Product Overview of Lightworks
Lightworks is a professional-grade, non-linear video editing software designed to cater to the needs of both amateur and experienced video editors. Here’s a detailed look at what the product does and its key features.
What Lightworks Does
Lightworks is an all-in-one video editing tool that enables users to create stunning videos with dynamic video and audio editing, vibrant color adjustments, and impressive visual effects. It is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to new editors while offering advanced features that professionals need.
Key Features and Functionality
Editing Capabilities
- Universal Timeline: Lightworks can handle footage of any size, frame rate, and quality, allowing for seamless editing of mixed-frame-rate projects.
- Trimming and Cutting: The software is renowned for its powerful trimming tools, including features like Mark and Park, and the ability to trim incoming and outgoing clips directly on the timeline.
- Multi-Camera Editing: Lightworks supports multicam editing, making it easier to work with multiple camera angles.
Real-Time Effects and Rendering
- Real-Time GPU Pipeline: This architecture allows for real-time compositing and effects, including primary and secondary color correction, blurs, mattes, and masks. It also includes over 100 inbuilt effect presets.
- Background Rendering and Exporting: Users can continue editing while importing material, rendering effects, or exporting files, ensuring uninterrupted creativity.
Advanced Tools and Integrations
- Advanced Metadata: Detailed information about video files for easier organization and search.
- High-Quality Proxies: Lower-resolution versions of video files for smoother editing, including 4K and 8K proxies.
- DAW Workstation Integration: Integration with audio editing software for better sound control, along with native audio FX for improving audio dialogue and music.
- Cloud Integrations: Users can sign into their cloud providers directly from within the application to browse and import content.
Export and Sharing Options
- Multiple Export Formats: The Pro version supports over 25 output formats, including Web-compatible files, AVI, MOV, XDCAM HD/EX, Blu-Ray, and more. The free version is limited to MPEG4/H.264 files up to 1280x720p resolution.
- Direct YouTube Upload: Users can upload their videos directly to YouTube at resolutions up to UHD 4K with the Pro version.
- Social Media Export: Easy sharing of videos on social media platforms.
User Interface and Workflow
- Customizable Canvas: Users can spread the timeline across multiple monitors and customize the layout to suit their workflow.
- Console Support: Lightworks offers a dedicated console for advanced editing, which is particularly favored by professional users.
- User-Friendly Interface: The software features a modern and intuitive interface, making it easy for new users to get started. It includes four main tabs: LOG, Edit, VFX, and AUDIO, each with unique features to manage different aspects of the project.
Additional Features
- Advanced Titles and Transitions: More intricate and customizable text overlays and transitions to enhance video projects.
- Colour VFX and LUTs: Simple visual effects for color adjustments and fast color grading presets (LUTs) to apply specific looks to videos.
- Motion Graphics and TotalFX: Complex animations and movement effects, along with the option to add NewBlue TotalFX, featuring 1,500 presets in 177 video plugins.
Versions and Pricing
Lightworks is available in two main versions:
- Lightworks Free: Offers core editing tools but is limited in export formats and resolution.
- Lightworks Pro: Available for $24.99 per month, $174.99 per year, or a one-time purchase of $437.99. The Pro version adds advanced features, additional export formats, and higher resolution export options.
In summary, Lightworks is a robust video editing software that combines powerful editing tools, real-time effects, and advanced integrations, making it a versatile choice for both beginners and professional video editors.