How To Install Shotcut on AlmaLinux 9

In the world of video editing, having a reliable and feature-rich software is crucial for content creators, professionals, and hobbyists alike. Shotcut, a powerful open-source video editor, has gained popularity among Linux users for its versatility and user-friendly interface. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Shotcut on AlmaLinux 9, a robust and stable Linux distribution that serves as an excellent platform for video editing tasks.

AlmaLinux 9, known for its stability and compatibility with enterprise-grade software, provides an ideal environment for running Shotcut. Whether you’re a seasoned video editor or just starting your journey in content creation, this tutorial will help you get Shotcut up and running on your AlmaLinux 9 system.

What is Shotcut?

Shotcut is a free, open-source, and cross-platform video editing software that offers a wide range of features for both beginners and advanced users. It supports a variety of video formats and provides a non-linear editing experience, allowing users to work with multiple video and audio tracks.

Key features of Shotcut include:

• Support for a wide range of video, audio, and image formats
• Multi-track timeline for complex video compositions
• Built-in screen and webcam capture
• Advanced audio filters and mixing capabilities
• Keyframe animation for dynamic effects
• Customizable user interface
• GPU-accelerated processing for improved performance

Using Shotcut on AlmaLinux 9 offers several advantages, including:

• Stability and reliability of the AlmaLinux platform
• Compatibility with enterprise-grade hardware
• Access to a wide range of open-source tools and libraries
• Long-term support and security updates

System Requirements

Before proceeding with the installation of Shotcut on AlmaLinux 9, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• 64-bit processor (x86_64)
• 4GB RAM (8GB or more recommended for HD/4K editing)
• OpenGL 2.0 compatible graphics card
• Sufficient storage space for video files and projects

Software Prerequisites:

• AlmaLinux 9 (fully updated)
• Internet connection for downloading packages
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands

Preparing AlmaLinux 9 for Shotcut Installation

Before installing Shotcut, it’s essential to update your AlmaLinux 9 system and install necessary dependencies. Follow these steps to prepare your system:

1. Update the System

Open a terminal and run the following command to update your system:

sudo dnf update -y

This command will update all installed packages to their latest versions, ensuring compatibility and stability.

2. Install Necessary Dependencies

Shotcut requires several libraries and dependencies to function correctly. Install them using the following command:

sudo dnf install -y mesa-libGL mesa-libGLU libXcomposite libXcursor libXi libXtst alsa-lib pulseaudio-libs

These packages provide essential graphics libraries, audio support, and system integration components required by Shotcut.

Methods to Install Shotcut on AlmaLinux 9

There are three primary methods to install Shotcut on AlmaLinux 9:

1. Using Flatpak
2. Using AppImage
3. Compiling from source

We’ll explore each method in detail, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Method 1: Installing Shotcut Using Flatpak

Flatpak is a universal package management system that allows for easy installation and management of applications across different Linux distributions. Here’s how to install Shotcut using Flatpak:

Step 1: Install Flatpak

If Flatpak is not already installed on your AlmaLinux 9 system, install it using the following command:

sudo dnf install -y flatpak

Step 2: Add Flathub Repository

Flathub is the primary repository for Flatpak applications. Add it to your system with this command:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Step 3: Install Shotcut via Flatpak

Now, you can install Shotcut using the following command:

flatpak install flathub org.shotcut.Shotcut

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Once finished, you can launch Shotcut from your application menu or by running:

flatpak run org.shotcut.Shotcut

Method 2: Installing Shotcut Using AppImage

AppImage is a portable package format that allows you to run applications without installation. Here’s how to use Shotcut via AppImage:

Step 1: Download Shotcut AppImage

Visit the official Shotcut website (https://shotcut.org/download/) and download the latest AppImage for Linux.

Step 2: Make AppImage Executable

Open a terminal, navigate to the directory containing the downloaded AppImage, and make it executable:

cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x Shotcut-*.AppImage

Step 3: Run Shotcut AppImage

Launch Shotcut by double-clicking the AppImage file in your file manager or by running:

./Shotcut-*.AppImage

You can move the AppImage to a convenient location and create a desktop shortcut for easy access.

Method 3: Compiling Shotcut from Source

For advanced users who want the latest features or need to customize the build, compiling Shotcut from source is an option. Here’s a brief overview of the process:

Step 1: Install Build Dependencies

Install the necessary build tools and dependencies:

sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" -y
sudo dnf install -y qt5-qtbase-devel qt5-qtmultimedia-devel qt5-qtwebsockets-devel qt5-qtwebengine-devel qt5-qtsvg-devel qt5-qtx11extras-devel ffmpeg-devel SDL2-devel frei0r-devel lame-devel cmake

Step 2: Clone Shotcut Repository

git clone https://github.com/mltframework/shotcut.git
cd shotcut

Step 3: Compile and Install

mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make
sudo make install

This method requires more time and technical knowledge but allows for customization and access to the latest development version.

Post-Installation Configuration

After installing Shotcut, it’s important to configure it for optimal performance:

Setting up Shotcut for First Use

1. Launch Shotcut and navigate to “Settings” > “Video”.
2. Set the default resolution and frame rate for new projects.
3. Under “Settings” > “Audio”, configure your audio input and output devices.
4. In “Settings” > “Performance”, adjust the GPU processing options based on your hardware capabilities.

Configuring Preferences

Explore the “Settings” menu to customize various aspects of Shotcut, including:

• Interface language and theme
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Autosave frequency
• Default export settings

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While Shotcut generally runs smoothly on AlmaLinux 9, you may encounter some issues. Here are solutions to common problems:

Dependency Problems

If you experience missing dependencies, try installing additional multimedia libraries:

sudo dnf install -y gstreamer1-plugins-base gstreamer1-plugins-good gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free gstreamer1-plugins-ugly-free

Performance Issues

If Shotcut runs slowly:

• Enable GPU processing in the settings if your hardware supports it.
• Lower the preview quality in the player to reduce resource usage during editing.
• Close unnecessary background applications to free up system resources.

Audio/Video Codec Issues

If you encounter problems with specific video or audio formats:

• Install additional codecs: sudo dnf install -y ffmpeg-libs
• Convert problematic files to a more compatible format using a tool like FFmpeg.

Updating Shotcut

Keeping Shotcut up-to-date ensures you have access to the latest features and bug fixes. The update process varies depending on your installation method:

Updating via Flatpak

To update Shotcut installed via Flatpak, run:

flatpak update org.shotcut.Shotcut

Updating AppImage

For AppImage installations, download the latest version from the official website and replace the existing AppImage file.

Updating from Source

If you compiled from source, navigate to the Shotcut directory, pull the latest changes, and recompile:

cd shotcut
git pull
cd build
cmake ..
make
sudo make install

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Shotcut. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Shotcut video editor on your AlmaLinux 9 system. For additional or useful information, we recommend you check the official Shotcut website.