09-05-2023, 12:00 AM
Fedora - Video content creation with Kdenlive
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive.png" width="1024" height="576" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>Fedora Linux packages a suite of graphical software for content creators. This article introduces a use case and suggestions for creating tutorial videos with <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kdenlive.</a></p>
<p> <span id="more-38283"></span> </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plan tutorial</h2>
<p>A question that you need to address is whether text and images are appropriate to share your knowledge. If you create resources for learners of graphical software, a tutorial video is something to consider.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Review abstract and draft script</h3>
<p>An abstract in content writing helps reviewers look for key points of your tutorial. Depending on your workflow, you can submit this abstract to reviewers for comments, questions, or updates. </p>
<p>Once an abstract of the tutorial video is agreed upon by the reviewers, a video script is created and works like a manuscript for your tutorial. Break down process steps into each sequence. Check <a href="https://gitlab.com/fedora/docs/community-tools/documentation-contributors-guide/-/snippets/2503787" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> for an example.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Screen recording</h2>
<p>Use your preferred recording tool that comes with the desktop environment or enable the ‘Screen Grab’ option in <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kdenlive</a> in the ‘View’ menu. Alternatively, you can install <a href="https://obsproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OBS Studio</a>.</p>
<p>Kdenlive can process various container formats. You should transcode to a high-quality lossless matroska file (.mkv) that ensures high quality and compression ratio.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Installation</h2>
<p>Kdenlive supports Linux, Mac, Windows and FreeBSD, which encourages collaboration among content creators. If you are Linux users, go to the packager manager of your distro to install Kdenlive. If you use Fedora Linux, we recommend the Fedora Linux RPM version or Flatpak.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Set up Kdenlive</h3>
<p>Let’s start with Kdenlive’s user interface and focus on three sections – Project bin, Monitors and Timeline.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-9.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38579" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kdenlive user interface</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Project bin</strong></h3>
<p>Load video clips into <em>Project Bin</em> on the upper left. The Project Bin lists all the clips that are associated with your project. You can drag and drop the clips onto Project Bin.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Monitors</strong></h3>
<p><em>Clip Monitor</em> on the left window displays the unedited clip that is currently selected in The Project Bin. If you have loaded multiple takes of the same scene (process steps), you need to know which one you’re going to choose and edit. If you changed your mind during editing processes, that’s no problem. You can move around a sequence with timeline and tracks after the initial cut.</p>
<p>The <em>Project Monitor</em> is a place to watch your edited footage.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Timeline</strong></h3>
<p><em>Timeline</em> is a place for all selected clips you edit. Drag and drop the clips directly on to the Timeline from the Project Bin.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Editing processes</h3>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cut and stitch</strong></h4>
<p>Timeline cursor, also known as <em>playhead</em>, indicates the position of clips you are working on and previewing in the Project Monitor.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="981" height="265" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38580" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Timeline</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>The initial cut means editing on a scene by scene basis until you’re ready to stitch tracks together into a complete piece.</p>
<p>Cut when;<br />– Delayed, boring or repetitive part was recorded. This happens often when recording a scene for loading apps or waiting for rendering on web browser<br />– Transition pieces when a scene starts and ends<br />– Trim off a few frames before you tidy up<br />– Ensure basic continuity – let it flow!</p>
<p>In Timeline, video tracks (V2, V1) are cascaded up whereas audio tracks (A1, A2) are cascaded down as default.</p>
<p>Slide up trimmed video track and stitch frames you want to keep. Delete trimmed frames when you’re sure you don’t need them.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-2.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="978" height="275" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38581" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cut </figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>Timeline works like chef’s chopping board and takes time for new users to get familiar with it. Check the upstream documentation <a href="https://docs.kdenlive.org/en/user_interface/shortcuts.html#timeline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on this link</a>.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Text effects with Titles</strong></h4>
<p>Titles are text elements that you can overlay to the timeline. To create Titles, right-click in the The Project Bin and open the Titles window as shown below. Select ‘Create Title’ to save it. Drag and drop the Title to the video track 2 in timeline. Check <a href="https://docs.kdenlive.org/en/effects_and_compositions/titles.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> for more information.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-19.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="649" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38583" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Titler</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Sound effects</strong></h4>
<p>Ambient music could jazz up your video tutorial for the audience.</p>
<p>Go to top left corner of the Project Bin and select the arrow to list options. Select ‘Online Resources’. At the top right, ‘Service’ drop-down menu, choose ‘Freesound’. Select ‘Preview’ to play back and import to download and overlay to A1 audio track.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-4.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="379" height="448" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38584" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sound</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Transition and finishing touch</strong></h4>
<p>Text and sounds effects will blend well if tracks have transitions. Check <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/project/kdenlive-transitions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> for fine-tuning your final cut video.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Rendering</h4>
<p>In the Render dialogue box (Ctrl + Return) on Project Bin, choose WebM as output file, select ‘More options’ to de-select the Export Audio option, and select ‘Render to File’ to save the clip.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-5.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="837" height="490" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38585" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rendering</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>WebM offers good compression and output.</p>
<p>Rendering speed is dependent on the number of CPU cores in your computer. If you work with high quality footage and visual effects in a computer with low-end CPU and RAM, adapt your workflow with proxy clips and use script for rendering.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Share your tutorial video</h2>
<p><a href="https://joinpeertube.org/en_US" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerTube</a> is a video sharing platform that runs on GNU/Linux infra, and Open Source/Free Software. Just like <a href="https://vimeo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vimeo</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a>, you can embed your content to your documentation site from PeerTube.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Credits and acknowledgements</h2>
<p>Big thanks to Seth Kenlon who provided me with a great deal of inspiration from his publication in Opensource.com and Kdenlive workshop.</p>
<p>Kdenlive Version 23.04.2 was used for this article.</p>
</div>
https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2023/08/...-kdenlive/
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive.png" width="1024" height="576" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>Fedora Linux packages a suite of graphical software for content creators. This article introduces a use case and suggestions for creating tutorial videos with <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kdenlive.</a></p>
<p> <span id="more-38283"></span> </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plan tutorial</h2>
<p>A question that you need to address is whether text and images are appropriate to share your knowledge. If you create resources for learners of graphical software, a tutorial video is something to consider.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Review abstract and draft script</h3>
<p>An abstract in content writing helps reviewers look for key points of your tutorial. Depending on your workflow, you can submit this abstract to reviewers for comments, questions, or updates. </p>
<p>Once an abstract of the tutorial video is agreed upon by the reviewers, a video script is created and works like a manuscript for your tutorial. Break down process steps into each sequence. Check <a href="https://gitlab.com/fedora/docs/community-tools/documentation-contributors-guide/-/snippets/2503787" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> for an example.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Screen recording</h2>
<p>Use your preferred recording tool that comes with the desktop environment or enable the ‘Screen Grab’ option in <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kdenlive</a> in the ‘View’ menu. Alternatively, you can install <a href="https://obsproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OBS Studio</a>.</p>
<p>Kdenlive can process various container formats. You should transcode to a high-quality lossless matroska file (.mkv) that ensures high quality and compression ratio.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Installation</h2>
<p>Kdenlive supports Linux, Mac, Windows and FreeBSD, which encourages collaboration among content creators. If you are Linux users, go to the packager manager of your distro to install Kdenlive. If you use Fedora Linux, we recommend the Fedora Linux RPM version or Flatpak.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Set up Kdenlive</h3>
<p>Let’s start with Kdenlive’s user interface and focus on three sections – Project bin, Monitors and Timeline.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-9.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38579" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kdenlive user interface</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Project bin</strong></h3>
<p>Load video clips into <em>Project Bin</em> on the upper left. The Project Bin lists all the clips that are associated with your project. You can drag and drop the clips onto Project Bin.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Monitors</strong></h3>
<p><em>Clip Monitor</em> on the left window displays the unedited clip that is currently selected in The Project Bin. If you have loaded multiple takes of the same scene (process steps), you need to know which one you’re going to choose and edit. If you changed your mind during editing processes, that’s no problem. You can move around a sequence with timeline and tracks after the initial cut.</p>
<p>The <em>Project Monitor</em> is a place to watch your edited footage.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Timeline</strong></h3>
<p><em>Timeline</em> is a place for all selected clips you edit. Drag and drop the clips directly on to the Timeline from the Project Bin.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Editing processes</h3>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cut and stitch</strong></h4>
<p>Timeline cursor, also known as <em>playhead</em>, indicates the position of clips you are working on and previewing in the Project Monitor.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="981" height="265" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38580" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Timeline</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>The initial cut means editing on a scene by scene basis until you’re ready to stitch tracks together into a complete piece.</p>
<p>Cut when;<br />– Delayed, boring or repetitive part was recorded. This happens often when recording a scene for loading apps or waiting for rendering on web browser<br />– Transition pieces when a scene starts and ends<br />– Trim off a few frames before you tidy up<br />– Ensure basic continuity – let it flow!</p>
<p>In Timeline, video tracks (V2, V1) are cascaded up whereas audio tracks (A1, A2) are cascaded down as default.</p>
<p>Slide up trimmed video track and stitch frames you want to keep. Delete trimmed frames when you’re sure you don’t need them.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-2.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="978" height="275" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38581" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cut </figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>Timeline works like chef’s chopping board and takes time for new users to get familiar with it. Check the upstream documentation <a href="https://docs.kdenlive.org/en/user_interface/shortcuts.html#timeline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on this link</a>.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Text effects with Titles</strong></h4>
<p>Titles are text elements that you can overlay to the timeline. To create Titles, right-click in the The Project Bin and open the Titles window as shown below. Select ‘Create Title’ to save it. Drag and drop the Title to the video track 2 in timeline. Check <a href="https://docs.kdenlive.org/en/effects_and_compositions/titles.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> for more information.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-19.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="649" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-3.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38583" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Titler</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Sound effects</strong></h4>
<p>Ambient music could jazz up your video tutorial for the audience.</p>
<p>Go to top left corner of the Project Bin and select the arrow to list options. Select ‘Online Resources’. At the top right, ‘Service’ drop-down menu, choose ‘Freesound’. Select ‘Preview’ to play back and import to download and overlay to A1 audio track.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-4.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="379" height="448" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-4.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38584" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sound</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Transition and finishing touch</strong></h4>
<p>Text and sounds effects will blend well if tracks have transitions. Check <a href="https://kdenlive.org/en/project/kdenlive-transitions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> for fine-tuning your final cut video.</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Rendering</h4>
<p>In the Render dialogue box (Ctrl + Return) on Project Bin, choose WebM as output file, select ‘More options’ to de-select the Export Audio option, and select ‘Render to File’ to save the clip.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-5.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="837" height="490" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/video-content-creation-with-kdenlive-5.png" alt="" class="wp-image-38585" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rendering</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p>WebM offers good compression and output.</p>
<p>Rendering speed is dependent on the number of CPU cores in your computer. If you work with high quality footage and visual effects in a computer with low-end CPU and RAM, adapt your workflow with proxy clips and use script for rendering.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Share your tutorial video</h2>
<p><a href="https://joinpeertube.org/en_US" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerTube</a> is a video sharing platform that runs on GNU/Linux infra, and Open Source/Free Software. Just like <a href="https://vimeo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vimeo</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a>, you can embed your content to your documentation site from PeerTube.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Credits and acknowledgements</h2>
<p>Big thanks to Seth Kenlon who provided me with a great deal of inspiration from his publication in Opensource.com and Kdenlive workshop.</p>
<p>Kdenlive Version 23.04.2 was used for this article.</p>
</div>
https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2023/08/...-kdenlive/