One of the much requested feature for Kdenlive was a modern background removal tool.
Among the many features and enhancements that will come in 2025, we are excited to announce a preview version with a background removal tool using object masks. The feature is based on SAM2‘s object segmentation. You can download the Kdenlive test alpha version from the links at the bottom of this page.
Since this is a testing preview version, the binaries are not signed and you might need to manually allow the install on Windows.
Here is a quick demo of how the feature works in screenshots:
- Add a clip to your project
- Select a zone to apply the background removal
- Click on the Mask button
- Select Configure to setup the tool (to be done only the first time)
- Click on Install in the Object detection setup
Go drink a coffee while the module is being downloaded and installed (between 5 and 15 minutes depending on your internet connection). Currently there is not much feedback from the install, we will improve this so just be patient.
Kdenlive downloads the smallest model by default. Once it shows up, you can close the dialog and start using the feature.
- Click on the Create new mask button
- Click on the object you want to keep (foreground)
- When the white mask appears, click on Generate Mask
- The video mask task starts, drink another coffee
When the video mask is created, it will appear in the mask manager dialog (2).
- Drag your clip zone from the clip monitor to timeline
- Select the newly created mask
- Click on Apply Mask
Success, you can now enjoy your video without the background.
Of course, this feature can also be used for other exciting things like applying an effect or a color correction to a specific object only.
Keep in mind that this is an alpha version, we will enhance and polish it for the upcoming 25.04 version. Happy editing!
Linux AppImage download:
https://files.kde.org/kdenlive/unstable/kdenlive-25.04.0-alpha-x86_64.AppImage.mirrorlist
Windows download:
https://files.kde.org/kdenlive/unstable/kdenlive-25.04-alpha-x86_64.exe.mirrorlist
Flatpak:
Check our experimantal nightly version (see instructions at the bottom of our download page)