How to Speed Up Video in Openshot: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking to save time editing your video content? Maybe you want to share a sped-up version of your latest vlog, or quickly showcase your time-lapse photography. Whatever your goal, Openshot is an excellent free video editing software that can help you achieve it. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to speed up video in Openshot with ease.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced video editor, this tutorial will walk you through the process of adjusting the playback speed of your video files. We’ll start by introducing you to the Openshot interface and then guide you through importing your video files. Next, we’ll show you how to use the speed adjustment tools to speed up your video while maintaining its quality. Finally, we’ll share some tips and tricks for exporting your newly edited video.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to create fast-paced, engaging video content in Openshot. So, let’s get started!

Introduction

If you’re looking to speed up your video in Openshot, you’ve come to the right place. This video editor offers a variety of tools to help you adjust the speed of your video footage, whether you’re trying to create a time-lapse effect, slow-motion shots, or just speed up the action. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of speeding up your video in Openshot, step-by-step.

Before we get started, it’s important to note that the process of speeding up video in Openshot will depend on the version of the software you’re using. However, the basic steps will be similar regardless of the version you have. We’ll be using the latest version of Openshot for this guide.

It’s also worth mentioning that while Openshot is a powerful and flexible video editor, it can be a bit daunting for new users. But fear not! We’ll explain the interface and walk you through each step of the process. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to speed up your video like a pro.

So, whether you’re a professional videographer or just getting started with video editing, let’s dive in and learn how to speed up video in Openshot.

Why Speeding Up Video is Important

Video content has become an integral part of our lives, especially with the rise of social media platforms. The ability to speed up video in Openshot is important for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Time-saving: Speeding up lengthy videos allows you to view content quickly without having to watch the entire clip.
2. Enhanced storytelling: By speeding up certain parts of a video, you can create a more dynamic and engaging story.
3. Increased engagement: Faster-paced videos can grab viewers’ attention and keep them engaged, reducing the chance that they will lose interest and move on to another video.
4. Improved learning: Educational videos can be made more efficient by speeding up the slower parts of the content, allowing learners to absorb more information in a shorter amount of time.
5. Creative flexibility: Adjusting playback speed gives creators the freedom to experiment with different pacing and timing to achieve their desired effect.

With these benefits in mind, learning how to speed up video in Openshot can greatly improve the quality and effectiveness of your video content.

Overview of Openshot’s Speeding Up Functionality

Now that we’ve discussed why speeding up your videos is important, let’s take a closer look at Openshot’s functionality. The software provides a few options for adjusting the playback speed of your video footage.

• Time – Openshot’s “Time” feature allows you to set the playback speed by a specific ratio, such as 2x or 3x faster than the original video.
• Razor Tool – The “Razor Tool” enables you to split your video clip into smaller sections, so you can adjust the speed of each segment individually.
• Speed Effect – The “Speed Effect” allows you to ramp up or slow down the speed of your video footage gradually. You can apply the effect to the entire clip or a specific segment.
• Keyframes – Openshot also provides the option to add keyframes to your video footage. Keyframes allow you to adjust the speed of your video clip at specific points throughout the timeline, giving you more precise control over the speed changes.

With these features, you can customize the speed of your video footage in a variety of ways to suit your needs. Whether you want to create a time-lapse, a slow-motion effect, or simply speed up your video for a more engaging viewing experience, Openshot has got you covered.

Understanding Openshot’s Interface

Before diving into the process of speeding up your video in Openshot, it’s important to become familiar with the software’s interface. Timeline is the key component of the interface where all the editing work happens. You can add multiple tracks to the timeline and edit them independently.

The Project Files section is located on the left-hand side of the interface, which includes all the media files that you’ve imported into your project. From here, you can drag and drop the files into the timeline to begin editing.

The Preview Window is located on the right-hand side of the interface, which shows you a preview of your project. You can play, pause, and scrub through your project to check the progress of your editing.

Lastly, the Toolbar is located at the top of the interface and contains all the tools and functions that you need for editing your project. The toolbar includes tools for adding text, transitions, and effects, among other things.

Exploring the Timeline and Preview Windows

The timeline is where you can edit your video by adding clips, images, transitions, and effects. It is located at the bottom of the screen and consists of multiple tracks for video, audio, and text. You can use the timeline to arrange the sequence of your video and to adjust the duration of each clip.

The preview window is where you can see the changes you make to your video in real-time. It is located at the top-right corner of the screen and displays a preview of your video. You can use this window to make adjustments to your video and see how they affect the final product.

By default, the timeline and preview windows are connected, which means that any changes you make in the timeline will be reflected in the preview window. However, you can also disconnect them if you need to focus on one window at a time.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the timeline and preview windows so you can easily navigate Openshot and make the necessary adjustments to your video.

Locating the Playback Speed Control

Now that you’ve imported your video files and added them to the timeline, it’s time to adjust the playback speed. The playback speed control can be found in the Properties window, which is located to the right of the main window.

To locate the playback speed control, you’ll first need to select the clip you want to adjust on the timeline. Once the clip is selected, the Properties window will update to show the properties of the clip.

The playback speed control is located under the Video tab in the Properties window. You can adjust the playback speed by moving the slider left or right. Sliding the control to the left will decrease the playback speed, while sliding it to the right will increase the playback speed.

Adjusting Playback Speed with Keyframes

If you want to adjust the playback speed of your video gradually, you can use the keyframe functionality in Openshot. Keyframes allow you to set specific points in time and adjust various parameters, such as the playback speed, at each point. To use keyframes to adjust the playback speed:

• First, select the clip on the timeline and click on the “Properties” tab.
• Next, click on the “Keyframes” dropdown menu and select “Speed”.
• Click on the “Add Keyframe” button to add a keyframe at the current point in time.
• Move the playhead to the point where you want to change the speed and adjust the “Speed” parameter in the properties panel.
• Repeat steps 3-4 for any other points in time where you want to adjust the playback speed.

By adding keyframes and adjusting the playback speed, you can create dynamic and engaging videos that capture the attention of your audience.

Importing Your Video Files

Step 1: Open OpenShot and click on “File” in the top menu bar.

Step 2: Select “Import Files” from the dropdown menu and navigate to the location of your video files.

Step 3: Highlight the files you want to import and click “Open”.

Step 4: Once the files are imported, you will see them appear in the Project Files window at the top left of the screen.

Step 5: Drag the files you want to use from the Project Files window to the Timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Supported Video Formats in Openshot

If you’re planning to import your video files into Openshot, it’s important to know the supported video formats. Here are some of the most common formats that Openshot can handle:

• MP4: This is the most popular video format and is widely used for online video sharing.
• AVI: This is an older format but still widely used, especially for high-quality video files.
• MPEG: This is another older format but is still widely used for DVD video files.
• MOV: This format is used by Apple products and is a common format for video editing.
• WMV: This is a Windows Media Video format and is commonly used for streaming video files.

It’s important to note that while Openshot supports many video formats, not all formats are created equal. Some formats may be more difficult to work with or may require more processing power to edit smoothly. To avoid any issues, it’s always best to stick with the recommended formats whenever possible.

Openshot also allows you to convert your video files to a supported format if necessary. This can be useful if you have a file in an unsupported format that you need to edit in Openshot. The conversion process is straightforward and can be done directly in the software.

Overall, Openshot’s support for a wide range of video formats makes it a flexible and versatile option for video editing. Whether you’re working with a popular format like MP4 or an older format like AVI, Openshot has you covered.

Importing Videos into Your Project

Once you have your video files in the correct format, you can import them into your Openshot project. There are several ways to do this.

The easiest method is to drag and drop the files directly into the project files panel. You can also click on “File” in the top menu and choose “Import Files”, or use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+I”.

Once you have selected your video files, they will appear in the project files panel, ready for you to use in your project.

Organizing Your Video Assets in the Project Files Tab

When you import your video files into your Openshot project, they will appear in the Project Files tab. This tab displays all of the assets that are included in your project, including videos, audio files, and images.

You can organize your video assets in the Project Files tab by creating folders to group similar files together. To create a new folder, right-click in the Project Files tab and select New Folder.

Another way to organize your video assets is to use the Tags feature. You can add tags to your files to categorize them by type, location, or any other relevant criteria. To add a tag, right-click on a file and select Add Tag.

Using the Project Files tab to organize your video assets can save you time and make it easier to find the files you need. With a well-organized project, you can focus on the creative aspects of your video editing and avoid spending too much time searching for files.

Adjusting Playback Speed

Openshot allows you to change the playback speed of your video. This can be useful if you want to create a slow-motion or time-lapse effect.

To change the playback speed, click on the clip in the timeline and select “Time” from the properties panel. Here you can adjust the speed by dragging the slider or entering a specific value.

By default, the “Ripple Edit” option is enabled, which means that any changes you make to the speed of a clip will affect the timing of all subsequent clips in the timeline. You can disable this option by clicking the “Toggle Ripple” button.

It’s important to note that changing the playback speed can affect the audio of your video as well. If you want to maintain the original pitch of the audio, you can enable the “Maintain Audio Pitch” option in the properties panel.

Using the Playback Speed Dropdown Menu

OpenShot offers an easy way to change playback speed of your video using the dropdown menu.

To use this feature, select the video clip in the timeline and then click on the “Properties” tab. In the “Properties” section, you will find a “Playback Speed” dropdown menu where you can select from different playback speeds.

The options range from 0.10x to 10.00x, with 1.00x being the normal playback speed. This means you can slow down your video to 10% of its original speed or speed it up to 1000% of the original speed.

The “Fit to Audio” option in the dropdown menu is also worth noting. This option adjusts the playback speed to match the length of the audio clip in the selected video, ensuring that the audio and video stay in sync.

Using Keyframes to Gradually Alter Playback Speed

Keyframes are an essential tool for fine-tuning your video’s playback speed. They allow you to change the speed at specific points in your video, creating a smooth transition between the different playback speeds.

To use keyframes, first, place your video on the timeline and select it. Then, click the Properties tab in the top-left corner of the screen. From there, you can adjust the Speed value using the slider.

Next, click the Keyframe button to the right of the Speed slider. This will add a keyframe to the timeline, which you can then move to the point where you want the playback speed to change.

Exporting Your Speed-Altered Video

Once you have adjusted the playback speed of your video to your liking, it’s time to export it. To do so, click on the “Export” button located on the top-right of the screen.

When you click on the “Export” button, a dialog box will appear with various options for exporting your video. You can choose the output format, the quality, the destination folder, and many other settings. Make sure to select the appropriate settings that suit your needs.

After you have selected the desired settings, click on the “Export Video” button to start the export process. This may take some time depending on the size and complexity of your video, as well as the speed of your computer. Once the process is complete, you will have a speed-altered video that is ready to be shared with the world.

Selecting Your Export Settings

Before exporting your speed-altered video, you’ll need to select your export settings. The Export Video dialog box allows you to choose from a variety of video formats and codecs, as well as adjust resolution and quality settings.

For example, if you plan to share your video on social media, you might choose the H.264 codec, which is widely supported and optimized for online streaming. Alternatively, if you need a high-quality file for editing or archiving, you might choose a less-compressed codec, such as ProRes or DNxHD.

Additionally, you can adjust your video’s resolution, bitrate, and other settings to ensure it meets your specific needs. Keep in mind that higher resolution and quality settings will result in larger file sizes and longer export times.

Final Thoughts and Additional Tips

Experiment with different speeds: Don’t be afraid to try different playback speeds to see what works best for your video. Sometimes a slower or faster speed can add a unique and creative touch to your project.

Check your audio: When adjusting playback speed, make sure to listen to your audio to ensure it still sounds clear and understandable. Sometimes a change in speed can affect the quality of your audio.

Save often: Like with any video editing project, it’s important to save your work frequently to avoid losing progress. This is especially important when working with speed alterations, as it can be a time-consuming process to redo.

Other Video Effects to Try in Openshot

If you enjoy experimenting with video effects, Openshot has a variety of options to explore. Here are three other effects to try:

• Chroma Key: Also known as “green screen,” this effect allows you to replace a solid-color background with a new image or video. It’s commonly used in film and television to create special effects and composite shots.
• Slow Motion: Similar to adjusting playback speed, this effect slows down the video to create a dramatic or surreal effect. It’s often used in action scenes or to emphasize a particular moment.
• Color Correction: This effect allows you to adjust the colors in your video to correct any lighting or color issues, or to create a particular mood or aesthetic. You can also use it to create a vintage or retro look.

Experimenting with different video effects can add interest and creativity to your videos. Don’t be afraid to try new things and have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions