Video Editing with Blender for Complete Beginners - Part 1

Introduction

This tutorial is designed for complete beginners who want to learn video editing using Blender. Throughout this guide, you will discover how to navigate Blender's video editing interface, manage your media, and set up your project effectively. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a foundational understanding of the video editing capabilities in Blender.

Step 1: Access the Video Editor

• Open Blender and select the "Video Editing" workspace from the top menu.
• This will change the interface to the video editing layout, where you can access all the necessary tools.

Step 2: Resize the User Interface

• Adjust the layout to suit your preferences by dragging the edges of the panels.
• You can resize the timeline, preview window, and file browser for better visibility.

Step 3: Understand the Video Preview

• The video preview window displays your project as you edit.
• To play back your video, use the spacebar or the playback controls located in the preview area.

Step 4: Navigate the File Browser

• Use the file browser panel to import media files.
• You can navigate to your media folders and select the files you want to use in your project.

Step 5: Explore the Properties Panel

• The properties panel on the right side allows you to adjust settings for your project.
• Familiarize yourself with options like color management and video settings here.

Step 6: Color Management Setup

• Select the color management settings from the properties panel.
• Adjust the color space settings based on your project needs (e.g., Filmic for a cinematic look).

Step 7: Use the Sequencer

• The sequencer is where you will arrange your video clips.
• Drag and drop media from the file browser into the sequencer timeline.

Step 8: Manage Channels and Tools

• Each video clip appears on its own channel in the sequencer.
• Use the tools available to cut, trim, or move clips as needed.

Step 9: Adjust Strip Settings

• Click on a video strip to access its settings in the properties panel.
• Adjust attributes such as opacity, volume, and speed based on your editing requirements.

Step 10: Work with the Timeline

• The timeline allows you to see all the clips and their duration.
• You can zoom in and out for a more detailed view by scrolling the mouse wheel.

Step 11: Explore Menus

• Familiarize yourself with the various menus at the top of the interface.
• These menus provide access to additional features like rendering and exporting your project.

Step 12: Utilize Full Screen Mode

• For a more immersive editing experience, press Shift + Space to enter full-screen mode.
• This removes distractions and allows you to focus on your project.

Step 13: Add Media to Your Project

• To add media, go to the file browser and double-click on the desired file.
• Alternatively, you can drag and drop files directly into the sequencer.

Step 14: Set Frame Rate and Resolution

• Adjust the frame rate in the properties panel under "Output Properties."
• Ensure the resolution matches your intended output (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD).

Step 15: Remove Lag During Editing

• To improve playback performance, consider using proxies for your video files.
• Proxies are lower-resolution versions of your footage that make editing smoother.

Step 16: Enable Audio Scrubbing

• To hear audio while scrubbing through the timeline, enable audio scrubbing in the playback settings.
• This allows you to accurately sync audio and video.

Step 17: Understand Proxies

• Proxies are used to create a more manageable workflow when working with high-resolution footage.
• You can create proxies in Blender by selecting your media strip and choosing the proxy settings in the properties panel.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have learned the basics of video editing in Blender. You can now navigate the interface, import media, and begin editing your videos effectively. For further learning, consider watching the subsequent parts of the tutorial series to enhance your skills and explore more advanced features. Happy editing!