Lunar Studio is a non-destructive, AI-native video editor for macOS that combines a professional multi-track timeline, a node-based color page, a Fusion-style compositor, a full audio mixing console, and a plain-language AI assistant in one application.
Launching Lunar Studio
On first launch, Lunar Studio recovers any autosaved projects and re-checks that your linked media is still available. If the app quit unexpectedly, you'll be offered a one-click recovery of your most recent work.
The Project Manager
You land in a browsable grid of your Libraries and Events. From here you can select or open a project, filter by Event, create a new project, or open a tutorial project with sample media already loaded.
Creating a New Project
You'll be asked for a name and a delivery format, which sets your canvas aspect ratio and sensible defaults for resolution, frame rate, and color workflow:
| Delivery Format | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| 16:9 Widescreen | YouTube, broadcast, standard film/TV |
| 9:16 Vertical | TikTok, Reels, Shorts |
| 1:1 Square / 4:5 Portrait | Instagram feed |
| 21:9 Cinemascope | Cinematic letterboxed delivery |
| 4:3 Standard | Archival / classic broadcast |
| Custom | Any resolution and aspect ratio |
Format & Color Workflow Presets
- HD 24p — 1920×1080 at 24fps, Rec.709
- 4K 30p — 3840×2160 at 30fps, Rec.709
- 4K 24p ACES — 3840×2160 at 24fps, ACEScct
The Workspace Layout
- Top Bar — menus, page switcher (Edit / Color / Effects / Audio), playback transport, undo/redo, panel toggles.
- Media Browser (left) — your clips, plus Titles, Effects, Transitions, Captions, and Audio tabs, with search and grid/list views.
- Preview & Timeline (center) — a resizable split: graded preview on top, multi-track timeline below.
- Inspector (right) — contextual controls for whatever is selected.
Importing Media
Drag files onto the Media Browser, or press ⌘I. Import happens in two phases: an instant catalog entry you can start editing with immediately, followed by background technical analysis (true duration, codec, resolution, fps, audio channels, timecode) that updates the clip automatically.
Every clip is indexed for search by file name, notes, and — if AI features are enabled — by what's actually in the shot.
Where Your Files Live
A project is a single .lunarproj package containing your editorial decisions, optionally your media, and a caches folder for regenerable data like thumbnails and proxies. Your original source files are never modified.
Next Steps
Continue with Editing & Timeline Workflow, or browse the rest of the Knowledge Base for Color Grading, Compositing, Audio, AI Tools, Export, and Collaboration guides.