Video Editor

Use free video software to create and edit videos of any complexity from a family greeting card to a company presentation. Cut, merge video files, apply visual and audio effects, use filtration and image correction, make slideshows and add an appropriate soundtrack. Use multi-color Chroma Key and advanced parameters settings to give your video a professional look. All popular video and audio formats are supported.

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Video Converter

This program is intended for converting video files from one format to another. Nearly all popular video formats are supported (both reading and saving). In addition, the program drastically simplifies the task of converting videos for playback on specific multimedia devices, such as iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Huawei P30 Pro. The program is extremely easy to use, has a modern interface and all necessary video processing functions.

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Audio Converter

The audio converter will help you convert audio files from one format to another. All key audio formats and codecs are supported. The program also allows you to manage playlists and meta tags, extract audio from video files and save these tracks on your computer in any format.

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Audio CD Grabber

This audio tool is intended for grabbing audio tracks from compact discs and saving them to the user’s computer in any format. Nearly all popular audio formats and codecs are supported. The program can also extract track details from the FreeDB server for automatic file renaming and updating meta tags.

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Multifunctionality

Multifunctionality

A wide array of multimedia processing tools in one free video software suite.

High speed

High speed

Our programs use fast
and high-quality algorithms optimized for single and multi-core CPU’s.

Affordability

Affordability

VSDC video software is freely available for download to Windows OS-based PCs and laptops.

Beginner’s guide to using motion tracking in VSDC

In the VSDC team announced the release of motion tracking – a long-awaited tool that allows you to register object’s movements in a video and assign the same trajectory to other elements: texts, images, or filters. A common example that probably comes to mind is a pixelated censorship mask placed over a moving object – but motion tracking possibilities go way beyond that. For instance, you can make a text title move along with the object it belongs to. Or you can create an image that will be following an assigned object in a video.

To help you get the hand of motion tracking in VSDC faster, we’ve prepared a detailed tutorial. You’ll learn how the tool works, what a movement map is, how to create a trajectory and assign it to an object. We’ll also explain what to do if a tracked object changes its size or shape and gets “lost” by the tracking software.

Before getting started, we highly recommend downloading the latest version of VSDC.

1. How to activate Motion tracking in VSDC

Motion tracking is a paid feature available as a part of VSDC Pro edition. So, if you already have the VSDC Pro license, just download the latest version of the editor, and you’ll be able to access Motion tracking among the built-in tools.

Another option is available for those who want to use motion tracking without upgrading to VSDC Pro. To do that, you’ll need to download the Motion tracking plugin from the official website and install it on your PC. The plugin is paid, and it allows you for activating the Motion tracking tool right in the free version of VSDC Video Editor.

2. Getting started with motion tracking in VSDC: how to create a movement map

To get started, launch the program and import a video file with a moving object. Next, you’ll need to create a map based on the trajectory of this object’s movement. It’s called a movement map.

Here is how you do it:

  1. Make a click on the video using the right mouse button.
  2. From the context menu, select “Create movement map”.
  3. Now, select (or confirm) the folder on your PC to store the map. Hit “Save”. Adjustable frame to define the area where the tracked object is located in VSDC
  4. In the preview window, you’ll see a frame defining the tracked object. Resize and move it to ensure that the tracked object fits the frame and takes most of its space.
  5. Use the “Start analysis” button in the Motion tracker menu at the top to launch the tracking process.

  6. As the playback progresses, the movement map will be gradually appearing in the preview window, drawn in green. At the end of the video, check the trajectory and if it’s accurate, click the «Apply editing» button. This way, the movement map will be saved to your PC and VSDC will automatically switch to the regular video editing mode.

3. How to assign a movement map to another object

Once the movement map is ready, you can assign it to any object: an image, an icon, a title, or a mask. As an example, we’ll show you how to create a piece of text that will follow an object in a video.

Here is how to get started:

  1. First, use the left-hand side menu to add a text object to the scene.
  2. Make a double-click on the text layer.
  3. Open the “Add object” menu at the top and select “Movement” -> “Movement map”.
  4. In the Object’s position settings window, select the movement map you previously saved on your PC and hit OK.
  5. Notice that the settings window also allows you to change the starting point for the map. This means you can start applying the trajectory to the object from the beginning of the scene, from the cursor position, or manually.

4. What is a tracking loss region

Sometimes the software may “lose” the tracked object in the process. It typically happens if the object gets overlapped by the surroundings and stops being visible in the scene. Other scenarios include the object changing its size, color, shape, or appearance completely (a person turns into a car just like in Transformers, for instance).

As a result, you get a so-called “tracking loss region” – the gap between the moment when the program “loses” the object and registers it again.

In such cases, Motion tracker builds an approximate trajectory that the object is expected to take while moving through the tracking loss region. You can always manually adjust this trajectory by adding keyframes to the required areas.

Here is how it’s done:

  1. On the timeline, place the cursor at the moment when the program loses the object. Adjust and relocate the tracking frame according to the new object’s position.
  2. Now, click the “Continue analysis” button to launch tracking from that moment.
  3. If the object gets “lost” more than once during the playback, repeat these steps for each time.

What to do when a tracked object disappears from sight - tracking loss area in VSDC

If you need to select a piece of the trajectory on the movement map to delete it, you can do that manually, too. Place keyframes at the beginning and at the end of the piece you want to cut out, then select it and hit “Delete”.

Please note that sometimes tracking loss regions appear earlier than the object really disappears from sight. In this case, you might need to expand the tracking loss region to adjust it with more precision.

Follow these steps to modify the tracking loss region:

  1. First, place additional keyframes to specify the tracking loss region on the timeline.
  2. Make a double-click on the resulting piece of the map.
  3. Use the icon named “Invalidate area” to define the piece as a region where the object’s movement was tracked incorrectly.
  4. Finally, make manual adjustments using keyframes.

Once the map looks as expected, hit the “Apply editing” button to save it and switch VSDC to the video editing mode.

To quickly switch between keyframes in the Motion Tracker mode, use the “right” and “left” arrow keys on your keyboard.

5. Movement map settings: overview

Once you’ve assigned the movement map to an object, you can go ahead and fine-tune the available settings for higher movement precision. To access the settings, make a double-click on the object – this will open a new tab with a layer called “Movement map”. All the adjustments to the Movement map can be done in the Properties window on the right-hand side. If you can’t find the Properties window, click on the layer with the right mouse button and select “Properties” from the menu.

Movement map settings window in VSDC

Below, we’ll explain what each Properties window parameter means:

Coordinates (X/Y) – initial coordinates of the object in the preview window.

Object creation time (ms/frame) – the moment you want to assign the movement map to the added object.

Object duration time (ms/frame) – this parameter defines for how long you want to apply the movement map to that object. Just like the previous parameter, this one can be defined either by milliseconds or by frames.

The Movement map setup menu includes the following parameters:

  • Movement map – the map used in the project.
  • Mapped video – the video used for drawing the movement map. If you specify the video file here, its parameters and the parameters of the map will be automatically adjusted to each other. If you leave this field blank, the movement map will not adjust to the parameters of the video.
  • Lost process – the object’s movement mode in the tracking loss area. Using this parameter, you can decide how the object should be moving while in the tracking loss area. There are three options to choose from:
    1. Approximate trajectory – the object remains visible while the program draws its estimated movement trajectory.
    2. Hide object – when the object reaches the tracking loss area, it disappears.
    3. Do not process map – the object moves according to the trajectory you’ve drawn. To draw the missing piece of trajectory, you’ll need to use the “Movement” tool.

Please note that if you don’t draw the trajectory for the tracking loss area, the object will be moving according to the «Approximate trajectory».

Although it may seem complicated, the Motion tracking tool in VSDC is actually quite easy to use and requires zero special knowledge or experience. As long as you follow the instructions and use the preview window, you’ll be able to achieve the desired result.

 

Got any questions? Drop us a message on Facebook.

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The ultimate guide to working with Glitch effect in VSDC

Glitch effect is one of the hottest videography trends right now. It’s widely used in music videos, video games, movies – you name it. And it’s not surprising given how cool distorted videos look!

Digital distortion makes a video more dynamic and creates an illusion of ephemerality. But not all glitch effects are created equal. Sometimes you may not achieve the desired result just by applying a standard filter. First, there are many distortion variations – and each one creates its own unique effect. Second, sometimes you might want to customize the effect by switching the glitch type and adjusting its intensiveness.

If you’re serious about learning the art of digital distortion, VSDC is the best free video editor for that purpose. Not only will you be able to quickly add a glitch effect to a video, but you’ll also be able to adjust the distortion manually. In the tutorial below, we’ll show you exactly how to do it.

Download VSDC Free Video Editor

So, the Glitch effect typically imitates software errors or a bad signal, and results into picture tearing, static noise, etc. Usually, it looks like:

  • Wavy image distortion.
  • Frozen frames.
  • Inverted colors.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Glitch effect works in VSDC.

How to apply a glitch effect to a video in VSDC

Once you’ve downloaded and launched the editor, import the video you want to distort. To apply the Glitch effect, follow three easy steps:

  1. Open the “Video Effects” menu.
  2. Go to the “Special FX” section and select “Glitch”.
  3. In the “Object position settings” pop-up window, press OK.

How to quickly create a video glitch effect for free

This way, you’ve just applied one of the default glitch presets to a video. VSDC has 8 different presets – each one creates a unique effect. To choose another one, go to the Properties window on the right-hand side and find the “Glitch effect settings” window. Select any preset and check the preview window for a real-time result. You can always tweak the parameters and create your own custom preset.

For instance, this is how the same video may look when you apply different default Glitch presets to it:

If you’re happy with the result, just go ahead and save the video using the “Export project” tab.

However, if you want to precisely adjust the effect, we will show you how to do it below. You’ll learn what every Glitch effect parameter is responsible for, and how to adjust the distortion by changing its type and intensiveness.

Glitch effect settings in VSDC: getting started

To get started, make a right mouse click on the Glitch effect layer on the timeline and select “Properties” from the menu.

Go to the “Properties window” on the right-hand side and find the “Glitch effect settings” menu. Apart from the above-mentioned presets, you’ll see 6 parameters:

  • Glitch transfer power (%)
  • Glitch effect power (%)
  • Glitch intensity (%)
  • Use stage 1
  • Use stage 2
  • Use stage 3

VSDC glitch effect settings menu

In this context, a stage means the processing stage, and every processing stage contains a one distortion effect type. Distortion types include RGB offset, motion blocks, pixels shift, and more. You’ll find all the options in the dropdown menu titles “Effect type”. And if a stage can only include one distortion effect - Glitch is actually a combination of stages.

In other words, a Glitch effect in VSDC is a unique composition of various distortion types.

Glitch effect can include from one to three processing stages - each containing a unique distortion. Those distortion effects can be applied to a video simultaneously or one after another. Note, that if you change any Glitch parameter (Glitch transfer power, Glitch effect power, Glitch intensity), you consequently apply the adjustment to all stages.

Common effect settings

If you’re an aspiring creator, VSDC is a great choice for many reasons. One of them is the ability to fine-tune almost every single parameter manually. For example, VSDC allows you to set up the moment the effect appears in the video as well as the duration of the effect.

To do that, use the “Common effect settings” in the Properties window. The “Object creation time” parameter enables you to define the appearance of the effect precisely by frames or milliseconds. And the “Object drawing duration” parameter helps select the duration of the effect.

Glitch effect parameters reviewed in details

Time to go back to the Glitch effect. As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are eight ready-to-use presets and the ability to create your own. As soon as you change any default parameter, you create a new preset that gets named by its order number – Glitch 9, Glitch 10, etc. Later, you’ll be able to save and rename it.

Before we start reviewing the parameters, let’s break down the video distortion process in VSDC and see how exactly it works.

When you apply the Glitch effect to a video in VSDC, the software breaks every video frame into segments or blocks. Think of them as reflection blocks because every block reflects some element in the video frame. By altering the distance between blocks, changing their number and the level of opacity, you can control the way distortion looks.

Going back to the Glitch effect parameters, there are three of them in the main menu:

  1. Glitch transfer power (%) either shifts blocks closer to the elements they reflect or moves them further away from each other. The higher the value – the further blocks are. If the value for this parameter is 100%, the distance between the blocks and the elements is maximum and equal to ¼ of the frame width.360 video export settings in VSDC
  2. Glitch effect power (%) defines the level of opacity applied to the reflection blocks. If its value is 0%, blocks are absolutely transparent. If the value is 100%, blocks are completely non-transparent.
  3. Glitch intensity (%) sets the number of blocks appearing in the frame. When the intensity is 100%, the maximum possible number of blocks are displayed. If the intensity value is 0%, none of the blocks will be displayed.

By playing with these parameters, you can fully control the number of reflection blocks, their level of opacity, and how far they are placed from the reflected elements.

Moreover, you can apply a dynamic change to any of these parameters. That means that the value will gradually change as the video is playing. For example, blocks can be a bit more transparent at the beginning of the video, and non-transparent – at the end of it. To achieve dynamic change, the “Initial value” and the “Final value” parameters in the menu should be different.

How to work with Glitch effect processing stages

The next level of settings is “stages”. You’ll find three processing stages in the menu, and each contains a distortion effect: RGB offset, random color filling, pixels shift, and others. You can use up to three different stages in one Glitch effect and create a unique composition that will be available as a custom preset.

By default, the “Use stage 2” and “Use stage 3” parameters are checked as “False”. That means the effect currently uses only one processing stage. If you want to add stages, simply switch “False” to “True”.

At the stage level, you get to work with the following parameters:

  • Stage order
  • Stage intensity (%)
  • Stage transfer power (%)
  • Stage effect power (%)
  • Effect type
  • Transfer type
  • Frequency
  • Fade in duration
  • Fade out duration

Glitch processing stage settings in VSDC

Let’s take a close look at each parameter.

Stage order allows you to change the order of processing stages by applying order numbers to them. This setting is relevant only if you’re using more than one stage. If the stage order value is “0”, the stages will go one after another in default order: stage 1, stage 2, stage 3.

Stage intensity (%) defines the number of reflection blocks in a frame. Stage intensity is calculated as a percentage of Glitch intensity. In other words, if Glitch intensity is 50%, and Stage intensity is 50%, then the number of blocks will be 25% from the maximum – because 50% х 0,5 = 25%.

Delta value here is an interval between the minimum and maximum possible number of blocks. This parameter defines the stage intensity that will be randomly selected at different moments throughout the playback. When the delta value is zero, the minimal and the maximum stage intensity values are equal.

The calculations of the minimum and maximum go as follows:

Max. value = Stage intensity value;

Min value = Stage intensity - (stage intensity x delta value).

For instance, if Glitch intensity is 50%, stage intensity is 50%, and delta value is 20%, during the playback you’ll see between 20% and 25% reflection blocks from the maximum possible number.

Here are the calculations for this example:

Max. stage intensity = 50%

Min. stage intensity = 50%-(50%*0.2) = 40%

Max. Glitch intensity = 50%*0.5 = 25%

Min. Glitch intensity = 50%*0.4 = 20%

Stage transfer power (%) defines how far the blocks are shifted from the elements they reflect.

Stage transfer power is calculated as a percentage of Glitch transfer power. For instance, if Glitch transfer power is 50%, and stage transfer power is 50%, the distance between reflection blocks and the element they reflect will be 25% from the maximum – where the maximum is ¼ of frame width.

Stage transfer power has three additional parameters:

  • Initial value
  • Final value
  • Delta value

The initial value defines the distance between reflection blocks and reflected elements for the beginning of playback. Final value – as the name suggests – defines the distance for the end of playback. Delta value sets up the interval between the maximum and the minimum possible block shift that will be happening randomly during the playback.

The maximum value here is equal to the value you set for the “stage transfer power” parameter. The minimum value can be calculated with the following formula:

Stage transfer value – (Stage transfer value x Delta value)

Stage effect power (%) enables you to set the desired level of opacity for reflection blocks.

Stage effect power is calculated as a percentage of Glitch effect power. For instance, if the Glitch effect power is 50%, and Stage effect power is 50%, then the level of opacity will be 25% (because 50% of 50% is 25%). 0% would mean that blocks are absolutely transparent, and 100% would mean that they are completely non-transparent.

Just like with the stage transfer power settings, VSDC allows you to set the opacity of reflection blocks differently for the beginning and the end of playback.

Effect type is a dropdown menu with 12 distortion effect types you can choose from.

Transfer type defines the way reflection blocks are placed in the frame. It includes four options:

  • Serial exchange – blocks appear in plain sequence one after another based on their size and the distance between them.
  • Symmetric exchange – blocks are displayed symmetrically based on their parameters.
  • Copy with mirror edges – blocks are mirrored. If a part of any block falls outside of the frame, that part is copied and displayed on the opposite side of the frame:How to achieve mirrored reflection blocks in video distortion
  • Copy with transparent edges – the part of a block that falls outside of the frame is not mirrored on the opposite side but becomes fully opaque.

Transparent video distortion blocks

To adjust the transfer type even more precisely, you can use the following parameters available in the menu:

  • Block width (%) – block width, calculated as a percentage of the frame width.
  • Block height (%) – block height, calculated as a percentage of the frame height.
  • Block X distance (%) – the horizontal distance between the beginning of the first block and the beginning of the following block, where 100% is the frame width.
  • Block Y distance (%) – the vertical distance between the beginning of the first block and the beginning of the following block, where 100% is the frame height. How to measure distortion block parameters in VSDC
  • Start offset (%) – horizontal distance between the very first block and the top left corner of the frame.

Frequency (ms) – this parameter defines how frequently blocks change in one millisecond. In other words, if the frequency value is 0, blocks will be still during the entire playback. If the frequency value is equal to 10, you’ll see 10 block combinations change over a millisecond.

Fade in duration (ms) – the gradual appearance of the effect in the video. If the value is 0, the position and the intensity of the blocks will be defined by Glitch effect power and Stage effect power.

If it’s anything different from zero, the gradual appearance of the blocks will be stretched to the period defined in milliseconds. For instance, if the fade-in duration value is 100, you’ll see the original video in the first frame, and the distortion effect gradually appearing in the next 100 milliseconds.

Video Glitch effect - distortion fade-in appearance - first stage

 

Video Glitch effect - distortion fade-in appearance - second stage

 

Video Glitch effect - distortion fade-in appearance - third stage

Fade out duration (ms) – similarly, this is the parameter that sets up gradual disappearance of the effect at the end of its playback.

 

If the fade-out duration value is zero, at the end of the effect playback, the position and the intensity of the blocks will be defined by Glitch effect power and Stage effect power. If the fade-out duration value is 100, for example, that means the effect will be gradually disappearing during the last 100 milliseconds of its playback.

Video Glitch effect - distortion fade-out disappearance - first stage

 

Video Glitch effect – distortion fade-out disappearance - second stage

 

Video Glitch effect – distortion fade-out disappearance - third stage

 

And that’s the end of our tutorial. Are you ready to start using the Glitch effect in your videos?

Then download VSDC to your PC and start with the tricks described in this guide.

And if you’re keen on video editing, subscribe to our YouTube channel – we publish easy-to-follow video tutorials weekly!

How to add moving objects to a video

Making text or pictures move in a video is a lot of fun. And it’s much easier than it may seem at first sight. Moreover, montage experience is really unnecessary as long as you have a clear idea of what you’re trying to achieve.

Such effects are often used in music clips or commercials, and the example we’re going to use below is also quite popular: it’s a paper plane moving around a route map.

To achieve the effect of moving objects, we’re using the latest version of VSDC Video Editor.

download windows versionDownload Free Video Editor

How to make an object move in a video

For our example, we’ll need an image of a map and a .PNG image of a paper plane with a transparent background. If you don’t have the required files, you can easily find them on free stock multimedia websites.

To start your project, launch VSDC on your PC and use the “Import content” button to add the image of a map. Then use the “Add object” button from the upper menu of the program and add the image of a paper plane to the scene. Place it to the starting position from where the movement will begin.

Make a double click on the paper plane file - a new tab will open. Now, go to the left-hand side menu and find a button named “Add movement” or use the Shift + M hotkey combination. In the “Object position parameters” pop-up window, click “Ok”. A control point will appear in the center of the paper plane. It’s called the path’s start point and it will start the movement trajectory.

Basic object movement in a video. Path's start point

Decide where the plane should move next and make a mouse click there. This will be your first movement vector. If you need to move any of these two points, place a mouse over it until the cursor looks like a white cross. Then grab the point and drag it wherever you need.

A 2-point object movement trajectory in a video available in the free version of VSDC

If you only want to move an object from point A to point B, you need just one movement vector. If you’re planning to build a more complex trajectory with 3 control points or more, you’ll need several vectors.

The free version of VSDC allows you to create a one-vector movement path. That is from point A to point B. If a trajectory has 3 points or more, you’ll need VSDC Pro.

To add another movement vector, go back to the left-hand side menu and use the corresponding movement button again. Then click anywhere on the scene to draw a new direction. Repeat as many times as needed to finish the trajectory.

How to fine-tune object movement in a video

Congrats! You’ve mastered the basics of object movement. Now, let’s see how to adjust it by making the trajectory smoother, and the movement more natural-looking. Oh, and you’ll also learn to rotate the object on the go.

First things first. There are two levels of object movement settings in VSDC:

  1. The trajectory adjustment via control points and passing points
  2. The object movement style settings

Below, we’ll talk about both.

Understanding control points and passing points

As we’ve mentioned earlier, the movement trajectory consists of control points and passing points. Let’s try to figure out what they are.

Control points (also, path’s start points) define the beginning of any given movement vector. Initially, you only have one control point – it’s the very first one created in the center of an object. The rest of the points are called passing points.

They help correct the movement trajectory.

You can always switch the mode of any given point and make it a control point or vice versa. To do it, select a point you want to change and go to the “Properties window” on the right-hand side. Find the “Point settings” menu and switch to “Yes” in front of the “Path’s start point” parameter.

What are control points and passing points in VSDC object movement feature

On the timeline, control points are pink, passing points are yellow.

Why would you want to switch a point’s mode and turn one of the passing points into a control point? Great question! The most common reason is separating a piece of the movement path for in-depth editing. For example, if you want the object to move slower on a particular piece of the path, make sure that the points this piece starts and ends with are control points.

How to make an object move smoothly and naturally in a video

Let’s go back to our example. VSDC allows for applying spline movement mode, and that means we can make the paper plane move more naturally in a video – smoothly and even slower at some points.

Spline movement can be achieved within a few easy steps:

  1. First, click on the second point on your trajectory and go to the Properties window on the right-hand side.
  2. Make it a control point by switching to “Yes” in the “Path’s start point” field.
  3. To make the plane’s movement through the selected piece of path slower, reduce the “Start speed %” value. In our example below, we’ve set a 10% starting speed.
  4. To make the path smooth, find the “Point settings – Mode” parameter and switch from linear to spline movement mode. This setting will only be applied to the piece of the trajectory between the selected point and the next control point.How to change object movement speed in a video
  5. If you’d like to make the movement path even curvier, go ahead and increase the value for the “Points number from previous/next path” parameters.
  6. Finally, to make the object linger at the path’s start point, find the “Delay duration” menu. For a 2-second delay, put the «00:00:02:000» value in front of the “Duration (ms)” line.

How to make an object rotate while moving

Ready for the next level?

Now that you know how to change the movement trajectory and the speed of the object, it’s high time you learned about rotation.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take:

  1. Click on any part of the path to select it and go to the “Properties window”.
  2. Find the “Rotate object” field and switch to “True” – that will activate the rotation settings menu.
  3. In the “Rotate angles” field, switch from “Constant parameter value” to “Linear parameter change”. Then set the desired values for the beginning and the end of the movement. For our example, we used 0 and 360 degrees. Check how the rotation looks using preview.

In case you need an even more detailed rotation adjustment, click on the “…” icon in front of the “Rotate angle” field. It will open the trajectory on the timeline with a “Templates” menu above it. Pick any template (we used “ZigZag”), and you’ll see a “Template settings” window pop up.

These parameters will help you set up the rotation more precisely. Let’s take a quick look at them:

  • Minimum and maximum curve values. These values define the minimum and maximum object inclination angles relative to the movement trajectory.
  • Frequency. This parameter specifies how frequently the rotation direction changes – therefore, how many zigzags there are on the timeline. Note that the rotation direction changes as the object starts moving up or down the zigzag.Dynamic object movement effect settings
  • Phase. This setting moves the first control point of the zigzag. In other words, by moving it up or down, you can adjust the initial object inclination angle relative to the trajectory.
  • Minimum and maximum duration. By changing these parameters, you define how long the object stays in the highest and lowest points of the zigzag. When the object reaches the maximum or the minimum value zone, it stops rotating until it’s time to resume the movement up or down the zigzag again.Precise object rotation settings in VSDC

There you have it. Now you can make any object move in a video, plus, you can precisely control its trajectory and even rotation. What’s next? Go ahead and try it for yourself!

If you have questions left, check out this video tutorial below or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


You can get more information about the program on Free Video Editor' description page.

How to apply the right size for Instagram video content

Although a major part of Instagram content is created via smartphones, sometimes you may need to edit videos on a desktop before uploading them online. That is especially relevant when you are shooting high-quality videos or if you want to use parts of the same footage for different Instagram video types. The latter can mean a lot of manual resizing.

download windows versionDownload VSDC Video Editor 8.2

How to Edit & Export High Quality Instagram TV with VSDC

To help you with this pain point, we’ve created a guide showing how you can quickly adapt any footage to a perfect Instagram video size.

To adjust video dimensions, we’ll be using VSDC. It is a free video editing software for Windows, and it’s perfect for minor video alterations as well as advanced level montage with picture-in-picture effect, color correction, sound editing, and more.

Looking for a convenient PC video editor?

Download VSDC now

The reason why VSDC is so good for adjusting videos for Instagram size requirements is its convenient export profiles. Once you’re done editing, the software allows you to quickly select output video parameters pre-configured specifically for Instagram. Moreover, if you want, you’ll be able to change any of these parameters and save your custom export profile for future use.

Sounds like something you’ve been looking for? Then let’s go ahead and see how it works.

But first, what is the recommended Instagram video size?

The answer to that question will depend on the video type you’re planning to publish. As of today, Instagram allows you to post:

  • Feed videos (minimum – 3 seconds; maximum – 1 minute)
  • Instagram stories (minimum – 1 second; maximum – 15 seconds)
  • IGTV (minimum – 15 seconds; maximum – 10 minutes)

Recommended Instagram video size for feed posts

The general requirements for all Instagram videos are:

  • MP4 format (also known as MPEG-4)
  • H.264 codec
  • 30 fps (frames per second)
  • 1080px maximum width

A lower 600px width resolution is acceptable, but you should keep in mind that it might not be the best user experience for your audience. Instagram is the most visual social media platform and striving for quality pays off.

Now, when it comes to the best Instagram video dimensions and aspect ratio, you have a few options.

For a regular feed post, you can use any aspect ratio between 1.91:1 (Landscape mode) and 4:5 (Portrait mode). Obviously, the latter is more efficient if you want to grab the attention of your followers because it takes more space on a smartphone screen. The best Instagram video dimensions here will be 1080 x 1350 and 864 x 1080 pixels. If you didn’t use the vertical mode to shoot the video though, it might be better to go with the good old square aspect ratio (1:1). In that case, the 1080 x 1080 is the way to go.

For Stories, Instagram video size should be 1080 x 1920 pixels. This is a vertical-only space, and you’ll need to shoot in a portrait mode to make the video look authentic.

Finally, for IGTV, you can either upload a vertical video with a 9:16 aspect ratio, or a horizontal video with an aspect ratio of 16:9. But keep in mind that when an IGTV video is watched in the feed, it’s loaded in a portrait mode, so vertical orientation wins again.

How to apply correct Instagram video size in VSDC

Assuming you’re done editing your video, here is how to find the right video export profile:

  1. Go to the Export project tab.
  2. Select “Web” in the upper left-hand menu, then proceed to “For Instagram”.
  3. Next, select the width of your video from the “Profile” dropdown menu: 600px, 1080px or 1080px (Full HD).
  4. From the dropdown menu to the right, choose among Square, Landscape, and Vertical orientation.
  5. In the upper left corner of the Preview window, use the “Reaspect image” option if needed.
  6. Finally, save the video to your PC using the “Export project” button.

How to apply Instagram video size in VSDC

If you need to change the width, the height, or the framerate of the output video, you can do so by clicking the “Edit profile” button right below the Preview window. And if you need to create a custom export profile, check out this short video tutorial.

How to quickly cut a video into parts for Instagram

If your video is longer than the allowed maximum, you may need to split the video file into parts and then publish a sequence of Instagram Stories or a carousel. The easiest way to do that is by using markers:

  1. In the same Export project tab, go to the upper right-hand corner and click the “Set markers” button. A new “Cutting and Splitting” window will pop up.
  2. By moving the handler, add markers exactly where you want to cut the video.
  3. Use the “Apply changes” button.
  4. Now, open the “Additional settings” tab under the “Profile” menu.
  5. Uncheck the “Join scenes to single” box and check the “Split file by markers” box.
  6. Export the project. The video will be saved into multiple files as indicated by markers.

How to split Instagram video into parts before publishing

Final tips on posting Instagram videos

Applying the right Instagram video size isn’t that tricky if you have software that applies all the parameters automatically. Optimizing its quality and posting can be tricky though. So, here are the final recommendations before you jump to working with your content:

- Make sure your video is in MP4 format. If it’s not, use a video converter.

- Maintain the high quality of the video because Instagram may compress it. That involves proper camera settings, lossless file transfer from desktop to mobile, and correct dimensions.

- Use subtitles where applicable. Remember that most people scroll through the feed with sound off, so create text insertions if your message loses its clarity when muted.

- Finally, consider using social media management software for scheduling Instagram publications. Not only does it save time, but it also allows you to conveniently post right from your desktop. If you’ve never heard of social media management tools, check out Buffer and Hootsuite.

Questions about adjusting video size? Let us know by sending a message via Facebook page or drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


You can get more information about the program on Free Video Editor' description page.

How to make a reaction video on your computer: the ultimate guide

Reaction videos are one of the most popular genres on YouTube. They are such a big trend, there is even a Wikipedia page for this phenomenon! So, if you want to shoot one hoping to get those extra views for your channel, that’s a brilliant idea.

In the tutorial below, we’ll show you how to make reaction videos on your computer step by step, covering preparation, editing, and publishing. For the second stage, we’ll be using VSDC – a free video editing suite for Windows.

It’s perfect for reaction videos because it includes every tool you might need in the process:

  • A webcam video recorder
  • A desktop screen recorder
  • And a video editor with a picture-in-picture effect

All of that is completely free with no watermarks or trial periods.

You can download VSDC here

Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

What is considered a reaction video?

As New York Times Magazine puts it, the idea behind reactions videos is having people “watching screens on which people watched screens”. Originally started by Fine Brothers, reaction videos usually include one of the following:

  • A person or a group of people reacting to something, sometimes unaware of being recorded.
  • You – the creator – recording your own reactions to a video or a game, for instance.

From a practical standpoint, the only difference is whether you will need to mount (maybe even hide) a camera to record other people’s reactions or use the web camera connected to your PC.

How to shoot a reaction video and avoid common mistakes

If you’ve never recorded reaction videos, you may encounter few hidden pitfalls. The most common ones are shaky footage, bad sound, and… lack of emotions.

Here is a rule of thumb. If you want to make a captivating reaction video, the reaction in it must be very visual. Ideally, extreme. Facial expressions and sounds people make when they see something they absolutely love or hate are the cornerstone of a great reaction video. So, if you are going to choose clips to react to, keep in mind that their main goal is to provoke emotions. Otherwise, there’s little point to record it in the first place.

Music reaction video

Here are some ideas for reaction videos if you need inspiration:

  • React to a new video by a well-known artist
  • Or an old video by an absolutely unknown, foreign band
  • React to commercials from the 90s
  • Record someone’s reaction to a big moment in a movie
  • Record different people’s reactions to the same piece of news
  • React to your viewers’ comments
  • React to your own old videos or photos
  • Utilize the Fine Brothers’ idea and use your young siblings or grandparents to record their reactions to some modern world facts (but ask their permission first)

Now, another critical point here is having high-quality sound and a stable camera. Keep in mind that if you’re recording someone’s reaction while the video is playing loudly, your mic will capture both – the sound of the video and the voices. So you may want to use an external microphone close to the person being recorded to get a decent sound. If you’re recording your own reactions, using a headset is a good idea.

Removing camera shakiness is not too difficult with video stabilization software, but it’s always better if you ensure its stable position instead. Consider a tripod or a steady surface if you’re using an external webcam.

How to make a reaction video: the editing part

If you already have both videos – the emotion-provoking footage and the recording of someone’s reaction to it saved on your computer – it’s time to put them together. You’ll be surprised how quick and easy the editing part will be!

  1. Launch VSDC and hit the “Import content” button on the start screen. Select the original video you’ve recorded reaction to from your PC. A “Project settings” window will pop up, just click “Finish”.
  2. Now the footage is placed in the scene, and you need to add the video with the reaction. To do that, use the green “Add object” button from the top menu and select “Video”. Upload the second file to the program. The “Object position settings” window will pop up – select “Add a new layer” in the last column. This way, the second video will be layered over the original footage. Use picture-in-picture effect to create a perfect reaction video
  3. Resize it using handles and drag to the corner of the scene. Typically, it’s the top or the bottom right corner, but it’s really up to you where to place it. Ideally, it should be aligned with your gaze, but it’s not always the case, especially when you’re recording someone else’s reaction.
  4. At this point, you have both videos in the scene. All you need to do is synchronize their appearance by shifting the layers along the timeline and using the Preview button to see how everything looks.
    Quick tip: to make the synchronization process easier, think of control points. They can be sounds or visual notes that will tell you exactly what part of the video the viewers are watching. For example, let’s say you’re recording your friend’s reaction while they are watching a big moment in a movie. Notice what exactly they say or do when they start watching the video and let it be your marker when you start aligning the footage.
  5. If you need to trim any of the files, VSDC has a quick tool to split video into parts, and if you need to adjust the volume, here is the guide to help you.
  6. To export the final version, go to the Export project tab, select "Web --> For YouTube", and hit "Export project".How to export a reaction video in high quality
  7. If you want the project to export faster, choose to upgrade when the program prompts you to. If not, click “Continue”.
  8. At the last step, you’ll see a popup suggesting you upload your video to YouTube directly from the program. Note that if you select to do so, you’ll be asked to log in to your Google account.

How to record your own reaction video in VSDC

Remember we mentioned VSDC offers a desktop screen recorder and a webcam video capturing tools on board? Along with the editor, it makes a perfect combination if you want to record your own reactions. Here is a brief guide:

  1. Launch VSDC Free Video Capture. It comes as a part of the package, so it will be installed to your PC automatically.
  2. Connect it to your webcam and hit “Start recording”. Then minimize the window. How to create your own reaction video using VSDC screen capture and video recorder
  3. Launch VSDC Free Screen Recorder.
  4. Adjust the frame to define the area on the screen you want to record and hit “Record” in the top left corner of the frame.
  5. Now you’re recording your desktop screen and yourself simultaneously. It’s time to either open the video you want to record your reaction to or launch the video game – depending on what your idea is.
    Quick tip: VSDC is surprisingly lightweight and requires minimum PC resources. However, if you have a really low-spec computer, having so many apps launched at the same time will not be easy for your processor. So if you start experiencing crashes and hiccups, consider alternative ways to record the video. For example, use a webcam that’s not connected to your PC and just upload the video file later. Or launch the video you’re recording reaction to on a separate device.
  6. Once finished, stop and close both recorders. The recorded videos are typically saved to the following folder: C:\Users\Owner\Videos\Recorded Videos\
  7. Launch VSDC Free Video Editor, import the recordings, and follow the steps described in the instruction above.

In the process, you may need to split, cut, and crop the unwanted parts of the footage, add text or remove audio. Here are the guides to help you with these tasks:

How to make a reaction video without getting a copyright strike from YouTube?

You’ve surely heard of the copyright law and YouTube being strict about it.

When it comes to reaction videos, there is a lot of controversy. On the one hand, the doctrine of fair use comes into play (read all about it here). That is, using copyrighted materials is considered acceptable as long as you add commentary, criticism, research, news reporting, or teaching elements to the video. On the other hand, such definition may sound vague and lead to misunderstanding. To avoid misinterpretation, we suggest you familiarize yourself with 4 factors of fair use. According to those factors, your video can’t be serving commercial purposes, it shouldn’t prevent the copyright owner from gaining profit from his original content, and it’s always recommended to include bits of the original work rather than using it entirely.

In other words, if you cite the original source, give credits, treat the original work respectfully, and use just fragments of someone else’s video, chances are it will be considered fair use.

That said, we are unable to provide legal advice on that matter, so if you have any doubts, you might want to consult with a lawyer.

What to do next

Now that you know how to make a reaction video, check out the YouTube channel called React. It is started by the Fine Brothers – the ones who made the reaction video genre famous, so you will learn from the best. Then download VSDC to your computer and jump on creating your own. Good luck!


You can get more information about the program on Free Video Editor' description page.

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Reviewed by


"VSDC Free Video Editor is a surprisingly powerful, if unconventional video editor"

- PC Advisor


"This video editor gives you tons of control and editing power"

- CNet


"The editor handles many common formats and boasts a good deal of capabilities when it comes time to alter lighting, splice video, and apply filters and transitions in post production"

- Digital Trends