5. Image, video and audio tools

Icon key

Free icon Free tools are completely free to use with all features.

Freeware icon Freeware tools include basic functionality for free. Additional features may need to be paid for.

open source icon Open source tools are developed in a collaborative manner and can be used, modified or shared openly. This software can be used for free and often includes a lot of support documentation.

paid tools icon Paid tools can only be used after purchasing, and agreeing to, a product licence.

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While at university, you may need to create videos, podcasts, or images. Which tool you choose will depend on a range of factors:

  • basic or advanced functions — simple projects may not require professional-grade software, which may be more difficult to learn and operate.
  • cost — video, photo and audio editing software can be expensive. Will you have access to this software once you graduate from UQ?
  • training — the availability of training and online help varies between tools.

Find tools for:

Looking for help with your assignment?

Images

 Tool Useful features or limitations In-person training Online tutorial Cost
Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop is one of the most well-known image editing software. 
Students who are currently enrolled in a degree-granting course can freely use the software on UQ campus computers. To use or trial Photoshop on your personal devices, go to Adobe.
No Short course: Learning Photoshop (LinkedIn Learning, 3h18m)
Full course: Photoshop 2023 Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning, 11h)
paid tool
Free to use on UQ computers
GIMP GIMP is a free image editing software that can be downloaded onto your Mac/Windows/Linux desktop. It offers many of the same features as Photoshop. No GIMP Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning, 5h10m)
GIMP Tutorials
open source
Paint.net Paint.NET is a free image editing software available on Windows computers. No Beginner Tutorials Free
Photo Pos Pro Photo Pos Pro is a free image editing software. It offers users a choice of interfaces including one for beginners and experts. No Photo Pos Pro Help freeware
Adobe Express Adobe Express has a free basic plan for basic editing of images. Express does not include many of the features of a fully-fledged image editing tool. You need an Adobe account to use Express.  No Learn Adobe Express (LinkedIn Learning, 1h16m) Free

Video

Tool Useful features or limitations In-person training Online tutorial Cost
Kaltura Kaltura is the Learn.UQ media server that allows students to upload course-related media content. Access Kaltura via the My Media link on the Institution Page in Learn.UQ. No Access Kaltura Capture Free
Zoom While Zoom is primarily a video conferencing tool, you can use Zoom to easily record videos of yourself or your computer screen for your assignments or study.  No Zoom video tutorials freeware
Adobe Express Adobe Express has a free basic plan for creating simple videos incorporating images, text and voiceover. Express does not include many of the features of a fully-fledged video editing tool. You need an Adobe account to use Express.  No Learn Adobe Express (LinkedIn Learning, 1h16m) Free
iMovie iMovie is a free video creation tool for Mac computers and mobiles. You can use to insert videos, photographs and sound recordings and create compelling videos. iMovie is a good alternative to more complicated video creation tools, like Premier Pro. No iMovie 10.1.16 Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning, 2h31m) Free
for Mac users
Photos Microsoft Photos is primarily a photography tool, however, it does allow users to create simple videos out of your existing photographs, videos, and sound recordings. This tool is available for your Windows desktop or mobile device. No Video: Basic video editing with Microsoft Photos app (YouTube, 8m4s))
Guide: Create films with a video editor
Free
for Windows users
Adobe Premiere Pro Adobe Premiere Pro is video creation and editing software. Students who are currently enrolled in a degree-granting course can use the software on UQ owned computers. They may not use the software on their personal computers or laptops. Students can trial or purchase Premiere Pro at the Adobe website. No Course: Premiere Pro 2022 Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning 6h23m)
Guide: Premiere Pro User Guide
paid tool
Free to use on UQ computers
Kdenlive Kdenlive is a non-linear video editing program with a large range of features, very simliar to Adobe Premiere Pro. This tool is available for download from Kdenlive. No Kdenlive Manual open source

Audio

Tool Useful features of limitations In-person training Online training Cost
Adobe Audition Adobe Audition is professional-level audio editing software. Students who are currently enrolled in a degree-granting course can use the software on UQ owned computers that are located at UQ premises. They may not use the software on their personal computers or laptops. Students can trial or purchase Audition at the Adobe website. No Audition Essential Training (Linkedin Learning, 4h 15m) paid tools
Free to use on UQ computers
Audacity Audacity is a free, cross-platform desktop audio editing tool. The tool includes a wide range of features. No Learning Audacity (LinkedIn Learning, 1h 42m) open source
GarageBand Garage Band is Apple's free audio editing tool. Primarily, Garageband is used for recording music but it can also be used for creating podcasts. This tool can be used on desktop computers or as a mobile app. No GarageBand Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning, 4h 4m) free
Logic Pro Logic Pro X is a professional-level audio editing tool by Apple. It offers a range of plug-ins and sounds effects you can use. No Logic Pro X Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning, 9h 1m) paid tool

Licence

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Choose the Right Tool Copyright © 2023 by The University of Queensland is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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