How to Undock and Move Panels in Kdenlive

This article provides a quick guide on customizing the Kdenlive user interface by undocking, moving, and rearranging its various panels. By mastering these layout adjustments, you can create a personalized workspace that fits your video editing workflow, whether you are using a single monitor or a multi-screen setup.

Undocking a Panel in Kdenlive

To separate a panel (such as the Project Bin, Properties, or Effect Stack) from the main Kdenlive window and make it float:

  1. Locate the Panel: Find the panel you want to move.
  2. Click and Drag: Click and hold the title bar of the panel (or its tab if it is grouped with other panels).
  3. Drag Away: Drag the panel away from its current position toward the center of your screen.
  4. Alternative Method: Click the small “undock” icon (which looks like two overlapping squares) located in the top-right corner of the panel’s title bar. This instantly turns the panel into a floating window.

Moving and Rearranging Panels

Once a panel is floating, or when you want to reposition an already docked panel:

  1. Grab the Title Bar: Click and hold the title bar of the panel you wish to move.
  2. Drag to a New Location: Move the cursor over the Kdenlive interface. As you hover over different areas, a blue translucent overlay will appear. This overlay indicates where the panel will land if you release the mouse.
  3. Choose a Drop Zone:
    • Sides (Left, Right, Top, Bottom): Dropping the panel on the edge of another panel will split the space and place them side-by-side or stacked vertically.
    • Center (Tabbed View): Dropping the panel directly in the center of another panel will group them together, creating clickable tabs at the top or bottom of that panel space.
  4. Release: Let go of the mouse button to dock the panel in its new position.

Resetting the Workspace Layout

If your interface becomes cluttered or you want to return to the default view:

  1. Go to the top menu and select View.
  2. Hover over Load Layout.
  3. Select Default (or choose one of the other predefined layouts like Logging, Editing, or Audio) to instantly restore the interface to its original state.