A few years ago, Microsoft resolutely pulled the plug from Windows Movie Maker. Although existing versions will still work, no updates will be released from the original program. Still haven’t found a good alternative? Then try OpenShot Video Editor. In this article we explain how the tool works.
Thanks to the smartphone, we always have one good video camera in our pocket and we use it frequently. If you want to do something with all that video material, you cannot ignore a decent video editor. Previously, every Windows user could download Movie Maker for free via the Windows Essentials 2012 package. This program was excellent for simple movie editing. However, the program will no longer receive new functions and Microsoft will no longer fix security issues. Anyone who wants to edit videos in an accessible way should therefore look for an alternative. It’s worth giving OpenShot Video Editor a try. This freeware, unlike advanced video editors, is very simple to use and has a Dutch translation.
Movie Maker app
Although exact details are missing, Movie Maker will not disappear from the scene entirely. Microsoft has placed the video editing functionality in the Microsoft Photos app. This app is pre-installed on all Windows 10 systems, but can also be found in the Microsoft Store.
01 Preparation
Unlike Windows Movie Maker, OpenShot Video Editor is available for multiple platforms. On the download page of OpenShot there are editions for Linux, macOS and of course Windows. In this article, we pay attention to the Windows edition. The installation contains no details, so you can go through all the standard steps. As soon as you open the program for the first time, OpenShot Video Editor comes up with a tutorial mode. By reading the explanation and every time Next one you will get to know the basic features of the freeware. Please note that the explanation is in English. Fortunately, the interface of this video editor is in Dutch, except for some imperfections.
02 Import video files
Just like you were used to with Windows Movie Maker, it is important to import the correct video files into OpenShot Video Editor first. If necessary, you can connect your smartphone, tablet, video camera, SD card, USB stick or external drive with video files to your computer. Click in the menu File / Files import. You then browse to the correct location in the explorer to show the video files. Good to know is that OpenShot Video Editor also recognizes network folders, so that you can import videos directly from a nas, for example. Select the desired videos and confirm with To open. The program supports most common video formats such as mts, vob, mkv and mov. Keep in mind that it is often not possible to import video files directly from an iPhone or iPad. First save the media files locally and then add them afterwards. In addition to video files, you may also import music and images.
03 Timeline
With Windows Movie Maker you were used to working with two panels, but in OpenShot Video Editor there are now three, namely a timeline, a preview and a panel with project files. You can see six light gray dots between these windows. By clicking with the left mouse button and then dragging, you determine the size of each panel. That way you show all available tracks from the timeline. You can easily add video clips to the timeline. Click in the section Project files a video file and move the clip to the timeline while holding down the mouse button. Then release the mouse button. You have now added a video file to the movie montage. In this way you can easily put multiple video clips in a row and determine the sequence of the final film yourself. Do you want to delete a video file from the timeline? Select the correct clip within the timeline and press Delete.
In addition to video files, you also add audio files to the timeline. You use a different track for this. Is the timeline getting too long so that part of it is out of view? You then click on the minus sign above the timeline on the right to zoom out. That way you have a better overview of which fragments the preliminary montage contains.
04 Trim video clips
You can trim video clips on the timeline so that you cut out boring footage from the movie montage. Use the red slider on the timeline to determine the tipping point of the video. Do you want to delete the last part? Click on the blue vertical line on the right side of the video clip and the cursor changes to an icon with two arrows on either side. Move the cursor to the left while holding down the mouse button until you reach the red slider. Do you want to remove the first part of the video? Then click on the blue line on the left side of the fragment and move the cursor to the right.
Splitting clips
There is an alternative way to shorten a video clip, namely by splitting a clip. You set a start and end point, as you may still know from Windows Movie Maker. Right-click on a video file in the cameo Project files. Then choose the option Split clip. You move the slider to the beginning of the clip you want to use. Confirm with Get started then move the slider to the end point. After you press End clicked, make up a name for this trimmed video file. Finally, click New.
05 Transitions
When you string different video clips together, the transitions are quite hard. It is nicer to let fragments flow smoothly into each other. In Windows Movie Maker you used the Animations tab for this, but fortunately OpenShot Video Editor also has enough options for this. Click below the pane Project files on the option Transitions. The program contains all kinds of exotic templates of beautiful transitions. If you don’t want to go crazy, click at the top Often used. Click on a transition and select the desired position on the timeline while holding down the mouse button. This can be done ‘on top of’ existing video fragments. Most templates add the transition at the very beginning of a video clip. Click the button below the video preview Play to view the result.
06 Blur
Another way to create a smooth transition between two clips is to blur the images slightly. When a clip ends, the frame fades out of the movie. The reverse is true for the beginning of a clip. This makes the start and end of each video clip less abrupt, without a noticeable transition visible, as is the case with regular transition templates (see step 5). In Windows Movie Maker Fade is a regular transition, but in OpenShot Video Editor this function is in a separate place. Right click on a clip and go to Fade / Entire Clip. Make a choice here Fade in and out (fast) and Fade in and out (slow).
07 Effects
Via the option Effects you can edit the images somewhat, although the possibilities for this are somewhat limited, compared to Microsoft’s obsolete video editor. You’re using Brightness if you find the images a bit too dark. In addition, the effect Color saturation interesting, because it allows you to make the colors brighter. With Blur, Chroma key, De-interlace, Alpha Mask / Wipe Transition and Negative OpenShot Video Editor has a total of seven effects.
You apply an effect by positioning the effect on top of a video clip of the timeline. An icon appears on the timeline as proof that the effect has been applied. For example, if you use Brightness, a B (for Brightness) will appear. Right click on this icon and choose Characteristics. A window will appear at the bottom left that allows you to adjust the values ​​of the effect yourself. That is not that easy, but you may be able to play with it for a while.
Other alternatives
In addition to OpenShot Video Editor, there are more free alternatives to Windows Movie Maker available. If you work a lot with YouTube, you can perform simple edits online. Just take a look at the YouTube editor. The functions work fine, although you must first upload all videos to YouTube. Those who want an advanced video editor can do the versatile Lightworks to consider. For a course with this (somewhat tricky) video editor, visit our website.
In this article we’ll talk about more video editing programs, but not all of them are free to use. Nevertheless, we curiously concluded that the free tools do offer the best file support.
08 Tilt
Especially with a smartphone, it sometimes happens that you tilt the device during the video recording. You notice that during the assembly. Fortunately, you can also rotate the footage in OpenShot Video Editor so that it can be used for the movie. Right click on a video clip and go to Rotate. Make a choice here Rotate 90 ° (right) or Rotate 90 ° (left).
09 Film finishing
Are you completely satisfied with the installation? High time to save the final movie. Go to Export file / video and come up with an appropriate name for the project. You select via Leaves the correct storage location. Bee Profile leaves you the option All sizes unchanged. Do not forget to select the desired output format behind Target, for example MP4 (h.264) or AVI (mpeg4). This choice depends a lot on the file compatibility of the device you want to play the movie on. At Video profile you choose the resolution and frame rate. Make sure that these values ​​match the film properties of the camera in use. Finally, set the desired quality, after which you confirm with Export video.
