Ubuntu: Up and Running

PiTiVi Video Editor

When it comes to video editing, Ubuntu also comes up with the goods, and one of the best applications is the PiTiVi program, which is not installed by default (but see the section What’s New in 10.04?). However, you can easily install it by entering “pitivi” into the search field of the Ubuntu Software Center.

I have found that the best way to use the program is to drag and drop all the source files (which can be movies, audio, and still images) into the lefthand frame. From there you can drag and drop them into the compositing pane at the bottom, where you can insert scenes, images, and audio exactly where you need them (see Figure 14-14).

Figure 14-14. Editing a movie with PiTiVi

You can also place extra tracks underneath each other, which can be of any media type. So, for example, you can overlay sound effects and music, as well as add captions. Using the controller buttons under the movie pane, you can then play your movie or step through it to see how it’s progressing.

The top toolbar lets you save the movie project, import clips, view the movie on the whole screen, and render the project to a new movie file. Depending on the complexity of a project, rendering can take some time, but you can leave it to run in the background.

Again, unfortunately, there’s no room to teach you how to make movies, but all the help you could want, including a complete manual, is available ...