Whether you fancy yourself as the next Scorsese or want to spruce up your travel vlog, a handy video editor is vital in any digital creator’s toolkit. When you’ve finally captured your footage, and it’s almost ready for the world to see, some quick and simple editing can prevent it from getting lost in the 720,000 hours of video uploaded online every day.
Here we’ll break down what you should prioritize in your search for video editing software and tools.
Compatibility
First things first. You need to consider what type and model of cameras you’ll be using most and whether or not the editing software in question can support these formats. Some video editing tools may not yet be updated to use the latest equipment, whether its cutting edge drone footage, a 360 camera, or simply the fanciest new camera model on the market.
Likewise, make sure your computer is compatible with the video editing software and the effects it has before you invest. For example, if you’re looking for a tool to create FHD videos, first make sure your computer has the processing power to handle it.
Intuitive workspace
One thing unites video editing novices and experts alike: an easy-to-use workspace. When you’re combining multiple video files, trimming content, and making countless tweaks to your video, a simplified interface can significantly speed up the editing process.
Each video editor comes with its own learning curve. When shopping around, consider how much time and effort you want to spend familiarizing yourself with it before you begin the editing process. Of course, industry-acclaimed tools that offer more complex features can give your video the Midas touch, but they can also be a pain to learn how to use.
If taking tutorials on how to use video editing tools isn’t your thing, you can opt for a simpler workspace, just make sure whichever option you choose offers these key capabilities:
Split-screen and Picture-in-Picture (PIP): These options allow you to display several windows at once. This comes in handy when you want to combine video files or review video content while trimming it down.
Hotkeys: Basically keyboard shortcuts — trust us, these will make your life wayyyy easier.
Chroma keys: Allows you to composite two images or video streams together based on color hues.
It should also be easy to use the timeline functions and search through effects, especially if the platform has a large library of options. Some platforms have a handy ‘Favorites’ section where you can easily access your most used effect overlays.