Starting your journey with VSDC Video Editor involves initiating a new project, a process streamlined by multiple user-friendly options available upon launching the software:
- Blank Project:
- This option is available on the editor’s starting window. It allows you to create a project with necessary parameters using the Project's Settings window.
- In the Project's Settings window, you can modify such parameters:
- edit the project Title;
- add the information about the Author and Publisher, specify Copyright, and Description to provide details about your video project;
- define video Resolution and set Framerate, Width, and Height;
- adjust audio settings such as Frequency and Channels;
- choose a suitable Background color;
- set Opacity level;
- select Proxy path;
- use the Choose templates... option to access pre-designed background templates from the VSDC store.
- After customizing your project's settings, finalize it by clicking the Finish button. Then, you can proceed to uploading files into your scene.
- Import Content:
- Another option on the editor's starting window is Import Content. It allows you to import media files from your PC and set project parameters automatically according to the chosen file's specifications.
- Once a file is selected, the same Project's Settings window as seen in the Blank Project described above appears. Here, you can ensure the editor has accurately interpreted the file's details, make any necessary adjustments to the parameters, and fill in additional information.
- To apply these settings and start editing the file, click the Finish button.
- Create Slideshow:
- This option, also located on the editor's starting window, enables you to create a project with necessary parameters through the Project's Settings window described above.
- After setting up and confirming your choices with the Finish button, it activates the Wizard tool, allowing you to load a series of images or video files, insert various transitions between them, and easily create your own slideshow.
- New Project:
- This is an alternative option for initiating a project that can be found on the Projects tab on the Ribbon command bar. This is useful if you're already working on a project but need to start a different one.
- Selecting this option opens the Project's Settings window, similar to the one described earlier, where you can choose the parameters for your project. The main difference between this option and others is that the bottom of the Project's Settings window displays additional choices, the same as at the starting window: Blank Project, Create Slideshow, Import Content, Video Capture, and Screen Capture. This feature provides users with the convenience of determining the type of project they wish to embark on and simultaneously setting up its parameters.
Please note that you have flexibility to modify the project's parameters even after its creation. These options are readily accessible in the Properties window of the program.
Project Properties
Upon completing your project setup in VSDC Video Editor, you'll be directed to the primary workspace, which is designed for seamless editing of media files. Depending on the type of project selected during creation, you can immediately start editing files on the timeline or add new ones. A detailed beginners guide is available here. If you need to change the properties of the project, navigate to the Projects Explorer window, located to the left of the scene. This window displays the project's name and the scenes added to it. Right-clicking on the project name opens a menu with the following options:
- New project: this option lets you add a new project to the Projects explorer. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking across various projects. To display a project from the Projects explorer onto the editor's scene, simply click on its name once with the left mouse button.
- Open project: this function allows you to load a previously saved project on your PC into the Projects explorer, making it easy to transfer files from a previous project to a new one or make other modifications between projects.
- Save project: this option automatically saves the project as a .vproj file on your PC in the default directory User/My Documents/FlashIntegro/VideoEditor.
- Save project as...: Offers the flexibility to save the project as a .vproj file on your PC in a folder of your choice.
- Pack project: this convenient feature that packages your project file with all associated input resources is ideal for those planning to continue their work on a different PC or wishing to delete resources from the current computer.
- Close project: this option removes the selected project from the Projects Explorer.
- Close all projects: selecting this option will remove all projects from the Projects Explorer.
- New scene: use this option to add a new scene to your project.
- Load scene: this option loads a previously saved scene (.vscn format) into the selected project.
- Remove all scenes: this option deletes every scene within the selected project.
- Properties...: this feature displays the project's properties in the Properties window. A duplicate of this function is also activated by a simple left-click on the project title. Within the Properties window, you can view and adjust various project parameters. These parameters reflect those set during the project's initial creation in the Project's settings window, with the addition of two notable functions:
- Project path: this option shows the folder where your project will be saved if you do not specify a location using the Save Project As option.
- Password protection: set a password for your project with this option. The program will require this password to open the project, adding an extra layer of data protection.
- Preview project: this option offers a full preview of your project, inclusive of all its scenes, providing a glimpse of the final output.
- Export project: this option guides you to the export tab to configure your final output settings, such as format, codec, resolution, file name, etc. For further details on exporting projects, refer to this informative article.
The options for New project, Open project, Close project, Close all projects, Save project, Save project as.., Pack project, Preview project, and Export project can also be found on the Editor tab, which is conveniently located above the scene. This dual placement offers users the flexibility to access these features from either location, based on their personal preference and workflow convenience.
However, the Editor tab houses an exclusive additional feature not found in the Projects Explorer: the Templates option. This unique functionality allows you to create a template for menu quick styles, load LUTs (Look-Up Tables) for advanced color grading, integrate AI models for sophisticated editing tasks, or apply VirtualDub filters to enhance your video’s visual appeal.
For faster access to project options, VSDC Video Editor provides a variety of hotkeys. These keyboard shortcuts are designed to enhance your editing efficiency, allowing you to perform various tasks without the need to navigate through menus.