented by the same principle, as in other analogues. Below is a multitro editor, where you can put the tracks with different content by looking through their thumbnails. Tool kits are distributed across separate tabs and pop-up menu on the top panel. Most of them are called also by pressing hotkeys, so work in Kdenlive will be comfortable.
Thanks to the built-in in Kdenlive converter, you can easily export video in various formats directly during the save by selecting the optimal codecs. If this program will work at once several users or the tasks performed are drastically different, it makes sense to create different profiles, setting optimal settings for each of them. After starting the Kdenlive, the menu will open for switching and all changes will be instantly applied. This performance is also at the level, because even on weak computers, the video processing does not take much time if you, of course, did not add a huge number of effects and did not put the quality in 4k. For a rapid render of such projects, it is necessary to use a PC of the top configuration. On the official website Kdenlive you will find all the necessary links and commands to install this application.
Download kdenlive from the official site
Additionally, we note that Kdenlive also has in the center of the applications, and this will allow you to quickly get the software on your computer. You can use the commands by downloading the archive from the official repository. We settled them further, and you will sufficiently copy each line and alternately insert them into the console.
Sudo Add-APT-Repository PPA: SUNAB / KDENLIVE-REELEASE
Sudo Apt-Get Update
Sudo Apt-Get Install Kdenlive
LightWorks.
Fans and experienced users engaged in video editing in Windows accurately heard about the LightWorks program. Its developers produce a version for various Linux distributions, without cutting overall functionality. LightWorks is positioned as a professional solution and is actively used in many studios. Here you will find all the standard functions that we have already spoken earlier, however, their implementation is slightly different. For example, more color palettes are added when setting up effects, fonts and additional visual parameters. Real-time editing has become even more convenient thanks to fast frame processing and the ability to place several preview windows nearby. As for the rest of the interface settings, the lightworks in this plan allows you to create a unique configuration, since all present blocks can move and vary in size as it will be used to the user. Times tracks have no restrictions, which allows you to add more than a dozen video, audio, effects and pictures to one project, by placing them on different lines and putting personal settings. The last thing we want to mark the interface is visual buttons, directories and switches. All this in each category of processing tools is made in the most understandable and pleasant style for the user, so even a beginner will quickly understand with the principle of managing all components.
Now let's talk about the functionality of the solution under consideration. Standard options will not even take into account, since each user must be clear that the basic tools are accurately present in professional software. For a start, we will walk along the timeline. As we have already said, there may be an unlimited number of tracks. Select for each of them the color, sign or configure the previews so as not to get confused in a huge amount of materials. With the addition of filters or certain settings to specific tracks, no problems will arise, because for this, special pop-up menu is displayed on the left of each track. Select multiple lines before editing starting, and all changes will be applied immediately to all these media files. Elements added over video, such as text, effects or pictures, can be changed directly in the preview window, configuring the size, angle of rotation, transparency and location. On the Lightworks page on the Internet you will find many useful lessons, where the developers themselves explain the principle of action of unusual and complex tools. There are also links to download DEB or RPM packets to install in Linux.
Download Lightworks from the official site
Pitivi.
The following free video editor is called Pitivi and focuses on lovers, because there are many useful tools, but they are not enough to meet the needs of professionals. If you pay attention to the program screenshot below, notice that the interface is divided into several blocks. In the first left, there is a list of all added media files, and there is also a second tab called "Effect Library". Move to it to view a list of all available effects and filters, and then easily impose them to the selected fragment. This implementation of the library of all items is convenient because you can immediately add a folder with files, and then decide which in which sequence items to add to tracks. The center is located a small menu where the selected objects are configured, for example, text or effects. This will help to avoid the need for a permanent opening of additional windows that will overlap all the workspace. On the right of the standard there is a preview window with conventional controls. It immediately displays all added transitions and details superimposed on top of the main video. The entire bottom line is assigned to a multitro editor. As you can see, there is nothing unusual in it, and the video is shown with the preview, which will not get confused in the abundance of materials.
We affect the topic of general functionality, since the emphasis was made precisely on the implementation of the interface. Each effect, text or optional element in Pitivi can be configured by the wishes of the user. As mentioned earlier, a special section of the screen is assigned to this. It presents transparency parameters, playback speed, animation, colors are adjusted and a lot of other, which depends on the selected tool. Directly when creating a project, you specify its overall configuration in a special menu that opens. There is a partition aspect ratio, video resolution and number of frames. If in the future the reproduction of materials is planned on a specific device, it is enough to select a pre-prepared template with optimal settings for specific equipment. We note and an interesting feature, which is to automatically disconnect the audio track when adding video. This allows you to comfortably control the sound separately, move it, copy or perform other editing actions. To install Pitivi, use instructions from the official site, and in Ubuntu, it will be enough to enter the Sudo APT-Get Install Pitivi command and confirm the download of archives.
Download Pitivi from the official site
Shotcut.
Shotcut is a little-known, but very advanced option for editing rollers in Linux. It has absolutely all functions in which professional users need. However, the interface is made in simple and familiar, so even a beginner will quickly understand with all the main settings and will remember the location of the tools on the panels. The main feature of the appearance is variability with the help of harvested skins. You should only go to the settings to view all available options and choose the appropriate. In addition to this, there are options that are responsible for other interface settings. With their help, you can enable or disable the display of items, add existing menus, move them or transform. However, some binding is still present, so it will not work in absolutely any place to put a certain panel. The implementation of the timeline and its visual buttons exactly the same as in other advanced solutions that you see in the screenshot below.
Shotcut has settings settings that literally have a few clicks create a ready-made processing project for loaded materials. Such configurations are suitable when processing in a certain style or need to save video to specific devices, such as tablets or smartphones with unpopular screen resolution parameters. If you have a need to capture video from the screen, webcam or connected via HDMI device, this procedure is also realized in this software and has a flexible setting. However, Shotcut also has cons. The first of them is the absence of the Russian interface language, so you have to deal with the value of each button, translating it from English. The second is in the absence of files in the official repositories of distributions, and the program can only download the archive from the official site. Note that this archive does not require installation, after unpacking software is already ready for launch.
Download Shotcut from the official site
Cinelerra.
Cinelerra is the last representative of our today's article. We put it on this place, because in their functionality and the implementation of the graphical interface, it is significantly inferior to previous options, although it is also distributed free. Now the appearance of Cinelerra seems outdated and incomprehensible, since all the main buttons responsible for calling functions are collected in one panel on top above the track editor. However, there are several additional panels here, where the list of added files and the built-in effects library are displayed. These panels can be changed in every way or move, which will help make software management easier. The sound of sound in video is displayed apart, but is not displayed on a separate track, which sometimes creates small inconvenience when working with this component of the material.
Note that in Cinelerra there is an imposition of an unlimited number of layers of effects and music. In this case, each layer can be edited personally and their common location. Such options make the solution under consideration more suitable for professional purposes. Rendering includes rendering with transcoding compressed and uncompressed frames. You do not have to download all the musical and video effects separately, since they are built in the software library by default. Unfortunately, Cinelerra will not be able to download from official storage facilities, so you have to go to the page on the link below to get the archive, unpack and install it in a convenient method.
Download Cinelerra from the official site
These were all video editors that we wanted to tell in today's material. As you can see, among the available free options, you can find an application that satisfies amateur and professional needs.