Warning: Before you read any further you need to know that VLMC is pre-alpha code. This means it’s not even beta. Much of this will not work. Do *not* consider VLMC a replacement for your current video-editing software. This post is designed only to give you a preview of what is to come. I think this is an exciting project but will take some time before it is ready for prime time.
Another note, this software is currently NOT available for Mac OS X. Although if you use a Mac, you’ve already got a great product in iMovie.
With that said…
I’ve been interested in free or open source video-editing software for some time. Years ago I played with a build of Jahshaka, which has been recently reinvented as Cinefx. I found it sorely lacking and very difficult to use.
Given my bent towards all things open source, I have been a big fan of VLC for my media playing and sometimes transcoding needs. VLC aptly handles streaming (both the sending of a stream and the receiving of it) as well as it can rip a DVD with the best of them. This is a preview of the new VLMC video-editing software, put out by the same folks as VLC.
First, download and install the software. Find the most recent release, which is easy to do since they are dated.
When you first run the software, it will warn you, much like I did at the beginning of this post.

Provided you are OK with that, click on I understand.
Most of the time when I open the program (despite my best efforts) it tells me I didn’t close it nicely. Again, it’s pre-alpha code so this stuff is normal.

I click No each time. Not sure what would happen if I clicked Yes. It’d probably eat my car or something drastic.
So then you get the create project screen.

Then you move to the New Project Wizard.

You can then fine tune the settings for your new project.

Once inside the program the main editing window looks like this:

You’ll need to import some video. For the purposes of this demo, I used some footage from archive.org.
Click Import, then move the files you want to import to the panel next to the file list using the blue arrow.

Once you get them imported, drag one to the timeline on the right side.

To remove a section, simply use the scissors to place two cut marks and then use the mouse button to move the clip around.

I hope you have enjoyed our tour of VLMC. I am thrilled at the possibilites for this application.



