For creators looking to complement their videos with accurately transcribed captions or dialogue, using Transkriptor can significantly improve accessibility and viewer engagement by providing precise and easy-to-read text alongside the visual content.
The 9 steps to add text to video in Shotcut are listed below.e
- Prepare Subtitles with Transkriptor: Before diving into Shotcut for video editing, start by preparing your subtitles with Transkriptor. Itl accurately converts your video's audio content into text, ensuring precise subtitles.
- Install and Open Shotcut: Install and open the software to add text to video in Shotcut.
- Import the Video: Click the 'Open File' button in the menu bar or press the 'Ctrl + O' (Cmd + O on Mac) shortcut.
- Add Video to Timeline: Drag the video thumbnail from the playlist directly to the timeline at the bottom of the Shotcut interface.
- Open the Text Filter: Navigate to the 'Filters' panel, typically located next to the 'Playlist' panel or accessible through the main menu by selecting 'View' and then 'Filters'.
- Add and Customize the Text: Click on the text box within the filter settings with displayed Text filter properties. Type the desired text directly into this box.
- Adjust Text Duration: Hover the mouse cursor over the beginning or end of the text clip on the timeline until the cursor changes to a trimming tool to adjust the text duration.
- Preview Video: Click on the 'Play' button beneath the Preview window to begin the preview.
- Export Video: Navigate to the 'Export' panel, typically located next to the 'Playlist' or accessible through the main menu by selecting 'File' and then 'Export'.
Step 1: Prepare Subtitles with Transkriptor
Begin by creating accurate subtitles for your video using Transkriptor, which effortlessly converts audio into text. This step is crucial for ensuring your subtitles accurately reflect the spoken content in your video. After transcribing, review and edit your subtitles within Transkriptor to adjust timestamps and speaker names for clarity.
Finally, export your subtitles in the .srt format, ensuring they are ready for use in Shotcut. Also, in this step you can add timestamps and speakernames thanks to Transkriptor. This initial preparation with Transkriptor lays the foundation for accessible and engaging video content by providing viewers with precise and comprehensive subtitles. If you are using other software, you might also be interested in how to add text to video in Kinemaster .
Step 2: Install and Open Shotcut
Users must first install and open the software to add text to video in Shotcut. They should start by visiting the official Shotcut website and selecting the version compatible with the operating system. Editors have to locate the installer file in the downloads folder and run it. They must follow the on-screen instructions to install Shotcut on the computer.
Filmmakers should open Shotcut by locating the program icon on the desktop or in the Applications folder, depending on the operating system. They have to double-click the icon to launch the software.
Step 3: Import the Video
Users must first import the video file into the software to add text to video in Shotcut. They should begin by opening the Shotcut application. Then, filmmakers should click the 'Open File' button in the menu bar or press the 'Ctrl + O' (Cmd + O on Mac) shortcut.
This will prompt a file browser window to appear. They should navigate through the folders to find the desired video file. Editors should Select the file and click 'Open' to import it into Shotcut. The video file will be visible in the 'Playlist' panel of Shotcut.
Step 4: Add Video to Timeline
Users place the imported video onto the timeline for editing by locating the video in the 'Playlist' panel of Shotcut. They drag the video thumbnail from the playlist directly to the timeline at the bottom of the Shotcut interface. Users select the video track, often indicated by a change in color or a border highlight around the track. This allows filmmakers to perform various editing tasks on the selected video.
Step 5: Open the Text Filter
Users access the Text filter in Shotcut to add text overlays to their videos. Filmmakers first ensure that the video track they wish to edit is selected on the timeline to open the Text filter. They then navigate to the 'Filters' panel, typically located next to the 'Playlist' panel or accessible through the main menu by selecting 'View' and then 'Filters'.
There, video makers click the '+' button to add a new filter. This action opens a list of available filters. Users should click on the desired Text filter. This action adds the filter to the selected video track and opens the Text filter properties.
Step 6: Add and Customize the Text
Users add text to video in Shotcut in their projects using the open Text filter. Video makers click on the text box within the filter settings with displayed Text filter properties. They type their desired text directly into this box.
Filmmakers should explore the various formatting options available for customization in the Text filter properties. They select the font type by clicking on the font dropdown menu and choosing from the list of available fonts. Editors adjust the text size by dragging the size slider left or right or entering a specific value in the size field.
Users click on the color box to change the text color. This action opens a color picker where users select their preferred color. Video makers utilize the position controls within the filter settings or directly drag the text box in the preview window to the desired location for positioning the text on the video.
Users should consider Transkriptor as a handy tool if they need transcribed text for their projects. Transkriptor quickly and accurately converts audio from videos to text, making the process of adding subtitles or captions easier and more efficient.
Give Transkriptor a try for your transcription needs and streamline your video editing workflow.
Step 7: Adjust Text Duration
Users hover the mouse cursor over the beginning or end of the text clip on the timeline until the cursor changes to a trimming tool to adjust the text duration. They click and hold the left mouse button and drag the edge of the text clip to the right to extend the duration or to the left to shorten it.
Video makers position the playhead at the exact point where the text should start or end if they need to synchronize the text with specific parts of the video. Then, they drag the beginning or end of the text clip to align with the play head, ensuring precise timing.
Step 8: Preview Video
Users locate the 'Preview' window in the Shotcut interface once the text is added, and customized, and its duration adjusted. This window typically occupies a large portion of the screen, displaying the current frame of the video.
Editors click on the 'Play' button beneath the Preview window to begin the preview. The video with text plays from the current position of the playhead on the timeline, allowing users to observe the video with text in real-time. Filmmakers watch the text as it appears and disappears from the video, checking its timing, appearance, and overall impact on the content.
Step 9: Export Video
Users navigate to the 'Export' panel, typically located next to the 'Playlist' or accessible through the main menu by selecting 'File' and then 'Export' once satisfied with the preview and all edits. They select the preferred video format from the 'Export Presets' to ensure compatibility with their intended use or platform.
Common format options include MP4 , AVI, and MOV, among others. Users click the 'Advanced' button to access additional export settings if necessary. Here, they adjust video and audio codecs, resolution, frame rate, and other advanced parameters to meet specific requirements or to optimize the file size and quality. Filmmakers click the 'Export File' button with the format and settings configured.
What is Shotcut?
Shotcut is a free, open-source video editing software offering users comprehensive tools for editing and enhancing videos. It supports various video , audio, and image formats, making it versatile for multiple multimedia projects. Shotcut provides functionalities such as video editing, audio manipulation, and effects, catering to beginners and experienced editors with its user-friendly interface.
Video makers appreciate Shotcut's non-linear editing capabilities, allowing them to arrange video clips on a timeline and edit them without altering the original files. This flexibility also extends to educational settings, where you can efficiently add captions in Blackboard videos . The software includes features for color correction, filters, transitions, and text overlays, empowering users to create professional-looking videos. Shotcut is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Why Choose Shotcut for Adding Text to Videos?
Users choose Shotcut for adding text to videos due to its user-friendly interface and powerful text editing capabilities. The software offers a range of customizable text filters like 'Text: Simple' and 'Text: Rich', allowing video makers to insert and style text overlays easily. Shotcut supports various font styles, sizes, and colors, enabling editors to match the text appearance with their video's theme and tone.
The flexibility to adjust text duration and position on the timeline ensures that users are able to synchronize the text precisely with specific video segments. Shotcut's real-time preview feature lets users instantly view and refine text overlays, ensuring accuracy and visual appeal.
What Types of Text Can be Added to Shotcut?
Users are able to add a variety of text types to their videos in Shotcut to enhance communication and aesthetic appeal. If you're working with different software, learn how to add text to video with Adobe Premiere Pro for a professional finish. They insert titles to introduce a video or a new section, effectively setting the tone or topic.
Subtitles are easily added, allowing filmmakers to provide translations or transcriptions , making videos accessible to a broader audience. For more detailed steps on how to add subtitles to video , follow our guide. Editors also add captions to describe specific scenes or provide additional context, ensuring the video message is clear and comprehensive. Video makers, furthermore, utilize lower thirds to present names, locations, or other pertinent information without obstructing the main content of the video with text.
10 Tips for Making Video with Text Stand Out
Videos enriched with text have the unique ability to capture attention and convey messages succinctly. Users are able to create compelling videos where text plays a pivotal role in engaging the audience by adhering to these tips, making their message stand out.
Tips for making videos with text stand out are listed below.
- Choice Contrasting Colors: Enhance the readability and impact of text in videos by choosing contrasting colors.
- Use Legible Fonts: Ensure the text in their videos is easily readable by selecting legible fonts.
- Keep It Concise: Limit the amount of text on the screen to convey messages clearly and prevent overwhelming viewers.
- Animate Text Sparingly: Select subtle, purposeful animations emphasizing key points or transitioning smoothly between segments.
- Integrate Text with Video Elements: Strategically place text to complement the composition, ensuring it does not obstruct key visuals or action.
- Maintain Consistent Style: Establish a style guide for text, specifying font types, sizes, colors, and spacing to be used throughout the video.
- Balance Text Placement: Position text to ensure it's easily noticeable without overshadowing the main visual content.
- Ensure Readability on All Devices: Guarantee the readability of the video with text across all devices by considering various screen sizes and resolutions.
- Use Text as a Complementary Element: Strategically incorporate text to support, not overpower, the visual narrative.
- Experiment with Text Effects: Explore options like shadows, outlines, or glows to make text pop against varied backgrounds.
Choose Contrasting Colors
Users enhance the readability and impact of text in videos by choosing contrasting colors. They select a text color that stands out against the background, ensuring the text is easily visible to viewers. Users opt for light-colored text, such as white or yellow, for dark backgrounds.
Conversely, they choose dark text colors like black or navy for light backgrounds. Editors avoid colors that clash or blend too closely with the background, maintaining a clear distinction between the text and the video imagery.
Use Legible Fonts
Video makers ensure the text in their videos is easily readable by selecting legible fonts. They opt for clear, simple font styles that viewers are able to read quickly and without strain.
Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica are popular due to their clean lines and clear spacing. Filmmakers avoid overly decorative or script fonts that look attractive but are challenging to read, especially at smaller sizes or from a distance.
Keep the Text Concise
Users make their video text impactful by keeping it concise. They limit the amount of text on the screen to convey messages clearly and prevent overwhelming viewers.
Editors choose precise, straightforward words that directly communicate their point. They avoid long sentences and paragraphs, opting for short phrases or bullet points. This brevity ensures viewers are able to quickly read and understand the text without pausing or rewinding the video.
Animate Text Sparingly
Filmmakers enhance their videos by using text animations sparingly. They select subtle, purposeful animations emphasizing key points or transitioning smoothly between segments.
Users avoid overusing animations, as excessive movement is able to distract from the video content. They ensure each animation serves a clear purpose, whether to draw attention to important text or to keep the viewer engaged.
Integrate Text with Video Elements
Users create a cohesive viewing experience by integrating text with video elements. They strategically place text to complement the composition, ensuring it does not obstruct key visuals or action.
Editors align text with the video's theme and tone, matching font styles and colors with the overall design. They also consider the timing of text appearance, synchronizing it with the video's rhythm and audio cues.
Maintain Consistent Style
Video makers reinforce the identity and professionalism of their videos by maintaining a consistent style for text elements. They establish a style guide for text, specifying font types, sizes, colors, and spacing to be used throughout the video.
Filmmakers apply this style uniformly to all text elements, from titles and subtitles to captions and credits. Consistency in text style aids viewer comprehension and reinforces brand identity or thematic continuity.
Balance Text Placement
Users optimize viewer engagement by balancing text placement within their videos. They position text to ensure it's easily noticeable without overshadowing the main visual content.
Editors adhere to the rule of thirds, placing text in strategic positions that naturally draw the viewer's eye. They avoid crowding the screen by spacing text appropriately and ensuring it doesn't clutter important visual elements.
Ensure Readability on All Devices
Users guarantee the readability of their video with text across all devices by considering various screen sizes and resolutions. They choose legible font sizes and clear font styles to ensure text is easily readable on a smartphone or a large monitor.
Editors test text visibility on different devices, adjusting the size and contrast to maintain clarity. They also ensure adequate padding around text to prevent it from blending into the video edges on smaller screens.
Use Text as a Complementary Element
Users enhance their videos by using text as a complementary element. They strategically incorporate text to support, not overpower, the visual narrative.
Filmmakers ensure that text adds context or emphasis to the video content without distracting from the main visuals. They keep the text concise and purposeful, using it to clarify or highlight information when necessary.
Experiment with Text Effects
Editors elevate their videos by experimenting with text effects in moderation. They explore options like shadows, outlines, or glows to make text pop against varied backgrounds.
Users consider using motion effects like fades, swipes, or typewriter effects to introduce text dynamically. They ensure that effects enhance readability and draw attention without overwhelming the viewer.
Transkriptor: Improve Video Content with Accurate Captions
While Shotcut offers robust text editing capabilities, adding transcribed text from Transkriptor can further enhance your video projects. For a more streamlined process, consider using an AI subtitle generator to automatically create accurate subtitles and captions. Transkriptor offers highly accurate transcriptions, making it a valuable tool for adding subtitles, captions, or any text-based content to your videos. Get the transcription by uploading the audio file into Transkriptor, then export the transcribed text. Import the transcription into Shotcut. Achieve more accurate texts on your videos by integrating Transkriptor into video workflow. Try Transkriptor for free!
