Simple Editing Question (x8.5 / 64)

[krm]

I have been using VideoStudio for a while, and from the very first time, I used a "custom" way to space out clips and photos on the timeline: I made a black image and stretched copies of it between clips and photos as a spacer. This works in small projects but is unwieldy in larger ones with multiple tracks. So I thought, this can't be the normal way, perhaps if I turn off ripple editing (which I have always used on), items would stay where they were on the timeline if I deleted on of my black spacers - but they don't. Everything downstream immediately shifts left. Off/on seems to make no difference. How can I get clips to stay at strung out points, regardless of "empty" spaces between them? TIA.

[tletter]

How can I get clips to stay at strung out points, regardless of "empty" spaces between them?

Just curious, what would you expect the program to put in these "empty" spaces between the photos?

[Ken Berry]

In VS's main timeline, spaces between clips are simply not possible. Remove anything and the following clips will move left to fill the gap, as you have found.

However, gaps are possible in all the overlay tracks, so depending on exactly what you are after, you could ignore the main timeline altogether and place all your clips in various places in various timelines. But I too am curious, as tletter is also, about exactly what you expect to fill any spaces even in the overlay tracks where there are no photos or clips in a particular space...

[krm]

Thanks, that is helpful.

It happens that I have always been working with audio tracks as the primary continuous output. I thought the visible material would be bounded (and locked) by start and end times, (as must occur for the overlays as you describe). In effect, I did not realize that the main timeline differed from the overlays in this way. Now that you have set me straight, I can just work with the overlays as you describe. I thought spaces might be filled by a default black or white or transparent backdrop. A "transparent" filler could be useful for some blends. Thanks again.

[pepegota]

As Ken said "it's not possilbe" but there is a work around. , When a situation arises that requires me to keep a full main video track and place clips under it, I place a blank dummy empty clips on the main track.Now, I can place clips on the overlay tracks and maintain a continuos main video track. Works very well.