OpenShot Video Editing Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Setting Up a New Project

• Create New Project: Click the 'New' button on the toolbar to create a new project. OpenShot will also create a new project upon launch.
• Import Media Files: Use the 'Import Files' button or drag and drop files into OpenShot's project files panel.

2. Understanding Video Properties

• Check Video Properties: Right-click on video files and select 'File Properties' to view details like resolution, aspect ratio, and frame rate.

3. Project Profile Settings

• Set Project Profile: Match the project's resolution and frame rate to the raw videos by using the 'Choose Profile' button.

4. Saving and Managing Project Files

• Save Project: Save the project with a desired name. OpenShot saves a project file (.OSP) and creates an assets directory for managing files.
• File Organization: Contains subdirectories for Blender animations, static titles, project data, and thumbnails.

5. Basic Editing

• Cutting/Trimming Clips: Use the playhead and slice tools to trim unwanted parts from clips.
• Add Effects: Use preset effects like fade-in/fade-out.

6. Adding Titles

• Create Titles: Use the 'Title' menu to add and customize title text, fonts, and backgrounds.
• Title Duration and Effects: Set duration, and add fade effects.

7. Adding Transitions

• Use Built-in Transitions: Drag overlapping clips and apply a transition. Adjust effects through properties.

8. Advanced Animations

• Zoom and Pan: Interpolate scale and location properties. Insert keyframes and adjust interpolation modes for smooth animations.

9. Finalizing Projects

• Shutter Closing Effect: Use crop and keyframe properties to create effects.
• Add Background Music: Import music, sync with scenes, and manually animate volume for fade effects.

10. Exporting the Project

• Export Video: Use 'Export Video' button, select output format, target, and quality. Adjust bitrate for desired balance between quality and file size.

Conclusion

The tutorial provides a comprehensive guide for beginners to use OpenShot effectively for video editing.

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Thank you for using this step-by-step guide to learn video editing with OpenShot. Happy editing!