How to Save and Manage Custom Layouts in Kdenlive

Efficient video editing requires different interface setups depending on your current task, whether you are color correcting, mixing audio, or cutting footage. This article provides a straightforward guide on how to customize your workspace in Kdenlive, save these arrangements as dedicated layouts, and quickly switch between them to streamline your post-production workflow.

Step 1: Customize Your Workspace

Before saving a layout, you need to arrange the Kdenlive interface to suit your specific editing phase.

1. Open Kdenlive and locate the various widget windows (such as the Project Bin, Timeline, Properties, Audio Mixer, or Effect Queue).
2. Click and drag the title bar of any tab or window to undock it.
3. Drag the window over other areas of the interface. Kdenlive will highlight drop zones in blue; release the mouse button to dock the window in your preferred position (side-by-side, stacked as tabs, or as a floating window).
4. For an Audio Mixing layout, you might want to expand the Audio Mixer and Timeline. For a Color Grading layout, you should enable video scopes by going to View > Vectorscope or Waveform.

Step 2: Save Your Custom Layout

Once the interface is arranged to your satisfaction, you can save it as a custom workspace.

1. Go to the top menu bar and click on View.
2. Hover over Screen Layouts.
3. Click on Save Layout As… (or Save Layout depending on your Kdenlive version).
4. Enter a descriptive name for your layout, such as “Color Grading” or “Audio Mixing,” and click OK.

Step 3: Switch and Manage Layouts

Kdenlive allows you to quickly alternate between saved workspaces as your editing needs change.

• Switching Layouts: You can switch workspaces by going to View > Screen Layouts and selecting your saved layout from the list. Alternatively, use the default keyboard shortcuts (usually Alt + 1 through Alt + 5) or click the workspace buttons located in the top-right corner of the Kdenlive window.
• Overwriting a Layout: If you make adjustments to an existing custom layout, simply go to View > Screen Layouts > Save Layout As... and save it under the exact same name to overwrite the previous configuration.
• Managing Layouts: To delete or rename layouts, navigate to View > Screen Layouts > Manage Layouts. From this dialog box, you can organize your saved workspaces, delete those you no longer need, or export them to use on another computer.