NEW TO THIS SOFTWARE & VIDEO EDITING IN GENERAL

CMCedu12 wrote on 7/1/2010, 6:26 PM
I have never done video editing before, but was told that this was the best because it's "easy to use and very professional" so I played around with it until I was able to edit one video to make a smaller clip from it, but I have a bunch more to do (I'm working on a contract job with a deadline of this Mon.) and can't remember how I did it! I got it in the trimmer window and I thought I had a cursors where I wanted them, but when I go to "make movie" then, it's all messed up. That's my first and main concern... But I also need to create snapshots or still-frame pictures from this same larger video I'm working from. How can I do that??? Someone please help! (And again, please provide very detailed instructions on what I need to click, etc.--remember, I'm VERY new to this software!)

Comments

ceejay7777 wrote on 7/1/2010, 7:50 PM
You have never done video editing before but you're working on a contract job with a deadline of this Mon and you want someone to provide very detailed instructions on what you need to click, etc.

How about you just hand over this job (and the contract fee) to me. That'll get it done by Monday ;)
MSmart wrote on 7/1/2010, 7:51 PM
You've never done video editing and you have a contract job?????????

Here's a better idea, follow the Help > Show Me How tutorials. They walk you through step-by-step on what to click.

The VMS Help files are very good. Help > Contents and Index > Search > keyword

Search this forum, there's a good chance that your question has already been asked. Click the Search link towards the top of this page.

There are also lots of tutorials on the internet. to a "vegas movie studio tutorials" search.

I know you don't have much time, but once you've done a little "research" then post specific questions. Only then can we give you detailed instructions.

But for starters, I wouldn't recommend the Trimmer. Drag your video to the timeline and split it where needed by placing the cursor where you want and typing the letter "s" to split the clip, move it to the next point and type s again to split it again, then click in the section you want to delete and hit the delete key.
MSmart wrote on 7/1/2010, 7:57 PM
Oh, when you post your questions, we'll need to know what version of VMS you have and the format of the video you're using. That is what type of camcorder (give model number) did it come from and what settings were used.

To save still images from your video, do a Help > Search > "how to save still image". Despite what the help file says, set the preview window to Best, Full.
CMCedu12 wrote on 7/3/2010, 8:02 AM
Yes, the contract job is something else, but there is a portion where I needed to do video editing. I told them I had never done it, but could learn, sooo...I'm trying to learn! Quickly!
CMCedu12 wrote on 7/3/2010, 11:52 AM
YOU ARE THE BEST!! You're right, trimmer was a waste of time--hitting 's' has been a lifesaver!! I'm breezing through these clips! I haven't tried the snapshot advice yet, but I'm getting to that!... Thanks a million!
CMCedu12 wrote on 7/3/2010, 11:55 AM
I am using Vegas Platinum Pro 9 and I did not take these videos, they were given to me to use for this job... I want to play around more with this software though when I'm done with this job, because I have a digital camera that I just got not too long ago that does HD video, also... I'll post info. about that when I have time to even play around and shoot videos with it!
MSmart wrote on 7/3/2010, 2:20 PM
I'm glad you're figuring it out. The learning curve is quite steep, but once you get the hang of it, you find out how much VMS can do and how flexible it is. Keep it up.