You don’t have to spend a fortune on editing software. Get started with one of these 4 free editing programs.
Photo: udt_greenberet1123
You have captured amazing footage of your trip, now what do you do with it?
Most professional editors use programs that cost an arm and a leg and require hours upon hours of training.
In the case of the average traveler, simpler is better and free is best.
iMovie
iMovie has a very intuitive interface and many cool features that allow for transitions and titles. iMovie also works easily with iPhoto and Garage Band allowing you to add your favorite pictures and compose your own soundtrack.
iMovie is only compatible with your Mac and is free with a new computer purchase.
User Reviews
“iMovie 09 is genuinely useful and fun.”
“…non-techie older people need only iMovie, but the majority of apple users have the skills necessary to use Final Cut Express.”
Windows Movie Maker
Movie Maker comes installed on newer computers running Windows. Like iMovie, Movie Maker has drag and drop editing features for the casual editor. Common complaints include frequent freezing and crashing.
User Reviews
“Freezes constantly. No exaggeration….probably once every 3 minutes. Makes it impossible to get anything done.”
“Cheap, simple, very irritating”
Wax
Photo: blakespot
Wax touts itself as high performance video compositing and special effects software.
Wax can create 2D & 3D special effects and works in two modes – as a standalone application or as a “plug-in” to Sony Vegas, Pure Motion Edit Studio and Adobe Premiere.
Reviews seem to agree that the interface takes some time to learn, but for special effects this is one of the best, free options.
There are also warnings of piggybacking viruses.
User Reviews
“There are so many options and it comes with over 50 effects! I love it and it is extremely hard to find other free plug-ins for my software…”
“Excellent video editing, with severe rendering issues.”
“Not easy for beginners (like me), but after you read the Help section and practice a lot, you’ll get the hang of it… This suckers just kickin’ my ass right now though.”
ZS4 Video Editor
The new incarnation of Zwei-Stein Video Editor claims to be advanced video editing and compositing software with over 150 built-in video effects.
ZS4 runs on Windows, Linux and OSX and is free to download.
User reviews are pretty scathing and many people seem to have problems running the program… might want to do more research before you download this bad boy.
User Reviews
“User interface designed by Stevie Wonder.”
“Huge amount of effects/filters, infinite level of track sub-mixers, great chroma keying and cool distort effects.”
“Slow and difficult to use.”
Community Connection
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7 Comments... join the discussion!
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Maybe one day I will learn Final Cut ( i have it downloaded and have bought tutorials) but for the scope of my projects now iMovie is perfect. You can learn on it and, in my opinion, it takes a big leap to need something more.
Although talk of Motion and Color does get me interested…
sometimes people scoff when i say i edit in iMovie, but it’s not the tools you have it’s what you make of them! I have had a piece edited in iMovie aired on network television, and between my partner Bridget and I we have hundreds of internet videos up (including everything i have done for Matador)
I think the most important part of editing is knowing how to tell a story.
happy editing!
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So true Josh! People often get confused about “professional” gear and how that relates to how good they are. It ain’t the golf clubs, tennis racquets, basketball shoes, cameras, snowboards, etc that make you skillful.
Especially for beginners, it’s almost always better to use very basic tools otherwise you get caught up with all the options and lose focus on what you’re trying to accomplish.
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Oooh, I love direct download links. Thanks, Josh!
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This post sponsored by Apple! Apple, think different!
Seriously, the latest version of iMovie is terrible. They got rid of the timeline, one of the most crucial parts of video editing. Windows Movie Maker, while not perfect, is a lot better in its recent carnation on Vista (and probably Windows 7 as well) than previous versions.
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geez, I wish it were sponsored by Apple…then maybe i would get something out of it (Macbook Pro, pretty please?)
I would say iMovie08 was terrible, but 09 made moves to correct many of 08’s shortcomings.
That said, I completely agree about the time line… that is why i also have iMovie HD, which also has Quartz Composer…I missed the timeline at first but the visual layout of 09 is easy on the eye and you can mouse over clips to see them…
I think I smell some rotten Apples
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Windows Movie Maker is not that bad once you get used to it. The drop and drag features are easy to use. It sometimes freezes, but I think that’s a small price to pay considering the software is free. It beats going out and spending hundreds of dollars on a program.
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