​Slideshow Information - Non Linear "Video" Editing Software
(prepared by John Surridge)

MCC Slideshow Competition: 10 April 2017
Submissions due to J. Surridge by meeting of 3 April latest.

 
Members have requested information about available free programs. The following are an alternative to some of the basic free “slide show” programs. They are based on the concept of a Non-Linear Editor such as Adobe Premiere. They are similar to Imovie but with differing strengths and weaknesses. (Note: Everywhere the word "video" is used, the word “image” can be inserted. Using a still image rather than a video may require giving the image a duration in the Timeline.)
 
Introduction: From Wikipedia:

Video editing software is an application software which handles the post-production video editing of digital video sequences on a computer non-linear editing system (NLE). It has replaced traditional flatbed celluloid film editing tools and analogue video tape-to-tape online editing machines.
 
NLE software is typically based on a timeline interface paradigm where sections of 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 (and adding transitions and effects.). As digital NLE systems have advanced their toolset, their role has expanded and most consumer and professional NLE systems alike now include a host of features for colour manipulation, titling and visual effects, as well as tools for editing and mixing audio synchronized with the video image sequence.
 
Once a project is complete, the NLE system can then be used to export to a movie in a variety of formats in context which may range from broadcast tape formats to compressed file formats for the Internet, DVD and mobile devices.
 
List of Video Editing Software:
(Free and open-source programs considered active and stable)

(Refer to Wikipedia for a full list of Free, Proprietary and Commercial software. I have removed Linux only programs. Check the various software websites and Youtube.com for tutorial videos. Go to Youtube.com home page and type “(Program Name) tutorial slideshow” in the search box and see what pops up.  Be careful, on Youtube, tutorials may not be using the latest version. Some sites also have wiki files and discussion forums)
 
DaVinci Resolve 12.5 (OS X, Windows, Linux)
  • blackmagicdesign.com (go to "Products" and select "Davinci Resolve & Fusion Software"
  • Proprietary but free version available from Black Magic website.
  • Mac, Widows, Linux (64 bit operating systems)
  • Requires Name, address, e-mail and telephone
  • Professional, powerful, requires powerful computer. Missing only minor features from professional version. There is a steep learning curve. This is not a trivial program.
  • True keyframe capability
 
 Avidemux (Linux, FreeBSD, OS X, Windows) / Not investigated
  •  avidemux.sourceforge.net
  •  Free and open-source
  •   Designed for simple cutting filtering and encoding tasks.
  
Blender VSE (Linux, FreeBSD, OS X, Windows)
  • blender.org
  • Blender is a professional free and open-source 3D computer graphics software product used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games. Blender's features include 3D modelling, UV unwrapping, texturing, raster graphics editing, rigging and skinning, fluid and smoke simulation, particle simulation, soft body simulation, sculpting, animating, match moving, camera tracking, rendering, video editing and compositing. It further features an integrated game engine.
  • 32 bit and 64 bit OS versions available
  • Powerful, Full 3D package as well as Video Sequence Editor. As with Resolve, this is not a trivial program to learn. You will have to take up the challenge and embrace your inner geek to make progress.
  • There are hundreds of Blender tutorials and support websites. It is a total community.
  • True keyframe capability
 
Kdenlive (Linux, FreeBSD, OS X) / Not yet investigated.
 
Natron (Linux, FreeBSD, OS X, Windows) / Not yet investigated
  • Natron.fr
  • Developed as compositing software. I'm not sure of editing capabilities.
 
OpenShot Video Editor (FreeBSD, Linux, OS X, Windows)
  • openshot.org
  • Free and Open source.
  • Latest version 2.2 includes 4K editing
  • Capable Prosumer system
  • Has some restrictions with respect to key framing
 
Shotcut (Linux, FreeBSD, OS X, Windows)
  • hotcut.org
  • Free and open source
  • Latest version 17.01 32 bit and 64 bit versions for windows
  • Capable Prosumer system
 
VDSC Free Video Editor
  • videosoftdev.com
  • also available from download.cnet.com
  • Free but not open source
  • Capable but for simpler projects
 
Lightworks / Not yet investigated
  • Free, limited version of commercial software
 
Hitfilm4 Express / Not yet investigated
  • hitfilm.com/express
  • Wants you to send out social media messages to obtain download key.
  • Seems capable from the introductory video but I don’t like the hoop to jump through to get a download.