Switch Between Single and Dual Monitor in Kdenlive

Kdenlive offers a highly flexible, widget-based user interface that allows editors to easily switch between single-monitor and dual-monitor setups. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to toggle between these interface layouts, customize your workspace for multiple screens, and save your configurations for quick access.

How to Switch Layout Presets in Kdenlive

Kdenlive comes with several default window layouts tailored for different stages of post-production, such as Logging, Editing, Audio, and Color.

To toggle between these standard single-monitor layouts: 1. Go to the top menu bar and click on View. 2. Hover over Load Layout. 3. Select your desired layout from the list (e.g., Editing or Audio).

Alternatively, you can use the layout selection buttons located in the top-right corner of the Kdenlive window to quickly jump between workspaces with a single click.

How to Set Up a Dual-Monitor Layout

Because Kdenlive is built on the Qt framework, every panel (such as the Project Monitor, Clip Monitor, Timeline, and Project Bin) is a separate widget that can be undocked and moved to another screen.

To create a dual-monitor setup: 1. Identify the panel you want to move to your second screen (for example, the Project Monitor). 2. Click and hold the tab or title bar of that panel, then drag it out of the main Kdenlive window to undock it. You can also double-click the panel’s title bar to undock it automatically. 3. Drag the undocked window onto your second monitor and resize it to fill the screen. 4. Repeat this process for any other tools or monitors you want to place on the second screen.

Saving Your Custom Dual-Monitor Layout

To avoid manually dragging windows every time you open Kdenlive, you should save your dual-monitor configuration as a custom layout.

  1. Once your windows are arranged across both screens, go to View in the top menu.
  2. Click on Save Layout As….
  3. Enter a name for your workspace, such as “Dual Monitor Setup,” and click OK.

Toggling Between Single and Dual Monitor Layouts

Once you have saved your custom dual-monitor layout, switching back and forth is seamless: