edit video in hitfilm

Editing

how to edit video in hitfilm pro

HitFilm includes non-linear editing tools for constructing or editing your video films, documentaries, music

videos and features. The editor is perfectly integrated with the compositing features.

The editor timeline is track-based, with each track containing multiple clips (videos, image, audio or

composite shots).

The basic editing workflow in HitFilm is as follows:

1. Start a new project

2. Import your media files

3. Organize and assess media

4. Trim media using the trimmer

5. Add clips to the timeline

6. Use the timeline tools to further refine the edit

7. Convert clips to composite shots for complex VFX work

8. Adjust audio levels

9. Add transitions and effects

10.Export the finished project

You will develop your own preferred editing workflow, if you don't already have one, as you become

familiar with HitFilm.

Importing files

To use media files in your project you need to first import them. Once imported they become assets

in the Media panel, where they can be accessed and re-used as many times as you want.

Importing media to your project does not alter or affect the original source files on your computer, as

HitFilm only references the original files. Therefore removing a clip from a timeline or from the Media

panel does not remove it from your computer. Similarly, duplicating a clip in a HitFilm project does

not create multiple copies of the source, as they all reference the same source.

Therefore if you wish to transfer a project to another computer you must make sure all project media

is also included.

NOTE:

The exception to this rule is with 3D objects, which are imported and stored in the project file.

For more information see Importing 3D models.

To import files to HitFilm you can use the Import button in the Media panel or drag files directly from

a folder on your computer into the HitFilm interface.

Other import options

Clicking the arrow to the right of the Import button displays additional import options.

Media is the standard option for importing videos, individual images and audio.

Image sequence is used for important sequential images stored in a single folder. Images should

be numbered in frame order.

Composite shot is for importing HitFilm projects and composite shot files. See Saving composite

shots for more details.

3D camera tracking data from software including Boujou, SynthEyes, PFtrack and more can be

imported into HitFilm. This will create a new composite shot containing the 3D camera and point

cloud.

3D model is for importing 3D objects, which can then be manipulated live on the HitFilm timeline.

See Importing 3D models for more information.

3D model animation is for Alembic animation files, in the ABC format. These are used in

combination with an associated 3D model.

Once an item is in the Media panel you can customize its properties by clicking the gear icon to its

right, or choosing Properties from its menu.

Syncing video and audio

If your video and audio are recorded in separate files, you can sync them in the HitFilm media panel.

Select the video file in the media panel, then hold CTRL (CMD on Mac) and select the associated

audio file. Right-click on either of the files, and select "Merge Audio/Video." HitFilm will compare the

audio in both files, synchronize them, then replace the original audio in the video with the audio file

you selected. A new synchronized file will be created, and can then be edited on the timeline.

Supported formats

The following formats are supported by HitFilm:

Video: Quicktime (including 10-bit and 12-bit Pro-Res), AVCHD, AVI (including 10-bit and 12-bit

GoPro Cineform), M2T, M2TS, MOV, MP4 (AVC/H264 & AAC), MPEG-1 & MPEG-2 (TS, PS, MPE,

MPG, MPEG, M2V), MTS, MXF (DVCPro HD), DV, HDV, WMV

Audio: AAC, MP3, M4A, MPA, WAV, WMA

Images & sequences: BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, OpenEXR (including 32-bit)

3D: LWO, 3DS, OBJ, ABC, FBX

Project: HFP (HitFilm Project), HFCS (HitFilm Composite Shot)

Camera data: MA (Maya formatted)

Export: Quicktime, OpenEXR, MP4 (AVC/H264 & AAC), Image sequence (PNG, JPG, BMP), AVI

(uncompressed, PAL DV, NTSC DV), YouTube direct upload

Relinking offline files

If files become offline while you are working on a project they will be marked in the Media panel and

on any timelines where they are in use.

You will also be notified of any offline files when you open a project.

If a file goes offline you won't lose anything from your project, even if the file has been used

extensively on your timelines, as long as you're able to relink it.

What causes a file to go offline?

When you import a file to HitFilm a reference to the file is created in the form of a media asset.

Anything you do with the media asset in HitFilm will not affect the original source file - so you can

delete, trim, cut and apply as many effects to the media asset without altering the file on your hard

drive.

HitFilm relies on being able to find the source file in its original location. If the source file is moved,

deleted or renamed HitFilm will not be able to find the file and the associated media will be marked

as offline in your projects.

Relinking

There are several ways to relink a file, depending on the reason for the file going offline.

Restoring the source file

Often the easiest way to relink a file is to restore the source file to its original state.

If the file has been accidentally moved, return it to its original location.

If it has been renamed, change the name back to the original.

If it's been accidentally deleted, restore it from the Recycle Bin.

After a file has been restored to its original location on your computer, HitFilm will automatically

detect it and bring the media asset back online.

Relinking individual files

Offline files can be relinked from the Media panel from the offline asset's menu.

Clicking the Relink button displays a file browser which can be used to locate the file's new

location.

Batch relinking

When you open a project it will be checked for any offline files. If any are found they will be listed in

the offline files dialogue.

You can start relinking the offline files in the list by double-clicking on them. This will display a

standard file browser which you can use to locate the file's new location.

Each time you relink a file in the list HitFilm will check the other files to see if they can also be

found at the new location. Therefore if you have deliberately moved an entire folder of video files you

can relink them all by simply relinking just one.