Keyframe Animation
Keyframes make effects change over time. Essential for zoom callouts, smooth fades, and animated overlays in screencasts.
Core Idea
A keyframe is a saved state of an effect parameter at a specific time. Kdenlive smoothly interpolates between keyframes. Set a value at frame 10 and a different value at frame 60 — Kdenlive animates the transition automatically.
How Keyframes Work
Timeline: [Frame 1]────────[Frame 30]────────[Frame 60]
Effect: Opacity: 0% (auto) Opacity: 100%
Result: Clip fades in from 0% to 100% opacity over 60 frames (2 seconds at 30fps)
Adding keyframes in Effect Stack:
1. Select clip → click effect in Effect Stack
2. Enable keyframing: click the clock icon (⏱) next to the parameter
3. Position playhead at desired time → adjust the parameter → keyframe auto-saves
4. Move playhead → adjust parameter → another keyframe is saved
Adding and Managing Keyframes
Add keyframe:
Method 1: Move playhead → change parameter value → keyframe added automatically
Method 2: Double-click in the keyframe zone (timeline below parameter)
Method 3: Keyboard: not mapped by default — assign via Ctrl+Alt+, → "Add Keyframe"
Move keyframe:
Drag it left/right in the keyframe zone
Change keyframe value:
Click keyframe → adjust slider above
Delete keyframe:
Click keyframe → press Del
OR: Drag keyframe far above/below clip bounds
Navigate between keyframes:
Alt+Left/Right → go to previous/next keyframe
Keyframe Types
| Type | Behavior | Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Linear | Constant speed interpolation | Diamond |
| Smooth | Eased, natural motion | Rounded diamond |
| Discrete | Jumps instantly at keyframe | Square |
Right-click a keyframe → change interpolation type.
For screencasts: Use Linear for most effects. Use Smooth for zoom callouts to avoid mechanical-looking movement.
Zoom Callout with Keyframes
The most useful animation for screencasts — zoom in to highlight a UI element:
Setup:
1. Select screen recording clip on V1
2. Effects → search "crop" → "Crop Scale and Tilt"
(or "Zoom and Pan" effect)
3. Enable keyframes for Zoom parameter
4. Set keyframes:
Frame 0 (0:00) → Zoom: 100% Position: 0, 0 (full screen)
Frame 30 (1:00) → Zoom: 150% Position: centered on button/menu
Frame 90 (3:00) → Zoom: 150% (hold)
Frame 120 (4:00) → Zoom: 100% Position: 0, 0 (zoom back out)
5. Preview → smooth zoom in, hold, zoom out
Fade In / Out Animation
Standard fade using Opacity keyframes:
Via "Opacity" or "Fade In/Out" effect:
1. Effects → "Fade In" → apply
2. Set duration: 24 frames = 1 second at 30fps
Manual via Composite+Transform:
1. Add Composite+Transform to clip
2. Enable Opacity keyframe
3. Frame 0: Opacity = 0%
4. Frame 24: Opacity = 100%
5. For fade out: reverse at the end of clip
Position Animation (Slide In)
Animate a title or overlay sliding into frame:
1. Place title clip on V2
2. Add Composite+Transform
3. Enable keyframes for Position X
4. Keyframes:
Frame 0: X = -1920 (off-screen left)
Frame 24: X = 0 (in position)
Last-30: X = 0 (hold)
Last frame: X = 1920 (slide out right)
5. Right-click keyframes → set to Smooth
6. Preview → title slides in and out
Blur Mask with Keyframes (Privacy)
Hide sensitive information with an animated blur:
1. Select clip → Effects → "Box Blur"
2. Enable keyframes for Amount
3. Set keyframes:
Before sensitive info: Amount = 0
1 frame before: Amount = 30
While visible: Amount = 30 (hold)
1 frame after: Amount = 0
4. Set keyframe type to Discrete (no transition)
5. Preview → blur pops on/off precisely
Keyframe Workflow Tips
Tip 1: Position playhead BEFORE enabling keyframes
→ Ensures your first keyframe is at the right position
Tip 2: Use Ctrl+Z liberally
→ Keyframe mistakes are common; undo is your friend
Tip 3: Preview at reduced speed
→ JKL transport helps review animations frame by frame
Tip 4: Copy keyframes between clips
→ Select effect in Effect Stack → Ctrl+C → paste on other clip
Keyboard Reference
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Navigate to previous keyframe | Alt+Left |
| Navigate to next keyframe | Alt+Right |
| Add keyframe (in keyframe zone) | Double-click |
| Delete keyframe | Select → Del |
| Move keyframe | Drag left/right |
| Change parameter | Click keyframe → adjust slider |
| Reset value | MMB on slider |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z |
Hands-On Practice
1. Open project with screen recording on V1
2. Create zoom callout:
Select clip → Effects → "Crop Scale and Tilt"
Enable keyframes for Zoom
Set: Frame 0 → 100%, Frame 30 → 150%, Frame 90 → 150%, Frame 120 → 100%
Preview → zoom in/hold/zoom out
3. Add slide-in title:
Add Color Clip or Title to V2 (30-frame duration)
Add Composite+Transform
Enable X Position keyframes
Frame 0: X = -1920, Frame 24: X = 0
Right-click keyframes → Smooth
Preview → title slides in
4. Practice blur mask:
Apply Box Blur effect to V1
Enable Blur Amount keyframes
Set Discrete keyframes at blur on/off points
Preview → blur appears/disappears instantly
5. Ctrl+S → save