Kdenlive 25.04: Object masks in videos with local AI
The new version 25.04 of the video editor Kdenlive can now create object masks in videos to remove the background. Other new features improve the workflow.
AI functions are no longer reserved for commercial video editing programs: In its latest version 25.04, for the first time the free video editor Kdenlive can now also create object masks for moving objects. The open source software uses a new plug-in based on the SAM2 model that masks objects, for example to remove the background or apply an effect only to a part of the video. The model is installed locally beforehand, while processing takes place entirely on your own computer.
Since version 23.04, Kdenlive has been able to transcribe audio tracks with the help of Whisper and create a suitable subtitle track from them. If required, the tool can also translate the subtitles into English. This function also runs completely locally.
First both functions must be activated in the settings under "Plugins" and suitable models downloaded. Kdenlive helps with this and explicitly points out that the subsequent processing runs completely locally.
If you want to exchange video projects between different video editing programs, you can now export a Kdenlive project in OpenTimelineIO format. The software can also import data in this format. This means, for example, that video editing projects can be exchanged between Kdenlive and Davinci Resolve. However, filters and transitions are not transferred as each application uses its own standard for this.
Videos by heise
The thumbnails for displaying the audio waveforms in the timeline have also been improved and should load faster and be more precise. Other new features are useful in the workflow. For example, the duration of several adjacent clips can be changed in one step. If you hold down the Shift key while clicking on the arrow in front of an effect, the entire effect stack in Kdenlive 25.04 will collapse or expand. The project notes have been given a search function.
Kdenlive 25.04 remembers the last LUT (Look-Up Table) used for color corrections so that you can access it more quickly and don't have to search for the folder again each time. More than 30 bug fixes round off the release of the video editing software, a changelog lists these individually. Kdenlive 25.04 is available for free download for Linux, macOS and Windows on the project website.
(lmd)
