Xara Video Pro - X5 Instruction Manual

Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right to duplicate, circulate, and translate, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding manufacturers. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the respective manufacturer. This product uses MAGIX patent pending technology.

Preface 3

Preface

Thank you for choosing MAGIX Video Pro X5! Your new software offers video editing and postproduction on a professional level, comprehensive format support, powerful performance, high-end audio editing and all options for DVD authoring and export.

The fully developed MAGIX Video Pro X5 operating concept helps you get top results after only a short familiarization period. This documentation offers you an overview and a quick start at the beginning. The sections at the end provide a detailed and systematic description of the numerous functions.

Have fun with your projects and MAGIX Video Pro X5 from

Your MAGIX Team

Table of Contents

Package Contents 13 Installation 13 Serial number 14 System requirements 15

Introduction 16

What is MAGIX Video Pro X5? 16 Features 16 Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users 18 Projects, movies and scenes 20

Quick start 22

Program start 22 Select, load, and play back videos 23 Import video material from memory card 26 Video editing 28 Publish videos 34

Edit mode 36

Standard mode 36 Basic mode 37 Switching between standard and basic modes 40

Work screens 41

Activate main screen 41 "Edit" screen 42 The "Burn" screen 67

Video recording 68

Select the recording method 68 AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra 69 HDV camera 72

DV camera 72 Video 79 Audio 82 Single frame 85 Screen 88 Edit after recording 89

Objects 91

Insert object into the project 92 Select and group objects 94 Duplicate objects 94 Move Objects 95 Extract sound from videos 95 Object handles 96 Object borders 97 Trim Objects 97 Transitions (fades) 100 Search for gaps 102 Simple cut 103 Two-point cut 103 Three-point editing 105 Four-point editing 107 Move the contents of trimmed objects 107 Zoom preview 107

Table of Contents 5

Markers 108

Playback marker 108 Project markers 108 Ranges (in and out points) 109 Chapter markers 110 Scene markers 112

Multicam editing 113

Preparation 113 Source tracks and preview images 114 Multicam edit functions 115 Synchronize video objects using the audio track 116

Title 117

Title editor 117

3D Text 118 Advanced settings 119 Creating titles using a template 120 Create titles without a template 120 Edit titles retroactively 121 Position titles 121 Fade in date as title 121 Timecode 122

Effects 123

Apply effects to objects 123 Preview rendering 125 Video effects in the Media Pool 128 Movement effects in the Media Pool 137 Stereo3D in the Media Pool 142 Audio effects in the Media Pool 143 Design elements in the Media Pool 144 My Presets in the Media Pool 144 Additional Effects 144 Animate objects, effect curves 147 Create effects masks 152 Attach to picture position in the video 158 Create overlay graphic/animation 158 Image stabilization 159 Image improvements for the entire movie 161 Image improvements for individual objects 163

Stereo3D 164

3D basics 164 Record 3D 165 Prepare 3D editing 166 Set playback mode for 3D 167 Align videos and pictures for 3D 168 Turn camera movements into 3D videos 169 Export and burn 3D videos 170

Audio editing 172

Load and edit audio files 172 Audio effects 173

Mixer 190

5.1 Surround 193 Set multiple sound tracks 198 Scrubbing 201

Edit disc menu 202

Preview and editing 202 Menu 203 Templates 204 Edit disc menu 205 Edit DVD menus with Xara Xtreme Pro or Photoshop 212

Burn disc 220

Burning wizard 220 The burn dialog 221 Memory 222 Encoder settings 224 Use Quick Sync Video, Open CL or CUDA for rendering 226

Export movie 227

Video as AVI 227 Video as DV-AVI 228 Video as MPEG video 228 Video as MAGIX video 228 Video as QuickTime movie 228 Uncompressed movie 229 Video as MotionJPEG AVI 229 Movie as a series of individual frames 229 Windows Media Export 229 Video as MPEG-4 video 230 Export as media player 231 Audio as MP3 232 Audio as wave 232 Export as transition... 232 Single frame as BMP file 233 Single frame as JPG 233 Animated GIF 233 Export movie information as EDL 233 Upload to Internet 234

Table of Contents 7

Upload to Internet (MAGIX Online Album) 235 Export to device 236 Output as media player 236 Output as video file 237

Settings for and management of video projectors 238

Movie and project settings 238 Program settings 246 Proxy and Preview Rendering 253 Backup copy 255 Load backup project... 256 Importing & exporting EDL files 256 Clean-up wizard 257

Special functions and wizards 258

Proxy editing 258 Automatic scene detection 259 Musical cut adjustment 260 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker 264 Slideshow Maker 266 Produce panorama pictures 270 Batch conversion 271 Blackmagic Design video cards 274 Use movie templates 275

Menus 277

File Menu 277 Edit Menu 284 Effects Menu 292 Windows Menu 298 Help Menu 301

Context menu (right click) 303

Video objects 303 Image objects 307 Transitions 310 Audio objects 310 Text objects 313 MAGIX 3D Maker objects 315 Project folder 318

Track 318

Problems and solutions 320

File will not load 320 Choppy or uneven playback 320 Problems and Remedies regarding the Auto Remix Assistant 320 Activation problems 321

Online functions 322

Integrated browser 322 MAGIX News Center 324 Embed Flash videos into your own web page 324

Keyboard shortcuts 326

Playback functions 326 Scroll and zoom 327 Monitors 327 Arranger view 327 Move view 328 Mouse Modes 328 Context Menu 329 File menu 329 Edit menu 330 Effects menu 331 Windows menu 332 Help menu 333 Edit keyboard shortcut 333

Table of Contents 9

Activate codecs 335

Free activation of codecs 335 Fee-based DVCPRO and AVC-Intra activation 336

Annex: Digital Video and Data Storage 337

MPEG Compression 337 General notes on AVI videos 337 Overview of the different disc types 338

MPEG-4 encoder 341

Video codec 342 Audio codec 349 Multiplexer 351

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 352

General settings 352 Video settings 353 Advanced video settings 354 Audio settings 355

MPEG glossary 357

Motion estimation 357 Bit rate 357 Block 358 Chroma format 358 Field 358 Frame 358 GOP 359 I frames 359 Interlace 359 P frames and B frames 361 Prediction 361 Quantization scaling 362

Glossary 364 If you still have questions 379

Tips for program help 379

Index 380

Support 11

Support

Dear MAGIX customer,

Our aim is to provide fast, convenient, solution-focused support at all times. To this end, we offer a wide range of services:

• Unlimited web support:

As a registered MAGIX customer, you have unlimited access to web support offered via the convenient MAGIX service portal on http://support.magix.net, including an intelligent help assistant, high-quality FAQs, patches and user reports that are constantly updated. The only requirement for use is product registration at http://pro.magix.com

• The online community, on-the-spot support and a platform for exchange:

MAGIX customers have free and unlimited access to the online community at www.magix.info, which includes approx. 150,000 members and offers the opportunity to ask members questions concerning MAGIX products as well as use the search function to search for specific topics or answers. In addition to questions & answers, the knowledge pool includes a glossary, video tutorials and a discussion forum. The multiple experts, found round-the-clock at www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within minutes of a question being posted.

• Email support for MAGIX products:

For every new MAGIX product you will receive, as of date purchase, 12 months of email based customer service. Premium email support: For priority support, or if you want the MAGIX support team to help with nonMAGIX related hardware problems you can purchase a Premium email support ticket. Log in at http://support.magix.net and click on "Purchase access code", the ticket is for a specific problem, and is valid until it is solved, it is not restricted to an email.

Please note: To be able to use the Premium email support and free product email support via the Internet, you have to register your MAGIX product using the serial number provided. This can be found on the CD case of your installation CD or on the inside of the DVD box.

• Additional telephone service:

Besides the large number of free customer service offers, we also offer a feebased telephone customer service.

Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers: http://support.magix.net/

Mail (Europe): MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194 Dresden, Germany

Mail (North America): MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Please make sure you have the following information at hand:

• Program version

• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.),

sound card configuration (type, driver)

• Information regarding other audio software installed

MAGIX Sales Department

You can reach the MAGIX Sales Department workdays for help with the following questions and problems:

• Orders

• Product consulting (pre-purchase)

• Upgrade requests

• Returns

Europe

Monday - Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT

U.K.: 0203 3189218 Denmark: 45 699 18763 Sweden: 46 852 500713 Finland: 35 89 42419023 Norway: 47 210 35843

North America

9 am to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri Phone: 1-305-722-5810

Before You Start 13

Before You Start

Package Contents

Installation & multimedia content DVD

The MAGIX Video Pro X5 installation manager is included on the installation DVD.

Printed and PDF manuals

The printed manual contains an overview of the most important functions of MAGIX Video Pro X5.

If you have further questions, please read the complete documentation and a shortcut pdf located in the program folder of MAGIX Video Pro X5. To read it, you will require the free Foxit Reader program.

Installation

Step 1: Insert the program disc into the drive. The installation program starts up automatically in Windows. If the disc doesn't run automatically,

• open the Windows Explorer and click the letter of the CD/DVD drive.

• Now double-click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.

Step 2: To begin the installation of MAGIX Video Pro X5, click on "MAGIX Video Pro X5". The MAGIX Video Pro X5 installation program will appear.

Simply follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation process, and then click "Continue". All files are copied onto the hard drive.

Step 3: Once the installation is complete, confirm by pressing "Finish". You can start the program at any time using the Windows "Start" menu

Serial number

A serial number is included in each product. This serial number is required for the installation of the software and enables usage of additional bonus services. Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do? With a serial number your MAGIX Video Pro X5 is clearly assigned to you and only you. This way improved and more targeted customer service is made possible. Abuse of the software can be prevented with a serial number, which ensures that optimum the price/performance ratio continues is guaranteed.

Where can the serial number be found? The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD case. If your product is packed in a DVD box, then you'll find the serial number on the inside.

For the versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet (download versions), you'll get your serial number for activating the software directly after purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number? The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Video Pro X5 for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product (free), since only then are you entitled to download updates and use MAGIX support (view page 10) services.

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X5

After MAGIX Video Pro X5 has been installed and the serial number has been entered, the software can be used for 30 days. After these 30 days have expired, MAGIX Video Pro X5 must be activated.

Before You Start 15

System requirements

For Microsoft Windows XP | Vista | 7 | 8

Minimum configuration:

• Processor: Intel Core Duo with 1.83 GHz, AMD Dual-Core with 2.0 GHz

• RAM: 1GB

• Graphics card: Onboard graphics card with a screen resolution of at least 1024 x

768

• Sound card: Internal sound card

• Hard drive space: 1 GB (for minimum installation)

• Optical drive: DVD drive

Minimum requirements for HD/3D editing:

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad-core processor with 2.83 GHz (Intel Core i7

recommended), AMD Quad-core processor with 2.8 GHz

• RAM: 4 GB

• Graphics card: Dedicated graphics card with 512 MB VRAM or more

• Sound card: Multi-channel sound card recommended for Surround sound editing

• Hard drive space: 4 GB

• Optical drive: Blu-ray burner to create Blu-ray Discs

Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X5?

MAGIX Video Pro X5 is a professional video editing program for Windows PC. All common video formats can be imported directly without any conversion into a proprietary format in an open timeline. The Hybrid Video Engine supports GPU processing with OpenCL, CUDA and QuickSync. Editing options include realtime effect editing, efficient three- and four-point cuts, intelligent mouse modes for fast editing and a Multicam mode with auto synchronization on up to nine tracks. Based on the high end audio engine from Samplitude, perfect synchronization of audio and image is realized in realtime. Finished projects can be exported using efficient batch rendering into broadcast formats to DVDs, AVCHD- and Blu-ray discs or uploaded directly to common video portals and mobile devices.

Features

Recording

MAGIX Video Pro X5 features the following recording options:

• AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra/Video-DSLRs/XDCAM/NXCAM (and other

drives)*

• HDV camera: HDV camcorder

• DV camera: Mini DV camcorder or DV video recorder

• Video: Analog TV, video input, VCR, webcam

• Audio: Microphone, cassette recorder, MiniDisc player, record player

• Screen: PC monitor.

• Single frame: Single and series images from webcams, video recorders, video

cameras, or TV cards

*Import of AVC-Intra and DVCPRO possible after fee-based activation (view page

336)

Analog capture requires capt be performed through an OHCI-compatible IEEE 1394 host adapter (FireWire or iLink). A TV card can be used to record programs from TV or from your video recorder.

ure cards compatible with DirectShow. DV capture can

Introduction 17

Import and export formats Supported import formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, M2TS, MJPEG, MKV, MTS, MXF, MXV, QuickTime, WMV(HD), VOB

Audio: AAC, Dolby®Digital Stereo/5.1 (downmix to stereo), MIDI, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA

Photo: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA

Supported export formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MXV, MJPEG, Quicktime, WMV(HD)

Audio: DolbyDigital Stereo, DolbyDigital 5.1 (with video), MP3, WAV

Photo: BMP, JPEG

Note: For copy protection reasons, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, and Dolby Digital Stereo

must first be activated. Initial activation is free of charge. MP3 export requires installation of Windows Media Player version 10 or higher.

Multicam editing

MAGIX Video Pro X5 enables multicam editing (view page 113) for up to 9 tracks. The different camera recordings can be played back in sync and edited together as a single version.

Editing

• Program and source monitors: To provide an optimal overview, these two

separate preview monitors are integrated for the source material and movie arrangement respectively.

• The project folder is used for storing your material. It's useful for selecting the

necessary media for your current project. Use it to store video, audio, titling files, and even edited versions or sections of films for use later in your projects.

• Picture optimization: This includes color improvement (RGB, saturation),

sharpness (focus, feathering), brightness regulator (brightness, contrast), and the anti-flicker filter.

• Sound optimization: The equalizer allows you to manipulate the frequency

spectrum, which is useful for reducing peaks, for example. The compressor limits the signal's dynamics. The StereoFX processor controls the position of the sound within the stereo panorama. The De-noiser and De-hisser are professional noise reduction tools for removing noise and hisses.

• Video effects: Such as creative filters, distortion, video mix (chroma key),

movement effects (e.g. camera/zoom or rotation), cropping, picture-in-picture collages, video effect plug-in support, etc.

• Automatic scene recognition

• Slideshow Maker turns photo collages into spectacular multimedia shows

automatically.

• MAGIX Soundtrack Maker creates background music automatically.

Burnable disc formats

You will find the following burning options in the "Burn" area:

• DVD

• Blu-Ray disc

• AVCHD disc (on DVD and Blu-ray Discs)

In the "File" menu you can make and burn backup copies.

Multimedia editable disc menus

Included are many disc menu templates which offer selection options for movies and chapters on the screen. Many of these are also available in 16:9 format. They can be included during burning and give the disc a professional appearance.

Every menu template may be customized with personal photos, thematic animations, 3D captions, sound, intro videos, etc.

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

If you are used to working with MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, you can change the window appearance to MAGIX Video deluxe "classic" view by going to "Window"> "Window appearance" > "Minimal".

For all those who haven't used MAGIX Movie Edit Pro before, we recommend the "Standard" window appearance. You have the most options available in this mode.

Below you will find a rough overview of the differences between MAGIX Video Pro X5 and MAGIX Movie Edit Pro.

Video monitors

• In the "Minimal" mode you will see only one preview monitor like in MAGIX

Movie Edit Pro, which is used as both a program and a source monitor. When the project is stopped, you can select files in the Media Pool and play them back using the transport controls. To play the arrangement again, you first must click on the arranger.

Introduction 19

• The "Standard" appearance offers two preview monitors: a program monitor for

project preview in the arranger and a source monitor for preview of Media Pool files. Both preview monitors have separate transport controls, so that Media Pool preview and project playback can be controlled separately. For additional information about the preview monitors, please read the corresponding section of the "Interface" (view page 64) chapter.

Keyboard layout

The preset keyboard shortcuts are different and can be displayed in both modes via "File -> Settings -> Keyboard shortcuts". MAGIX Video Pro X5 also allows familiar shortcuts from Movie Edit Pro to be loaded if they are easier to work with. More information about keyboard shortcuts can be found in the chapter "Keyboard shortcut" (view page 325) and in the shortcut pdf located in the program folder of MAGIX Vide

o Pro X5.

Load files

• In MAGIX Video Pro X5, files are dragged (drag&drop) to the desired position in

the arranger or loaded via the commands from the insert menu. To learn more about the paste menus, please read the "Paste Modes" section in the "Interface" chapter.

• In Movie Edit Pro, files can also be loaded form the Media Pool by double clicking

them. Videos and images are placed in the first track at the position of the playback marker. If another object is already located there, the new object will be placed after the last object in the first track. Titles will appear on tracks 3 and 4, additional audio material on track 5.

You may also change this behavior under "File -> Settings -> Program" via the tab "System" and under "Behavior on double click".

Space bar behavior

In either program, use the space bar on your keyboard to start and stop. Pressing the space bar again produces different effects according to the respective program:

• In Movie Edit Pro, the playback marker is placed at the last stop position.

• In MAGIX Video Pro X5, the playback marker is kept at the current position. This

corresponds with the functionality of a tape recorder when stopped.

Playback behavior may be switched via "File -> Settings -> Program" and then the "Playback" tab.

Project folder

• In Movie Edit Pro, the project folder function is not available.

• MAGIX Video Pro X5 features the project folder as a separate folder on the right

side, which serves as an intermediate store or catch-all for all kinds of project

material. More information about this is available in the section "Project folder (view page 62)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

Projects, movies and scenes

MAGIX Video Pro X5 works with "Projects", "Movies", and "Scenes". In order to work quickly and intuitively, is it important to know the differences between these three hierarchically-ordered terms.

Project A "Project" includes everything that you want to include on a disc.

Normally this means one or more movies and a menu structure for selecting movies for playback. Projects can be saved as "MVP" files on your hard drive and can be loaded later to do further editing to the movies.

Movie A "Movie" can be one single video clip or a combination of clips and

photos. It can also include music, titles, transitions and much more. Each movie can be exported individually as a video. The "project" can be considered a type of drawer into which you can put multiple movies that

will be edited together and burned to the same disc.

Scene Scenes are the main components of a movie. They may contain

integrated photos that are displayed as still shots or animated images. Along with photos and videos, a movie has many other elements such as titles, transitions, decorative elements, music, voiceover commentary etc.

Summary: „Projects“ contain „Movies“ and „Movies“ contain „Scenes“. When you burn a disc, the movies of a project appear as menu items and the scenes are the menu items for each movie.

Introduction 21

Project management

The "Edit" area can be used for editing films and also for managing your projects, i. e. here you can sort the order of the movies, add new movies, remove existing movies from the project or rename the movies.

Each film in a current project can be controlled through its own tab above the tracks.

To rename, sort, load or delete movies, the easiest way is to right-click on one of the tabs. You can then select the action you want from the context menu that appears.

Quick start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X5 with a step-by-step introduction. A systematic description of all program functions can be found in the following chapters.

Tip: Use the online tutorial videos that can be accessed in the "Help" menu. This feature requires an Internet connection.

The program keyboard shortcuts (view page 325) for commonly used processes and functions are also very helpful.

Program start

When you start MAGIX Video Pro X5 for the first time, the start dialog will appear.

This dialog allows you to either "Load an existing project" or "Create a new project". You can also "Create a new project folder". All files belonging to this movie will be saved there.

Additionally, you can also use movie templates (view page 274). Movie templates offer a structur included placeholders.

If you are looking for a quick start into the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X5, we recommend switching into the "Basic mode" (view page 37), which can be found under "Edit

e for quickly developing certain standard projects with the help of

ing mode".

Quick start 23

We're still at the very beginning, so let's stick with keeping an overview of everything. Click "OK" to end the dialog and continue.

Select, load, and play back videos

In the beginning, it's probably best to load a video file for test purposes and to get to know the program functions.

• The Media Pool appears at the top right; four tabs provide access to all important

elements that are required for video projects. The first tab displays all usable files (besides movies, also photos, images, audio files, and even RTF text files for captions) in the current folder.

• Navigation works just like in other file managers: folders can be opened with a

double-click. Arrow buttons allow you to go one level up or down. You can also display a folder tree featuring the folder hierarchy and then use the search function (view page 57) to locate files according to different criteria.

• All files opened in the file list can be loaded and used. Find a video file, e.g. in the

format *.mpg, *mxv, or *.avi.

• In the upper-left area, you will see two preview monitors.

• The left program monitor is responsible for playback of objects in the arranger.

The right source monitor displays a preview of files in the Media Pool.

• To enable playback of movie files from the Media Pool in the right source

monitor, double-click the file in the file list first. Double-clicking loads the file in the monitor first.

• This method lets you select and play back different video files. Drag the selected

file (hold down the mouse button) from the Media Pool down into the arranger. An object appears at the location on the track where you release the mouse button to represent this video file.

• Each object can be moved in any way in the arranger with the mouse, horizontally

on a track as well as vertically between tracks. Drag the video object on the first track all the way to the left to the beginning of the track.

Note: If the video also has an audio track, it will be displayed in the same track. You can learn how to separate image and sound in the "Objects" (view page 95) chapter.

Quick start 25

• Now the first file is in the Arranger, where it can be cut, edited and exported.

Now you can load additional files and videos and combine audio files on the tracks.

• To play back the arranger, click the play button on the transport console under

the program monitor to the left.

Tip: An even easier way to control playback is by pressing the space bar on your keyboard.

• During playback, a vertical line will move across the Arranger: this is the playback

marker that displays the current position. It can be set directly with a mouse click in order to jump to certain positions.

• You can also define playback ranges, e.g. to freeze a certain position independent

of the playback marker. Clicking in the range bar above the first track lets you define an in-point, i.e. the starting point of the playback range. If you right-click further on, the end marker will appear to indicate the end point of the playback range. The length of the playback area is shown in the center of the section display.

• The in and out points can be moved with the mouse: Left-clicking positions the

in-point, and the right mouse button sets the out-point.

• To play back the range, click the "Play back range" button on the transport

control under the program monitor.

Now you know how to load and play back media files in different ways. Would you like to try to make your own movie now?

• If you want to continue with your own video footage, select the "New movie"

option from the "File" menu and read the following chapters about video import.

• If you want to continue working with the test file, simply skip the following import

tutorial and begin reading the "Video editing (view page 28)" section.

Import video material from memory card

• Connect your memory medium (camera, USB stick, SD card or other) to the PC.

You may have to first turn your camera on.

• Click on the red button below the source monitor to open the record dialog.

• In the record dialog, click on "AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra".

Quick start 27

• The AVCHD import assistant will then open. Select your connected storage

devices as "video source". A file list will appear.

• In the file list, select all the recordings that you've imported from the device.

• You can preview all your recordings using the preview monitor in the middle of

the dialog in order to decide if they are suitable for your movie.

• After selecting all videos, in "Import options" you can select whether the

recordings should be directly placed into your movie project or simply copied to your computer's hard drive (you can select the location in the next dialog). You can also automatically delete your recordings after import.

Video editing

Timeline mode

All editing takes place in the arranger. All movies and scenes are represented in accordance to their duration in the "Timeline mode": The longer the symbol is, the longer is the scene represented by it.

Handles: All objects may be shortened by placing the mouse on one of the lower object corners until the mouse cursor turns into a stretch symbol. You can now squash the object as much as you like. At the top corners of every object you’ll find two fade handles that can be adjusted to fade an object in or out. The handle at the top center can be used to adjust the volume of audio objects and the transparency of video objects.

Note: Video objects with a sound track will automatically be displayed on one track. These have six, not five handles. For more information, read the "Objects" chapter.

Object selection: For advanced effects editing, the objects must be selected first. Individual objects can be selected with the mouse. Objects will change color to show

Quick start 29

that they have been selected. Multiple objects can be selected by holding down the "Shift" key. If you click next to an object, you can draw a rectangle with a held-down mouse key. All objects contained therein will be selected.

Effect editing: Selected objects may be edited with the help of effects sound in the Media Pool.

Settings for each effect may be found directly in the Media Pool. Most effects can be controlled using keyframe animation or effect curves. Effect intensity is controlled dynamically using single points (keyframes) or a drawable curve (effect curve). All buttons for keyframe and effect curve animation can be found in the lower part of the Media Pool after selecting the effect.

Note: To activate the effect curve, the first keyframe must be set first.

Context menu: The context menu also offers a number of object editing options. It is

opened by right-clicking on an object. Different trim editors can be opened which enable an exact cut with different transition parameters. For video objects, there is another context menu than for audio and title objects.

Remove unusable scenes

One of the most important work steps during import of your footage is cutting out unusable scenes from the material. There are two options for this:

• Variant 1: The complete material is loaded into your project first and the unusable

scenes are cut out.

• Variant 2: Cut the material prior to importing it, and then proceed to import only

the scenes you need. This process is recommended for long movies with a lot of editing; it functions either via the Media Pool or the project folder.

Cut videos in the project

Let's assume that you have already imported your film material into a project and would now like to edit it.

• Play back your video by clicking "Play" on the program monitor's transport

control (or simply press the space bar on the keyboard).

• If during playback you have reached a scene which you would like to cut out, click

on the playback button again. The playback marker stays near the start of the scene to be removed.

Tip: For long movies or for quick browsing, you can let the movie play fast forward and follow the action on the program monitor. To do so, drag the playback marker while holding down the mouse key across the timeline (but not too fast!).

• Set the playback marker at the start of the unused material. To get a better view,

we recommend using the zoom function (the +/- buttons at the bottom right of the arranger).

• Press "T" on the keyboard. This will have the effect of cutting the current scene

into two sections at the position of the payback marker.

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