The “Keep clip original frame size on import” setting (Settings → Configure Kdenlive → Misc) does not prevent this scaling when you drop the clip on the timeline. In fact, that option merely adds a Transform effect to the clip (so you can adjust it), but it does not stop the clip from being sized to the project frame.
That’s what ChatGTP says and I agree.
When I drop the clip to the timeline it not only resizes it but it changes it’s aspect ratio to the aspect ratio of the project. That makes the align buttons on the transform filter kinda useless and those buttons are the main reason I prefer Kdenlive from Resolve.
I hope you fix this.
Well, I hate to break this to you but ChatGPT is not always right. It is true, however, that Kdenlive fits a clip to the project dimensions because that’s what the vast majority of use cases ask for. If you want to just show a small(er) portion of that clip and are ok with positioning and perhaps additional zooming, you can always use the Adjust to original size button in the Transform effect (which you need anyway for positioning and zooming).
What ChatGPT did not get right is that this option
… because Kdenlive doesn’t add effects upon import of clips or adding them to the timeline. It may have confused that with the option to enable built-in effects (Kdenlive Menu > Settings > Configure Kdenlive > Misc > Enable built-in effects. If you enabled that, the Transform effect shows up in the effects panel when a clip is selected - no need to add one for moving the clip around or changing its size.
ChatGPT is also not correct in stating that
because Kdenlive keeps the aspect ratio of the imported clip. When fitting it into the project dimensions it creates black bars above/below or right/left of the clip exactly because it keeps the aspect ratio. If it changed the aspect ratio of the clip to fit it horizontally and vertically there would be no need for black bars.
Well first of all the adjust to original size button works wonders. It also removes the black bars. Thanks.
As for the “Keep clip original frame size on import” instead of doing that, it just adds a transform effect for the clip I still think that this is correct.
As far as I can tell the only difference it has with the “Enable built-in effects” is that the latter also adds a volume effect to the clip.
Don’t know which version you are using and on what OS but my test this morning did NOT add a transform effect with this option enabled. Do you have a screen recording of Kdenlive adding Transform upon adding the clip?
Well I have the Kdenlive 25.04.2 for Windows but to be honest it looks bugged. Now when I check the keep clip original frame size it adds a volume effect also?!?! Furthermore when I check the “Enable built-in effects” the apply button remains grayed out. Here’s the video:
Hmm, interesting. Thanks for providing the video. You did a few things differently than I did in my test. So, I stand corrected: Kdenlive does indeed add a Transform effect when enabling the Keep original size option.
IMO, Kdenlive behaves as designed but it falls short on the UX and UI. It should consistently apply the Transform effect (i.e. turn on built-in effects to allow for the override of the automatic size adjustment) irrespective of the sequence of enabling the size option; and it should set the checkmark in the settings so that it shows built-in effect having been enabled already.
Good catch! Now, may I bother you to create a bug report here? I will then confirm it and add my experience on Linux. Thanks!
