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editing an entire video with just four keys
use Ctrl [E] to open the Editing timeline.
For this exercise you will require the following four keys on your keyboard: [TAB] Ctrl [TAB] [I] [O].
Left hand: thumb on [Ctrl], index finger on [TAB]
Right hand: index finger on [I], middle finger on [O]
You use [TAB] to fast forward through a video; Ctrl [TAB] to fast reverse through a video.
Both can either be tapped for brief changes to the cursor location (one second per tap), or held down to play the video in either direction.
Start the video (or audio) playing.
By using Ctrl [TAB] to tab back a couple of seconds if you go too far, you don't even have to stop the playback at any point. All this can be done while playback continues.
When you get to a part of the video you want, press [I] to create an “IN” point.
If you've gone slightly too far, tap Ctrl [TAB] a couple of times to take you back a few seconds.
When you get to a part of the video you don't want, press [O] to create an “OUT” point.
Again, use [TAB] and Ctrl [TAB] to fine-tune the “out” point.
Repeat this through the whole video. When you're done, click the “Export” button.
Review your exported edit.
If you want to include the beginning of the video, play the part you want and then press [O] when you want the opening segment to end.
If you want to include the end of the video, simply create an IN point near the end with [I], and don't set an OUT point.
Making adjustments to your edit
When you have reviewed your exported edit, you can make adjustments to the segments you created.
Did some segments start too soon? Too late?
Do some segments run on too long, or not quite long enough?
At that point you can start using other keys, such as [S] to shorten a segment, or [L] to lengthen a segment.
(click on a segment first to select it)
You can press [X] to eXclude a segment, or [R] to Restore an eXcluded segment.
(click on a segment first to select it)
At any time during the editing process you can also use Ctrl [Z] to undo an action and Ctrl [Y] to redo an undone action.
You can then click the “Export” button again to see how your adjustments have affected your edited video.
Conclusion
Although there are other keys available, the bulk of the editing of any video (or audio) file can be achieved with just the four keys.
This makes editing a video (or audio) an absolute breeze!
Further reading: Where are the cuts actually made?
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