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2009 has been a great year for OpenShot. I thought it might be fun to look back at the highlights of 2009, and reflect on our journey so far.

Even though I started this project in late 2008, releasing my first screenshots in December 2008, the real development work didn't start until March 2009. On March 16th I moved OpenShot away from the Gstreamer framework and to the MLT framework. This was obviously a big decision, and one that I felt I had to make. By the end of April 2009, OpenShot had integrated the MLT framework and could generate thumbnails, arrange, and preview videos!

As the months rolled on, we continued to add features and refine the user experience. Here is a quick recap of how OpenShot evolved throughout 2009. One of our users (Diode) has put together a more detailed list of blog posts and dates, if you want to dig into more details.

By June 2009, we had added the ability to composite layers of videos, support for image sequences, and we introduced our Build Wizard (providing users a way to actually install OpenShot).

By July 2009, we had implemented transitions, providing a way to blend different video clips together. We also added a Title editor and an export video screen. Now that OpenShot could export video, we could finally call ourselves a "Video Editor"!

By August 2009, we added the ability for alpha masks, duplicate clips, key-frame animation, audio & video fading, speed control, distortion of images and videos, and pre-set animations.

By September 2009, we integrated translations into our source code and began the process of translating OpenShot into many languages (we are now in over 40 languages). We also introduced our first DEB installers, making it easier than ever to install OpenShot in Ubuntu and other Debian-based distros.

By October 2009, we announced our first PPA, once again making OpenShot easier to install. This PPA was greeted with much excitement from our users, but quickly turned into an issue with FFmpeg conflicts. News spread quickly that OpenShot would break VLC, Totem, and any other FFmpeg based application. Unfortunately, this was a step backwards for OpenShot, but we pressed on.

By November 2009, we introduced 33 effects (30 video effects and 3 audio effects). This added some great new features, such as video rotation and chroma-key (i.e. green screen). We also added a static timeline and changeable themes.

In the last 2 months of 2009, we added a 50 page help manual, which has now been translated in 3 languages (many more on the way). We launched a new users website, with forums. We have also removed the old PPA, and added a new PPA that does not touch FFmpeg at all. It only works for Karmic (Ubuntu 9.10), but it is safe to install side by side with VLC, Totem, and other FFmpeg applications. We have focused a lot of attention on Debian packaging, and hope to soon be included in Debian and Ubuntu repositories.

So, that about wraps up the progress we have made in 2009. Version 1.0 will soon be ready, and along with that version will come a few new features, and a few surprises. =) I hope everyone has had a great 2009, and on behalf of the entire OpenShot team, I wish you a happy new year!