To change settings in iMovie, simply choose iMovie > Settings from the menu bar, or press Command-Comma (,). This opens the iMovie preferences window, allowing you to adjust various aspects of the application.
Accessing iMovie Settings
The easiest way to access iMovie's settings is through either of these methods:
- Menu Bar: Click on iMovie in the top menu bar, then select Settings.
- Keyboard Shortcut: Press the Command (⌘) key and the comma (,) key simultaneously.
Available Settings
Once the settings window is open, you'll find several tabs where you can adjust preferences:
- General: This tab usually includes options related to project saving, thumbnail size, and other general operational preferences.
- Import: Settings related to how iMovie handles imported media, such as optimized or original media and background rendering.
- Rendering: Options for background rendering.
Specific Settings Examples
While the exact settings available may vary slightly based on your iMovie version, here are some common adjustments you might make:
- Background Rendering: Enable or disable background rendering. Background rendering allows iMovie to process your project while you're working, potentially improving playback performance but also using system resources.
- Optimized vs. Original Media: Choose whether iMovie should optimize imported video for better performance or keep the original media. Optimized media uses less storage space but may slightly reduce quality.
- Thumbnail Size: Adjust the size of thumbnails displayed in the timeline.
By accessing and adjusting these settings, you can tailor iMovie to best suit your workflow and hardware capabilities.
