Complete Guide to OpenShot 4.0: How to Utilize the New Features

OpenShot 4.0 is a significant update for this open-source video editor, introducing new advanced features for screen and webcam recording, color correction, and object processing. This update is useful for users who need professional tools for video editing, such as content creators, videographers, and amateur video editors.

The new version offers built-in tools to record the screen, webcam, microphone, and system audio directly within the software. This allows you to edit each source independently, providing greater flexibility and control during the editing process.

The recording functionality supports both X11 and Wayland on Linux, with PipeWire handling capture on modern Wayland desktops. Additionally, OpenShot 4.0 has improved integration with desktop portals for a better screen capture experience and file access on newer Linux distributions.

The new Color View introduces advanced tools for color correction and grading, including color wheels, adjustable curves, LUT support, exposure and contrast controls, temperature and tint, and adjustments for lights, shadows, saturation, and vibrance. For those who prefer simpler options, OpenShot includes quick presets like Auto Contrast, Lift Shadows, Warm Up, and Boost Color.

OpenShot 4.0 also introduces object masks, an effect designed to isolate and automatically track subjects in a video clip. This process happens locally, without the need for external connections.

The native Qt timeline offers a more fluid and consistent experience, with improvements in performance and interactivity. Clips, transitions, keyframes, tracks, rulers, and menus are now managed through a native timeline, resulting in a more efficient editing experience.

For more details, check the changelog on GitHub or the official announcement on OpenShot.org.

Prerequisites

• Operating System: Linux, Windows, or macOS
• Hardware:
  • Microphone and webcam for recording
• Software:
  • OpenShot 4.0 downloadable from the official website

PROCEDURE: Installing and Configuring OpenShot 4.0

Following this guide, you will install and configure OpenShot 4.0 on your operating system.

Step 1: Download OpenShot 4.0

• Open your preferred web browser.
• Visit the official OpenShot website at https://www.openshot.org/download/.
• Click on the corresponding download button.

Step 2: Install OpenShot 4.0

• Once the installation file is downloaded, open it.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
• If you are using Linux, you might need to extract the tar.gz file and follow the instructions specific to your distribution.

Step 3: Launch OpenShot 4.0

• After installation, launch OpenShot 4.0 from the applications menu or desktop.
• On first launch, you might be prompted to configure the initial preferences. Follow the instructions to complete the setup.

Step 4: Explore the New Features

• Familiarize yourself with the new user interface and features introduced in OpenShot 4.0.
• Try the new Recording View to record the screen, webcam, microphone, and system audio.
• Explore the new Color View to apply advanced color corrections and grading.
• Use the Object Mask effect to isolate and track subjects in your videos.
• Try the new effects like Audio Visualization, Beat Sync, Film Grain, Denoise Image, Shadow, Glow, Displacement Map, and Timer.

Step 5: Update and Customize

• Check the changelog and official announcement for more details on new features and improvements.
• Customize the interface and preferences according to your needs.

Verification and Troubleshooting

After installing and configuring OpenShot 4.0, it is important to verify that all features work correctly and know how to resolve any issues.

How to Test if It Works

• Recording Test:
  • Open OpenShot 4.0 and select the new Recording View.
  • Verify that each source is saved correctly and can be modified independently.
• Color Grading Test:
  • Open the Color View and apply some of the advanced color correction tools.
  • Try the color wheels, adjustable curves, LUT support, and exposure and contrast controls.
• Effects Test:
• Timeline Test:
  • Verify that the behavior is smooth and interactions are consistent.

What to Do if It Fails

• Recording Issues:
• Color Issues:
  • Verify that the project settings are correct and the color profile is compatible.
• Effects Issues:
  • If an effect does not work, try disabling and re-enabling it.
• Timeline Issues:
  • If the timeline does not work correctly, try restarting OpenShot.

By the end of this guide, you will have learned all the new features introduced by OpenShot 4.0 and how to leverage them to enhance your video editing experience.

Educational Summary

• Object Mask: Isolate and track subjects in your video with the Object Mask effect, which works locally without the need for cloud.
• Native Timeline: Take advantage of the new Qt timeline for a more fluid and organized experience.
• Linux Compatibility: Enhance your experience on Linux with support for Qt 6, PySide6, High-DPI scaling, and desktop portal.

Call to Practice

Try the new features of OpenShot 4.0 right away to take your video projects to the next level. Download the latest version from the official website and start experimenting with the new possibilities offered.