Video , Audio, or Image Files

Load video files (.avi, .mov, etc.), audio files (.aac, .mp3, etc.), or image files (.jpg, .png, etc.) one of the following ways:

By default, image clips will have the duration specified in Options: Media.

See also: About 3D / Stereoscopic Media and About 360 Media

Capturing Video

Capture video from a digital video camera, video capture device, or webcam using one of the following ways:

See: Media Files and Other Content: Capturing Video

Title Clips

Click the "Add Title" tool bar button and select one of the title templates to create a title clip.

Alternatively, click the "Add Objects" tool bar button, and select one of the title templates from the "Add Animated Title" menu.

The attributes of the title (font, size, color, etc.) can then be modified in the clip preview.

Text Clips

Create a text clip one of the following ways:

Type in the clip name and the contents of the text then click "Add". The attributes of the text (font, size, color, etc.) can then be modified in the clip preview.

Blank Clips

Create a blank clip one of the following ways:

Follow these steps to add a blank clip:

  1. Click on the duration and stretch the clip to the desired duration.
  2. Choose either the "Color" or "Gradient" radio button to select the fill style.
  3. Click the appropriate color picker and choose a color or a set of colors and a direction for the gradient.
  4. Click "Add Blank" button to add the clip to a bin.
The clip duration and color can be modified later in the clip preview.

Placeholder Clips

An audio or video placeholder clip can be created via the "Add Objects" tool bar button. Placeholder clips are intended for use in template projects. See the section on Wizard for further details.

Image Overlays

Add Image overlays in the following ways:

See the entry on Video Tracks for more information.

Text Overlay

Add Text overlays in the following ways:

Ripping CD Audio

Rip tracks from an audio CD using one of the following ways:

See: How to load an audio CD.

Recording Narration

To record narration, there must already be at least one clips (of any type) on the sequence. Then do one of the following:

See: Screen References: Narration

Recording Other Audio

Audio can be recorded from other sources (e.g., from an analog cassette recorder) one of the following ways:

See: Screen References: Record Audio

NCH Sound Effect Library

Select one of the thousands of royalty-free sound effects to add to your project using one of the following ways:

See: Media Files and Other Content: NCH Sound Effects Library

NCH Clipart Library

Select one of the hundreds of royalty-free images to add to your project using one of the following ways:

See: Media Files and Other Content: NCH Clipart Library

Image Sequences

Follow these steps to import a sequence of images:
  1. Select "File" -> "Add Images as Video...".
  2. Click "Add Files" or "Add Folder" and browse to the image files you wish to add. All of the images that you select must have the same resolution.
  3. Choose a frame rate or frame duration to be used when creating the video file by using the input controls at the top of the dialog. The output video file with have a constant frame rate.
  4. Click the "Import" button at the bottom of the dialog.

There is a preview window and playback controls on the left side of the dialog that you can use to see roughly what the output video file will look like.

You can change the video encoder settings by clicking on the "Encoder Settings" button.