Splitting/cutting video clip on the overlay track-VS10

[tango123]

For the life of me I don't know why this isn't easier. I have still (or video clip-shouldn't matter) on the main track as a background and a video clip placed on the 1st overlay track.

The video on the overlay track is distorted to make it smaller so I can see the background from the main track.

NOW...all I want to do is cut out a portion of the video on the overlay track. Why can't I CUT CLIP on the video on the overlay track like the main track?

Studio 10 does this no problem-both tracks seems to be treated essentially the same. How do I do this simple thing in VS10?

[Rich2Putt]

For the life of me I don't know why this isn't easier. I have still (or video clip-shouldn't matter) on the main track as a background and a video clip placed on the 1st overlay track.

The video on the overlay track is distorted to make it smaller so I can see the background from the main track.

NOW...all I want to do is cut out a portion of the video on the overlay track. Why can't I CUT CLIP on the video on the overlay track like the main track?

Studio 10 does this no problem-both tracks seems to be treated essentially the same. How do I do this simple thing in VS10?

Hi Tango,

I'm at work, so this is from memory.....I don't remember being able to "cut" a section in the overlay track. You can however use the yellow line on either side of the clip to shorten or lengten it.

Another way would be to place the overlay clip in the main video track & cut it accordingly.

[Mike-Mat]

Tango: Depends on your terms and what type of media your trying to cut.

Video can be cut because it's time based. Pictures (stills) are displayed based on the the amount of time YOU specify. You can click on the still, grab the yellow bar on either end and slide it, to make the duration longer or shorter. But the information dialog should show you a time for the clip. you can also change the number in there.

To split video: Select the clip on the timeline. click on the point where you want to cut it in two and then pick the scissors icon under the preview window.

Mike

[tango123]

Thanks Mike, but the problem is that the scissors aren't available for video clips on the OVERLAY track. It's a pain to move it to the main video track just to cut out some portions and then have to move it back to the overlay track.

They should definitely fix this...and allow you to add transitions to the overlay tracks too.

[Mike-Mat]

You can split it before you bring it down to the track.

Select the video from the list on the top right. Use the preview window to move it to the section you want to split. Split it. Move it down to the track.

Mike

[tango123]

Yeah, I eventually figured that that was the only way to do it-to split it when it's on the main track. In my case I already had everything in place, just need to chop a small section out-what a pain. Not mention I can't do transitions between those sections on the overlay.

It's just not really good workflow wise, when say you have several video clips on several overlay tracks and you need to see them all run together and would then like to cut out pieces from one of the tracks.

Sometimes you don't know what to keep until AFTER it's already on the overlay track. At least know I know it's a limitation of the program and that I'm not missing something. Thanks for your help everyone.

[Mike-Mat]

So what are you doing? Do you have a split screen with several videos running at the same time?

Mike

[tango123]

Sure, that would be one example....split screens or multiple screens (4 let's say) of video over a background picture or video.

[Rich2Putt]

Yeah, I eventually figured that that was the only way to do it-to split it when it's on the main track. In my case I already had everything in place, just need to chop a small section out-what a pain. Not mention I can't do transitions between those sections on the overlay.

It's just not really good workflow wise, when say you have several video clips on several overlay tracks and you need to see them all run together and would then like to cut out pieces from one of the tracks.

Sometimes you don't know what to keep until AFTER it's already on the overlay track. At least know I know it's a limitation of the program and that I'm not missing something. Thanks for your help everyone.

True, you can not use transitions in between overlay tracks, but you do have the option for a fade in - fade out on the overlays....