Import a video file into Krita as a reference or background layer

Krita does not have a built-in video import feature in the way that professional animation software does. You cannot drop a video file directly into your project and animate over it frame-by-frame. However, you can convert your video into an image sequence — a folder of numbered still images, one for each frame — and then import that sequence into Krita as layers or as a reference.

The most practical approach depends on what you need the video for. If you want to trace or draw over a video as a reference, you can load it as a reference image that stays visible but does not become part of your final animation. If you want the video frames to become actual layers in your project, you will convert the video to an image sequence first, then import those images as layers.

Key Takeaways

  • Krita requires you to convert video files into image sequences (numbered still frames) before you can work with them in your project.
  • Free tools like FFmpeg or HandBrake can extract video frames as PNG or JPG images in seconds, creating a folder you can then import into Krita.
  • Use Krita's reference image feature to load a video frame as a non-printing guide if you only need to trace or draw over the video.
  • Import an image sequence as layers by opening the folder of frames as an image stack, which creates one layer per frame automatically.
  • Organize your video frames in a separate folder before importing so your project stays clean and files are easy to find.

Convert your video to an image sequence using FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a free command-line tool that extracts every frame from a video file and saves them as individual images. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download FFmpeg from ffmpeg.org, install it, and then open a terminal or command prompt on your computer.

Navigate to the folder where your video file is stored. On Windows, you can type cmd in the address bar of File Explorer to open a command prompt in that location. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and use the cd command to change to your video's folder. Then type this command and press Enter:

ffmpeg -i yourvideoname.mp4 frame_%04d.png

Replace yourvideoname.mp4 with the actual name of your video file. The frame_%04d.png part tells FFmpeg to name each image frame_0001.png, frame_0002.png, and so on. This numbering is important — Krita needs the frames in order. The process may take a minute or two depending on your video length. When it finishes, you will see a folder full of numbered PNG files in the same location as your original video.

Extract video frames using HandBrake if you prefer a graphical tool

If command-line tools feel unfamiliar, HandBrake is a free video converter with a visual interface. Download it from handbrake.fr and install it on your computer. Open HandBrake, click the Source button, and select your video file.

In the left panel under Presets, scroll down and look for a preset that mentions "image sequence" or "frames". If you do not see one, go to the Video tab and change the codec to an image format like PNG. Set the quality to maximum so your frames are as clear as possible. Then click Start to begin the conversion. HandBrake will create a folder of numbered images in your chosen output location.

Load video frames as a reference image in Krita

If you only need to see the video while you draw — to trace over it or use it as a guide — use Krita's reference image feature instead of importing full layers. This keeps your project file smaller and lets you move or resize the reference without affecting your actual artwork.

Go to File > Reference Images > Reference Image. A dialog will open asking you to select an image file. Choose the first frame of your video sequence (frame_0001.png). Krita will place it on your canvas. You can resize it by dragging the corners, move it by dragging the center, and toggle its visibility with the eye icon in the Layers panel. The reference image will not print or export with your final animation.

Import an image sequence as layers in Krita

To make each video frame become an actual layer in your Krita project, go to File > Open as Layers. A file browser will open. Navigate to the folder containing your numbered frame images. Click on the first frame (frame_0001.png), then hold Shift and click on the last frame to select all frames at once. Click Open.

Krita will import all the frames as separate layers, stacked in order from bottom to top. The layers will be named after the image files, so you will see frame_0001, frame_0002, and so on in your Layers panel. You can now draw on top of these frames, delete frames you do not need, or rearrange them. If you want to play them back as an animation, go to Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Animation to open the animation timeline, which will read your layers as frames.

Organize your frames before importing to keep your project clean

Before you import a large image sequence, create a dedicated folder inside your Krita project folder and move all the frame images there. This prevents your project from becoming cluttered with hundreds of loose files. Name the folder something clear like "video_frames" or "reference_sequence".

If your video is very long — over 500 frames — consider splitting it into smaller sequences. You can import the first 100 frames, work on them, then import the next batch later. This keeps Krita running smoothly and makes it easier to manage your layers. You can always merge sequences later if you need them in one file.

Adjust frame rate and timing if your video and animation do not match

Video files typically play at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. Your Krita animation project has its own frame rate, which you set when you create a new document. If your video is 30 fps but your Krita project is 24 fps, the timing will be off when you export.

Check your project's frame rate by going to Image > Canvas > Image Properties and looking at the animation settings. If it does not match your video, you have two options: convert your video to match your project's frame rate before extracting frames, or manually delete or duplicate frames after importing to sync the timing. For most hand-drawn animation, 24 fps is standard, so converting your video to 24 fps before extraction is usually the simplest approach.

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 your video to an image sequence first using a tool like FFmpeg or HandBrake. This is a limitation of Krita's design — it works with layers and images, not video streams.

What image format should I use when extracting video frames?

PNG is the best choice because it preserves quality without compression loss and supports transparency. JPG is smaller but loses detail. Use PNG unless your video sequence is so large that file size becomes a real problem on your computer.

How do I play back my imported video frames as an animation in Krita?

Open the Animation timeline by going to Windows > Dockable Dialogs > Animation. The timeline will automatically read your layers as frames in order. Click the play button to preview. Make sure your layers are named with numbers in the correct sequence, or the playback order will be wrong.

Will importing hundreds of video frames slow down Krita?

Yes, very large sequences can make Krita slower. If you are working with a video longer than 500 frames, consider splitting it into smaller chunks and importing them separately. You can also hide layers you are not currently working on to improve performance.

Can I edit the video frames after importing them into Krita?

Yes. Once imported, each frame is a regular layer. You can paint on them, erase parts, adjust colors, or delete frames entirely. Any changes you make will only affect that one layer unless you merge layers or use Krita's layer blending features.