StoryFolder Help

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What happens after import ​

Once you start an import, StoryFolder runs through several steps to turn a raw video into an interactive storyboard. Knowing what's happening will help you understand the progress bar and make better decisions about when to step in.

What are the stages of an import? ​

  1. Fetch / read. For URL imports, the video is downloaded to a local cache. For file imports, StoryFolder simply opens the file on disk.
  2. Probe. Duration, frame rate, resolution, audio tracks, and codec are read.
  3. Transcode (if needed). Exotic codecs are remuxed or transcoded into a working format using FFmpeg.
  4. Thumbnail cache. Frame thumbnails are generated at preview resolution so the editor stays snappy.
  5. Shot detection. StoryFolder's AI shot detector walks the video and marks every cut, fade, or hard transition as a new shot.
  6. Build storyboard. The shots are laid out on your interactive canvas. You're done.

How long should it take? ​

Rough rules of thumb on a modern Mac or PC:

  • A 60–90 second YouTube clip: under a minute.
  • A 5-minute online video: 1–3 minutes.
  • A 30-minute episode: 5–15 minutes.
  • A 90–120 minute feature: 30 minutes to an hour or more.

Factors that affect speed:

  • CPU and RAM available.
  • Source resolution (1080p is fastest; 4K HDR takes longer).
  • Whether the codec needs to be transcoded.
  • Whether other heavy apps are running.

Can I work on other projects while one is importing? ​

Yes. You can leave the import running and use the rest of the app on a different project. Just keep StoryFolder open and don't put the computer to sleep mid-import.

What does the AI shot detector actually do? ​

It looks at the visual difference between consecutive frames. When the difference exceeds a threshold, it marks that point as a shot boundary. It's tuned to ignore camera shake, fast motion, and light flicker, while catching real cuts, dissolves, and wipes.

The threshold is the sensitivity value. You can adjust it after import using the slider — see AI shot detection sensitivity.

Can I change the result after detection? ​

Absolutely. Detection is a starting point, not a finished product. You can:

  • Increase or decrease the sensitivity slider.
  • Use the Split tool to add cuts where the AI missed them.
  • Use the Merge tool to combine consecutive shots into a section.
  • Use the Frame Selector to pick a different representative thumbnail.

See Splitting & merging shots.

Where does the data live? ​

  • The source video stays where it was (your folder, or downloaded to StoryFolder's cache for URL imports).
  • The shot list and notes are saved in StoryFolder's local database.
  • The thumbnail cache is in the app data folder so the editor is fast to reopen.

Nothing about your video or notes leaves your computer unless you choose to publish a share link.

Next step ​

→ The editor at a glance