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Aphelion

v0.1.2 · Python 3.11+ · Windows, macOS, Linux

Aphelion Editor — a node-based video compositor for the desktop

Aphelion Editor is a node-based video compositor and video editor for desktop workflows. It is written in Python, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, ships a Windows installer, and can be extended with custom video-effect nodes written in Python.

Download for WindowsSee what it doesInstall guide
Default workspace
Aphelion Editor showing a node graph above a timeline, with the property inspector on the right
Node graph, timeline and property inspector.

What Aphelion Editor is

What is Aphelion Editor?
A desktop video compositor and editor built around a node graph. You bring media in, wire operations together, and view the result through a Viewer node.
What does it run on?
Windows, macOS and Linux. The Windows installer is published on GitHub releases; macOS and Linux run from a Python 3.11+ checkout.
What can it do?
Node compositing, colour correction, chroma keying, rotoscoping, point and planar tracking, transforms and distortions, proxy preview and frame caching, and MP4 or PNG sequence export — 172 built-in nodes across 21 categories.
Can I extend it?
Yes. The plugin SDK lets you write custom video-effect nodes in Python and drop them into the editor, where they appear alongside the built-in nodes.
Is it free to use?
That depends on what you intend to do — the licence terms are declared in each package's pyproject.toml and summarised on the about page.

Capabilities

All features in detail

The user guide covers the workspace and shortcuts, and the plugin docs cover writing nodes.

Node graph
172 built-in nodes covering input, generators, color, filters, compositing, transform, keying, roto, tracking, timing, distort, stylize and math.
Preview
Decode-time proxy defaults to 960px, with an optional 640px playback proxy. Frames are cached and prefetched, and heavy work runs off the UI thread.
Color
Grading, exposure, hue/saturation, white balance, levels, vibrance, shadows/highlights, monochrome, posterize and creative looks.
Keying and roto
Chroma key, matte edge, spill suppression, bezier roto shapes, point and planar tracking, and corner pin.
Timeline
In/out points, playback and keyframed properties. A new project starts at 1920×1080, 30 fps, 10 seconds.
Export
MP4 (H.264) or a PNG sequence from whichever Viewer is active. Encoder selection prefers a GPU encoder when the bundled FFmpeg offers one.
Projects
`.aph` files are JSON. Autosave starts once the project has a path on disk.
Plugins
Drop-in `aphelion_sdk` modules or wheels, enabled, disabled and reloaded from Preferences → Plugins.

Writing nodes

A plugin is a Python class that imports aphelion_sdk and returns a modified frame. Drop the file in plugins/ and it appears in the node list with its own inspector properties. Plugins are enabled, disabled and reloaded from Preferences, under Plugins, without restarting.

The SDK ships video effect bases. Audio plugin bases are not available yet.

SDK install steps and API surfaceHow plugins are loaded

examples/grayscale_effect.pyPython
import aphelion_sdk


@aphelion_sdk.register_plugin
class GrayscaleEffect(aphelion_sdk.VideoEffectPlugin):
    plugin_name = "Grayscale"

    def setup_effect_properties(self) -> None:
        self.set_property(
            "amount",
            aphelion_sdk.slider_property(100, 0, 100, label="Amount", suffix="%"),
        )

    def process_frame(
        self,
        frame: aphelion_sdk.Frame,
        _frame_num: int,
    ) -> aphelion_sdk.Frame:
        amount = self.float_value("amount", 100.0) / 100.0
        luma = (
            frame[..., 0] * 0.2126 + frame[..., 1] * 0.7152 + frame[..., 2] * 0.0722
        )
        gray = luma[..., None].repeat(3, axis=2)
        return frame * (1.0 - amount) + gray * amount

Project status

Version 0.1.2. The points below are worth knowing before installing.

More about the project

  • Version 0.1.2. Expect rough edges, and APIs that can still move before 1.0.
  • The installable MSI is Windows only. macOS and Linux run from a Python checkout.
  • The plugin SDK covers video effects. Audio plugin bases are not shipped yet.

Get Aphelion Editor

The Windows installer bundles the plugin SDK. On macOS and Linux, install from a checkout of the repository.

DownloadInstallation guide

Source and releases

The source is on GitHub at aphelion-engine/aphelion-editor. Release builds and their notes are on the releases page.