Understanding the Main Screen of a Digital Video-Editing Program: Part 2

This next segment will attempt to describe the other basic components (windows) of a timeline editing system. Some of these editing packages can get complicated, with a whole list of things they can do. Right now you just want to start editing, and as I always say, most of your editing time will be spent with just cuts and dissolves anyway. Now that you know what a timeline is all about, let us look at the other windows on your editing screen. These windows may be in different places depending on what software you are using, but they will not be very hard to find. If you prefer, your editing software will probably let you configure the windows wherever you want.

Now depending on your computer hardware (video/audio cards, etc.), the mid-range and high-end editing packages offer the option of using up to several other monitors. Please note that I will be describing a system that is set up to use only one monitor. Before continuing, let me also emphasize that the names of buttons, and the names of features, will vary from package to package. This is a result of the programmers designing these packages unfamiliarity with our industry's terminology. Because of this, various names have been given to similar functions. Occasionally programmers may even change the names of features on the next version of their own software. Sometimes it seems that they just make up words to be different. This may be a little confusing as you follow along, but just refer to your manual as to what your particular software calls it. I will try to describe it best as possible.