How to Edit a Simple Project with Digital Video-Editing Software: Part 2

The point of this editing exercise is to give you a small glimpse of how larger projects are actually put together. Hopefully this can get you started with smaller ones, or help with whatever editing project you have in mind. Things may look different, but it does not matter what digital-editing software you are using, even the simplest one should be able to accommodate what you are about to do. Please note that I will not refer to any keyboard-equivalent shortcuts for functions, because there are just too many variables.

As always, if something sounds unfamiliar it is probably because of different terminologies and procedures, so refer to your manual for their interpretation. If you have read the last segment and made preparations, you should have (7) video clips, (3) title pages, and (2) audio clips, all digitized how you need them, filed and organized in your project bins. If not, go back and read the first part to see what you will need for this editing exercise. Okay, everything is ready, so let's begin.

If you haven't done it yet save your project. Call it what you want, but make it short so you can easily read it on the timeline tab. Next, you want an opening for this video, so select one of the b-roll clips in your bin and drop it into your timeline. You should be able to either; click hold and drag the clip, select the clip and use a bin user button or pull-down menu. If you use the button or menu, and nothing happens, it might be that the clip will not appear on the timeline until you hold the mouse over it. Either way put the clip in Video 1 track, starting it at the two-second mark. You may have to use the zoom tool to place it exactly at two-seconds.