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HitFilm is a video editing software developed by FXhome, designed to cater to a wide range of creators, from filmmakers and hobbyists to video editors and social media influencers. It’s known for its blend of video editing capabilities and visual effects features.

HitFilm Features

HitFilm is a powerful VFX and video editing software available for both Mac and Windows devices. It aims to make video editing simple while offering advanced features. The software comes in three main versions: Free, Creator, and Pro, each offering different levels of features and export capabilities.

Core Editing and VFX Features:

  • Standard Video Editing Tools: This includes basic operations like cutting, slicing, trimming, splitting, cropping, and flipping video clips. The timeline supports an unlimited number of tracks, and clips snap into place (magnetic timeline), though this can be turned off.
  • Layers and Compositing: HitFilm is known for its ability to work with layers, similar to Photoshop, extending this concept to video. It has a secondary timeline view dedicated to layered composites and effects, which is useful for advanced visual effects like 3D model rendering.
  • Visual Effects (VFX): HitFilm offers a full toolkit of visual effects, including animation effects, audio effects, and 360-degree video effects. Users can create picture-in-picture effects easily with transform and mask tools.
    • Pro version features include motion tracking, green screen, particle effects, 3D rendering, and specific 3D effects like blurs, glows, twirl, 360-degree text, and laser lights. It also supports importing 3D models and positioning objects on three axes with light source control.
  • Text and Titles: The software provides flexible display text tools with options for positioning, fonts, colors, and spacing. Title templates with canned animations are available, and the Pro version allows animating text with actions like Twirl, Zoom, and Fly in, and even extruding and rotating text in a 3D environment.
  • Audio Tools: HitFilm includes basic audio controls, such as volume level adjustments, and a few sound-altering effects like Cathedral, Echo, and Pitch Shift. A voiceover tool and tone generator are also available. The software comes with a library of royalty-free music and sound effects, though the number varies by version.
  • Export Options: Users can export finished projects in desired file types and resolutions, with presets for platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Custom export presets can also be created. The Pro edition supports exports up to 8K. The latest update to HitFilm Express allows users to continue editing one video while another is being exported, which saves time.

HitFilm Pricing

HitFilm offers various plans:

  • HitFilm Free: This version provides standard video editing tools, 127 effects, 10 songs, 25 sound effects, and 5 templates. It allows unlimited exports up to HD quality.
  • HitFilm Creator: Priced at $12.99 per month or $95.88 per year, this plan allows 4K output, increases effects to 186, includes 100 songs, 100 sound effects, 25 templates, and FXhome’s Imerge layer-based photo editor.
  • HitFilm Pro: The premium version, costing $19.99 per month or $155.88 per year. It offers motion tracking, 3D rendering, more export formats (including 8K), 200 songs, 200 sound effects, and 50 templates. It’s considered inexpensive given its comprehensive set of tools.

It’s important to note that many advanced features in the free version of HitFilm Express require purchasing add-on packs, which can range from $9.99 to $49.99.

How to Use HitFilm

To get started with HitFilm, you first need to download the application onto your Mac or Windows device. Once downloaded and opened, the application typically starts with a simple “Start Now” button.

Basic Workflow:

  1. Create a New Project: Click “Create New” and then “Editor” to open a new editing workspace. You can choose specific video height, width, and frame rate, or open an existing project.
  2. Import Media: Go to the “Media” panel, click “Import,” and select the video clips, audio, or images you want to edit. You can then drag and drop your media onto the multitrack project timeline located at the bottom of the interface.
  3. Editing:
    • Clip Properties: Adjust clip properties such as blend modes, motion blur, and use transformative tools like rotation, scaling, and positioning. Opacity tools are also available.
    • Effects: The “Effects” panel contains a list of various effects (e.g., transitions, keying, blurs, grunge, light flares, particles, cartoon, pencil sketch) that can be dragged onto clips. Some effects are exclusive to paid versions.
    • Text: Add text sections to your video and customize them, including pre-existing text templates from the library.
    • Audio: Drag and drop royalty-free music options from the library into the audio section of your timeline. You can adjust the volume of each clip using a line on the timeline.
  4. Preview and Export:
    • The “Viewer” panel shows what your rendered video will look like.
    • Once editing is complete, go to the “Export” tab to choose settings like format and resolution, then initiate the export. The software shows a thumbnail of the playing video, format details, and a progress bar with estimated time remaining during export.

User Interface and Experience:

  • HitFilm has a clean, organized, and user-friendly interface. While PCMag noted it might appear cluttered to some, the panels are highly customizable, allowing users to float and move them anywhere on screen.
  • Preset workspace layouts for different tasks (e.g., Editing, Organize, Audio, 360, Vertical Video) help users focus.
  • It supports standard keyboard shortcuts like I, O, J, K, L, and Spacebar for playback.
  • Real-time performance is excellent, provided you have a powerful enough computer, and it can use proxy media to speed up editing.

System Requirements: HitFilm requires a 64-bit operating system (Windows 11/10, macOS 13 Ventura/12 Monterey/11 Big Sur). Minimum hardware includes a 6th Gen Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, 8GB RAM (16GB recommended), and 2GB of video memory (4GB+ Nvidia/AMD for 8K UHD recommended).

HitFilm Review: Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Inexpensive/Free Version: HitFilm Pro is more affordable than Adobe Premiere Pro, and its free version offers a lot of capable tools, including standard editing, effects, and unlimited HD exports.
  • Impressive Tools and Features: It provides a comprehensive set of tools for video editing, compositing, and visual effects, including motion tracking, green screen, and particle effects. Its handling of 3D elements is considered superior, with intuitive viewport navigation.
  • All-in-One Platform: HitFilm consolidates basic video editing with advanced VFX compositing in one place, reducing the need to switch between multiple applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The interface is familiar to users of other popular editing software like Premiere Pro, making for a smooth transition. Panels are highly customizable.
  • Abundant Assets: Includes a good selection of stock media, such as songs, sound effects, and templates.
  • Control Over Updates: Unlike some competitors, HitFilm Pro allows users to choose when to update, avoiding workflow disruptions.
  • Multitrack Editing and Layers: Offers unlimited video tracks and a unique layer-based compositing system.

Cons:

  • Resource Intensive: Due to its powerful features, HitFilm Pro requires a powerful computer, and those without high-end machines may experience slower performance and longer rendering times.
  • Outdated Interface: Some reviews suggest the interface looks slightly outdated compared to other modern software.
  • Upgrade Prompts: The free version is liberally sprinkled with “Upgrade” buttons within the working interface, which can be annoying.
  • Missing Features & Conveniences: It lacks certain features found in competitors, such as automated caption support, multicam editing, keyword tagging for media organization, and “instant movie” features for quick video assembly. It also doesn’t allow direct browsing of your computer’s file explorer for media.
  • Subscription Model Issues (Post-Acquisition): After its acquisition by Artlist, users reported that the free version introduced watermarks and resolution limitations. Paid perpetual licenses for older versions were reportedly deactivated, forcing users to subscribe to new plans for full functionality. This has led many users to consider HitFilm “dead software” or unusable.
  • Performance Issues (User Reports): Some users have reported subpar overall performance, extended rendering times, audio-related challenges, and flickering in the viewer.
  • Single Device Limit (Express): HitFilm Express can only be used on one computer at a time, requiring uninstallation before moving to another device.

AI Alternatives and the Future of Video Editing

AI features have revolutionized video editing by automating tasks and enhancing creativity, making the process more accessible and efficient. AI-powered tools are capable of:

  • Automated Scene Detection: Automatically detecting scene changes and creating cuts, especially useful for lengthy recordings.
  • Smart Reframing: Adjusting video frames automatically for different social media platforms without losing critical elements.
  • Audio Enhancement: Removing background noise, adjusting volume levels, and improving speech clarity.
  • Color Grading: Suggesting and applying color corrections based on footage tone for a consistent and professional look.
  • Transcription and Dubbing: Translating speech to text for subtitles and captions, recognizing multiple languages and dialects, and synthesizing voices for natural voice-overs with accurate intonation and emotion.
  • Special Effects and Animation: Creating complex effects, lifelike facial movements, synthesizing environments, changing backgrounds, and introducing virtual objects.
  • Content Personalization: Analyzing viewer preferences and history to customize content, create multiple versions of videos for different audiences, and suggest relevant content.

Top AI-Powered Video Editing Software Alternatives to HitFilm:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro: Integrates AI through its Adobe Sensei technology for features like auto-reframe and automatically generated captions.
  • DaVinci Resolve: Offers AI tools such as facial recognition and smart reframing. The Studio version includes advanced AI features like Magic Mask. It is often recommended as a powerful alternative to HitFilm, with a highly functional free version.
  • Final Cut Pro X: Utilizes machine learning to detect and tag faces and objects in footage, simplifying organization.
  • Magisto: Uses AI to analyze raw footage and assemble it into a cohesive story, ideal for beginners.
  • Lumen5: Uses AI to convert blog posts into engaging video content, suitable for social media creators.
  • Microsoft Clipchamp: A pre-installed software on Windows 11 that can transcribe audio to text, though full features require premium payment and cloud-based project storage can be slow for large projects.
  • Kdenlive: A free and open-source video editor available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers a user-friendly interface similar to professional software and includes features like nested scenes, audio capture, and multi-track editing. It’s actively updated and well-regarded by users seeking a free and capable alternative.

Will AI Replace Video Editors? The consensus in the sources is mixed but leans towards AI enhancing productivity rather than completely replacing human editors. While AI can automate many time-consuming and tedious tasks, it currently lacks the human creativity, proficiency, emotional understanding, and personal touch required for high-quality storytelling and critical judgment (e.g., picking the best take based on feeling).

Some argue that AI will lead to a reduction in jobs as fewer people will be needed to perform tasks. However, a common viewpoint is that “AI will replace editors that don’t use AI,” meaning that adapting to and utilizing these new tools will be essential for video editors to remain competitive. AI is seen as another powerful tool in the editor’s box, allowing creators to focus more on the creative aspects and storytelling rather than technicalities.

The future of video editing is seen as a collaboration between humans and AI, where AI handles initial cuts, scene detection, and basic adjustments, enabling editors to focus on more nuanced and artistic elements.

Think of AI in video editing like a highly skilled assistant in a kitchen. This assistant can perfectly chop all your vegetables, pre-measure ingredients, and even suggest flavor pairings based on vast data. However, they don’t create the recipe from scratch or understand the subtle emotional satisfaction of a perfectly plated dish that speaks to the diner’s soul. The human chef, using the assistant’s efficiency, can now focus on inventing groundbreaking recipes, refining flavors, and adding the artistic touches that truly elevate the meal from mere sustenance to a memorable experience. Those who embrace the assistant will outpace those who insist on chopping every vegetable by hand.