VSE_Industry_Standard_Keys

VSE Industry Standard Keymap Add-on - Key Changes

This add-on modifies the Blender Video Sequence Editor (VSE) keymap to align more closely with common Non-Linear Editors (NLEs), aiming for a more keyboard-driven workflow. It includes audio adjustment controls and adds several useful operators to the VSE menus.

Changes described here: https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vTNx-Ed8XN7UCmKGoWFk_PbEep9YOTArnuyqtk1fHukf2H3-_U4TGm4IXPANGDp22lxBv0dt5_s2Xwi/pub

Important Notes:

• 'K' Key Conflict: The K key is mapped to Stop Playback. This conflicts with Blender's default VSE keymap where K is often used for Cut/Split. To ensure K works for stopping playback as intended by this add-on, you may need to manually disable the default K keybinding for sequencer.cut or sequencer.split in Edit > Preferences > Keymap.
• 'L' Key Override: The L key is mapped to Play Forward, replacing Blender's default Pick Linked function in the VSE.
• 'G' Key: The standard Blender Grab/Move (G) key is not overridden. The Gain/Volume popup uses V.
• Slide Operator (U, ,, .): The standard NLE Slide function is NOT included, as it requires an uncommitted Blender patch (D9829). These keys remain unmapped by this add-on.
• Warnings During Registration: You might see console warnings like "Property '...' not found..." when enabling the add-on. If the keybindings work correctly when tested in the VSE, these warnings can likely be ignored.
• Limitations: JKL multi-speed/slow-motion is not implemented. Core Blender operators used here generally do not respect channel locking.

Keymap Changes:

Playback (JKL Style)

• J: Play Reverse (screen.animation_play, reverse=True)
• K: Stop Playback (screen.animation_cancel) - Requires checking default keymap conflict.
• L: Play Forward (screen.animation_play, reverse=False) - Overrides Pick Linked.

Frame Stepping

• Shift + J: Step Back 1 Frame (screen.frame_offset, delta=-1)
• Shift + K: Step Forward 1 Frame (screen.frame_offset, delta=1)
• Ctrl + J: Step Back 5 Frames (screen.frame_offset, delta=-5)
• Ctrl + K: Step Forward 5 Frames (screen.frame_offset, delta=5)

Editing & Selection

• Ctrl + K: Split Strips at Playhead (sequencer.split, uses cursor)
• Ctrl + Alt + K: Split Selected Strip(s) at Handles & Remove Middle (sequencer.split, side='BOTH') - Note: Different from Premiere "Hold Split".
• D: Select Strip Handles at Current Frame (sequencer.select_side_of_frame, side='CURRENT')
• Alt + Y: Select Strip Handles After (Right of) Current Frame (sequencer.select_side_of_frame, side='RIGHT')
• Ctrl + Alt + Y: Select Strip Handles Before (Left of) Current Frame (sequencer.select_side_of_frame, side='LEFT')
• Shift + D: Extend Selection (sequencer.select_more)
• Ctrl + Backspace: Remove All Gaps (sequencer.gap_remove, all=True)
• Shift + Ctrl + , (Comma): Swap Active Strip with Strip to the Left (sequencer.swap_inputs, side='LEFT') - Note: Works on active, not selected.
• Shift + Ctrl + . (Period): Swap Active Strip with Strip to the Right (sequencer.swap_inputs, side='RIGHT') - Note: Works on active, not selected.

Transitions

• Ctrl + D: Add Default Transition (sequencer.transition_add)
• Ctrl + Shift + D: Add Default Transition (Audio Attempt) (sequencer.transition_add)

Audio Control

• V: Adjust Volume Popup (Selected Audio Strips) (sequencer.adjust_volume_popup)
• Ctrl + =: Increase Volume by ~1dB (sequencer.adjust_volume_step, direction='UP')
• Ctrl + Shift + = (Ctrl++): Increase Volume by ~1dB (sequencer.adjust_volume_step, direction='UP')
• Ctrl + -: Decrease Volume by ~1dB (sequencer.adjust_volume_step, direction='DOWN')

Zoom & Navigation

• = / Numpad +: Zoom In (view2d.zoom_in)
• Shift + = (+ on most layouts): Zoom In (view2d.zoom_in)
• - / Numpad -: Zoom Out (view2d.zoom_out)
• \ (Backslash): Zoom to Selected Strips (sequencer.view_selected)
• Shift + Left Arrow: Go to First Frame of Timeline/Preview Range (screen.frame_jump, next=False)
• Shift + Right Arrow: Go to Last Frame of Timeline/Preview Range (screen.frame_jump, next=True)
• Ctrl + Alt + R: Set Timeline Range to Selected Strips (sequencer.set_range_to_strips)
• Ctrl + Alt + P: Set Preview Range to Selected Strips (sequencer.set_preview_range_to_strips)

Menu Additions

The add-on also exposes the following operators in the VSE menus (View, Select, Strip):

• Zoom to Selected (\)
• Set Preview Range to Strips (Ctrl+Alt+P)
• Set Range to Strips (Ctrl+Alt+R)
• Go to First/Last Frame in Range (Shift+Left/Right)
• Select At Playhead (Current/Before/After) (D, Ctrl+Alt+Y, Alt+Y)
• Extend Selection (Shift+D)
• Adjust Volume Popup (V)
• Volume +/- 1dB (Ctrl+=, Ctrl+-)
• Remove All Gaps (Ctrl+Backspace)
• Add Default Transition (Ctrl+D, Ctrl+Shift+D)

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Please test these keybindings in the VSE to ensure they function as expected. Remember to check the K key conflict if necessary.