Project overview
MoviePy is a library for processing video through Python code. Its original repository is Zulko/moviepy, and it uses the MIT license. It provides trimming, concatenation, title insertion, compositing, video processing, and custom effects, and can read and write common audio and video formats, including GIF.
The README specifies Python 3.9+ and support for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This page only includes the repository link; runnable packages and core workflows have not been validated.
Use cases
MoviePy suits tasks that involve extracting video segments with Python, joining clips, adding text titles, or arranging footage side by side or in overlapping layers. It can also be used to process video frames, images, and sounds programmatically and export formats such as MP4, WebM, and GIF.
The README includes an example that extracts seconds 10 through 20 of a video, reduces the volume, and overlays centered text. This provides a starting point for learning the basic workflow.
What it does and problems it solves
MoviePy converts media into Python objects and NumPy arrays, allowing users to access pixels and define video or audio effects in code. It also provides concatenation, side-by-side playback, and overlays with transparency, then encodes the result as a media file.
These capabilities help organize media loading, editing, effects, and export within one Python program. The README also notes that media import and export overhead can make MoviePy slower than using FFmpeg directly.
How to use
1. After installation, open the original repository below this page and review its current README and documentation to confirm which version an example targets. The README warns that v2 introduces major breaking changes and v1 is no longer maintained. For existing v1 code, consult the migration guide provided by the original repository.
2. Prepare a video file and import `VideoFileClip`, `TextClip`, and `CompositeVideoClip` in a Python script. The README example uses `long_examples/example2.mp4`; replace this with the path to your own media.
3. Open the media with `VideoFileClip`, call `.subclipped(10, 20)` to extract seconds 10 through 20, and use `.with_volume_scaled(0.8)` to set the volume to 80% of its original level.
4. Create a title with `TextClip`. The example uses the text `Hello there!`, the font parameter `Arial.ttf`, a font size of 70, and white text. Set its duration to 10 seconds and center it with `.with_duration(10).with_position('center')`. The README does not explain how to obtain or configure this font file; consult the original repository documentation to confirm the font setup before use.
5. Overlay the text on the video with `CompositeVideoClip([clip, txt_clip])`, then export it with `final_video.write_videofile("result.mp4")`. Put these operations in the same Python script and run it. The supplied README does not specify how to launch the script; consult the original repository documentation for the relevant environment instructions.
Installation
1. Prepare an environment with Python 3.9 or later. The README lists Windows, Mac, and Linux support but does not provide instructions for installing Python itself.
2. Run `pip install moviepy` in the terminal for that Python environment to install MoviePy.
3. For a custom FFMPEG setup or preview functionality, access the installation documentation through the original repository below this page. The supplied README does not include the complete configuration steps for these options.
4. For source development, obtain the clone address from the original repository below this page, clone the repository locally, enter its directory, and run `pip install -e .`.
5. To build the documentation locally, install the extra documentation dependencies with `pip install "moviepy[doc]"`, enter the `docs` folder, and run `make html`. This is a documentation build procedure and is not required for a standard installation. The README does not explain how to install `make`.
Source and usage notes
- Original repository: https://github.com/Zulko/moviepy
- Source revision: 211e4b15f6ce4f34a6a9efbfff40590e43a68f77
This listing links to the upstream repository. It does not provide a verified download package, and the complete workflow has not been independently validated.
This description was organized and translated with AI from public upstream material. Refer to the original repository for capabilities, setup requirements, costs, and license terms. 
