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# Advanced Editing (Trim)

## Introduction

Trim is very powerful editing tool. At its very basic usage, one can use it to fine-tune the scenes created using the basic editing techniques offered in Edit mode. Alternatively, it can be used for the more advanced editing style called "3 point insert" editing. The key facets of the tool are the In and Out points, the Storyboard view, and the Mode. 3-point insert editing gets its name from the 3 points that constitute the edit: in, out, and insert. The in point is that starting position of the clip loaded in the Trim tool. The out point is the ending position. These are clearly indicated in the scrub bar and time display fields.

## Overwrite or Insert Mode

There are two trim modes: Overwrite and Insert. Overwrite mode replaces the currently selected scene in the Storyboard. On the other hand, Insert adds a new scene before or after the currently selected scene in the Storyboard. If there are already clips in the project, then Trim goes into Overwrite mode by default, and the current scene loads into the Trim tool. Exiting Trim mode or choosing a new scene automatically applies any changes made to the scene's in or out points. Kino does not automatically apply any changes in Insert mode. One must click Before or After to apply a change in Insert mode. It is entirely possible to switch to Trim, thereby loading the current scene into the Trim tool, switch to Insert mode, and then insert the "current" scene as a new scene. Likewise, it is entirely possible to load a new clip into the Trim tool while in Overwrite mode and replace the current scene in the Storyboard.

## Loading a clip

There are four ways to load a clip:

1. Enter a valid filename in the file entry widget.
2. Click the Open button next to the file entry to use the file dialog to browse for a file.
3. The pulldown menu on the file entry lists all the existing clips in the project. This is not exactly the same thing as scenes! Choose a clip from the pulldown menu.
4. Drag a file from your file manager (e.g. Nautilus or Konquerer) to the Kino window.

## Storyboard Behaviour

Clicking a scene in the Storyboard behaves differently depending upon the Trim Mode. In Overwrite mode, it automatically applies any changes and loads the scene you clicked into the Trim tool. In Insert mode, clicking a scene sets the insertion point. Therefore, clicking Before inserts the clip loaded in the Trim tool before the current scene, and clicking After inserts the clip after the current scene.

## Conclusions

In Insert mode, Trim acts as a nice clip previewer for locating shots especially in conjunction with a file manager and drag and drop!

When you start Kino with no project or clip and go into Trim, the mode is Insert because there is nothing to overwrite! From there, you can load a clip and set in and out points. Clicking After makes the Storyboard current scene "travel" with your newly inserted scene. Therefore, by repeatedly using After, one can quickly and simply assemble a project.

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