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In OpenShot, select a clip, place the playhead where a change should begin, then set its location, scale, and alpha values. Move the playhead to a later point and change those values again: OpenShot creates keyframes and animates between them. The same basic idea applies in other editors, though the controls and available properties differ.
What a keyframe does
A keyframe records a property value at a particular time. When a later keyframe gives that property a different value, the editor animates the change between the two points. OpenShot’s guide summarizes it this way: “Keyframes let you change values over time, such as position, scale, rotation, opacity, and effect settings.” OpenShot Video Editor User Guide: Timeline
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Animate a clip in OpenShot
This example uses two moments: a starting state and a later state. OpenShot creates keyframes for animated properties when you change them at the current playback position, so set the playhead before changing a value.
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- Add and select the clip. Place a video clip on the timeline and select it.
- Set the starting moment. Move the playhead to the point where the animation should begin.
- Set the starting values. Adjust
location_xandlocation_yfor position,scale_xandscale_yfor size, andalphafor transparency. These values establish the clip’s state at the playhead. - Set the later moment. Move the playhead farther along the clip, then change whichever properties should animate. Those new values form later keyframes.
- Preview and refine. Play the clip to check the timing and result. Move keyframes to change when a change happens, adjust property values to alter its extent, or change interpolation to alter how it progresses.
OpenShot’s clip-property reference describes alpha as the curve for fading an image and adding transparency, with values from 1 to 0. A higher alpha is more opaque; a lower alpha is more transparent. For a fade-in, set alpha to 0 at the starting moment and 1 later. For a fade-out, set it to 1 first and 0 later. OpenShot Video Editor User Guide: Clips
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Choose how the change moves between keyframes
Keyframe values determine the start and end states; interpolation determines how the editor moves between them. A linear change progresses evenly, a discrete change switches abruptly, and a smooth change eases between values. The options and labels depend on the property and editor. OpenShot lets you change interpolation for keyframes in its timeline controls; preview the result because a different interpolation changes the feel of the motion, not the keyframe endpoints. OpenShot timeline guide
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How the workflow differs in other free editors
| Editor | Where properties are controlled | Keyframe workflow documented | Interpolation or platform details |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenShot | Clip properties include location, scale, and alpha. | Change an animated property with the clip selected and playhead at the intended time; the value is keyed there. | Keyframes can be moved and interpolation changed. Consult the timeline guide and clip guide for current controls. |
| Kdenlive | Controls are effect-dependent; compatible effects can expose X, Y, width, height, and opacity in the curve editor. | Enable keyframes for an effect, select a keyframe, and change its corresponding parameter. The UI guide documents adding or removing keyframes at the current playhead. | Documented keyframe types include linear, discrete, and smooth. See the quick start, UI guide, and effects guide; not every effect exposes every property. |
| Shotcut | Exact position, scale, and opacity controls are not detailed here. | The official tutorial index includes a keyframes section; use it for the current editor-specific steps. | The project describes Shotcut as a free, open-source editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux. See its tutorial index for current instructions. |
Check timing before troubleshooting values
- If a change occurs at the wrong moment, check the playhead position when you edited the property. The playhead determines where the keyframe is created.
- If the clip does not move, zoom, or fade, confirm that the clip is selected and that the property has different values at the two intended times.
- If the fade goes the wrong way, check alpha: decreasing it makes the image more transparent; increasing it makes the image more opaque.
- If movement feels abrupt or uneven, inspect interpolation as well as keyframe timing. A different interpolation changes the transition between values.
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