moving clips on video track

[oldtap]

Hi everyone,
I am using VS5 for the first time by creating avi files in Proshow Producer and importing them into video studio to make a show with both video and still images. My question is; once clips are imported to the video track can they be moved left or right? The reason I ask is the videos made in Producer are not necessarily in the order of the finished show and I would like to move the clips around to make the flow of the show smoother. When I try to move the clips on the video track they won't move left or right but only up or down in the overlay track. When I move the clip where I want it and move it into the video track the clip snaps back into it's original position. Is moving the clips into the overlay track the only way I can put them where I want them or am I missing something?
Thank you,
oldtap.

[canuck]

Every video clip and/or image on the video tracks can be moved right or left whether you are in the Timeline or Storyline mode. There is no need to use any overlay track.
In the storyline mode: drag the clip to a position between the two clips where you want it and drop it. You should see a vertical bar if you can drop the clip.
In the timeline mode: suppose you want to move clip 8 before clip 3. Simply grab clip 8 and drag it over clip 3 and drop it.

Why are you using ProShow Producer and from what source are you creating the avi?

[oldtap]

I use Producer because it is easier to create different effects with still images. The last avi file was created in Corel Motion Studio. When I tried using it in Producer the video would open a couple of times and then the video would not play the entire time. It would stop about two thirds of the time of the video and no matter how many times I tried putting it into the show it would not play any longer than two thirds. Now my plan is to create the motion effects in Producer and create an avi to edit further in VS5. I want to get more into video instead of making slide shows all the time. Producer simply is not a video editor so I thought VS5 would be the one to use. Thank you for your speedy reply, but when I try dragging the clip in the video track the clip will not move left or right.

[BrianCee]

Not quite sure what your doing - but as canuck said you can just slide clips along the video track and drop them where ever you want.

with all your clips in the timeline hover you cursor over the clip you want to move - the cursor changes to a four point arrow - left click and slide left or right - a 'ghost clip' will move with you until you reach a join between any two videos - when you release the mouse button all other clips will automatically move to make room for the new clip. - there must be a cut/junction (not a space) in the video track at the point you want to drop it.

If it helps after you left click and start to slide also move down so that the ghost clip appears in the overlay track as you slide along - then push back up into the top track at the point you want it to be - if you accidentely release the mouse key while over the overlay track the clip will appear there but you can just pick it up again and continue sliding to position

[canuck]

I don't know exactly what you mean by "I try dragging the clip in the video track the clip will not move left or right". If you expect the clip to move while you are dragging then that of course does not happen. The clip will only move to its new position after you drop it.

I just read Brian's post about the "ghost clip" when moving. I don't remember ever seeing that. All I have seen is a a little rectangle.
Perhaps a step-by-step explanation of what you are doing when you try to move a clip would be helpful.

I have no experience with PhotoShow Producer, at least not with the latest version. Years ago I tried it but found it no better then other programs that were a lot cheaper.
I don't know what kind of avi files you are producing but there are hundreds of different versions and I would think not every version is compatible with every program.

[canuck]

Brian, I find that you don't really have to drag the clip to the join between the clips. I just drag it over the clip before which I want to insert the video and drop it.

Edit: I just went back and did some more drag & drops with clips on the timeline. I now see what you mean by "ghost clip", it certainly is a lot bigger then my "little rectangle". You are right - the whole clip underneath has to be "covered" in order for the clip to be inserted at its correct location.

[BrianCee]

If I select a clip in the timeline and start to move along the timeline a block moves with me - the block is the same physical size as the clip I am moving - that is what I described as a ghost clip - call it a block if you prefer but on my system it is a lot bigger than a "little rectangle"

I also find that if you release the block over the clip before where you want it to insert it will insert it to early - you need to release it over the clip AFTER the join where you want it to go, with the left edge on the split line.

[oldtap]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your responses. After reading through them I was able to figure out what I had done wrong. What my error was is much too embarrassing to share with you at this moment. Let's just say it was a noobie error for now. Thanks for your help, all of you.

[canuck]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your responses. After reading through them I was able to figure out what I had done wrong. What my error was is much too embarrassing to share with you at this moment. Let's just say it was a noobie error for now. Thanks for your help, all of you.

We were all "noobies" once and did a lot of "embarassing" things. You got it working and that's all that counts.

[Ken Berry]

I even edited some video for a friend who was a total "noobie" with a video camera, who thought turning the camera on its side, as you do with a still camera, could produce some interesting shots in tight spaces (NOT)!!!