Shotcut

{{short description|Open-source cross-platform video editing software}}

{{distinguish|Shortcut (disambiguation){{!}}Shortcut}}

{{Infobox software

| name = Shotcut

| logo = Shotcut-logo-64.png

| screenshot = File:Shotcut printscreen cs.png

| caption =

| author = Charlie Yates

| developer = Meltytech, LLC

| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q21977736|P348|P548=Q2804309}}

| latest release date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q21977736|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}

| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q21977736|P348|P548=Q51930650}}

| latest preview date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q21977736|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}

| genre = Video editing software

| license = GPL-3.0-or-later{{cite web|url=https://github.com/mltframework/shotcut/blob/master/COPYING |title=Github COPYING |publisher=Github |accessdate=2015-02-16}}{{cite web|url=https://metadata.ftp-master.debian.org/changelogs//main/s/shotcut/shotcut_21.01.29+ds-1_copyright|title=shotcut_21.01.29+ds-1_copyright}}{{cite web|url=https://github.com/mltframework/shotcut/blob/master/src/main.cpp|title=shotcut/src/main.cpp}}

| website = {{URL|https://shotcut.org}}

| operating_system = FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows

| programming_language = C, C++

}}

Shotcut is a free and open-source, cross-platform video, audio, and image editing program for FreeBSD,{{Cite web |title=FreeBSD Manual Pages - shotcut |url=https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=shotcut |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=freebsd.org}} Linux, macOS and Windows.{{Cite web |last=Paris |first=Steve |date=2022-05-11 |title=Shotcut 22.03 review |url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/shotcut-2203 |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=TechRadar}} Started in 2011 by Dan Dennedy, Shotcut is developed on the MLT Multimedia Framework,{{cite web|url=http://www.mltframework.org |title=MLT Multimedia Framework |publisher=Dan Dennedy |accessdate=2015-02-16}} in development since 2004 by the same author.{{cite web|url=http://www.dennedy.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=2 |title=Blog Entry Shotcut, 6 September 2012 |publisher=Dan Dennedy |date=2012-08-06}}{{cite web|url=http://libregraphicsworld.org/blog/entry/introducing-shotcut-a-new-free-video-editor |title=Introducing Shotcut, a new free video editor |publisher=Libre Graphics World |date=2012-08-13}}

Features

Shotcut supports video, audio, and image formats via FFmpeg. It uses a timeline for non-linear video editing of multiple tracks that may be composed of various file formats. Scrubbing and transport control are assisted by OpenGL GPU-based processing and a number of video and audio filters are available.{{cite web|url=https://shotcut.org/features/|title=Full List of Features|accessdate=2018-06-14}}{{cite web|url=http://libregraphicsworld.org/blog/entry/shotcut-gets-hardware-accelerated-color-grading |title=Shotcut video editor gets hardware accelerated color grading |publisher=Libre Graphics World |date=2013-03-12}} The output options for the 2017 version included Apple ProRes, HDV, DVD, Flash, H.264, GIF animation, Ogg-Vorbis, WebM, and WMV.{{Cite web |last=Muchmore |first=Michael |date=2017-09-25 |title=Shotcut Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/shotcut |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=PCMag}}

Format support through FFmpeg
Frame-accurate seeking for many formats
Webcam and audio capture
Network stream playback (HTTP, HLS, RTMP, RTSP, MMS, UDP)
EDL (CMX3600 Edit Decision List) export

= Audio =

Audio scopes
Loudness
Peak meter
Waveform
Spectrum analyzer
JACK transport sync

= Video effects =

HTML5 as source and filters
Color grading tools
De-interlacing
Wipe transitions
Track compositing/blending modes
Speed and reverse effect for clips
Keyframes
Motion Tracking
Time Remapping
Rotoscope

= Hardware =

Blackmagic Design SDI and HDMI for input and preview monitoring
Leap Motion for jog/shuttle control
Webcam capture
Audio capture to system audio card
Capture (record) SDI, HDMI, webcam (V4L2), JACK audio, PulseAudio, IP stream, and Windows DirectShow devices
Multi-core parallel image processing (when not using GPU and frame-dropping is disabled)
DeckLink SDI keyer output
OpenGL GPU-based image processing with 16-bit floating point linear per color component

= Other =

Does not depend on system codecs
Can run as a portable app from external drive
Batch encoding with job control
Stream (encode to IP) files and any capture source
Video quality measurement (PSNR and SSIM)
Perform integrity check of an audio/video file
View detailed information about an audio/video file
Choice of six different interfaces, like audio effects and video effects

History

Shotcut was originally conceived in November 2004 by Charlie Yates, an MLT co-founder and the original lead developer.{{cite web |url=http://users.pandora.be/acp/shotcut/ |title=Shotcut |accessdate=2018-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050401015503/http://users.pandora.be/acp/shotcut/ |archivedate=2005-04-01 }} The current version of Shotcut is a complete rewrite by Dan Dennedy, another MLT co-founder and its current lead. Dennedy wanted to create a new editor based on MLT and chose to reuse the Shotcut name, since he liked it so much. He wanted to make something to exercise the new cross-platform capabilities of MLT, especially in conjunction with the WebVfx and Movit plugins.