Video Edit Magic Express 4.11

Preparing for Editing

Once the files are opened in the Media Files list in the Collections window, they are available for editing.  To edit these files they must be added to the timeline. 

Adding Media Files to the Timeline

To start editing your media files and giving them Effects, they must be added to the Timeline.  To add media files to the Timeline:

1. Select one or more media files from the Media Files list in the Collections Window. 
2. Go to Edit > Add to Timeline or use the F2 shortcut key to add the selected file to the Timeline. 

Media files can also be added to the Timeline in many other ways:

1. Right click the selected files and then select Add to Timeline from the context menu. 
2. Drag the selected media file to the timeline.  This will add the streams of the media file to the timeline. 

If the "Fit to timeline when adding sources" option is selected in the General tab of the Options window (Tools > Options) the timeline is automatically zoomed to accommodate the entire length of the added source (s).  Clear the option from the Options window if this behavior is not desired.

Zooming the Timeline

A media file that you drag into the timeline may be of a very long duration.  The complete file may not be visible.  If you wish to see the complete file, you may zoom out of the timeline using the Tools > Zoom out Timeline Scale menu option.  Continue zooming in or out of the timeline view until you arrive at a view that is comfortable for your editing purposes.  Most users prefer to zoom out only to see an overview of their media in the timeline and work in a zoomed in view at all other times.

Previewing the Timeline

Now that the sources are added to the Timeline, it can be previewed.  Just click the Play button in the Preview window and watch the preview of your timeline.  The position of the Seek Sider in the timeline and the seek bar in the Preview also chang to reflect what is being previewed.  The Seek Slider can be moved by dragging its handle.  When the Seek Sslider is moved, the preview changes to reflect the current slider position.  The same can be done with the seek bar in the Preview window.  As you continue editing your files in the timeline and applying Effects to them, you should preview your timeline frequently.