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- Media Bin: In the upper left-hand corner there are several options for the things you can add to your project. The media bin shows you what is available depending on which option is selected. When Media is selected, the media bin displays the imported clips you have so far. If you were to select another option such as Transitions, then those options (such as annotations) would appear in the media bin. The other options allow you to add things like effects, graphics, and transitions.
- Timeline: At the bottom of the interface is what is known as the timeline. Here, you can choose where to start playing your project using the playhead, move existing clips and effects around, and do most of your editing.
- Canvas: The main display above the timeline is the canvas, where you can preview your project as it would appear when completed. The frame displayed in the canvas is determined by where your playhead is in the timeline. In the canvas, you also have the capability to move windows and graphics around.
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NOTE: Items can be imported into the Media Bin, such as pre-existing images or videos, by selecting File->Import Media.
Working in the Timeline
- Adding Clips - As mentioned before, everything works in a "drag-and-drop" fashion. Clips can be placed one after the other, or on top of each other to be played simultaneously.
- Moving Clips - Click and drag any clip to any location on the timeline
- Moving the Playhead - To move the play head, click on the black or dashed gray rectangle just above the time markings at the top of the timeline. You can also click and scroll with the playhead, allowing you to see in the canvas where you are. Pressing the Spacebar will play and stop your project from wherever the playhead is.
- Splitting a Clip - Any clip can be split into two, allowing you to delete, move, separate, or add an effect to a specific section. Move the playhead over the clip that you want to split exactly where you want to split it, and then right-click on said clip and choose "Split at Playhead".
- Separating Audio and Video - If you just want the video or audio of a clip to remove or edit, right-click on a clip that has both and select the "Separate Video and Audio" option. This will split the two into separate clips, where you can then delete one or the other, or move them to different locations on the timeline.
This screenshot includes the most common editing procedures and how they will appear on the timeline. Any clip or effect will Clips and effects appear differently on the timeline, depending on what it isthey are:
- Media - Appears with a thumbnail of the first frame followed by the name of the clip. If audio is present, you will see the audio waves on the clip.
- Annotations - Once dragged in, will appear above the desired clip. For instance, the track clip with the red arrow is an annotation. From there, you can shorten or increase the duration of the annotation, and move it left and right so that it starts and ends at the proper time.
- Transitions and Animations - These will appear inside of the clip they are affecting, such as the blue arrow you see at the end of the last clip in the screenshot. By dragging the beginning or end of the graphic, you can determine how long the transition or animation will last.
- Video, Audio, Cursor, and Gesture FX - These can be dragged onto a clip where they will appear to be hidden underneath said clip. To expose them, click on the little arrow that shows up in the middle of the affected clip, and then the name of the effect will appear in a little rectangle which can then be shortened, lengthened, and moved by dragging the edges. The example of this is shown in the second clip in the screenshot, which appears to be elevated. Underneath, you can see the green rectangle which says "Left Click Rings" (the desired cursor effect in this example), and below that a small white arrow which if pressed, will hide the effect rectangle and return the clip to its normal position on the track.
- Adding Clips - As mentioned before, everything works in a "drag-and-drop" fashion. Clips can be placed one after the other, or on top of each other to be played simultaneously.
- Moving Clips - Click and drag any clip to any location on the timeline
- Moving the Playhead - To move the play head, click on the black or dashed gray rectangle just above the time markings at the top of the timeline. You can also click and scroll with the playhead, allowing you to see in the canvas where you are
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- Splitting a Clip - Any clip can be split into two, allowing you to delete, move, separate, or add an effect to a specific section. Move the playhead over the clip that you want to split exactly where you want to split it, and then right-click on said clip and choose "Split at Playhead".
- Separating Audio and Video - If you just want the video or audio of a clip to remove or edit, right-click on a clip that has both and select the "Separate Video and Audio" option. This will split the two into separate clips, where you can then delete one or the other, or move them to different locations on the timeline.
Editing in the Canvas:
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