2024 Approved Free Video Flipper Tools Top 10 Picks for Rotating Footage

2024 Approved Free Video Flipper Tools Top 10 Picks for Rotating Footage

Charlotte Lv12

Free Video Flipper Tools: Top 10 Picks for Rotating Footage

Top 10+ Free Video Rotators to Rotate or Flip Videos

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Nowadays people tend to use high-resolution cameras in mobile devices instead of the old large video cameras to capture videos. But most of the time, you may fail to pay attention to the orientation of the video, thus the final recording is totally inverted. Don’t worry! You can make use of some free tools to turn it back to normal orientation (instead of turning your neck to watch the video). Here are some easy-to-use tools (software and online solutions) that allow you to rotate, flip or turn your videos without hassle.


The following mentioned tools may not cover all your needs when you want to do more video editing tasks. For a more vivid and presentable video, you can try some more powerful video applications like the Wondershare Filmora . It’s a more professional video editor but still simple to use. Watch the video below to find out more information and download it to try now!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Check this step by step tutorial to find out How to Rotate Video in Wondershare Filmora


Top 10+ Free Tools to Rotate or Flip Videos

1. online-video-cutter.com

If you don’t want to install any software on your computer, you can try an online video rotator. online-video-cutter.com is a very simple and practical online video tool which allows you to trim as well as rotate a video. The max uploaded video file is limited to 500MB, and you can upload videos from Google Drive or just pasting a video link. You can rotate your video 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

rotate video with online video cutter

2. ezgif.com

Although ezgif is used as a GIF maker mainly, it also allows you to edit videos, like cutting, rotating, resizing, reversing, etc. And the uploaded video size is up to 100MB. You can rotate 90 degrees, rotate 180 degrees or rotate 270 degrees (90 counter-clockwise).

rotate video online with ezgif

3. kapwing.com

Kapwing is a comprehensive online video editor which allows you to rotate, resize, convert, trim, loop videos easily. Besides, it features the Studio tool which allows you to edit a video from stratch.

Rotating videos with Kapwing can be finished in several ways, you can use the handles in the preview window to drag it to any angle as you like, or you can use the rotate icon to rotage fast to 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

free video rator kapwing online

4. Rotate Video

Rotate Video is such a free web service that can rotate videos stored on the computer. The supported video formats include FLV, AVI, MPG, WMV and MP4. You can turn the video in 90 degree clockwise or anti-clockwise. However, like other online video editors, your video files cannot exceed a size limit of 5MB.

rotate video online

Note: Above free rotators are web-based, which means you can use these free online video rotator on desktop and mobile devices. You can check this article to find out more tools to rotate videos online .

5. Windows Movie Make

If you’re a Windows user, Windows Movie Maker can be the easiest tool to help you rotate or flip videos. This feature-rich yet easy-to-use video editing tool is able to rotate the video by 90, 180 or 270 degrees, as well as flipping (mirroring) vertically or horizontally.

window movie maker rotating video

Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in Windows Movie Maker

6. iMovie

Instead, if you’re a Mac user, iMovie can be the best choice. It comes bundled with every Mac so there is no need to download or purchase any additional software. Each click turns the image 90 degrees. Here is a detailed guide about how to use iMovie to rotate videos.

imovie flip video

You May also like: Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in iMovie

Note: Windows Movie Maker is discontinued already, if you are running Windows 10, you can try the Photos App to rotate video on Windows for free, which will be introduced later.

7. Free Video Flip and Rotate

Free Video Flip and Rotate is a fast and straightforward tool that enables you to rotate the video in different standard predefined angles. You can rotate the video by 90 degrees, 180 degrees in a clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. With it, you can also flip the video vertically as well as horizontally to make more corrections to the original video or rotated video.

flip and rotate

8. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter is a free and all-in-one video converter. It supports 250+ video formats such as MP4, WMV, MKV, AVI, FLV, DVD and more. It also includes a basic video editor which allows you to easily rotate videos from iPhone, PC or camcorder 90, -90, 180 degrees easily.

rotate video with Freemake

9. Windows 10 Photos

Windows 10 users, who don’t have the Windows Movie Maker tool, can use the Photos app to rotate the video to 90, 180, and 270 degrees easily. Here are several ways to rotate video with Photos:

  1. You can right-click the video after importing it to the storyboard, and then click Rotate menu;
  2. Or, you can click the rotate icon in the storyboard toolbar to rotate the video.

Windows10 Photos App rotate video

10. VLC Media Player

VLC is a free media player and video editor program for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Rotating a video in VLC is simple and free, and you can rotate the video in 90, 180, and 270 degrees, what’s more, it also provides flip options, which allow you to flip the video horizontally and vertically.

VLC rotate video


Conclusion

If you are not a Filmora user at the moment, why not giving it a try? With its powerful features, Filmora is totally free to try. Click through to see whether this video editor meets your appetites!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Nowadays people tend to use high-resolution cameras in mobile devices instead of the old large video cameras to capture videos. But most of the time, you may fail to pay attention to the orientation of the video, thus the final recording is totally inverted. Don’t worry! You can make use of some free tools to turn it back to normal orientation (instead of turning your neck to watch the video). Here are some easy-to-use tools (software and online solutions) that allow you to rotate, flip or turn your videos without hassle.


The following mentioned tools may not cover all your needs when you want to do more video editing tasks. For a more vivid and presentable video, you can try some more powerful video applications like the Wondershare Filmora . It’s a more professional video editor but still simple to use. Watch the video below to find out more information and download it to try now!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Check this step by step tutorial to find out How to Rotate Video in Wondershare Filmora


Top 10+ Free Tools to Rotate or Flip Videos

1. online-video-cutter.com

If you don’t want to install any software on your computer, you can try an online video rotator. online-video-cutter.com is a very simple and practical online video tool which allows you to trim as well as rotate a video. The max uploaded video file is limited to 500MB, and you can upload videos from Google Drive or just pasting a video link. You can rotate your video 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

rotate video with online video cutter

2. ezgif.com

Although ezgif is used as a GIF maker mainly, it also allows you to edit videos, like cutting, rotating, resizing, reversing, etc. And the uploaded video size is up to 100MB. You can rotate 90 degrees, rotate 180 degrees or rotate 270 degrees (90 counter-clockwise).

rotate video online with ezgif

3. kapwing.com

Kapwing is a comprehensive online video editor which allows you to rotate, resize, convert, trim, loop videos easily. Besides, it features the Studio tool which allows you to edit a video from stratch.

Rotating videos with Kapwing can be finished in several ways, you can use the handles in the preview window to drag it to any angle as you like, or you can use the rotate icon to rotage fast to 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

free video rator kapwing online

4. Rotate Video

Rotate Video is such a free web service that can rotate videos stored on the computer. The supported video formats include FLV, AVI, MPG, WMV and MP4. You can turn the video in 90 degree clockwise or anti-clockwise. However, like other online video editors, your video files cannot exceed a size limit of 5MB.

rotate video online

Note: Above free rotators are web-based, which means you can use these free online video rotator on desktop and mobile devices. You can check this article to find out more tools to rotate videos online .

5. Windows Movie Make

If you’re a Windows user, Windows Movie Maker can be the easiest tool to help you rotate or flip videos. This feature-rich yet easy-to-use video editing tool is able to rotate the video by 90, 180 or 270 degrees, as well as flipping (mirroring) vertically or horizontally.

window movie maker rotating video

Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in Windows Movie Maker

6. iMovie

Instead, if you’re a Mac user, iMovie can be the best choice. It comes bundled with every Mac so there is no need to download or purchase any additional software. Each click turns the image 90 degrees. Here is a detailed guide about how to use iMovie to rotate videos.

imovie flip video

You May also like: Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in iMovie

Note: Windows Movie Maker is discontinued already, if you are running Windows 10, you can try the Photos App to rotate video on Windows for free, which will be introduced later.

7. Free Video Flip and Rotate

Free Video Flip and Rotate is a fast and straightforward tool that enables you to rotate the video in different standard predefined angles. You can rotate the video by 90 degrees, 180 degrees in a clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. With it, you can also flip the video vertically as well as horizontally to make more corrections to the original video or rotated video.

flip and rotate

8. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter is a free and all-in-one video converter. It supports 250+ video formats such as MP4, WMV, MKV, AVI, FLV, DVD and more. It also includes a basic video editor which allows you to easily rotate videos from iPhone, PC or camcorder 90, -90, 180 degrees easily.

rotate video with Freemake

9. Windows 10 Photos

Windows 10 users, who don’t have the Windows Movie Maker tool, can use the Photos app to rotate the video to 90, 180, and 270 degrees easily. Here are several ways to rotate video with Photos:

  1. You can right-click the video after importing it to the storyboard, and then click Rotate menu;
  2. Or, you can click the rotate icon in the storyboard toolbar to rotate the video.

Windows10 Photos App rotate video

10. VLC Media Player

VLC is a free media player and video editor program for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Rotating a video in VLC is simple and free, and you can rotate the video in 90, 180, and 270 degrees, what’s more, it also provides flip options, which allow you to flip the video horizontally and vertically.

VLC rotate video


Conclusion

If you are not a Filmora user at the moment, why not giving it a try? With its powerful features, Filmora is totally free to try. Click through to see whether this video editor meets your appetites!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Nowadays people tend to use high-resolution cameras in mobile devices instead of the old large video cameras to capture videos. But most of the time, you may fail to pay attention to the orientation of the video, thus the final recording is totally inverted. Don’t worry! You can make use of some free tools to turn it back to normal orientation (instead of turning your neck to watch the video). Here are some easy-to-use tools (software and online solutions) that allow you to rotate, flip or turn your videos without hassle.


The following mentioned tools may not cover all your needs when you want to do more video editing tasks. For a more vivid and presentable video, you can try some more powerful video applications like the Wondershare Filmora . It’s a more professional video editor but still simple to use. Watch the video below to find out more information and download it to try now!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Check this step by step tutorial to find out How to Rotate Video in Wondershare Filmora


Top 10+ Free Tools to Rotate or Flip Videos

1. online-video-cutter.com

If you don’t want to install any software on your computer, you can try an online video rotator. online-video-cutter.com is a very simple and practical online video tool which allows you to trim as well as rotate a video. The max uploaded video file is limited to 500MB, and you can upload videos from Google Drive or just pasting a video link. You can rotate your video 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

rotate video with online video cutter

2. ezgif.com

Although ezgif is used as a GIF maker mainly, it also allows you to edit videos, like cutting, rotating, resizing, reversing, etc. And the uploaded video size is up to 100MB. You can rotate 90 degrees, rotate 180 degrees or rotate 270 degrees (90 counter-clockwise).

rotate video online with ezgif

3. kapwing.com

Kapwing is a comprehensive online video editor which allows you to rotate, resize, convert, trim, loop videos easily. Besides, it features the Studio tool which allows you to edit a video from stratch.

Rotating videos with Kapwing can be finished in several ways, you can use the handles in the preview window to drag it to any angle as you like, or you can use the rotate icon to rotage fast to 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

free video rator kapwing online

4. Rotate Video

Rotate Video is such a free web service that can rotate videos stored on the computer. The supported video formats include FLV, AVI, MPG, WMV and MP4. You can turn the video in 90 degree clockwise or anti-clockwise. However, like other online video editors, your video files cannot exceed a size limit of 5MB.

rotate video online

Note: Above free rotators are web-based, which means you can use these free online video rotator on desktop and mobile devices. You can check this article to find out more tools to rotate videos online .

5. Windows Movie Make

If you’re a Windows user, Windows Movie Maker can be the easiest tool to help you rotate or flip videos. This feature-rich yet easy-to-use video editing tool is able to rotate the video by 90, 180 or 270 degrees, as well as flipping (mirroring) vertically or horizontally.

window movie maker rotating video

Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in Windows Movie Maker

6. iMovie

Instead, if you’re a Mac user, iMovie can be the best choice. It comes bundled with every Mac so there is no need to download or purchase any additional software. Each click turns the image 90 degrees. Here is a detailed guide about how to use iMovie to rotate videos.

imovie flip video

You May also like: Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in iMovie

Note: Windows Movie Maker is discontinued already, if you are running Windows 10, you can try the Photos App to rotate video on Windows for free, which will be introduced later.

7. Free Video Flip and Rotate

Free Video Flip and Rotate is a fast and straightforward tool that enables you to rotate the video in different standard predefined angles. You can rotate the video by 90 degrees, 180 degrees in a clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. With it, you can also flip the video vertically as well as horizontally to make more corrections to the original video or rotated video.

flip and rotate

8. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter is a free and all-in-one video converter. It supports 250+ video formats such as MP4, WMV, MKV, AVI, FLV, DVD and more. It also includes a basic video editor which allows you to easily rotate videos from iPhone, PC or camcorder 90, -90, 180 degrees easily.

rotate video with Freemake

9. Windows 10 Photos

Windows 10 users, who don’t have the Windows Movie Maker tool, can use the Photos app to rotate the video to 90, 180, and 270 degrees easily. Here are several ways to rotate video with Photos:

  1. You can right-click the video after importing it to the storyboard, and then click Rotate menu;
  2. Or, you can click the rotate icon in the storyboard toolbar to rotate the video.

Windows10 Photos App rotate video

10. VLC Media Player

VLC is a free media player and video editor program for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Rotating a video in VLC is simple and free, and you can rotate the video in 90, 180, and 270 degrees, what’s more, it also provides flip options, which allow you to flip the video horizontally and vertically.

VLC rotate video


Conclusion

If you are not a Filmora user at the moment, why not giving it a try? With its powerful features, Filmora is totally free to try. Click through to see whether this video editor meets your appetites!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Nowadays people tend to use high-resolution cameras in mobile devices instead of the old large video cameras to capture videos. But most of the time, you may fail to pay attention to the orientation of the video, thus the final recording is totally inverted. Don’t worry! You can make use of some free tools to turn it back to normal orientation (instead of turning your neck to watch the video). Here are some easy-to-use tools (software and online solutions) that allow you to rotate, flip or turn your videos without hassle.


The following mentioned tools may not cover all your needs when you want to do more video editing tasks. For a more vivid and presentable video, you can try some more powerful video applications like the Wondershare Filmora . It’s a more professional video editor but still simple to use. Watch the video below to find out more information and download it to try now!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Check this step by step tutorial to find out How to Rotate Video in Wondershare Filmora


Top 10+ Free Tools to Rotate or Flip Videos

1. online-video-cutter.com

If you don’t want to install any software on your computer, you can try an online video rotator. online-video-cutter.com is a very simple and practical online video tool which allows you to trim as well as rotate a video. The max uploaded video file is limited to 500MB, and you can upload videos from Google Drive or just pasting a video link. You can rotate your video 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

rotate video with online video cutter

2. ezgif.com

Although ezgif is used as a GIF maker mainly, it also allows you to edit videos, like cutting, rotating, resizing, reversing, etc. And the uploaded video size is up to 100MB. You can rotate 90 degrees, rotate 180 degrees or rotate 270 degrees (90 counter-clockwise).

rotate video online with ezgif

3. kapwing.com

Kapwing is a comprehensive online video editor which allows you to rotate, resize, convert, trim, loop videos easily. Besides, it features the Studio tool which allows you to edit a video from stratch.

Rotating videos with Kapwing can be finished in several ways, you can use the handles in the preview window to drag it to any angle as you like, or you can use the rotate icon to rotage fast to 90, 180 or 270 degrees.

free video rator kapwing online

4. Rotate Video

Rotate Video is such a free web service that can rotate videos stored on the computer. The supported video formats include FLV, AVI, MPG, WMV and MP4. You can turn the video in 90 degree clockwise or anti-clockwise. However, like other online video editors, your video files cannot exceed a size limit of 5MB.

rotate video online

Note: Above free rotators are web-based, which means you can use these free online video rotator on desktop and mobile devices. You can check this article to find out more tools to rotate videos online .

5. Windows Movie Make

If you’re a Windows user, Windows Movie Maker can be the easiest tool to help you rotate or flip videos. This feature-rich yet easy-to-use video editing tool is able to rotate the video by 90, 180 or 270 degrees, as well as flipping (mirroring) vertically or horizontally.

window movie maker rotating video

Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in Windows Movie Maker

6. iMovie

Instead, if you’re a Mac user, iMovie can be the best choice. It comes bundled with every Mac so there is no need to download or purchase any additional software. Each click turns the image 90 degrees. Here is a detailed guide about how to use iMovie to rotate videos.

imovie flip video

You May also like: Learn more details about how to rotate videos and photos in iMovie

Note: Windows Movie Maker is discontinued already, if you are running Windows 10, you can try the Photos App to rotate video on Windows for free, which will be introduced later.

7. Free Video Flip and Rotate

Free Video Flip and Rotate is a fast and straightforward tool that enables you to rotate the video in different standard predefined angles. You can rotate the video by 90 degrees, 180 degrees in a clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. With it, you can also flip the video vertically as well as horizontally to make more corrections to the original video or rotated video.

flip and rotate

8. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter is a free and all-in-one video converter. It supports 250+ video formats such as MP4, WMV, MKV, AVI, FLV, DVD and more. It also includes a basic video editor which allows you to easily rotate videos from iPhone, PC or camcorder 90, -90, 180 degrees easily.

rotate video with Freemake

9. Windows 10 Photos

Windows 10 users, who don’t have the Windows Movie Maker tool, can use the Photos app to rotate the video to 90, 180, and 270 degrees easily. Here are several ways to rotate video with Photos:

  1. You can right-click the video after importing it to the storyboard, and then click Rotate menu;
  2. Or, you can click the rotate icon in the storyboard toolbar to rotate the video.

Windows10 Photos App rotate video

10. VLC Media Player

VLC is a free media player and video editor program for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Rotating a video in VLC is simple and free, and you can rotate the video in 90, 180, and 270 degrees, what’s more, it also provides flip options, which allow you to flip the video horizontally and vertically.

VLC rotate video


Conclusion

If you are not a Filmora user at the moment, why not giving it a try? With its powerful features, Filmora is totally free to try. Click through to see whether this video editor meets your appetites!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

The Ultimate FCPX Shortcut Guide: 40 Time-Saving Keys

Top 40 Keyboard Shortcuts for Final Cut Pro X

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

I confess I’m a keyboard shortcut junkie. Anything I can do to help me edit faster is a good thing, and nothing says “speed” like keyboard shortcuts. There are well over 600 menu options in FCP X, with hundreds of keyboard shortcuts. But, which ones are the best?

In this article, I share my Top 40 keyboard shortcuts. I use these beauties every day to help me get my projects done faster. Now, you can use them, too. Even better, I’ve categorized them to make them easier to find. Haven’t got FCPX yet? Get your 90-day free trial here.

(And, for those who take the time to count, you’ll discover this list actually includes 53 keyboard shortcuts. But using “Top 40” in the title seemed so much sexier than “Top 53.”)


Operations

Option + N Create a new Event
Cmd + N Create a new Project
Shift + Cmd + D Create a Project Snapshot
Cmd + [plus] Zoom into Timeline or image
Cmd + [ minus ] Zoom out of Timeline or image
Shift + Z Size the Timeline or image to fit in the window
Control + Cmd + 1 Toggle Library and Browser display on or off
Control + Cmd + 3 Toggle Event Viewer open/closed
J - K - L Reverse - Stop - Play the playhead (Tap multiple times to change speed)
S Toggle skimming on or off
N Toggle snapping on or off
V Toggle clip visibility on or off
Control + Y Toggle skimmer info display on/off in Browser
Cmd + 4 Toggle Inspector open/closed
Cmd + 5 Toggle Effects Browser open/closed
Cmd + 6 Toggle Color Board open/closed
Cmd + 7 Toggle video scope display on/off

Editing

I Set the In at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + I Jump the playhead to the In
Option + I Delete the In
O Set the Out at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + O Jump the playhead to the Out
Option + O Delete the Out
Option + X Delete both the In and the Out
M Add a marker
Option + M Add a marker and open the edit marker dialog
E Perform an Append edit
W Perform an Insert edit
D Perform an Overwrite edit
Q Perform a Connected edit
Shift + G Create a connected storyline
Shift + 1 Edit video and audio to the Timeline
Shift + 2 Edit video-only to the Timeline
Shift + 3 Edit audio-only to the Timeline
Option + W Insert a gap at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Control + S Expand/collapse audio from synced video
Option + Control + S Expand/collapse audio components (multitrack audio)
Shift + Cmd + F Play project full screen (ESC to return)
Shift + ? Play a few seconds before and after the skimmer/playhead position

Trimming

A Select the Arrow (selection) tool
T Select the Trim tool
P Select the Position tool
B Select the Blade tool
R Select the Range tool
Shift + X Jump the selected edit point to the position of the skimmer/playhead
[ comma ] / [ period ] Move the selected clip or edit point one frame left/right
Shift + [ comma ] / Shift + [ period ] Move selected clip or edit point ten frames left/right

Other cool shortcuts

Cmd + T Add cross-dissolve
Control + T Add default full-screen title
Shift + Control + T Add default lower-third title
Cmd + E Export master file of project

FAQ

  • What to do when the shortcuts in FCPX not working?

Change your input source of keyboard set to US should fix the problem.

  • How to modify shortcuts in FCPX?

There are two ways to open the modifying menu: choose Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize, or press Option-Command-K. Then, change the shortcuts and save.

See more FCPX editing tips here .

Above are the top useful shortcuts that I used most when editing videos in Final Cut Pro. If you want to edit videos in a much easier way and get some Hollywood film looking at the same time, you can try Wondershare Filmora . Check the video to see how to edit videos with Filmora.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

I confess I’m a keyboard shortcut junkie. Anything I can do to help me edit faster is a good thing, and nothing says “speed” like keyboard shortcuts. There are well over 600 menu options in FCP X, with hundreds of keyboard shortcuts. But, which ones are the best?

In this article, I share my Top 40 keyboard shortcuts. I use these beauties every day to help me get my projects done faster. Now, you can use them, too. Even better, I’ve categorized them to make them easier to find. Haven’t got FCPX yet? Get your 90-day free trial here.

(And, for those who take the time to count, you’ll discover this list actually includes 53 keyboard shortcuts. But using “Top 40” in the title seemed so much sexier than “Top 53.”)


Operations

Option + N Create a new Event
Cmd + N Create a new Project
Shift + Cmd + D Create a Project Snapshot
Cmd + [plus] Zoom into Timeline or image
Cmd + [ minus ] Zoom out of Timeline or image
Shift + Z Size the Timeline or image to fit in the window
Control + Cmd + 1 Toggle Library and Browser display on or off
Control + Cmd + 3 Toggle Event Viewer open/closed
J - K - L Reverse - Stop - Play the playhead (Tap multiple times to change speed)
S Toggle skimming on or off
N Toggle snapping on or off
V Toggle clip visibility on or off
Control + Y Toggle skimmer info display on/off in Browser
Cmd + 4 Toggle Inspector open/closed
Cmd + 5 Toggle Effects Browser open/closed
Cmd + 6 Toggle Color Board open/closed
Cmd + 7 Toggle video scope display on/off

Editing

I Set the In at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + I Jump the playhead to the In
Option + I Delete the In
O Set the Out at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + O Jump the playhead to the Out
Option + O Delete the Out
Option + X Delete both the In and the Out
M Add a marker
Option + M Add a marker and open the edit marker dialog
E Perform an Append edit
W Perform an Insert edit
D Perform an Overwrite edit
Q Perform a Connected edit
Shift + G Create a connected storyline
Shift + 1 Edit video and audio to the Timeline
Shift + 2 Edit video-only to the Timeline
Shift + 3 Edit audio-only to the Timeline
Option + W Insert a gap at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Control + S Expand/collapse audio from synced video
Option + Control + S Expand/collapse audio components (multitrack audio)
Shift + Cmd + F Play project full screen (ESC to return)
Shift + ? Play a few seconds before and after the skimmer/playhead position

Trimming

A Select the Arrow (selection) tool
T Select the Trim tool
P Select the Position tool
B Select the Blade tool
R Select the Range tool
Shift + X Jump the selected edit point to the position of the skimmer/playhead
[ comma ] / [ period ] Move the selected clip or edit point one frame left/right
Shift + [ comma ] / Shift + [ period ] Move selected clip or edit point ten frames left/right

Other cool shortcuts

Cmd + T Add cross-dissolve
Control + T Add default full-screen title
Shift + Control + T Add default lower-third title
Cmd + E Export master file of project

FAQ

  • What to do when the shortcuts in FCPX not working?

Change your input source of keyboard set to US should fix the problem.

  • How to modify shortcuts in FCPX?

There are two ways to open the modifying menu: choose Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize, or press Option-Command-K. Then, change the shortcuts and save.

See more FCPX editing tips here .

Above are the top useful shortcuts that I used most when editing videos in Final Cut Pro. If you want to edit videos in a much easier way and get some Hollywood film looking at the same time, you can try Wondershare Filmora . Check the video to see how to edit videos with Filmora.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

I confess I’m a keyboard shortcut junkie. Anything I can do to help me edit faster is a good thing, and nothing says “speed” like keyboard shortcuts. There are well over 600 menu options in FCP X, with hundreds of keyboard shortcuts. But, which ones are the best?

In this article, I share my Top 40 keyboard shortcuts. I use these beauties every day to help me get my projects done faster. Now, you can use them, too. Even better, I’ve categorized them to make them easier to find. Haven’t got FCPX yet? Get your 90-day free trial here.

(And, for those who take the time to count, you’ll discover this list actually includes 53 keyboard shortcuts. But using “Top 40” in the title seemed so much sexier than “Top 53.”)


Operations

Option + N Create a new Event
Cmd + N Create a new Project
Shift + Cmd + D Create a Project Snapshot
Cmd + [plus] Zoom into Timeline or image
Cmd + [ minus ] Zoom out of Timeline or image
Shift + Z Size the Timeline or image to fit in the window
Control + Cmd + 1 Toggle Library and Browser display on or off
Control + Cmd + 3 Toggle Event Viewer open/closed
J - K - L Reverse - Stop - Play the playhead (Tap multiple times to change speed)
S Toggle skimming on or off
N Toggle snapping on or off
V Toggle clip visibility on or off
Control + Y Toggle skimmer info display on/off in Browser
Cmd + 4 Toggle Inspector open/closed
Cmd + 5 Toggle Effects Browser open/closed
Cmd + 6 Toggle Color Board open/closed
Cmd + 7 Toggle video scope display on/off

Editing

I Set the In at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + I Jump the playhead to the In
Option + I Delete the In
O Set the Out at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + O Jump the playhead to the Out
Option + O Delete the Out
Option + X Delete both the In and the Out
M Add a marker
Option + M Add a marker and open the edit marker dialog
E Perform an Append edit
W Perform an Insert edit
D Perform an Overwrite edit
Q Perform a Connected edit
Shift + G Create a connected storyline
Shift + 1 Edit video and audio to the Timeline
Shift + 2 Edit video-only to the Timeline
Shift + 3 Edit audio-only to the Timeline
Option + W Insert a gap at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Control + S Expand/collapse audio from synced video
Option + Control + S Expand/collapse audio components (multitrack audio)
Shift + Cmd + F Play project full screen (ESC to return)
Shift + ? Play a few seconds before and after the skimmer/playhead position

Trimming

A Select the Arrow (selection) tool
T Select the Trim tool
P Select the Position tool
B Select the Blade tool
R Select the Range tool
Shift + X Jump the selected edit point to the position of the skimmer/playhead
[ comma ] / [ period ] Move the selected clip or edit point one frame left/right
Shift + [ comma ] / Shift + [ period ] Move selected clip or edit point ten frames left/right

Other cool shortcuts

Cmd + T Add cross-dissolve
Control + T Add default full-screen title
Shift + Control + T Add default lower-third title
Cmd + E Export master file of project

FAQ

  • What to do when the shortcuts in FCPX not working?

Change your input source of keyboard set to US should fix the problem.

  • How to modify shortcuts in FCPX?

There are two ways to open the modifying menu: choose Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize, or press Option-Command-K. Then, change the shortcuts and save.

See more FCPX editing tips here .

Above are the top useful shortcuts that I used most when editing videos in Final Cut Pro. If you want to edit videos in a much easier way and get some Hollywood film looking at the same time, you can try Wondershare Filmora . Check the video to see how to edit videos with Filmora.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

I confess I’m a keyboard shortcut junkie. Anything I can do to help me edit faster is a good thing, and nothing says “speed” like keyboard shortcuts. There are well over 600 menu options in FCP X, with hundreds of keyboard shortcuts. But, which ones are the best?

In this article, I share my Top 40 keyboard shortcuts. I use these beauties every day to help me get my projects done faster. Now, you can use them, too. Even better, I’ve categorized them to make them easier to find. Haven’t got FCPX yet? Get your 90-day free trial here.

(And, for those who take the time to count, you’ll discover this list actually includes 53 keyboard shortcuts. But using “Top 40” in the title seemed so much sexier than “Top 53.”)


Operations

Option + N Create a new Event
Cmd + N Create a new Project
Shift + Cmd + D Create a Project Snapshot
Cmd + [plus] Zoom into Timeline or image
Cmd + [ minus ] Zoom out of Timeline or image
Shift + Z Size the Timeline or image to fit in the window
Control + Cmd + 1 Toggle Library and Browser display on or off
Control + Cmd + 3 Toggle Event Viewer open/closed
J - K - L Reverse - Stop - Play the playhead (Tap multiple times to change speed)
S Toggle skimming on or off
N Toggle snapping on or off
V Toggle clip visibility on or off
Control + Y Toggle skimmer info display on/off in Browser
Cmd + 4 Toggle Inspector open/closed
Cmd + 5 Toggle Effects Browser open/closed
Cmd + 6 Toggle Color Board open/closed
Cmd + 7 Toggle video scope display on/off

Editing

I Set the In at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + I Jump the playhead to the In
Option + I Delete the In
O Set the Out at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Shift + O Jump the playhead to the Out
Option + O Delete the Out
Option + X Delete both the In and the Out
M Add a marker
Option + M Add a marker and open the edit marker dialog
E Perform an Append edit
W Perform an Insert edit
D Perform an Overwrite edit
Q Perform a Connected edit
Shift + G Create a connected storyline
Shift + 1 Edit video and audio to the Timeline
Shift + 2 Edit video-only to the Timeline
Shift + 3 Edit audio-only to the Timeline
Option + W Insert a gap at the position of the skimmer/playhead
Control + S Expand/collapse audio from synced video
Option + Control + S Expand/collapse audio components (multitrack audio)
Shift + Cmd + F Play project full screen (ESC to return)
Shift + ? Play a few seconds before and after the skimmer/playhead position

Trimming

A Select the Arrow (selection) tool
T Select the Trim tool
P Select the Position tool
B Select the Blade tool
R Select the Range tool
Shift + X Jump the selected edit point to the position of the skimmer/playhead
[ comma ] / [ period ] Move the selected clip or edit point one frame left/right
Shift + [ comma ] / Shift + [ period ] Move selected clip or edit point ten frames left/right

Other cool shortcuts

Cmd + T Add cross-dissolve
Control + T Add default full-screen title
Shift + Control + T Add default lower-third title
Cmd + E Export master file of project

FAQ

  • What to do when the shortcuts in FCPX not working?

Change your input source of keyboard set to US should fix the problem.

  • How to modify shortcuts in FCPX?

There are two ways to open the modifying menu: choose Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize, or press Option-Command-K. Then, change the shortcuts and save.

See more FCPX editing tips here .

Above are the top useful shortcuts that I used most when editing videos in Final Cut Pro. If you want to edit videos in a much easier way and get some Hollywood film looking at the same time, you can try Wondershare Filmora . Check the video to see how to edit videos with Filmora.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Bring Your Photos to Life: A Detailed Ken Burns Effect Guide

How to Make Ken Burns Effect in Final Cut Pro?

author avatar

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Ken Burns Effect is an advanced feature of Final Cut Pro that allows users to add creative animations to their videos and images within minutes. You just need to select your picture, add movements to the clip, and choose the start and the end position to produce high-resolution stills. Besides, you can do a tilt, zoom in, a pan, or a combination of these three moves on a single image. This way, you can use the Ken Burns Effect to highlight the stimulating features in your photograph and save your memories in the form of innovative and high-definition animated clips.

This article introduces the readers to Final Cut Pro and explains how to add the Ken Burns Effect in 8 simple steps.

Part 1: How to Make a Ken Burns Effect in Final Cut Pro?

Final Cut Pro is user-friendly software and makes it easy for you to create a Ken Burns Effect without having advanced skills and expertise. So, are you interested in knowing the best part? Given below are a few simple steps to create Ken Burns Effect and make your pictures and videos look adorable.

Step 1: Add Images to the Timeline

First of all, you should specify a name for your project and add photos to the timeline in Final Cut Pro. For this purpose, select multiple photos and press E. A clip will be added to the timeline as shown in figure 1.

AddingPhotostotheTimeline

Step 2: Check Your Settings

As you can see, our timeline has no other video clip. Hence, Final Cut Pro will not recognize the clip until you adjust the video properties such as format, resolution, and rate, etc. For this purpose, click OK to use your preferred settings and press Shift + Z to fit the picture to your timeline window. Once you’re done it’s time to apply the Ken Burns Effect.

adjust properties

Step 3: Add the Ken Burns Effect

The Ken Burns Effect is used to focus on specific parts of an image and bring motionless content in to provoke emotional reactions. Follow these steps to add the Ken Burns Effect:

  1. Select the clip or picture;
  2. See the lower left of the viewer;
  3. Go to the Viewer window using the drop-down menu;
  4. Tap on the pop-up menu located in the bottom left-hand corner;
  5. Choose the Crop option from the menu or press Shift + C;
  6. Press the Ken Burns button in the Crop onscreen controls to add the effect; and
  7. Finally, notice the start frame and the end frame controls.

adding ken burns effect

Step 4: Customize Your Effect

In the Ken Burns display, you can see the controls for adjusting the panning and zooms effects by changing the size and position of two-colored rectangles overlaying on the clip. To customize the Ken Burns effect:

  1. Adjust the green rectangle’s size and position to set the start position;
  2. Adjust the red rectangle’s size and position to set the end position;
  3. The arrow depicts the direction of camera position between start and end position;
  4. In the top left-hand corner, click on the Swap button to exchange the two positions as per your requirements;
  5. You can see the preview of the animation on the screen.

custormizing ken burns effect

Step 5: Add a Freeze Frame

You’re not done yet because you need to hold your picture at the end of the animation. For this purpose, you should create a freezing frame at the end of the clip to make Ken Burns do this. Here’s the deal:

  1. Press the Down arrow followed by the Left arrow to go to the last frame;
  2. Press Option-F to add a freeze-frame;
  3. Make sure that your added frame matches the ending frame of the Ken Burns Effect.

adding a freeze frame

Step 6: Adjust the Duration of the Freeze Frame

The users can also adjust the speed of the animation and the duration of the freeze-frame by trimming your clip. For this purpose, trim the length as per your requirement and it will optimize the speed as shown in figure 6.

adjust the length and speed

Step 7: Swap the Start and End Frame

Now, swap the start and ending frame as per your preference for the Ken Burns animation. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Click on the Swap button;
  2. The start frame will match the still frame (previous one);
  3. Grab the end frame and move it to your desired position;
  4. Apply enough zoom in to make the black areas disappear;
  5. Preview to see how your animation looks.

swapping the start and end frames

Step 8: Play/Preview Looping

After you have optimized the speed of the Ken Burns Effect by trimming the clip’s length and have widened the shot to include everyone, it’s time to preview the changes you have made. Given below are simple steps:

  • Press the Play Loop button;
  • Tap on the Pause icon and return to editing;
  • Click Done and enjoy your animation.

Seems a little complicated? Filmora allows users to do Ken Burns effect, or pan and zoom effect, in much easier steps, click to download and have a try!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Part 2: How to add the Ken Burns Effect to Multiple Camera Movements?

Although you can apply a single Ken Burns movement to your image, you can still give the impression of multiple movements being used. This means the Ken Burns Effect can be added to multiple camera movements by duplicating the photo and building numerous movements in sequence.

  1. Add the first camera movement to your image;
  2. Duplicate the clip by click and drag option or copy and paste option;
  3. Press the Swap button in the Ken Burns settings to reverse the start and end positions;
  4. Verify if multiple camera movements have been added.

Extensive Reading: Why Ken Burns Effect is Named after Ken Burns?

What is the Ken Burns Effect?

The Ken Burns Effect is a feature in Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect by using your predefined start and end positions. Basically, it is a crop effect with one crop at the start of the clip while the other at the end. Ken Burns Effect can be further customized by adjusting the smoothness of the animation. While creating a Ken Burns Effect, the motion applied to the video clips gets automatically smoothed to accelerate and decelerate the movement slowly at the start and the end of the animation.

Why the Effect is named after Ken Burns?

Now, as you have learned the purpose of the Ken Burns Effect, you must be curious about its name. It is named after American documentarian Ken Burns, who is known for his instantly recognizable and highly influential visual aesthetic. Surprisingly, Ken Burns did not invent this Ken Burns Effect; rather, it has existed for decades. You might be wondering why the technique was then named after Ken Burns. This was due to the persistent and adroit use of this technique that it is now known as the Ken Burns Effect.

ken-burns

What are the Applications of Ken Burns Effect?

Primarily, the Ken Burns Effect is used due to the unavailability of a film or video. The technique gives action to still photographs to glorify the subjects of interest like couples in wedding photography. It gets better and better as you apply simulated parallax with Ken Burns Effect to make your 2D images appear as 3D plus advanced zooming visuals. You can also use the Ken Burns effect to make a video of your graduation ceremony pictures or memorable moments of reunion. Ken Burns Effect is also used in documentaries by professional filmmakers and editors.

Conclusion

Adding animated effects to your pictures and videos makes them look gorgeous. This is crazy, isn’t it, when you impress your peers with your editing skills. So, what’s the bottom line of this whole discussion? Try adding the Ken Burns Effect with Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect on your pictures and clips get the output in your desired format.

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Ken Burns Effect is an advanced feature of Final Cut Pro that allows users to add creative animations to their videos and images within minutes. You just need to select your picture, add movements to the clip, and choose the start and the end position to produce high-resolution stills. Besides, you can do a tilt, zoom in, a pan, or a combination of these three moves on a single image. This way, you can use the Ken Burns Effect to highlight the stimulating features in your photograph and save your memories in the form of innovative and high-definition animated clips.

This article introduces the readers to Final Cut Pro and explains how to add the Ken Burns Effect in 8 simple steps.

Part 1: How to Make a Ken Burns Effect in Final Cut Pro?

Final Cut Pro is user-friendly software and makes it easy for you to create a Ken Burns Effect without having advanced skills and expertise. So, are you interested in knowing the best part? Given below are a few simple steps to create Ken Burns Effect and make your pictures and videos look adorable.

Step 1: Add Images to the Timeline

First of all, you should specify a name for your project and add photos to the timeline in Final Cut Pro. For this purpose, select multiple photos and press E. A clip will be added to the timeline as shown in figure 1.

AddingPhotostotheTimeline

Step 2: Check Your Settings

As you can see, our timeline has no other video clip. Hence, Final Cut Pro will not recognize the clip until you adjust the video properties such as format, resolution, and rate, etc. For this purpose, click OK to use your preferred settings and press Shift + Z to fit the picture to your timeline window. Once you’re done it’s time to apply the Ken Burns Effect.

adjust properties

Step 3: Add the Ken Burns Effect

The Ken Burns Effect is used to focus on specific parts of an image and bring motionless content in to provoke emotional reactions. Follow these steps to add the Ken Burns Effect:

  1. Select the clip or picture;
  2. See the lower left of the viewer;
  3. Go to the Viewer window using the drop-down menu;
  4. Tap on the pop-up menu located in the bottom left-hand corner;
  5. Choose the Crop option from the menu or press Shift + C;
  6. Press the Ken Burns button in the Crop onscreen controls to add the effect; and
  7. Finally, notice the start frame and the end frame controls.

adding ken burns effect

Step 4: Customize Your Effect

In the Ken Burns display, you can see the controls for adjusting the panning and zooms effects by changing the size and position of two-colored rectangles overlaying on the clip. To customize the Ken Burns effect:

  1. Adjust the green rectangle’s size and position to set the start position;
  2. Adjust the red rectangle’s size and position to set the end position;
  3. The arrow depicts the direction of camera position between start and end position;
  4. In the top left-hand corner, click on the Swap button to exchange the two positions as per your requirements;
  5. You can see the preview of the animation on the screen.

custormizing ken burns effect

Step 5: Add a Freeze Frame

You’re not done yet because you need to hold your picture at the end of the animation. For this purpose, you should create a freezing frame at the end of the clip to make Ken Burns do this. Here’s the deal:

  1. Press the Down arrow followed by the Left arrow to go to the last frame;
  2. Press Option-F to add a freeze-frame;
  3. Make sure that your added frame matches the ending frame of the Ken Burns Effect.

adding a freeze frame

Step 6: Adjust the Duration of the Freeze Frame

The users can also adjust the speed of the animation and the duration of the freeze-frame by trimming your clip. For this purpose, trim the length as per your requirement and it will optimize the speed as shown in figure 6.

adjust the length and speed

Step 7: Swap the Start and End Frame

Now, swap the start and ending frame as per your preference for the Ken Burns animation. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Click on the Swap button;
  2. The start frame will match the still frame (previous one);
  3. Grab the end frame and move it to your desired position;
  4. Apply enough zoom in to make the black areas disappear;
  5. Preview to see how your animation looks.

swapping the start and end frames

Step 8: Play/Preview Looping

After you have optimized the speed of the Ken Burns Effect by trimming the clip’s length and have widened the shot to include everyone, it’s time to preview the changes you have made. Given below are simple steps:

  • Press the Play Loop button;
  • Tap on the Pause icon and return to editing;
  • Click Done and enjoy your animation.

Seems a little complicated? Filmora allows users to do Ken Burns effect, or pan and zoom effect, in much easier steps, click to download and have a try!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Part 2: How to add the Ken Burns Effect to Multiple Camera Movements?

Although you can apply a single Ken Burns movement to your image, you can still give the impression of multiple movements being used. This means the Ken Burns Effect can be added to multiple camera movements by duplicating the photo and building numerous movements in sequence.

  1. Add the first camera movement to your image;
  2. Duplicate the clip by click and drag option or copy and paste option;
  3. Press the Swap button in the Ken Burns settings to reverse the start and end positions;
  4. Verify if multiple camera movements have been added.

Extensive Reading: Why Ken Burns Effect is Named after Ken Burns?

What is the Ken Burns Effect?

The Ken Burns Effect is a feature in Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect by using your predefined start and end positions. Basically, it is a crop effect with one crop at the start of the clip while the other at the end. Ken Burns Effect can be further customized by adjusting the smoothness of the animation. While creating a Ken Burns Effect, the motion applied to the video clips gets automatically smoothed to accelerate and decelerate the movement slowly at the start and the end of the animation.

Why the Effect is named after Ken Burns?

Now, as you have learned the purpose of the Ken Burns Effect, you must be curious about its name. It is named after American documentarian Ken Burns, who is known for his instantly recognizable and highly influential visual aesthetic. Surprisingly, Ken Burns did not invent this Ken Burns Effect; rather, it has existed for decades. You might be wondering why the technique was then named after Ken Burns. This was due to the persistent and adroit use of this technique that it is now known as the Ken Burns Effect.

ken-burns

What are the Applications of Ken Burns Effect?

Primarily, the Ken Burns Effect is used due to the unavailability of a film or video. The technique gives action to still photographs to glorify the subjects of interest like couples in wedding photography. It gets better and better as you apply simulated parallax with Ken Burns Effect to make your 2D images appear as 3D plus advanced zooming visuals. You can also use the Ken Burns effect to make a video of your graduation ceremony pictures or memorable moments of reunion. Ken Burns Effect is also used in documentaries by professional filmmakers and editors.

Conclusion

Adding animated effects to your pictures and videos makes them look gorgeous. This is crazy, isn’t it, when you impress your peers with your editing skills. So, what’s the bottom line of this whole discussion? Try adding the Ken Burns Effect with Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect on your pictures and clips get the output in your desired format.

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Ken Burns Effect is an advanced feature of Final Cut Pro that allows users to add creative animations to their videos and images within minutes. You just need to select your picture, add movements to the clip, and choose the start and the end position to produce high-resolution stills. Besides, you can do a tilt, zoom in, a pan, or a combination of these three moves on a single image. This way, you can use the Ken Burns Effect to highlight the stimulating features in your photograph and save your memories in the form of innovative and high-definition animated clips.

This article introduces the readers to Final Cut Pro and explains how to add the Ken Burns Effect in 8 simple steps.

Part 1: How to Make a Ken Burns Effect in Final Cut Pro?

Final Cut Pro is user-friendly software and makes it easy for you to create a Ken Burns Effect without having advanced skills and expertise. So, are you interested in knowing the best part? Given below are a few simple steps to create Ken Burns Effect and make your pictures and videos look adorable.

Step 1: Add Images to the Timeline

First of all, you should specify a name for your project and add photos to the timeline in Final Cut Pro. For this purpose, select multiple photos and press E. A clip will be added to the timeline as shown in figure 1.

AddingPhotostotheTimeline

Step 2: Check Your Settings

As you can see, our timeline has no other video clip. Hence, Final Cut Pro will not recognize the clip until you adjust the video properties such as format, resolution, and rate, etc. For this purpose, click OK to use your preferred settings and press Shift + Z to fit the picture to your timeline window. Once you’re done it’s time to apply the Ken Burns Effect.

adjust properties

Step 3: Add the Ken Burns Effect

The Ken Burns Effect is used to focus on specific parts of an image and bring motionless content in to provoke emotional reactions. Follow these steps to add the Ken Burns Effect:

  1. Select the clip or picture;
  2. See the lower left of the viewer;
  3. Go to the Viewer window using the drop-down menu;
  4. Tap on the pop-up menu located in the bottom left-hand corner;
  5. Choose the Crop option from the menu or press Shift + C;
  6. Press the Ken Burns button in the Crop onscreen controls to add the effect; and
  7. Finally, notice the start frame and the end frame controls.

adding ken burns effect

Step 4: Customize Your Effect

In the Ken Burns display, you can see the controls for adjusting the panning and zooms effects by changing the size and position of two-colored rectangles overlaying on the clip. To customize the Ken Burns effect:

  1. Adjust the green rectangle’s size and position to set the start position;
  2. Adjust the red rectangle’s size and position to set the end position;
  3. The arrow depicts the direction of camera position between start and end position;
  4. In the top left-hand corner, click on the Swap button to exchange the two positions as per your requirements;
  5. You can see the preview of the animation on the screen.

custormizing ken burns effect

Step 5: Add a Freeze Frame

You’re not done yet because you need to hold your picture at the end of the animation. For this purpose, you should create a freezing frame at the end of the clip to make Ken Burns do this. Here’s the deal:

  1. Press the Down arrow followed by the Left arrow to go to the last frame;
  2. Press Option-F to add a freeze-frame;
  3. Make sure that your added frame matches the ending frame of the Ken Burns Effect.

adding a freeze frame

Step 6: Adjust the Duration of the Freeze Frame

The users can also adjust the speed of the animation and the duration of the freeze-frame by trimming your clip. For this purpose, trim the length as per your requirement and it will optimize the speed as shown in figure 6.

adjust the length and speed

Step 7: Swap the Start and End Frame

Now, swap the start and ending frame as per your preference for the Ken Burns animation. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Click on the Swap button;
  2. The start frame will match the still frame (previous one);
  3. Grab the end frame and move it to your desired position;
  4. Apply enough zoom in to make the black areas disappear;
  5. Preview to see how your animation looks.

swapping the start and end frames

Step 8: Play/Preview Looping

After you have optimized the speed of the Ken Burns Effect by trimming the clip’s length and have widened the shot to include everyone, it’s time to preview the changes you have made. Given below are simple steps:

  • Press the Play Loop button;
  • Tap on the Pause icon and return to editing;
  • Click Done and enjoy your animation.

Seems a little complicated? Filmora allows users to do Ken Burns effect, or pan and zoom effect, in much easier steps, click to download and have a try!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Part 2: How to add the Ken Burns Effect to Multiple Camera Movements?

Although you can apply a single Ken Burns movement to your image, you can still give the impression of multiple movements being used. This means the Ken Burns Effect can be added to multiple camera movements by duplicating the photo and building numerous movements in sequence.

  1. Add the first camera movement to your image;
  2. Duplicate the clip by click and drag option or copy and paste option;
  3. Press the Swap button in the Ken Burns settings to reverse the start and end positions;
  4. Verify if multiple camera movements have been added.

Extensive Reading: Why Ken Burns Effect is Named after Ken Burns?

What is the Ken Burns Effect?

The Ken Burns Effect is a feature in Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect by using your predefined start and end positions. Basically, it is a crop effect with one crop at the start of the clip while the other at the end. Ken Burns Effect can be further customized by adjusting the smoothness of the animation. While creating a Ken Burns Effect, the motion applied to the video clips gets automatically smoothed to accelerate and decelerate the movement slowly at the start and the end of the animation.

Why the Effect is named after Ken Burns?

Now, as you have learned the purpose of the Ken Burns Effect, you must be curious about its name. It is named after American documentarian Ken Burns, who is known for his instantly recognizable and highly influential visual aesthetic. Surprisingly, Ken Burns did not invent this Ken Burns Effect; rather, it has existed for decades. You might be wondering why the technique was then named after Ken Burns. This was due to the persistent and adroit use of this technique that it is now known as the Ken Burns Effect.

ken-burns

What are the Applications of Ken Burns Effect?

Primarily, the Ken Burns Effect is used due to the unavailability of a film or video. The technique gives action to still photographs to glorify the subjects of interest like couples in wedding photography. It gets better and better as you apply simulated parallax with Ken Burns Effect to make your 2D images appear as 3D plus advanced zooming visuals. You can also use the Ken Burns effect to make a video of your graduation ceremony pictures or memorable moments of reunion. Ken Burns Effect is also used in documentaries by professional filmmakers and editors.

Conclusion

Adding animated effects to your pictures and videos makes them look gorgeous. This is crazy, isn’t it, when you impress your peers with your editing skills. So, what’s the bottom line of this whole discussion? Try adding the Ken Burns Effect with Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect on your pictures and clips get the output in your desired format.

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Ken Burns Effect is an advanced feature of Final Cut Pro that allows users to add creative animations to their videos and images within minutes. You just need to select your picture, add movements to the clip, and choose the start and the end position to produce high-resolution stills. Besides, you can do a tilt, zoom in, a pan, or a combination of these three moves on a single image. This way, you can use the Ken Burns Effect to highlight the stimulating features in your photograph and save your memories in the form of innovative and high-definition animated clips.

This article introduces the readers to Final Cut Pro and explains how to add the Ken Burns Effect in 8 simple steps.

Part 1: How to Make a Ken Burns Effect in Final Cut Pro?

Final Cut Pro is user-friendly software and makes it easy for you to create a Ken Burns Effect without having advanced skills and expertise. So, are you interested in knowing the best part? Given below are a few simple steps to create Ken Burns Effect and make your pictures and videos look adorable.

Step 1: Add Images to the Timeline

First of all, you should specify a name for your project and add photos to the timeline in Final Cut Pro. For this purpose, select multiple photos and press E. A clip will be added to the timeline as shown in figure 1.

AddingPhotostotheTimeline

Step 2: Check Your Settings

As you can see, our timeline has no other video clip. Hence, Final Cut Pro will not recognize the clip until you adjust the video properties such as format, resolution, and rate, etc. For this purpose, click OK to use your preferred settings and press Shift + Z to fit the picture to your timeline window. Once you’re done it’s time to apply the Ken Burns Effect.

adjust properties

Step 3: Add the Ken Burns Effect

The Ken Burns Effect is used to focus on specific parts of an image and bring motionless content in to provoke emotional reactions. Follow these steps to add the Ken Burns Effect:

  1. Select the clip or picture;
  2. See the lower left of the viewer;
  3. Go to the Viewer window using the drop-down menu;
  4. Tap on the pop-up menu located in the bottom left-hand corner;
  5. Choose the Crop option from the menu or press Shift + C;
  6. Press the Ken Burns button in the Crop onscreen controls to add the effect; and
  7. Finally, notice the start frame and the end frame controls.

adding ken burns effect

Step 4: Customize Your Effect

In the Ken Burns display, you can see the controls for adjusting the panning and zooms effects by changing the size and position of two-colored rectangles overlaying on the clip. To customize the Ken Burns effect:

  1. Adjust the green rectangle’s size and position to set the start position;
  2. Adjust the red rectangle’s size and position to set the end position;
  3. The arrow depicts the direction of camera position between start and end position;
  4. In the top left-hand corner, click on the Swap button to exchange the two positions as per your requirements;
  5. You can see the preview of the animation on the screen.

custormizing ken burns effect

Step 5: Add a Freeze Frame

You’re not done yet because you need to hold your picture at the end of the animation. For this purpose, you should create a freezing frame at the end of the clip to make Ken Burns do this. Here’s the deal:

  1. Press the Down arrow followed by the Left arrow to go to the last frame;
  2. Press Option-F to add a freeze-frame;
  3. Make sure that your added frame matches the ending frame of the Ken Burns Effect.

adding a freeze frame

Step 6: Adjust the Duration of the Freeze Frame

The users can also adjust the speed of the animation and the duration of the freeze-frame by trimming your clip. For this purpose, trim the length as per your requirement and it will optimize the speed as shown in figure 6.

adjust the length and speed

Step 7: Swap the Start and End Frame

Now, swap the start and ending frame as per your preference for the Ken Burns animation. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Click on the Swap button;
  2. The start frame will match the still frame (previous one);
  3. Grab the end frame and move it to your desired position;
  4. Apply enough zoom in to make the black areas disappear;
  5. Preview to see how your animation looks.

swapping the start and end frames

Step 8: Play/Preview Looping

After you have optimized the speed of the Ken Burns Effect by trimming the clip’s length and have widened the shot to include everyone, it’s time to preview the changes you have made. Given below are simple steps:

  • Press the Play Loop button;
  • Tap on the Pause icon and return to editing;
  • Click Done and enjoy your animation.

Seems a little complicated? Filmora allows users to do Ken Burns effect, or pan and zoom effect, in much easier steps, click to download and have a try!

Download Win Version Download Mac Version

Part 2: How to add the Ken Burns Effect to Multiple Camera Movements?

Although you can apply a single Ken Burns movement to your image, you can still give the impression of multiple movements being used. This means the Ken Burns Effect can be added to multiple camera movements by duplicating the photo and building numerous movements in sequence.

  1. Add the first camera movement to your image;
  2. Duplicate the clip by click and drag option or copy and paste option;
  3. Press the Swap button in the Ken Burns settings to reverse the start and end positions;
  4. Verify if multiple camera movements have been added.

Extensive Reading: Why Ken Burns Effect is Named after Ken Burns?

What is the Ken Burns Effect?

The Ken Burns Effect is a feature in Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect by using your predefined start and end positions. Basically, it is a crop effect with one crop at the start of the clip while the other at the end. Ken Burns Effect can be further customized by adjusting the smoothness of the animation. While creating a Ken Burns Effect, the motion applied to the video clips gets automatically smoothed to accelerate and decelerate the movement slowly at the start and the end of the animation.

Why the Effect is named after Ken Burns?

Now, as you have learned the purpose of the Ken Burns Effect, you must be curious about its name. It is named after American documentarian Ken Burns, who is known for his instantly recognizable and highly influential visual aesthetic. Surprisingly, Ken Burns did not invent this Ken Burns Effect; rather, it has existed for decades. You might be wondering why the technique was then named after Ken Burns. This was due to the persistent and adroit use of this technique that it is now known as the Ken Burns Effect.

ken-burns

What are the Applications of Ken Burns Effect?

Primarily, the Ken Burns Effect is used due to the unavailability of a film or video. The technique gives action to still photographs to glorify the subjects of interest like couples in wedding photography. It gets better and better as you apply simulated parallax with Ken Burns Effect to make your 2D images appear as 3D plus advanced zooming visuals. You can also use the Ken Burns effect to make a video of your graduation ceremony pictures or memorable moments of reunion. Ken Burns Effect is also used in documentaries by professional filmmakers and editors.

Conclusion

Adding animated effects to your pictures and videos makes them look gorgeous. This is crazy, isn’t it, when you impress your peers with your editing skills. So, what’s the bottom line of this whole discussion? Try adding the Ken Burns Effect with Final Cut Pro to create a pan and zoom effect on your pictures and clips get the output in your desired format.

author avatar

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

: Top 8 Video Editing Apps for 4K Proxy Video Editing

Top 8 Video Editing Apps for 4K Proxy Video Editing

author avatar

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Shooting videos in high resolutions can help you create visually impressive content your followers on social media are going to adore. The only trouble is that the size of 4K videos can slow you down during the video editing process if your computer doesn’t have enough RAM memory or processing power. Additionally, quite a few inexpensive or free video editing apps don’t allow their users to create low-resolution proxy files that make the process of editing 4K videos much faster. That’s why in this article we are going to take you through the best 8 video editors you can use for 4K proxy video editing.

The Best Video Editing Apps for Proxy Editing in 2020

Some of the video editing apps we featured in this article can only run on computers that already have the advanced hardware setups. However, even if you have a computer setup that can easily support processing of the 4K video files, proxy editing can still be useful as it can reduce the amount of time you will have to spend on performing complex video editing tasks. Let’s take a look at some of the best video editors that support proxy editing.

1. Filmora

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $49.99 per year

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

The wide range of video editing options, support for nearly all popular video file formats or quick and simple exporting process are only a few reasons why Filmora is one of the best video editors you can use this year. Creating proxy files in Filmora is not a difficult task, because the software generates them automatically for you. You just have to choose between the 1280x720p or 1920x1080p resolutions and Filmora will create proxies for all media files that are larger than the resolution you’ve selected. However, the amount of time Filmora is going to need to create proxies depends on your computer’s processing power, but also on the size and the number of the RAW files you imported into a project.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Price: $20,99 per month, different subscription plans available

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

This is probably one of the best, if not the best non-linear video editing software ever created, so it is hardly surprising that you can easily create proxy files for all videos you use in a project you create in Adobe Premiere Pro. So, to create proxy files you just need to open the folder that contains those files from the Media Browser and then click on the Ingest button. You should then click on the wrench tool and pick the Create Proxies option from the drop-down menu located next to the Ingest option. Afterward, you should select one of the available resolution presets and proceed to import the footage into the project. However, before you can start editing with proxies you have to click on the Toggle Proxy button.

3. Final Cut Pro X

Price: Free trial available, $299,99

Compatibility: macOS

Transcoding media with FCPX doesn’t require too much effort, as the software offers a couple of options that make the editing process faster. You can opt to generate optimized media files by transcoding the original video clips into Apple ProRes 422 codec format that shortens the amount of time needed for rendering and provides excellent quality of color that is required for compositing. The proxy media files will also be created by transcoding the videos to Apple ProRes 422 codec format that retains original aspect ratio and frame rate of the video clips you transcoded. It is also worth noting that FCPX transcodes all mp3 files you import into a project to MOV audio files.

4. Vegas Pro

Price: Subscription plans start from $249,00

Compatibility: Windows

This video editor is often overlooked in conversations about the most powerful video editing apps, but the tools it offers are powerful enough to enable you to edit videos at a professional level. Creating proxy files in Vegas Pro is remarkably easy, as you just have to import the files into a new project, select each file you want to transcode and then choose the Create Video Proxy option from the right-click menu. Just keep in mind that you must create proxy files before you do any actual editing because otherwise, the transcoding process is not going work.

5. Blender

Price: Free

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

Blender is a 3D modeling and VFX software that lets you track objects or use 3D painting tools among numerous other options. Even though creating proxies with this app is not a particularly complicated process, you still have to be familiar with Blender in order to make full use of its transcoding options. The software allows you to generate proxy files whose size is only 25% of the video’s original size, although you can also create proxies that have 50% and 75% of the video’s original size. After you’ve adjusted the transcoding settings you should simply click on the Rebuild Proxy and Timecode Indices button.

6. Shotcut

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Despite the fact that this cross-platform video editor supports 4K and ProRes files that can cause it to lag at times, creating proxies in Shotcut is a highly technical process. In case you decide to make a proxy file by yourself, you will have to export a version of the file that is two or four times smaller than the original. You must also remember that you have to go through the entire process of creating proxies before you make any edits. The trick to creating proxies in Shotcut is to make a project file with the larger version of the video, then replace the larger version of the file with a smaller version of that same video file, before you actually start editing. Once you’ve completed the editing process, you can then once again add the larger source file to the project and export your video in high resolution.

7. Lightworks

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $24,99 per month

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

The process of creating proxies in Lightworks is rather simple since you just have to import the video files you’d like to edit into the software and make sure they are selected before you right-click on them. Once the right-click menu appears on the screen you should click on the Media submenu and select the Make Proxies option. The amount of time Lightworks is going to need to generate the proxy files depends on the number of the source files and their size. You can then proceed to add the proxies to the timeline, edit them and Lightworks will automatically use the source files instead of proxies during the rendering process.

8. HitFilm Express

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Once you create a new project and import all video clips you want to use in that project into the editor you should just go to the Assets menu that is located in the Media panel and click on the Make Proxy option. You will be able to continue editing while the transcoding process is still in progress, and after the source files are transcoded they will be replaced by proxies. However, making adjustments to a proxy version of a composite shot will invalidate that proxy file, which is why it is important to make all edits on that shot before you create its proxy.

Conclusion

Reducing the size of video clips you use in your projects is going to save you a lot of time during the video editing process. Each video editing software we featured in this article allows its users to generate proxy files effortlessly. Which video editor are you going to be using for proxy video editing? Leave a comment below and let us know.

author avatar

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Shooting videos in high resolutions can help you create visually impressive content your followers on social media are going to adore. The only trouble is that the size of 4K videos can slow you down during the video editing process if your computer doesn’t have enough RAM memory or processing power. Additionally, quite a few inexpensive or free video editing apps don’t allow their users to create low-resolution proxy files that make the process of editing 4K videos much faster. That’s why in this article we are going to take you through the best 8 video editors you can use for 4K proxy video editing.

The Best Video Editing Apps for Proxy Editing in 2020

Some of the video editing apps we featured in this article can only run on computers that already have the advanced hardware setups. However, even if you have a computer setup that can easily support processing of the 4K video files, proxy editing can still be useful as it can reduce the amount of time you will have to spend on performing complex video editing tasks. Let’s take a look at some of the best video editors that support proxy editing.

1. Filmora

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $49.99 per year

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

The wide range of video editing options, support for nearly all popular video file formats or quick and simple exporting process are only a few reasons why Filmora is one of the best video editors you can use this year. Creating proxy files in Filmora is not a difficult task, because the software generates them automatically for you. You just have to choose between the 1280x720p or 1920x1080p resolutions and Filmora will create proxies for all media files that are larger than the resolution you’ve selected. However, the amount of time Filmora is going to need to create proxies depends on your computer’s processing power, but also on the size and the number of the RAW files you imported into a project.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Price: $20,99 per month, different subscription plans available

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

This is probably one of the best, if not the best non-linear video editing software ever created, so it is hardly surprising that you can easily create proxy files for all videos you use in a project you create in Adobe Premiere Pro. So, to create proxy files you just need to open the folder that contains those files from the Media Browser and then click on the Ingest button. You should then click on the wrench tool and pick the Create Proxies option from the drop-down menu located next to the Ingest option. Afterward, you should select one of the available resolution presets and proceed to import the footage into the project. However, before you can start editing with proxies you have to click on the Toggle Proxy button.

3. Final Cut Pro X

Price: Free trial available, $299,99

Compatibility: macOS

Transcoding media with FCPX doesn’t require too much effort, as the software offers a couple of options that make the editing process faster. You can opt to generate optimized media files by transcoding the original video clips into Apple ProRes 422 codec format that shortens the amount of time needed for rendering and provides excellent quality of color that is required for compositing. The proxy media files will also be created by transcoding the videos to Apple ProRes 422 codec format that retains original aspect ratio and frame rate of the video clips you transcoded. It is also worth noting that FCPX transcodes all mp3 files you import into a project to MOV audio files.

4. Vegas Pro

Price: Subscription plans start from $249,00

Compatibility: Windows

This video editor is often overlooked in conversations about the most powerful video editing apps, but the tools it offers are powerful enough to enable you to edit videos at a professional level. Creating proxy files in Vegas Pro is remarkably easy, as you just have to import the files into a new project, select each file you want to transcode and then choose the Create Video Proxy option from the right-click menu. Just keep in mind that you must create proxy files before you do any actual editing because otherwise, the transcoding process is not going work.

5. Blender

Price: Free

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

Blender is a 3D modeling and VFX software that lets you track objects or use 3D painting tools among numerous other options. Even though creating proxies with this app is not a particularly complicated process, you still have to be familiar with Blender in order to make full use of its transcoding options. The software allows you to generate proxy files whose size is only 25% of the video’s original size, although you can also create proxies that have 50% and 75% of the video’s original size. After you’ve adjusted the transcoding settings you should simply click on the Rebuild Proxy and Timecode Indices button.

6. Shotcut

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Despite the fact that this cross-platform video editor supports 4K and ProRes files that can cause it to lag at times, creating proxies in Shotcut is a highly technical process. In case you decide to make a proxy file by yourself, you will have to export a version of the file that is two or four times smaller than the original. You must also remember that you have to go through the entire process of creating proxies before you make any edits. The trick to creating proxies in Shotcut is to make a project file with the larger version of the video, then replace the larger version of the file with a smaller version of that same video file, before you actually start editing. Once you’ve completed the editing process, you can then once again add the larger source file to the project and export your video in high resolution.

7. Lightworks

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $24,99 per month

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

The process of creating proxies in Lightworks is rather simple since you just have to import the video files you’d like to edit into the software and make sure they are selected before you right-click on them. Once the right-click menu appears on the screen you should click on the Media submenu and select the Make Proxies option. The amount of time Lightworks is going to need to generate the proxy files depends on the number of the source files and their size. You can then proceed to add the proxies to the timeline, edit them and Lightworks will automatically use the source files instead of proxies during the rendering process.

8. HitFilm Express

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Once you create a new project and import all video clips you want to use in that project into the editor you should just go to the Assets menu that is located in the Media panel and click on the Make Proxy option. You will be able to continue editing while the transcoding process is still in progress, and after the source files are transcoded they will be replaced by proxies. However, making adjustments to a proxy version of a composite shot will invalidate that proxy file, which is why it is important to make all edits on that shot before you create its proxy.

Conclusion

Reducing the size of video clips you use in your projects is going to save you a lot of time during the video editing process. Each video editing software we featured in this article allows its users to generate proxy files effortlessly. Which video editor are you going to be using for proxy video editing? Leave a comment below and let us know.

author avatar

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Shooting videos in high resolutions can help you create visually impressive content your followers on social media are going to adore. The only trouble is that the size of 4K videos can slow you down during the video editing process if your computer doesn’t have enough RAM memory or processing power. Additionally, quite a few inexpensive or free video editing apps don’t allow their users to create low-resolution proxy files that make the process of editing 4K videos much faster. That’s why in this article we are going to take you through the best 8 video editors you can use for 4K proxy video editing.

The Best Video Editing Apps for Proxy Editing in 2020

Some of the video editing apps we featured in this article can only run on computers that already have the advanced hardware setups. However, even if you have a computer setup that can easily support processing of the 4K video files, proxy editing can still be useful as it can reduce the amount of time you will have to spend on performing complex video editing tasks. Let’s take a look at some of the best video editors that support proxy editing.

1. Filmora

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $49.99 per year

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

The wide range of video editing options, support for nearly all popular video file formats or quick and simple exporting process are only a few reasons why Filmora is one of the best video editors you can use this year. Creating proxy files in Filmora is not a difficult task, because the software generates them automatically for you. You just have to choose between the 1280x720p or 1920x1080p resolutions and Filmora will create proxies for all media files that are larger than the resolution you’ve selected. However, the amount of time Filmora is going to need to create proxies depends on your computer’s processing power, but also on the size and the number of the RAW files you imported into a project.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Price: $20,99 per month, different subscription plans available

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

This is probably one of the best, if not the best non-linear video editing software ever created, so it is hardly surprising that you can easily create proxy files for all videos you use in a project you create in Adobe Premiere Pro. So, to create proxy files you just need to open the folder that contains those files from the Media Browser and then click on the Ingest button. You should then click on the wrench tool and pick the Create Proxies option from the drop-down menu located next to the Ingest option. Afterward, you should select one of the available resolution presets and proceed to import the footage into the project. However, before you can start editing with proxies you have to click on the Toggle Proxy button.

3. Final Cut Pro X

Price: Free trial available, $299,99

Compatibility: macOS

Transcoding media with FCPX doesn’t require too much effort, as the software offers a couple of options that make the editing process faster. You can opt to generate optimized media files by transcoding the original video clips into Apple ProRes 422 codec format that shortens the amount of time needed for rendering and provides excellent quality of color that is required for compositing. The proxy media files will also be created by transcoding the videos to Apple ProRes 422 codec format that retains original aspect ratio and frame rate of the video clips you transcoded. It is also worth noting that FCPX transcodes all mp3 files you import into a project to MOV audio files.

4. Vegas Pro

Price: Subscription plans start from $249,00

Compatibility: Windows

This video editor is often overlooked in conversations about the most powerful video editing apps, but the tools it offers are powerful enough to enable you to edit videos at a professional level. Creating proxy files in Vegas Pro is remarkably easy, as you just have to import the files into a new project, select each file you want to transcode and then choose the Create Video Proxy option from the right-click menu. Just keep in mind that you must create proxy files before you do any actual editing because otherwise, the transcoding process is not going work.

5. Blender

Price: Free

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

Blender is a 3D modeling and VFX software that lets you track objects or use 3D painting tools among numerous other options. Even though creating proxies with this app is not a particularly complicated process, you still have to be familiar with Blender in order to make full use of its transcoding options. The software allows you to generate proxy files whose size is only 25% of the video’s original size, although you can also create proxies that have 50% and 75% of the video’s original size. After you’ve adjusted the transcoding settings you should simply click on the Rebuild Proxy and Timecode Indices button.

6. Shotcut

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Despite the fact that this cross-platform video editor supports 4K and ProRes files that can cause it to lag at times, creating proxies in Shotcut is a highly technical process. In case you decide to make a proxy file by yourself, you will have to export a version of the file that is two or four times smaller than the original. You must also remember that you have to go through the entire process of creating proxies before you make any edits. The trick to creating proxies in Shotcut is to make a project file with the larger version of the video, then replace the larger version of the file with a smaller version of that same video file, before you actually start editing. Once you’ve completed the editing process, you can then once again add the larger source file to the project and export your video in high resolution.

7. Lightworks

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $24,99 per month

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

The process of creating proxies in Lightworks is rather simple since you just have to import the video files you’d like to edit into the software and make sure they are selected before you right-click on them. Once the right-click menu appears on the screen you should click on the Media submenu and select the Make Proxies option. The amount of time Lightworks is going to need to generate the proxy files depends on the number of the source files and their size. You can then proceed to add the proxies to the timeline, edit them and Lightworks will automatically use the source files instead of proxies during the rendering process.

8. HitFilm Express

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Once you create a new project and import all video clips you want to use in that project into the editor you should just go to the Assets menu that is located in the Media panel and click on the Make Proxy option. You will be able to continue editing while the transcoding process is still in progress, and after the source files are transcoded they will be replaced by proxies. However, making adjustments to a proxy version of a composite shot will invalidate that proxy file, which is why it is important to make all edits on that shot before you create its proxy.

Conclusion

Reducing the size of video clips you use in your projects is going to save you a lot of time during the video editing process. Each video editing software we featured in this article allows its users to generate proxy files effortlessly. Which video editor are you going to be using for proxy video editing? Leave a comment below and let us know.

author avatar

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Shooting videos in high resolutions can help you create visually impressive content your followers on social media are going to adore. The only trouble is that the size of 4K videos can slow you down during the video editing process if your computer doesn’t have enough RAM memory or processing power. Additionally, quite a few inexpensive or free video editing apps don’t allow their users to create low-resolution proxy files that make the process of editing 4K videos much faster. That’s why in this article we are going to take you through the best 8 video editors you can use for 4K proxy video editing.

The Best Video Editing Apps for Proxy Editing in 2020

Some of the video editing apps we featured in this article can only run on computers that already have the advanced hardware setups. However, even if you have a computer setup that can easily support processing of the 4K video files, proxy editing can still be useful as it can reduce the amount of time you will have to spend on performing complex video editing tasks. Let’s take a look at some of the best video editors that support proxy editing.

1. Filmora

Price: Free version available, subscription plans start at $49.99 per year

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

The wide range of video editing options, support for nearly all popular video file formats or quick and simple exporting process are only a few reasons why Filmora is one of the best video editors you can use this year. Creating proxy files in Filmora is not a difficult task, because the software generates them automatically for you. You just have to choose between the 1280x720p or 1920x1080p resolutions and Filmora will create proxies for all media files that are larger than the resolution you’ve selected. However, the amount of time Filmora is going to need to create proxies depends on your computer’s processing power, but also on the size and the number of the RAW files you imported into a project.

2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Price: $20,99 per month, different subscription plans available

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

This is probably one of the best, if not the best non-linear video editing software ever created, so it is hardly surprising that you can easily create proxy files for all videos you use in a project you create in Adobe Premiere Pro. So, to create proxy files you just need to open the folder that contains those files from the Media Browser and then click on the Ingest button. You should then click on the wrench tool and pick the Create Proxies option from the drop-down menu located next to the Ingest option. Afterward, you should select one of the available resolution presets and proceed to import the footage into the project. However, before you can start editing with proxies you have to click on the Toggle Proxy button.

3. Final Cut Pro X

Price: Free trial available, $299,99

Compatibility: macOS

Transcoding media with FCPX doesn’t require too much effort, as the software offers a couple of options that make the editing process faster. You can opt to generate optimized media files by transcoding the original video clips into Apple ProRes 422 codec format that shortens the amount of time needed for rendering and provides excellent quality of color that is required for compositing. The proxy media files will also be created by transcoding the videos to Apple ProRes 422 codec format that retains original aspect ratio and frame rate of the video clips you transcoded. It is also worth noting that FCPX transcodes all mp3 files you import into a project to MOV audio files.

4. Vegas Pro

Price: Subscription plans start from $249,00

Compatibility: Windows

This video editor is often overlooked in conversations about the most powerful video editing apps, but the tools it offers are powerful enough to enable you to edit videos at a professional level. Creating proxy files in Vegas Pro is remarkably easy, as you just have to import the files into a new project, select each file you want to transcode and then choose the Create Video Proxy option from the right-click menu. Just keep in mind that you must create proxy files before you do any actual editing because otherwise, the transcoding process is not going work.

5. Blender

Price: Free

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

Blender is a 3D modeling and VFX software that lets you track objects or use 3D painting tools among numerous other options. Even though creating proxies with this app is not a particularly complicated process, you still have to be familiar with Blender in order to make full use of its transcoding options. The software allows you to generate proxy files whose size is only 25% of the video’s original size, although you can also create proxies that have 50% and 75% of the video’s original size. After you’ve adjusted the transcoding settings you should simply click on the Rebuild Proxy and Timecode Indices button.

6. Shotcut

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux

Despite the fact that this cross-platform video editor supports 4K and ProRes files that can cause it to lag at times, creating proxies in Shotcut is a highly technical process. In case you decide to make a proxy file by yourself, you will have to export a version of the file that is two or four times smaller than the original. You must also remember that you have to go through the entire process of creating proxies before you make any edits. The trick to creating proxies in Shotcut is to make a project file with the larger version of the video, then replace the larger version of the file with a smaller version of that same video file, before you actually start editing. Once you’ve completed the editing process, you can then once again add the larger source file to the project and export your video in high resolution.

7. Lightworks

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $24,99 per month

Compatibility: Linux, macOS, Windows

The process of creating proxies in Lightworks is rather simple since you just have to import the video files you’d like to edit into the software and make sure they are selected before you right-click on them. Once the right-click menu appears on the screen you should click on the Media submenu and select the Make Proxies option. The amount of time Lightworks is going to need to generate the proxy files depends on the number of the source files and their size. You can then proceed to add the proxies to the timeline, edit them and Lightworks will automatically use the source files instead of proxies during the rendering process.

8. HitFilm Express

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

Once you create a new project and import all video clips you want to use in that project into the editor you should just go to the Assets menu that is located in the Media panel and click on the Make Proxy option. You will be able to continue editing while the transcoding process is still in progress, and after the source files are transcoded they will be replaced by proxies. However, making adjustments to a proxy version of a composite shot will invalidate that proxy file, which is why it is important to make all edits on that shot before you create its proxy.

Conclusion

Reducing the size of video clips you use in your projects is going to save you a lot of time during the video editing process. Each video editing software we featured in this article allows its users to generate proxy files effortlessly. Which video editor are you going to be using for proxy video editing? Leave a comment below and let us know.

author avatar

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Max Wales

Also read:

  • Title: 2024 Approved Free Video Flipper Tools Top 10 Picks for Rotating Footage
  • Author: Charlotte
  • Created at : 2024-05-19 10:32:17
  • Updated at : 2024-05-20 10:32:17
  • Link: https://smart-video-creator.techidaily.com/2024-approved-free-video-flipper-tools-top-10-picks-for-rotating-footage/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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2024 Approved Free Video Flipper Tools Top 10 Picks for Rotating Footage