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blender_vse

Manage Blender's Video Sequence Editor timeline: add, edit, trim, cut, move, apply effects, and render video strips using a unified set of operations.

Instructions

PORTMANTEAU PATTERN RATIONALE: Consolidates 20 VSE operations into a single interface. Prevents tool explosion while providing full video editing: strip management, timeline editing, effects, and rendering. Follows FastMCP 3.x best practices.

Blender's built-in Video Sequence Editor (VSE) exposed as MCP tools. Add video/audio/image strips, apply transitions, trim, cut, move, and render to video.

Strip Creation (7 operations):

  • add_movie: Add a video/MP4 file as a movie strip

  • add_sound: Add an audio file (WAV, MP3, etc.) as a sound strip

  • add_image_sequence: Add a folder of images as an image sequence strip

  • add_scene: Add a 3D scene as a strip (compositing)

  • add_color: Add a solid color matte strip

  • add_text: Add a text overlay strip

  • add_effect: Add a transition/filter effect between strips

Strip Editing (6 operations):

  • delete_strip: Remove a strip by name

  • cut_strip: Cut a strip at a specific frame

  • trim_strip: Set strip start/end frames (trim handles)

  • move_strip: Move a strip to a different channel or frame

  • mute_strip: Mute or unmute a strip

  • lock_strip: Lock or unlock a strip

Properties (3 operations):

  • set_speed: Change playback speed (creates speed effect strip)

  • set_blend: Set blend mode and opacity (ALPHA_OVER, CROSS, ADD, etc.)

  • set_transform: Set position, scale, rotation of a strip

Information (2 operations):

  • list_strips: List all strips in the timeline with properties

  • get_timeline_info: Get timeline frame range, FPS, strip count, channels

Rendering (1 operation):

  • render_video: Render the VSE timeline to a video file (H264/MPEG4)

Cleanup (1 operation):

  • clear_vse: Remove all strips from the timeline

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
operationNoThe VSE operation to perform.list_strips
filepathNoPath to video or audio file. Required for: add_movie, add_sound.
directoryNoDirectory path for image sequences. Required for: add_image_sequence.
strip_nameNoTarget strip name for editing operations. Required for most edit ops.
strip1_nameNoFirst strip name for effect creation. Required for: add_effect.
strip2_nameNoSecond strip name for effect creation. Required for: add_effect.
channelNoVSE channel number (higher = on top). Default: 1.
frameNoFrame number for placement/cutting. Default: 1.
lengthNoStrip duration in frames. Default: 120. Used for: add_color, add_text, add_effect.
frame_startNoStart frame for trim or render range. Default: 1.
frame_endNoEnd frame for render range. Default: 250.
textNoText content. Required for: add_text.
font_sizeNoFont size in points. Default: 48. Used for: add_text.
color_rNo
color_gNo
color_bNo
effect_typeNoEffect type. Options: CROSS, WIPE, GLOW, TRANSFORM, SPEED, ADJUSTMENT, GAUSSIAN_BLUR, TEXT, COLOR, MULTICAM. Default: CROSS.CROSS
cut_typeNoCut type. SOFT (preserves handles) or HARD (snaps). Default: SOFT.SOFT
muteNoTrue to mute, False to unmute. Default: True. Used for: mute_strip.
lockNoTrue to lock, False to unlock. Default: True. Used for: lock_strip.
speed_factorNoPlayback speed multiplier. 2.0 = double speed, 0.5 = half speed. Default: 1.0.
blend_typeNoBlend mode. Options: ALPHA_OVER, CROSS, ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY, SCREEN, OVERLAY, DARKEN, LIGHTEN, etc. Default: ALPHA_OVER.ALPHA_OVER
blend_alphaNoOpacity 0.0-1.0. Default: 1.0.
position_xNo
position_yNo
scale_xNo
scale_yNo
rotationNoStrip rotation in degrees. Used for: set_transform.
scene_nameNoSource 3D scene name. Required for: add_scene.
fit_methodNoHow to fit media. FIT (maintains aspect), FILL (crops), STRETCH. Default: FIT.FIT
include_audioNoInclude audio track from video. Default: True. Used for: add_movie.
resolution_xNo
resolution_yNo
output_pathNoOutput file path (.mp4 recommended). Required for: render_video.
containerNoVideo container format. Options: MPEG4, AVI, QUICKTIME, OGG, MKV. Default: MPEG4.MPEG4
codecNoVideo codec. Options: H264, H265, THEORA, AV1. Default: H264.H264
qualityNoEncoding quality. Options: BEST, GOOD, MEDIUM. Default: MEDIUM. Used for: render_video.MEDIUM
fpsNoFrames per second. Default: 30. Used for: render_video.
audio_codecNoAudio codec. Options: AAC, MP3, PCM, VORBIS, FLAC. Default: AAC. Used for: render_video.AAC
audio_bitrateNoAudio bitrate in kbps. Default: 192. Used for: render_video.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
resultYes
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It comprehensively lists all 20 operations and their effects, such as adding strips, trimming, muting, and rendering. However, it does not disclose side effects (e.g., whether operations modify current Blender state or are undoable). Given the extensive operation listing, it is fairly transparent.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is structured with clear categories and operation lists, which aids readability. However, the first paragraph about 'PORTMANTEAU PATTERN RATIONALE' is somewhat verbose for an AI agent and could be condensed. Overall, it is well-organized and front-loaded with purpose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity (40 parameters, 20 operations), the description is comprehensive. It covers all operation categories and indicates which parameters are needed for each. The output schema exists but is not detailed here; still, the description provides sufficient context for use. Minor gaps exist, such as missing error handling or state constraints.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The schema has 78% description coverage, so the baseline is 3. The description adds value by mapping operations to required parameters (e.g., 'Required for: add_movie, add_sound' for filepath). It also groups operations, enhancing understanding of which parameters are relevant for each task. This goes beyond the schema's individual property descriptions.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states that the tool consolidates 20 VSE operations into a single interface for video editing. It lists all operations in categories (strip creation, editing, properties, etc.) and explicitly mentions capabilities like strip management, timeline editing, effects, and rendering. This distinguishes it from sibling tools that focus on other Blender domains.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides a rationale for the portmanteau pattern but does not explicitly guide when to use this tool versus alternatives. There is no mention of prerequisites, when not to use, or how to choose among the 20 operations. The categorized list of operations gives some implicit guidance, but no clear usage rules are stated.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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