How do I trim a video in Lightworks?

There are several methods to trim a video clip in Lightworks:

Method 1: Using the Mouse

1. Hover your mouse near the beginning or end of the clip you want to trim within the timeline.
2. Look for the appearance of white brackets [ ]. These indicate you're in trim mode.
3. Click and drag the bracketed edge of the clip inwards to shorten it, effectively trimming the beginning or end.

Method 2: Right-Click Menu

1. Right-click on the specific clip in the timeline that you wish to trim.
2. From the context menu that appears, navigate to Trim.
3. Choose either Trim In to trim the beginning of the clip, or Trim Out to trim the end of the clip. This will likely open the trim viewer.

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut

1. Position the timeline marker (the playhead) at the exact frame where you want to make your cut (either the beginning or end of the desired clip).
2. Use the appropriate keyboard shortcut:
   • Trim In: (Usually 'a' by default) Trims the clip from the playhead position to the beginning.
   • Trim Out: (Usually 's' by default) Trims the clip from the playhead position to the end. You may need to configure this shortcut in the Lightworks settings.

Tips for Precise Trimming

• Zoom into the Timeline: Use the zoom controls on the timeline to get a closer view and trim more accurately, frame by frame.
• Trim Viewer: For finer adjustments, use the Trim Viewer (activated when using the right-click > Trim method). This provides a split screen showing the before and after frames of your trim point, allowing for precise adjustments.

By using these methods, you can effectively trim your video clips to create a polished final product in Lightworks.