Every clip on your Video Editor timeline has its own size and placement in the frame. This article shows you how to use the Properties panel to align, resize, move and rotate a clip so your highlight looks exactly the way you want it.
[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER: Video_Editor_07_Size_Position_and_Rotation_v1.1.mp4]
Before you start
You need a project open in the Video Editor with at least one clip on the timeline. If you haven't added media yet, import a highlight or video first and drag it onto the timeline.
Select a clip to see its properties
The size and placement settings belong to one clip at a time, so you always start by choosing the clip you want to change.
Click the clip on the timeline to select it.
Look at the Properties panel. It now shows the size and placement settings for that clip.
Keep an eye on the preview player as you work. Your changes show in the preview, so you can check the result straight away.
If the Properties panel looks empty or shows the wrong clip, click the clip on the timeline again to make sure it is the one selected.
Snap a clip into place with Align
The Align buttons are the quickest way to place a clip. Each button snaps the selected clip to an edge of the frame or to the centre.
Use an edge button to push the clip hard against the top, bottom, left or right of the frame. This is handy for a logo, a sponsor image or a smaller picture-in-picture clip that should sit in a corner.
Use a centre button to place the clip in the middle of the frame. This is a good reset if you've moved a clip and want to start again.
Align is a great starting point. Once the clip is roughly where you want it, you can fine tune it with the position settings below.
Change the size
The size settings control how big the clip appears in the frame. You can shrink a clip to make room for other layers, or enlarge it to crop in on the action.
Keep the shape with the link on
When the link between height and width is turned on, changing one value changes the other in proportion. The clip keeps its original shape, so players and the pitch won't look stretched or squashed. This is the setting you'll want most of the time.
Set height and width separately
Turn the link off when you want to set the height and width independently. This is useful for images or graphics that need to fit a particular space. Be careful with match footage, though, because changing only one value will distort the picture.
Move the clip with X and Y position
The X and Y values set exactly where the clip sits in the frame.
X moves the clip left and right.
Y moves the clip up and down.
Typing values gives you precise, repeatable placement. For example, if you're building a Harbour City (HCF) v Ridgeview (RVR) highlight with a club logo on several clips, you can use the same X and Y values on each one so the logo never jumps around between clips.
Tilt the clip with Rotation
Use Rotation to tilt the clip. A small rotation can add a bit of energy to an image or a title card, while a larger value turns the clip further. Set it back to zero to return the clip to level.
Tips and common mistakes
Check you've selected the right clip. Properties only changes the clip that is currently selected. If nothing seems to happen in the preview, you may have a different clip or layer selected.
Leave the link on for footage. Turning it off is fine for graphics, but it can make match footage look stretched.
Watch for gaps at the edges. If you shrink or rotate a full-frame clip, the area behind it may show through. Either fill the frame again or place another layer underneath.
Align first, then fine tune. Snap the clip close to where you want it with Align, then adjust X, Y and size for the finishing touches.
Preview before you export. Play through the clip in the preview player to check everything sits correctly from start to finish.