Editing Video editing software

{{Short description|Software used to edit digital video files}}{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
[[File:Cinelerra-CV 2.3.png|thumb|The user interface of a typical video editor]]

'''Video editing software''' or a '''video editor''' is software used for performing the post-production video editing of digital video sequences on a [[non-linear editing system]] (NLE). It has replaced traditional flatbed [[celluloid]] film editing tools and analog video tape editing machines.

Video editing software serves a lot of purposes, such as [[filmmaking]], audio commentary, and general editing of video content.

In NLE software, the user manipulates sections of video, images, and audio on a sequence. These clips can be trimmed, cut, and manipulated in many different ways. When editing is finished, the user exports the sequence as a video file.

==Components==

===Timeline===

[[File:A2o wipes.ogv|thumb|left|A wipe is a common form of [[film transition|transition]] applied between two video clips.]]

NLE software is typically based on a [[timeline]] interface where sections moving image video recordings, known as clips, are laid out in sequence and played back. The NLE offers a range of tools for trimming, splicing, cutting, and arranging clips across the timeline.

Another kind of clip is a text clip, used to add text to a video, such as [[title screens]] or [[movie credits]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://userbase.kde.org/Kdenlive/Manual/Titles|title=Titles, Kdenlive Manual}}</ref> Audio clips can additionally be mixed together, such as mixing a [[soundtrack]] with multiple [[sound effects]].

Typically, the timeline is divided into multiple rows on the y-axis for different clips playing simultaneously, whereas the x-axis represents the run time of the video.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techsmith.com/blog/edit-videos-timeline/|title=How to Edit Videos in the Timeline, The TechSmith Blog}}</ref>

Effects such as [[film transition|transitions]] can be performed on each clip, such as a [[Dissolve (filmmaking)|crossfade]] effect going from one scene to another.

===Exporting===

Since video editors represent a project with a [[file format]] specific to the program, one needs to export the video file in order to publish it.

Once a project is complete, the editor can then [[Import and export of data|export]] to movies in a variety of formats in a context that may range from broadcast tape formats to [[Video coding format|compressed video file]]s for web publishing (such as on an [[online video platform]] or [[personal website]]), [[optical media]], or saved to mobile devices.

To facilitate editing, source video typically has a higher resolution than the desired output. Therefore, higher resolution video needs to be [[image scaling|downscaled]] during exporting, or after exporting in a process known as [[transcoding#Re-encoding/recoding|transsizing]].

===Visual effects===
{{Main|Visual effects}}

[[File:Green screens compare with Iman Crosson 20110524.png|thumb|[[Chroma keying]], commonly done with a [[green screen]], allows a subject to appear composited against the background.]]

As digital video editing advanced, visual effects became possible, and is part of the standard toolkit, usually found in prosumer and professional grade software.

A common ability is to do [[compositing]] techniques such as [[chroma key]]ing or [[luma key]]ing, among others, which allow different objects to look as if they are in the same scene.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/tools/green-screen-software.html|title=Green screen software - Chroma key video editing tools, Adobe Software}}</ref>

A different kind of visual effects is [[motion capture]]. Software such as [[Blender (software)|Blender]] can perform motion capture to make animated objects follow an actor's movements.

===Additional features===

Most professional video editors are able to do [[color grading]], which is to manipulate visual attributes of a video such as contrast to enhance output, and improve emotional impact.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.videomaker.com/how-to/editing/what-is-color-grading/|title=What is color grading and why is it important? - Videomaker}}</ref>

Some video editors such as [[iMovie]] include [[stock footage]] available for use.

==Hardware requirements==


As video editing puts great demands on storage and graphics performance, especially at high resolutions such as [[4K resolution|4K]], and for videos with many [[visual effects]], powerful hardware is often required.

It is not uncommon for a computer built for video editing to have a lot of [[Computer data storage|drive capacity]], and a powerful [[graphics processing unit]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.videoproc.com/edit-4k-video/hardware-for-4k-video-editing.htm|title=Hardware Configuration for 4K Video Editing - VideoProc}}</ref> which optimally has [[Graphics processing unit#GPU accelerated video decoding and encoding|hardware accelerated video encoding]].

Having sufficient disk space is important since videos can take up large amounts of storage, depending on the resolution and compression format used. Each minute of a [[Full HD]] (1080p) video at 30 fps takes up 60MB of space.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itigic.com/how-much-space-hd-fullhd-4k-8k-video-occupies/|title=How Much Space an HD, FullHD, 4K and 8K Video Occupies}}</ref>

When visual effects are used, a [[server farm]] can be employed to speed up the rendering process.

==Examples==
{{Main|Comparison of video editing software|List of video editing software}}

Video editing software can be divided into consumer grade, which focuses on ease-of-use, along with professional grade software, which focuses on feature availability, and advanced editing techniques. The typical use case for the former is to edit personal videos on the go, when more advanced editing is not required.

===Consumer grade===

* [[Photos (Apple)]]
* [[Google Photos]]
* [[YouTube Create]]

===Prosumer grade===

====Proprietary software====
* [[iMovie]]
* [[PowerDirector|CyberLink PowerDirector]]

===Professional grade===

====Proprietary software====
* [[Final Cut Pro]]
* [[Adobe Premiere Pro]]
* [[DaVinci Resolve]]
* [[Vegas Pro]]
* [[Lightworks]]
* [[Camtasia]]
* [[Media Composer]]

====Free and open source software====
* [[Avidemux]]
* [[Blender (software)|Blender]]
* [[Cinelerra]]
* [[Flowblade]]
* [[Kdenlive]]
* [[OpenShot]]
* [[Shotcut]]

While most video editing software has been separate from the operating systems, some operating systems have had a video editor installed by default, such as [[Windows Movie Maker]] in [[Windows XP]], or as a component of the default photo viewer, such as the [[Photos (iOS)|Photos]] app on [[iOS]].

Some [[social media platforms]], such as [[TikTok]] and [[Instagram]] may include a rudimentary video editor to trim clips.

==See also==
{{Portal|Software}}
*[[Comparison of video editing software]]
*[[Comparison of video converters]]
*[[List of video editing software]]
*[[Photo slideshow software]]
*[[Video editing]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/video/hub/ideas/what-is-non-linear-editing A guide to non-linear video editing, Adobe Software]

{{Video editors}}
{{Film Editing}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Video editing software| ]]
[[Category:Film and video technology]]