Python Video Editor
Programmatically create any kind of video – all with a few lines of Python code! The video editing API has everything you need to generate videos using Python. With a powerful video editor, you can easily create your own video templates, then use a simple REST API to generate hundreds of videos from any data source.
- Edit and create video using Python
- Generate videos programmatically
- Create data-driven video
How to Create a Video Editor in Python
There are two approaches for editing video; using a video template or composing video instructions in Python.
The template-based approach allows you to set up reusable templates in the video editor, referencing those templates in your Python script. As an alternative to templates, it is also possible to edit videos entirely from scratch using Python code.
1Create a video template
The easiest way to generate videos is with a video template. It involves creating a template containing placeholder elements, such as dynamic titles, images, or video clips that vary with each generated video.
A template can be made using the online video editor. There are many editing options, such as cutting, stitching, trimming, transitioning, filtering, masking, blending, blurring, color overlaying, and more.
options = {
'template_id': 'Your Video Template ID',
'modifications': {
'My-Text': 'This text is placed in your video',
'Bg-Video': 'https://example.com/video.mp4'
},
}
response = requests.post(
'https://api.creatomate.com/v1/renders',
headers={
'Authorization': 'Bearer Your-API-key',
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
},
json=options
)
2Make a simple HTTP request
All you need is the "request" package that comes with every Python installation, so you do not need to install any additional software.
The following example illustrates how to make a single POST request to the API, specifying the template ID and any content to be included in the template. It is as simple as that, as the HTTP request returns the URL to the video that has been created.
Additionally, if you prefer more control, you can also generate videos using JSON directly, for example, to edit videos or make highly dynamic videos – all with Python's flexibility.
3Render videos at scale
No matter whether you edit videos by template or by code, this offers a very flexible means of editing without managing your video processing infrastructure. As the video editing API runs in the cloud, you have unlimited video processing power, all from the convenience of your Python scripts.
Whether you're creating video for social media, marketing, personalization, AI video generation, or batch-creating content for any other reason, automating your video production with Python is just a matter of a few lines of code.
Frequently asked questions
How can I edit video using Python?
As video editing is a computationally intensive process, it is recommended that you use a cloud-based video API for rendering. An example of such an API is Creatomate, which can be used in Python applications through its REST API. The API allows Python developers to perform any video creation task, including stitching, trimming, resizing, as well as rendering videos based on reusable templates.
What's the best video API for Python?
We believe that the Creatomate API is the most comprehensive and cost-effective Python video API. It offers the most competitive pricing on the market for the editing features it supports. Get a feel for what the API can do by checking out the web-based video editor and reading this article to see how it compares with other products.
How can I build a video editor in Python?
A video editor can be built in Python using an API that provides video rendering. The Creatomate API offers both template-based video rendering and JSON-based video rendering, making it a complete solution for developing video editing applications in Python.
How much time does it cost to set up?
It takes about 5 minutes to set up a video automation workflow using Python. This includes setting up a template in the editor and integrating the API into your Python script.
Can't I just use FFmpeg with Python?
FFmpeg offers some video editing functionality, but it is not capable of rendering video beyond some basic tasks such as stitching and transcoding. For example, its programming interface is difficult to learn, animations are not supported, text features are limited, and styling is limited. It is also tricky to run fully automated. In fact, it was for these very reasons that we created Creatomate.
How much does a video editing API cost?
Compared to building your own video editing infrastructure, Creatomate's video editing API is considerably less costly. Its pricing begins at a level comparable to that of a single AWS EC2 server. However, an EC2 server can only handle one video at a time and needs maintenance, not to mention you have to develop your own rendering software.
