Footage, timeline, transitions, B-rolls… video editing can be time-consuming, and getting started can feel a bit overwhelming. CapCut is here to smooth out the learning curve.
Made by the same folks behind TikTok, this video editing app packs in lots of cool functionalities. Here’s a look at the basics.
Know your ratio
What aspect ratio should you use? That depends on where you want to share your video. Each social media platform has a different preferred aspect ratio: for example, TikTok videos have a vertical 9:16 ratio, while a 1:1 square is preferred on Instagram. To set your aspect ratio, scroll to the Format menu at the bottom of the editing screen and select a ratio. Adjust which part of your video will be cropped out by zooming in and dragging your video within the frame.
Try user-created templates
Don’t want to start editing from scratch? Check out the templates created and shared by CapCut’s users on the Templates tab. Here you can browse and preview an array of templates – when you find one you like, add in your images or footage and your video will be ready to go with no editing needed.
Add a voiceover
Sometimes you want to explain what’s happening or add funny commentary. That’s where the voiceover function comes in handy. Open the Audio menu from the bottom of the editing screen, tap Voiceover, then tap and hold to record. Conveniently, it’s possible to choose where on the timeline you want the voiceover to start before you begin recording, saving you time in aligning the soundtrack to the footage.
Play with curves
CapCut enables you to play with audio speed, playing it faster or slower at specific points. Tweak the audio playback speed from the Speed menu at the bottom of the editing interface; with the Normal option you can change the speed of the whole clip, while the Curve option allows you to customise the speed at specific points of the clip.
Save to the cloud
Even with CapCut’s convenient functions, video editing still takes time. So if you can’t finish your work in one sitting, save it to the cloud. That way it’s possible to access it from any device where you’re logged in to the app, so you can take your work to a larger screen or on the go.