Importing a video into Krita as a reference or background
Krita does not play video files natively the way some animation software does. Instead, you import a video by converting it into a sequence of still images — one image per frame — and then loading those images as layers or as an animation timeline. This is the standard workflow in Krita because it gives you frame-by-frame control and lets you paint over or trace from each frame without the software having to decode video in real time.
The process has two parts: first, you extract the video into individual image files using free software outside Krita. Second, you bring those images into Krita and arrange them so you can see them in sequence. Most people use this method to trace over live-action footage, rotoscope (paint over video frame by frame), or use video as a moving background behind drawn animation.
Key Takeaways
- Krita requires video to be converted into a sequence of numbered image files before import, not imported as a video file directly.
- Free software like FFmpeg or VidCutter can extract video frames; FFmpeg is fastest for large files but requires command-line use.
- Once you have image files, Krita's Animation Timeline lets you load them as layers and play them back frame by frame.
- Naming your extracted images with numbers (frame_001.png, frame_002.png) is required so Krita recognizes them as a sequence.
- Imported video frames usually go on a locked layer beneath your drawn animation so you can trace or paint over them without accidentally moving them.
Extract video frames using FFmpeg (fastest method)
FFmpeg is a free command-line tool that converts video into image sequences in seconds, even for hour-long files. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from ffmpeg.org and install it, then open your system's command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).
Navigate to the folder where your video file is stored. Type this command, replacing myvideo.mp4 with your actual filename and frame_%04d.png with your chosen image name pattern:
ffmpeg -i myvideo.mp4 frame_%04d.png
FFmpeg will create numbered files: frame_0001.png, frame_0002.png, frame_0003.png, and so on. The %04d means "use four digits with leading zeros," which Krita needs to recognize the sequence. If your video is 24 frames per second and runs for one minute, you will get 1,440 image files. Store them in a dedicated folder so they do not clutter your project directory.
If you want only every other frame (to reduce file count), add -vf fps=12 to the command to extract at 12 frames per second instead of the video's native rate. This is useful for reference footage where you do not need every single frame.
Extract video frames using VidCutter (graphical alternative)
If command-line tools feel unfamiliar, VidCutter is a free graphical program that extracts frames without typing. read it from vidcutter.org, open your video file, and use the menu to export frames as an image sequence. The process is slower than FFmpeg for large videos, but the steps are straightforward: File → Export → Image Sequence, then choose your output folder and image format (PNG is standard).
VidCutter also lets you trim the video before export, so you can extract only the section you need rather than processing an entire file. This saves disk space and import time in Krita.
Import the image sequence into Krita's animation timeline
Open Krita and create a new document at the resolution and dimensions you want. Go to File → Open as Layers, then navigate to your folder of numbered images. Click the first image in the sequence (frame_0001.png) and Krita will ask if you want to open it as an image sequence. Click Yes.
Krita will import all the numbered images as separate layers, stacked in order. Open the Animation Timeline panel (Windows → Dockable Dialogs → Animation Timeline) if it is not already visible. You should see each layer listed as a frame. Press the spacebar or click the play button to preview your video sequence frame by frame.
If the images do not import as a sequence, it usually means the filenames are not numbered consistently. Check that every image has the same prefix and number of digits (frame_0001, frame_0002, not frame_1, frame_2). Rename them if needed using a batch rename tool, then try importing again.
Lock the video layer and paint over it
Once your video frames are imported, right-click the bottom layer (the video sequence) and select Lock Layer. This prevents you from accidentally moving or erasing the video while you draw on top of it. Create a new layer above the video layer for your animation or tracing work.
Lower the opacity of the video layer (use the Opacity slider in the Layers panel) so you can see your drawn lines on top. Many animators set video reference to 50% opacity so the video is visible but does not dominate the canvas. You can adjust this at any time without affecting the video itself.
As you play through the timeline, each frame of video will appear in sequence, and you can draw on the layer above it. This is the standard rotoscope workflow: watch the video frame, pause, draw, move to the next frame, repeat.
Adjust playback speed and frame rate
If your extracted video plays too fast or too slow in Krita, the frame rate may not match. Open Image → Image Properties and check the document's frame rate (usually 24 or 30 fps). If your video was 60 fps but you extracted at 24 fps, the playback will appear slower.
You can also adjust playback speed in the Animation Timeline panel itself. Look for the playback speed dropdown (often showing 100%) and change it to 50% to slow down preview, or 200% to speed up. This does not change the actual frames — only how fast they play back on screen while you work.
If you need to match a specific frame rate for export later, extract the video at that rate from the start. For example, if you are animating for a 24 fps film, extract at 24 fps. If you are animating for web at 30 fps, extract at 30 fps.
Export your finished animation
Once you have drawn your animation on top of the video frames, export it as a video or image sequence. Go to File → Export As and choose your format. For video output, select .mp4 or .webm. For an image sequence (which you can later convert to video), select PNG Sequence.
If you export as PNG Sequence, Krita will create numbered images of your finished animation. You can then use FFmpeg again to convert those images back into a video file, or import them into video editing software like DaVinci Resolve or OpenShot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import an MP4 or MOV file directly into Krita without converting it first?
No. Krita does not support direct video import. You must convert the video to an image sequence first using FFmpeg, VidCutter, or similar software. This is by design — it gives you more control over frame-by-frame editing and avoids the performance issues that come with decoding video in real time.
How much disk space do extracted video frames take up?
A one-minute video at 24 fps creates 1,440 PNG images. Each PNG is typically 500 KB to 2 MB depending on resolution and content, so expect 700 MB to 3 GB for one minute of video. High-resolution video (4K) takes significantly more space. Extract only the sections you need to save disk space.
What if my extracted images do not appear in the Animation Timeline?
Check that the filenames are numbered consistently with leading zeros (frame_0001, not frame_1). Krita requires this format to recognize a sequence. If they are named correctly, make sure they are all in the same folder and in the correct order. You can also manually add them as layers and arrange them in the timeline if the automatic sequence import fails.
Can I use video as a background without tracing over it?
Yes. Import the video sequence as described, lock it, and create your animation layers above it. The video will play in the background while you draw. This is useful for matching lighting, perspective, or movement to live-action footage without rotoscoping every frame.
Do I need to extract every frame, or can I skip frames?
You can skip frames to reduce file count. Use FFmpeg's fps filter (for example, -vf fps=12) to extract at a lower frame rate than the original video. This is common for reference footage where you do not need every single frame. For rotoscoping, extract every frame so you have smooth reference to trace from.