- FilmCraft how to use starts with a three-step setup: pick your platform, download or open the app, and launch.
- Core workflow: import media, build a sequence, trim on the timeline, add audio, then export.
- Keyboard layouts let you switch between FilmCraft, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid styles.
- Export smart: H.264 + AAC in MP4 for web delivery, ProRes in MOV for editing masters.
- Community support: report issues via the official Discord and GitHub Issues tracker.
Getting Started With FilmCraft
FilmCraft is a free, open-source professional video editor built in Rust by the ArtCraft team. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, and it covers the full post-production pipeline: timeline editing, color grading, audio, captions, and native codec export. Learning how to use FilmCraft follows the same logic as any professional non-linear editor, so users coming from Premiere Pro will feel at home quickly.
You can get the software from the official FilmCraft page or the GitHub repository. Because the project is in active development, always grab the latest release rather than an older package.
Editing Workspace
- Multitrack timeline
- Source and program monitors
- Three-point editing and trimming
Color and Effects
- Color grading workspace
- GPU-assisted compositing
- Effects and transitions
Audio and Output
- Multitrack audio editing
- Captions and subtitles
- H.264, HEVC, ProRes export
Join the official ArtCraft Discord for early-version feedback and bug reports. For reproducible defects, file a report on GitHub Issues with your OS, FilmCraft release, and source format.
How to Install FilmCraft Step by Step
Installation takes just a few minutes once you know which entry point matches your system. Follow this sequence from download to first launch.
Choose Your Platform
Confirm whether you will edit on Windows, macOS, Linux, or through the browser-based entry point on the ArtCraft page. Desktop users should select the build matching their OS and architecture.
Download or Open FilmCraft
Desktop users: open the FilmCraft releases page and select the build for their operating system. Browser users: open the hosted entry on getartcraft.com.
Complete Setup and Launch
Run the downloaded package through your operating system's normal installer flow, then launch FilmCraft from your application menu. Browser users can start editing immediately without installing anything.
Verify and Configure
On first launch, open the keyboard layout settings and pick FilmCraft, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Avid key mappings to match your muscle memory.
Avoid third-party download mirrors. Use the official GitHub repository or the ArtCraft page so you get a current, unmodified build. If installation fails, verify the build matches your OS and architecture before anything else.
Editing Your First Video: The Core Workflow
The beginner workflow in FilmCraft moves through five stages. Complete them in order and you will have a finished export in your first session.
| Stage | Task | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Import media | Add video, audio, image assets; review clips before editing |
| 2 | Create a sequence | Place clips on video and audio tracks; arrange order |
| 3 | Trim and refine | Cut unwanted sections; adjust clip boundaries; review playback |
| 4 | Add audio and finishing | Place audio on tracks; balance levels; add titles, captions, color |
| 5 | Export | Check the full edit; choose output settings; render |
Keyboard shortcuts you will use constantly:
| Category | Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | Select tool | V |
| Editing | Razor / cut tool | C |
| Playback | Play / pause | Space |
| Playback | Shuttle backward / stop / forward | J / K / L |
| Trimming | Set in point / out point | I / O |
| Marking | Add marker | M |
| Timeline | Move playhead one frame | Left / Right Arrow |
| Project | Save project | Ctrl/Cmd + S |
If you already know Premiere Pro, switch the keyboard layout in settings first. The J/K/L shuttle, I/O in-and-out points, and V/C tools all follow familiar professional NLE conventions, which flattens the learning curve considerably.
Export Settings: Pick the Right Preset
Export settings should match your destination. These four presets cover the most common scenarios when you use FilmCraft for delivery.
| Preset | Resolution | Codec | Audio | Container | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube / Web | 1920 x 1080 | H.264 | AAC | MP4 | YouTube, embeds, broad playback |
| Vertical Social | 1080 x 1920 | H.264 | AAC | MP4 | Short-form, mobile sharing |
| High-Res Delivery | 3840 x 2160 | H.264 or HEVC | AAC | MP4 or MOV | 4K publishing, client work |
| Local Master | Match project | ProRes | PCM | MOV | Editing handoff, archival |
Key codec decisions:
- H.264: the compatibility default. Works across browsers, mobile devices, and every major platform.
- HEVC: smaller files at similar quality, but playback depends on target-device support.
- ProRes: quality-first mezzanine codec. Expect much larger files; reserve it for intermediates and masters.
Keep the export frame rate aligned with your source footage whenever possible. Mismatched frame rates cause judder and forced frame blending that no encoder setting can fully fix.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
When something breaks, first decide whether the cause is the build, the media, or your system. Reproduce the issue with a small test project and a standard H.264/AAC MP4 file to separate the three.
| Problem | Likely Cause | First Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Will not install or launch | Wrong build or OS mismatch | Verify build matches OS and architecture; clean reinstall |
| Media will not import | Codec, container, or file access | Test file in a standard player; try known-good H.264/AAC MP4 |
| Clip has no picture or sound | Unsupported stream in container | Re-encode to H.264/AAC and retest |
| Export fails or file is unusable | Config, storage, or a specific clip | Export a short range with MP4/H.264 as a test; check disk space |
| Slow preview, stuttering | Media complexity or resources | Use proxy or lower-res media for 4K, HEVC, ProRes sources |
| Crashes during editing | Defect, unstable media, or resources | Reproduce in a new minimal project; search existing issue reports |
Before filing an issue on GitHub Issues, record your FilmCraft release, operating system, source format, the action that triggered the crash, and whether it repeats. Focused reports get resolved faster during active development.
Your First-Session Checklist
Complete These in Your First Session:
- Install FilmCraft from an official channel
- Set your preferred keyboard layout
- Import media and build a first sequence
- Perform a cut, trim, and marker operation
- Export a test clip with H.264/AAC MP4 settings
Q: Is FilmCraft free to use?
Yes. FilmCraft is a free, open-source video editor from the ArtCraft team, built in Rust and available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Note that the brand logo is not covered by the open-source licenses, so avoid modifying or commercializing it without permission.
Q: How do I use FilmCraft if I already know Premiere Pro?
Switch the keyboard layout to Premiere Pro in the shortcut settings. FilmCraft supports FilmCraft, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid key mappings, so common tools like V (select), C (razor), J/K/L (shuttle), and I/O (in/out points) behave as you expect.
Q: Which export settings should beginners use?
Start with H.264 video, AAC audio, and an MP4 container at your project resolution. This combination offers the widest playback compatibility across browsers, mobile devices, and video platforms. Move to ProRes in MOV only when you need an editing master.
Q: What should I do if a video file will not import?
Test the same file in a standard media player first to confirm it is readable. Then check both the file extension and the actual codecs inside the container. Try a known-compatible MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, and make sure the file sits in a local folder with read permission.