Trimming lets you cut unwanted footage from the start or end of a clip so your highlight gets straight to the action. In the Video Editor you can trim quickly by dragging a clip's edges on the timeline, or precisely by typing Trim In and Trim Out values in seconds.
[VIDEO PLACEHOLDER: Video_Editor_06_Trim_a_Clip_v1.1.mp4]
Before you start
Open the Video Editor with the project you want to work on.
Make sure the clip you want to trim has been imported and placed on the timeline. For example, a goal highlight from Harbour City (HCF) v Ridgeview (RVR) in the LIGR Demo League.
Trim by dragging the edges
Dragging is the fastest way to trim when you are working by eye and want to see the result straight away.
On the timeline, click the clip you want to trim to select it. The selected clip is highlighted so you know which one you are editing.
Move your cursor to the left edge of the clip to trim the start, or to the right edge to trim the end.
Click and drag the edge inwards to remove footage. Drag the left edge to the right to start the clip later. Drag the right edge to the left to end the clip earlier.
Release the mouse when the clip starts or ends where you want it.
Play the section back in the preview player to check the cut lands in the right place.
You can trim one edge or both. For a goal highlight, you might trim the start so the clip begins as the attacking move builds, and trim the end so it finishes after the celebration rather than during the restart.
Trim with exact timing
When you need precise timing, use the Properties panel instead of dragging. This is useful when you want every clip in a compilation to be a consistent length, or when the moment you need is only a fraction of a second away from where you would drag.
Select the clip on the timeline.
Go to Properties for the selected clip.
In Trim In, enter the point, in seconds, where you want the clip to start playing.
In Trim Out, enter the point, in seconds, where you want the clip to stop playing.
Check the clip on the timeline. Its length updates to match the values you entered.
Play it back in the preview player to confirm the timing.
Both values are in seconds, so you can fine tune a cut by adjusting the number a little at a time and replaying until it feels right.
Choosing the right method
Drag the edges when you are shaping a clip visually and want quick results.
Use Trim In and Trim Out when you need exact, repeatable timing or want to match several clips to the same length.
Many editors use both: drag to get close, then open Properties to tidy up the exact start and end points.
Tips and common mistakes
Select the right clip first. Trimming only affects the selected clip. If several clips sit close together or on different layers, check which one is highlighted before you drag or type values.
Grab the edge, not the middle. Dragging from the middle of a clip moves it along the timeline instead of trimming it. Position your cursor right on the edge before you click.
Keep Trim In before Trim Out. The start point needs to be earlier than the end point, otherwise there is nothing left to play.
Watch the gaps. Trimming a clip can leave empty space on the timeline before or after it. Check that the next clip still follows on the way you expect, especially if you have transitions between clips.
Leave a little breathing room. Cutting too tight can make highlights feel rushed. A second or so of build up before a goal and reaction afterwards usually makes a better clip.
Always preview before you export. A quick playback in the preview player is the easiest way to catch a cut that starts or ends in the wrong spot.