You can edit videos for free using Clipchamp's online video editor. Watch our 2-min tutorial video for a quick demonstration of how it works, or scroll down for step-by-step instructions to help you get started using Clipchamp's editing features:
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For the best experience
Before you start using Clipchamp, we recommend you follow these steps to make sure your browser settings are optimal for the best editing experience.
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Getting started
Sign up or sign in at this address:
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Once you've signed in, you'll be on your Dashboard Page. From here you can start a new video by clicking the Create a video button on the top right-hand side of the screen.
Clipchamp's online video editor will automatically open.
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Add videos to the library
Before you can start editing your videos, you'll need to add the video files to your media library. To do this, either drag and drop the files from your computer, or click the plus icon (+) Add Media button.
A pop-out tab will appear. You can also upload media from one of Clipchamp's integration such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Zoom, Box or Google Photos. Alternatively, upload directly from your smartphone.
Your video editor should look like this.
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To start editing, add videos to your timeline
Now drag and drop a video from your media library into the timeline at the bottom of the editor. You can also click on the + plus symbol to directly add the media file to your timeline. Click Add to timeline to all your media files.
Your timeline should look like this.
Once a video is in the timeline, you can start viewing and editing it.
You can add many videos to the timeline, move them around, and edit them. You can also add music and still image files.
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Clipchamp's Editing Tools
Here's a list of the editing tools we currently offer. For more detailed instructions, screenshots and tips for a particular tool, follow the links below.
To trim a video clip, select it in the timeline (click on it so it is highlighted), then click and drag the edges back and forth.
To split a video clip in two, select the clip in the timeline, then move the scrubber (the white vertical line with the circle on top) so it is positioned where you want to cut the clip, then click the scissor icon in the top left.
To delete a video clip from the timeline, select the clip and then click the trash icon in the top left (or hit the Delete key on your keyboard).
To play the videos in your timeline, move the scrubber (the white line with the circle on top) to where you want it to start playing from. Then click the Play button at the base of the preview window on the right, or hit the Space bar on your keyboard.
To zoom in and out of the timeline, use the buttons in the top right-hand corner of the timeline: (+ to zoom in, and – to zoom out). Alternatively, use the fit to screen button (–><–) to fit everything that's in the timeline to the visible area.
To crop, rotate, slow down or speed up, change the volume or add filters, select the clip in the timeline (i.e. click it so it is highlighted) and use the options in the menu that appears in the top left:
You can also add music or audio files and still images to your video. Simply drag and drop an audio or image file from your computer into the library area (or click Add Media > Browse my files). Alternatively, select an audio file from Clipchamp's stock library. Once the file has loaded, drag it to the timeline, just like you would with a video file.
To change the audio level of your music/audio file, add it to your timeline. Click the audio file, then an option will appear above. Click Audio, then drag the slider to change the volume. If that is audio from your video file (e.g. mp4, MOV etc.), just highlight it in the timeline, then the audio option should appear.
To add a title (text) to your video, click Text in the left menu. Select your preferred motion titles from the sidebar by using the drag and drop method or click the + plus icon to get the desired title into the timeline. Click on the title clip to edit it.
Your editor timeline should look like this.
To add a solid colour, or black or white, click Graphics in the left menu, then on the sidebar select Backgrounds. Drag and drop the desired background into the timeline.
To export your finished video, which will save it to your computer as an mp4 file, click the Export Video button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Rename your video by highlighting the Untitled video and typing in your desired title.
Next, select your desired resolution and optimization then click Continue to export video.
The exporting screen will automatically appear. Save to your computer or download using one of Clipchamp's saving integrations.
To exit your video and start a new one, click on the "C" icon in the top left corner of your screen. A drop-down tab will appear, click on Back to videos. Your screen will return to the Dashboard page.
You can reopen a video at any time by selecting it from the collection on the Dashboard page. Click on its title or image (it should appear under the Your videos heading).
Videos you edit are automatically saved while you work so there is no need to save them before exiting.
However, it is IMPORTANT to keep your source video, image and audio files – i.e. the original files you added. Or enable the cloud sync feature in that video/project.
Why? Because Clipchamp doesn't upload your videos anywhere, instead it processes them in Chrome (or Edge) locally on your computer. This unique technology makes it fast and private. However, from time to time you may be asked to relink your files – so don't delete the originals!
Enabling Cloud Sync has several benefits, which include:
No danger of losing your files/projects. If the original media files on your computer are lost, edited or deleted, you'll still be able to access and work with your videos if you have Cloud Sync enabled.
No relinking. When working with un-synced Clipchamp videos, you will sometimes be asked to relink your original media files from your computer. With synced media files you never have to worry about relinking.
Access videos you're editing from any computer. Instead of having to manually move your media files and relink them on a new computer, you'll be able to log in to your Clipchamp account on any computer and keep editing straight away.
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