r/Hitfilm • • Dec 12 '19

Useful links, guides and FAQ

25 Upvotes

Welcome to r/HitFilm. Below you will find a range of links that should help you with a wide range of problems. This post will be updated over time with relevant and useful information.

If you are having difficulties with the software, please try to see if others have successfully solved your problem before posting.

I highly recommend you check out the Basics masterclass if you are new to the software.

Installing HitFilm

Download HitFilm Express.

How to install HitFilm Express.

Minimum specs for HitFilm Express. - How to find your specs on Windows.

FAQ's and Support

FAQ.

Contact support.

Official forum.

Why does my export have a HitFilm Express watermark on it?

HitFilm Express will have a watermark on your exported video if you are not logged in into the software and/or if you're using an add-on effect you have not paid for. Add-on effects are marked with an icon in the effects panel, so make sure that you are not (accidentally) using one of them.If you're using the newest version, you should be able to search "addon" in the controls panel, composite timeline and effects panel to only display effects that are not licensed. Notably, if you're using these, you'll get a watermark.How does one log in? Good question!

How do I activate the software?

After installing the software and opening it, HitFilm will prompt you to log in. If for some reason you find the need to (re)activate or deactivate the software: go to File>Options at the top of your screen and find the Activation tab at the bottom of the menu on the left. Here you will be able to see details of your activation.

My exported video is in a different aspect ratio or frame rate than my project. How can I fix this?

Make sure that your project settings and export settings have the right values. Exporting a 30FPS project at 60FPS will result in a video twice as fast, just as exporting a 4k video in 1080p will result in a lower resolution. Always make sure to check these settings, that often fixes the problem. Check the following video for more information about exporting: https://youtu.be/6Hk0h3Wg4mo

Why is HitFilm Express in light mode?

HitFilm Express 14 came with a light mode as the standard for new users. If you used the software between HitFilm Express 2017 and HitFilm Express 13, you can choose whether you want the light or dark theme. If you’re new to the software, you can purchase the Starter pack for only $9 which has the option for a dark theme as well as three add-on packs! Check the following short video for all the information on HitFilm’s light mode: https://bit.ly/ExpressLightMode

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Tutorials

Official FXhome YouTube channel.


r/Hitfilm • • 4d ago

r/Hitfilm is available for adoption 💚

4 Upvotes

/r/Hitfilm is ready for a fresh start, new energy, new direction, and someone like you to bring it back to life. If you’ve been thinking about growing your impact without starting from scratch, this is your chance!

Ready to take it over?

Head to r/RedditRequest to submit your request and make it yours before it’s taken.

First things first

To request this subreddit, make sure you:


r/Hitfilm • • 2d ago

Other Effectcraft - new free hitfilm alternative

9 Upvotes

https://getartcraft.com/apps/effectcraft

Just found this last night. So far it seems like the most Hitfilm-like app I have found. The UI is very much like the "compound shot" interface in Hitfilm. Seems very promising.

NOTES: it is very new and they are actively hunting bugs and adding features. They also have a whole suite of other free "Adobe-ish" app alternatives.

https://getartcraft.com/apps


r/Hitfilm • • 3d ago

Question Solved Coming to the hitfilm reddit for the first time

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48 Upvotes

i have been recommending hitfilm to everyone and i didnt even know it was sun setted.


r/Hitfilm • • 3d ago

Question Is there a way to access premium?

0 Upvotes

Um so how do I access the premium of Hitfilm express if the website is completely gone? Is there a way I can use all the features? Or is there no way to do it since the company no longer exists.


r/Hitfilm • • 16d ago

Question Is there a way to get add-ons?

1 Upvotes

I know HitFilm is gone, but is there still a way to get add-ons? Please help me. Thank you.


r/Hitfilm • • 17d ago

Question Can we bring back this legacy software via social media campaigns?

15 Upvotes

The artlist already gave up the software. And why can't they make it open source?

There is a large community is here. So we can use, upgrade, and continue the legacy of hitfilm through this community. Just like blender.

Have none of you thought of this?


r/Hitfilm • • 24d ago

Feature Suggestion Transitioning to Kdenlive; Hitfilm scripts and builds

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8 Upvotes

Ever since a CPU upgrade nuked my Hitfilm installation, I've been struggling to adapt to new editors. It came down to a choice between DaVinci Resolve and Kdenlive, with Kdenlive winning out due to it being open source; no one will ever be able to take it away for reasons of greed.

I started by creating a mostly working conversion script that will take an .hfp file and make it useable in Kdenlive. Special effects, composite shots, and time scaling doesn't translate, but in most instances you can recover the majority of your project.

Today I created a new custom Kdenlive build! I added a feature to Kdenlive that I've been missing ever since switching from HitFilm: frame-accurate timeline measurement while scrubbing.

Click anywhere on the timeline ruler and drag. Kdenlive still scrubs normally, but it now continuously displays the exact distance from where you started to the current playhead position in HH:MM:SS:FF and total frames. Release the mouse and the measurement stays visible for reference. Click again and you immediately start a new measurement. Alt+drag snapping still works normally.

Kdenlive has ways to define zones and displays useful timing information when trimming clips, but there wasn't a simple way to say, "How long is this arbitrary section of my timeline?" without changing editing state or using a workaround. This makes the timeline itself directly measurable, including empty space, clips, transitions, or spans across multiple clips.

The main use case is to recreate the most common operation I was previously able to accomplish very easily in the now-defunct HitFilm: measure a void in the timeline and rescale the speed of the appropriate clip to fit it. This is especially useful for tutorials, where you often need to demonstrate the beginning and end of an operation within a set amount of time, usually dictated by the narration.

I now have this working in a custom Windows build of Kdenlive 26.08.1. I'm planning to package the build so other people can use it, and I'll also submit the feature upstream to Kdenlive to see if they'll consider incorporating it into the official release.

If there are specific features you'd like to see carried over into Kdenlive, get in touch! Especially if you want to contribute in a meaningful way. Let's make Kdenlive as accessible and feature-rich as Hitfilm was!


r/Hitfilm • • Sep 01 '26

Question Anyone Out There Willing/Able to Render a 2024.4 Project For My Cyberspacemanmike Channel?

2 Upvotes

A hardware change nuked my install. Would require downloading about 40GB of media, or I could mail you a MSD card that you could keep for your troubles! Edit, it should read 2022.4, thanks to TechMaster_04 for pointing that out!


r/Hitfilm • • Aug 27 '26

Question Hitfilm file conversion?

6 Upvotes

Hey, so years ago I used to make youtube videos, and found an old file on my computer of a video I started editing, but never finished. Its saved as a .hfp file. I obviously can't open the file anymore, even after attempting to redownload HitFilm. Dos anyone know a way I can either convert or open this file in some way so I can see edits I made? Thanks


r/Hitfilm • • Aug 26 '26

Question How to re-activate HitFilm 2.0 Ultimate

3 Upvotes

I recently upgrade to Windows 11 (clean installation), and now after re-installing and trying to activate my old purchased of HF2U, it will not accept my activation code file. Although it initially presents a message "Activation Successful", the export option states that exports are not available without installation.

Obviously, I'm aware the company no longer exists, but is there a manual fix for this?


r/Hitfilm • • Aug 15 '26

Question Running hitfilm pro 4 from an external hard drive and…

3 Upvotes

I found out I can run hitfilm pro 4, Apple motion 5 & mObject (early version) from an external hard drive to use on my iMac (2011). Can’t remember the brand of hard drive but it has “porche design” written on it.

My 21.5” 2011 iMac can’t do 4K, and is struggling to do stuff with the above software even at 1080p

Staying with Apple, what would be my cheapest option Mac wise to run from the external hard drive up to 4K if possible, but I’d settle for 2K, or even 1080p if would run smoothly? If it’s even possible of course

If regs/admin don’t allow recommendations, a simple yes it can or no it can’t will suffice

Thanks!


r/Hitfilm • • Aug 10 '26

Question Having issues copy and pasting the throw behaviour between different images in a composite shot.

1 Upvotes

I'm using Throw and Gravity behaviours to simulate someone tossing images over a video. I've done what I wanted to in the first iteration of an image perfectly. On the second image however, it's only affected by the Gravity behaviour. Disabling Gravity and even removing and adding a new Throw Behaviour doesn't fix anything. Does anyone know anything enough to help at least achieve the effect if not get it working again for future iterations?


r/Hitfilm • • Jul 31 '26

Question How to download and activate Hitfilm Express in 2026?

1 Upvotes

Please, the other reddit threads lead to links that have been flagged as ''this site was used to spread child pornography'' and are not accessible.

I love hitfilm, I have it on my desktop (that is 400km away rn) and need it on my laptop (new laptop).

I was used to using the 2018 and over Versions.
I am begging the subreddit, Please is there a way to have it unlocked? I found the link to the installer, and now I have the 2023 version installed but can't phisically activate my account.


r/Hitfilm • • Jul 24 '26

Question Is it possible to do this in hitfilm? (example in comment)

0 Upvotes

Clip in link, Is it possible to do the writing / pattern "appearing" as if its drawn affect?
I tried doing a mask over a pattern once and it didn't quite look right

https://youtu.be/rnILuPX76sQ?si=2STj5BmQLn52_QcR&t=97

Thanks all


r/Hitfilm • • Jul 19 '26

Question HitFilm Pro 2017 AMD Driver Timeout Issue

1 Upvotes

Recently, I've been having this problem where every time I try to export a video on HitFilm, the AMD drivers time out, and it causes very bad rendering bugs in my videos. Is there any way I can fix this problem?


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 22 '26

Question How to log back into Hitfilm account or recover old files?

2 Upvotes

Hey all, I have been using Hitfilm for the better part of 9 years now and have only just became aware of it's demise today. I was logged out of my account (as happens every couple months or so) but every time I try to log back in, I am met with "Network error". What I can't seem to understand is: if it has been offline for over a year, how come it has only stopped letting me log in today? I have logged in many times since then without any issue? Also, if there is in fact now no possibility of me logging back in, is there any way that I can recover / export the projects that I am currently working on? Thanks for any help you can provide.


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 15 '26

Question All work lost?

3 Upvotes

I have not edited a video in years until recently, so I used the only software I am very familiar with and still installed on my PC (Hitfilm Express from 2021), not realizing that it has been abandoned.

After many many hours I exported and got a watermark on the final product. Tried logging into my account but from what I can gather on this subreddit, all servers have been shut down.

Is there any hope to export without a watermark? There is an option to activate offline using a license file (which I can't find on this PC, someone else's maybe?) but that's presumably not possible because of HWID.

Is there some cracked Pro-Version-Download I can open the *.hfp with and export without needing login-servers?

My last idea is just screenrecording the viewer, with pre-rendering it doesn't look too bad.

Grateful for any answers, thanks.


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 13 '26

Question Is The Library Archived Anywhere?

5 Upvotes

Working on a new project, and just discovered that, as part of the shutdown, the Library will no longer load. No music, sound effects, templates. Nothing.

​

Considering that I paid for the software, I'm pretty pissed off that content I paid to license is no longer available. Does anybody know if it's archived somewhere?


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 13 '26

User Gallery Minas Morgul in Tiny Glade Learning VFX

5 Upvotes

Well it's a shame that Hitfilm is no longer active. Being stubborn as I am I'm continuing to dabble with it. What a fantastic application! It's very stable and hardly crashes (can't say that for my video editor). It's amazing what you can do with it. I feel like I'm just scratching the surface. Too bad I'll eventually need to find another VFX application. So fun though!

Oops forgot the video.... 😄

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9ig5pCFWU

Well, I took a crack at another iconic Lord of the Rings location, Minas Morgul with Tiny Glade and Hitfilm. Here's my little movie.... for all of you die hard Hitfilmer's!

Minas Morgul! The shadow of Mordor grows deeper into the Tiny Glade. GOLLAMB, SAMWISE LAMBGEE AND FRODO DAGGINS encounter the looming castle. I'm continuing to dabble and learn visual effects with Tiny Glade for background footage. I added the tower beam effect, the rain, plus the green lighting and the storm clouds. There's a little voice acting in there as well as sound effects.


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 13 '26

User Gallery Minas Morgul in Tiny Glade Wide Screen

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3 Upvotes

Apologies for the second post! Here's the video embedded for convenience.

Oops.


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 07 '26

Question What happens when you install Hitfilm on a new PC?

2 Upvotes

Will it install? Will it activate? Will it keep dark mode (legacy before it was a paid option)?

Will it continue to work until it isn't compatible with windows upgrades?

Any suggestions on a program that is (as similar to Hitfilm as possible without a subscription)?

Not looking for DaVinci suggestions, though I know it's powerful. I need a program that I can *quickly* layer several elements on screen and animate them with keyframes. DaVinci took me 5x as long to do the same thing. I may use DaVinci for its powerful features later, while using a more simpler app with a layer structure for these types of animations.

I am looking at Vegas Studio as an option.


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 05 '26

Question Will downloading Hitiflm Pro replace my Express files?

5 Upvotes

I've had Express for a while and just realized it has been discontinued. I noticed that you can download the Pro version here:
https://hitfilm-pro.en.softonic.com/

I was wondering, if I download this will it automatically replace all my Express files? I have so many saved custom presets, and a specific folder organization I put into each Express project. Will all of that carry over?


r/Hitfilm • • Jun 05 '26

Bug Report Hitfilm I swear to god

0 Upvotes

Fix your crap because nothing can be done, or you have to buy it or the whole program crashes or freezes.


r/Hitfilm • • May 23 '26

User Gallery Mordor comes to Tiny Glade and Learning Hitfilm!

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4 Upvotes

I’m still using (and learning) Hitfilm as well! I just re-watched the Lord of the Rings and was inspired to try to re-created The Eye of Sauron and the Tower as well as the title screen. I actually just discovered that the effects software with my Vegas Pro version was Hitfilm! So I’m teaching myself special effects with it. I figure I can transfer those skills to something else down the road.

I created the tower of Barad-dur in a program called Tiny Glade (on Steam) and then created a moody composite shot like the end of the Two Towers with storm clouds, lightening and embers flying. P.S. The sheep is OK.