Looking for free video editing software with a seemingly simple feature
December 4, 2019 3:25 PM Subscribe
I'd like to be able to create short "highlights" from a larger video and put them into a timeline. That part is straightforward, but I'd like to be able to cut using a cursor that stays in its position even when the video is being watched. In other words, if I set the cursor to 1:00 in the video and hit play, I would like the cursor to stay there (and be adjusted left/right from there). I've used OpenShot for some editing, but it seems to be missing this feature - which is genuinely the only feature I need. Help!
I'm having a hard time understanding what you're asking. Is there a way to rephrase it?
For example, here is a screenshot of OpenShot, when you say you'd like to be able to cut "using a cursor that stays in its position", do you mean the red line as seen in this image, or something else?
posted by jeremias at 4:48 PM on December 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
For example, here is a screenshot of OpenShot, when you say you'd like to be able to cut "using a cursor that stays in its position", do you mean the red line as seen in this image, or something else?
posted by jeremias at 4:48 PM on December 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I'm having a hard time understanding what you're asking. Is there a way to rephrase it?
For example, here is a screenshot of OpenShot, when you say you'd like to be able to cut "using a cursor that stays in its position", do you mean the red line as seen in this image, or something else?
When I hit "play" in OpenShot from this position, the red line (and cursor above it) move while the video is playing and don't move back to the original spot when I stop the video. This makes it very hard to precisely tweak the start point, because if I've found a good start point for a clip I'll lose it by checking.
posted by LSK at 8:38 PM on December 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
For example, here is a screenshot of OpenShot, when you say you'd like to be able to cut "using a cursor that stays in its position", do you mean the red line as seen in this image, or something else?
When I hit "play" in OpenShot from this position, the red line (and cursor above it) move while the video is playing and don't move back to the original spot when I stop the video. This makes it very hard to precisely tweak the start point, because if I've found a good start point for a clip I'll lose it by checking.
posted by LSK at 8:38 PM on December 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Two settings that may be available with the software you’re using:
1: use a mark in and there should be a way to jump to mark in in the timeline
2: possibly you can set the timeline to not scroll
OK, a couple more things you could try - as like the others, not really understanding the question...
3: there maybe a marker or comment tool that appears as a dot in the timeline, on a specific frame. In AVID, there are settings that allow you to jump back to that frame
4: if you are trying to gauge your inpoint on a clip, try adding black before the clip and then trimming to find what you want. Again, in AVID - you can preview the cut on a loop - say two seconds before and after. If you have added in black before the shot, that’s an easy way to adjust. In trim mode (on AVID), you can cycle that cut continuously until you go out of trim mode.
5: sometimes it helps to play the clip backwards and find your inpoint that way. You should be able to make a mark in playing backwards. This is useful for say, someone comes through a door.
Lastly - there’s got to be user groups or online video tutorials. Maybe take a look at the specific software. AVID Media Composer has a free version and the beginner tutorials will get you editing pretty quickly. There are limitations with the free version but pretty sure there’s a comparison box on the website.
Good luck!
posted by BeBetter at 10:56 PM on December 4, 2019
1: use a mark in and there should be a way to jump to mark in in the timeline
2: possibly you can set the timeline to not scroll
OK, a couple more things you could try - as like the others, not really understanding the question...
3: there maybe a marker or comment tool that appears as a dot in the timeline, on a specific frame. In AVID, there are settings that allow you to jump back to that frame
4: if you are trying to gauge your inpoint on a clip, try adding black before the clip and then trimming to find what you want. Again, in AVID - you can preview the cut on a loop - say two seconds before and after. If you have added in black before the shot, that’s an easy way to adjust. In trim mode (on AVID), you can cycle that cut continuously until you go out of trim mode.
5: sometimes it helps to play the clip backwards and find your inpoint that way. You should be able to make a mark in playing backwards. This is useful for say, someone comes through a door.
Lastly - there’s got to be user groups or online video tutorials. Maybe take a look at the specific software. AVID Media Composer has a free version and the beginner tutorials will get you editing pretty quickly. There are limitations with the free version but pretty sure there’s a comparison box on the website.
Good luck!
posted by BeBetter at 10:56 PM on December 4, 2019
Use a marker (the green triangle icon) when the red line is at the place you want to go back to.
Use the previous/next marker controls (orange arrows) to move the red line between markers.
posted by cincinnatus c at 3:35 AM on December 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Use the previous/next marker controls (orange arrows) to move the red line between markers.
posted by cincinnatus c at 3:35 AM on December 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Ok, got it. I've never worked with a video editor that functions in the way you are looking for. I recommend you stay with OpenShot and as BeBetter & cincinnatus mentioned, try using markers.
You can use the green triangle and orange arrows in the Edit bar, but OpenShot has shortcuts for markers as well, it sounds like you'll be using them a lot, so it's worth memorizing:
Ctrl+M = Add Marker
Ctrl+Right = Next Marker
Ctrl+Left = Previous Marker
posted by jeremias at 5:55 AM on December 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
You can use the green triangle and orange arrows in the Edit bar, but OpenShot has shortcuts for markers as well, it sounds like you'll be using them a lot, so it's worth memorizing:
Ctrl+M = Add Marker
Ctrl+Right = Next Marker
Ctrl+Left = Previous Marker
posted by jeremias at 5:55 AM on December 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
DaVinci Resolve 16 is a full professional tool that better do anything you want or can imagine. Free! But yeah, learning curve.
posted by sammyo at 4:10 PM on December 4, 2019 [2 favorites]