Avid editing tips

Instead of using the mode buttons on the timeline, set up workspaces customized for how you like each interface to look. Then use the command palette to map the workspace menus to the timeline or composer windows.

If you need to see the waveform on one track only, or adjust clip levels on one or two tracks, save a view labeled ‘Big A1/2’ or similar, with large track size and automation gain turned on. Don’t forget to first save a ‘normal’ view so you can switch back. You’ll probably need similar big views for at least the first 8 tracks.

Pressing Alt + C allows you to copy whatever is selected within a track (including In and Out points) to the Source monitor. The selected section can then be pasted in elsewhere.

Until recently, its not been possible to preserve the timecode attached to Quicktime files when importing and exporting from Avid.

Most people edit titles in the timeline, and while you can modify it and store it as a new title clip, the existing title in the timeline will get modified whether you want it to or not.

Solution: CTRL double click the title clip in it's bin. The title tool opens with that title clip ready for editing and re-saving. Never have to touch a timeline. Saves a lot of keystrokes and clicking.

If you design a lot of your own transitional effects. Create a bin and name it "Quick Transitions". Now, any transitional effect you save to that bin will be available in the drop down menu in the quick transition (dissolve) tool - activated by the backslash key just above enter on the QWERTY side.

Ever need to re-use a subtitles style for a recurring broadcast spec/programme series?

Holding down Alt while clicking on matchframe allows you to retain In and Out points previously set in the Source window.

Holding down Ctrl on a Mac allows lassoing in the timeline. To calculate the total duration of a number of clips, highlight the clips in a bin and press Ctrl-I (Command-I on Mac.) The Avid console will appear, with a total duration for all the selected clips.

Holding down Shift when adjusting drop shadows in the Title Tool will restrain the drop shadow to 45 degree increments. Holding down Shift while creating shapes in the Title Tool will constrain shapes to perfect squares or circles.

To apply the same effect to multiple transitions or segments, do the following. Select either a transition or segment within Effects mode, and then lasso over the additional transitions or segments that you want to apply the effect to.

You can use Trim buttons to reposition video keyframes, rather than Alt-drag. In Advanced Keyframe mode, use Shift-Alt to move, as only using Alt will modify parameters.

When zoomed into the Record window in order to apply for example a Paint effect, holding down Ctrl-Alt (Command-Option on Mac) will turn the icon into a hand, allowing you to reposition the zoomed frame within the Record window.