<p>Video editing software is a tool to do video editing.  Any decent textbook should teach video editing, not video editing software.  </p>

<p>Conversely if you know how to edit, most NLEs (the technical term for video editing software) should be pretty intuitive.  I can sit down at any decent NLE you put in front of me and start editing without a manual, but I've been editing for 15+ years.</p>

<p>In terms of NLE software with good documentation, Premiere has very nice documentation and is a very solid platform, but it also isn't the cheapest option out there.</p>

<p>Overall, I would recommend not focusing on the NLE software and more on how to edit though.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-23T11:00:13.213Z
Accepting because it's from someone with 15+ years experience with a straight software recommendation. Thanks. Their CC subscription plan looks good to me.
Yuri Ushakov
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-23T14:40:04.473Z
@YuriUshakov - as a note, while I appreciate the accept, you don't need to accept my answer right away just because I'm experienced.  Others may still write fantastic answers that are more deserving of the accept than mine.  In fact, I was hoping someone might respond with some examples of good learning resources that teach editing but also guide through a particular NLE (non-linear editor is what that stands for by the way).  The down side to having done editing at various levels for 15 years is that most of the resources I know of for learning are a bit dated at this point.
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-22T17:13:11.477Z
2014-12-22T17:13:11.477Z
AJ Henderson
<p>What are the leading editing tools available that also have good textbooks for them? I'd like to learn making videos based on Fraps footage: manage multiple audio tracks, cut/move pieces of audio, possibly record and insert pieces of audio right on the spot, add text on top of video, add fade in/out effects between pieces of video, etc.</p>

<p>I imagine there are several such products, so I'll try to be more specific: it should be modern, easy to use, not buggy, able to use all CPU cores for the rendering and have good tutorial to learn all its stuff.</p>

<p>Ideas?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-22T14:31:08.790Z
This is a very broad question, can you be a bit more specific, do you need to buy hardware (PC etc), most of what you described can be done with just about all modern NLE's does it need to be Free, paid for, but you can look into the major ones, Adobe Premier Pro, Lightworks, Sony Vegas, Davinci resolve is quite good right now.
Adam Mann Pro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-22T20:18:42.120Z
@AJHenderson I think you have https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/davinciresolve/edit version 11 is a full NLE with Grading but it does have quite high system specs but it will be my main edit system for short films but quick edits are FCPX for me
Adam Mann Pro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-22T20:45:14.703Z
@AdamMannPro - very intriguing.  More reason for me to sit down with Resolve Lite and play I suppose.  That's pretty sweet.  I <3 BlackMagic Design.
AJ Henderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-22T20:59:07.837Z
@AJHenderson I was surprised when I first heard about it as well, I am annoyed tho as you need a MBP with retina display or you loose sections of the NLE which is rubbish, so I will only be using it on projects where I will be on my MP only for everything else FCPX as it works on both for now
Adam Mann Pro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-23T10:41:22.450Z
@AdamMannPro paid for is ok if it's affordable, I just need it for a hobby.
Yuri Ushakov
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-23T13:36:08.413Z
Free: Lightworks, Davince Resolve 11, Paid: Adobe Premier Pro or Elements, Sony vegas

but as stated above, it is more about the skill rather than the software I think @AJHenderson covered it pretty well
Adam Mann Pro
<software-recommendation>
Editing software with a good textbook (Windows)
Yuri Ushakov
# Editing software with a good textbook (Windows)

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-22)

What are the leading editing tools available that also have good textbooks for them? I'd like to learn making videos based on Fraps footage: manage multiple audio tracks, cut/move pieces of audio, possibly record and insert pieces of audio right on the spot, add text on top of video, add fade in/out effects between pieces of video, etc.

I imagine there are several such products, so I'll try to be more specific: it should be modern, easy to use, not buggy, able to use all CPU cores for the rendering and have good tutorial to learn all its stuff.

Ideas?

Thanks.

**Tags:** software-recommendation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is a very broad question, can you be a bit more specific, do you need to buy hardware (PC etc), most of what you described can be done with just about all modern NLE's does it need to be Free, paid for, but you can look into the major ones, Adobe Premier Pro, Lightworks, Sony Vegas, Davinci resolve is quite good right now.  
> **username_1**: @AJHenderson I think you have https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/davinciresolve/edit version 11 is a full NLE with Grading but it does have quite high system specs but it will be my main edit system for short films but quick edits are FCPX for me  
> **username_2**: @AdamMannPro - very intriguing.  More reason for me to sit down with Resolve Lite and play I suppose.  That's pretty sweet.  I <3 BlackMagic Design.  
> **username_1**: @AJHenderson I was surprised when I first heard about it as well, I am annoyed tho as you need a MBP with retina display or you loose sections of the NLE which is rubbish, so I will only be using it on projects where I will be on my MP only for everything else FCPX as it works on both for now  
> **username_0**: @AdamMannPro paid for is ok if it's affordable, I just need it for a hobby.  
> **username_1**: Free: Lightworks, Davince Resolve 11, Paid: Adobe Premier Pro or Elements, Sony vegas  but as stated above, it is more about the skill rather than the software I think @AJHenderson covered it pretty well  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-12-22. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Video editing software is a tool to do video editing. Any decent textbook should teach video editing, not video editing software.

Conversely if you know how to edit, most NLEs (the technical term for video editing software) should be pretty intuitive. I can sit down at any decent NLE you put in front of me and start editing without a manual, but I've been editing for 15+ years.

In terms of NLE software with good documentation, Premiere has very nice documentation and is a very solid platform, but it also isn't the cheapest option out there.

Overall, I would recommend not focusing on the NLE software and more on how to edit though.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Accepting because it's from someone with 15+ years experience with a straight software recommendation. Thanks. Their CC subscription plan looks good to me.  
> **username_2**: @YuriUshakov - as a note, while I appreciate the accept, you don't need to accept my answer right away just because I'm experienced.  Others may still write fantastic answers that are more deserving of the accept than mine.  In fact, I was hoping someone might respond with some examples of good learning resources that teach editing but also guide through a particular NLE (non-linear editor is what that stands for by the way).  The down side to having done editing at various levels for 15 years is that most of the resources I know of for learning are a bit dated at this point.  

---

