Navigating through video files - workflow

When working with longer video files, it helps to know about how long they are before creating a new project. In the new project dialog, set the frame rate and length of the video (maximum length if working with more than one video file) and input it into the appropriate fields:

The next step is to place the playhead at where you want to start your edits and type Command-Option-i (to mark a Play Range In) then move the playhead to the end point and type Command-Option-O (play range out).

Do all your edits.

Share your video (Export Movie...). Make sure you go into the Settings pane and set Use Play Range:

otherwise you'll end up exporting the entire project length. [Example times will look a little weird -- I was working in a 100fps project.]

If you need better timing references, you can use 'i' and 'o' to set in/outs on the video and move its timing bar to line up with the beginning of the project and reset the project length to match the trimmed length.

The easiest way to retime a project is to use the clock under the canvas. If you click on the little clock icon (setting the time to 12:15) that shows the project length — you can click and drag up or down on the timecode to change the project length (or you can simply double click on it and type it in.) When you're done, you can click the clock icon again (resetting to 12:07) to get the current playhead position.

Hi

Motion doesn't have that feature you are looking for. The timeline is locked to the duration value chosen when the project was created. You can update that duration value in the project settings - if you do that it helps to 'reset play range' from the mark menu.

There are shortcuts to trim and to move start/end point - check the 'mark' menu for those, ...the shortcuts can help manage the larger media a little, but not any better than just dragging it around like you already do. Motion isn't an NLE, so you won't find the same tine line utility that you get in FCPX, Premiere, Avid etc.

If you know ahead of time what part of the long video you are going to use - like some 15 seconds out of the 10 minute clip - it may be better to create a short snippet and use it.

You can do that with FCP X or in this case just use Quicktime Player. Use trim function to trim to the desired part and save it.