How to Edit Videos Using YouTube’s Video Editing Tool
A common question videographers get is “What editing software do you use?” More expensive programs like Adobe, Final Cut, and Sony Vegas are often hard to come by or difficult to use for amateur videographers. However, while it’s usually a better idea to have a professional video editor cut and clean your footage, YouTube now has some simple video editing tools you can use to create or improve your video content. The YouTube Video Editor is located under Creation Tools in your YouTube Video Manager. This tool is by no means a replacement for professional video editing services, but it’s a free, simple way to fix some of your web videos.
Cutting and Splicing Video Clips
Before trimming a video clip, you must drag and drop it into the YouTube Video Editor. Adjust the stop and start times by dragging the blue sidebars to the beginning and end of your clip, or cut the clip using the scissors tool. A cut can be moved anywhere in the clip while it’s being created. To cut a clip at a very precise point, use the magnifying glass tool in the lower right hand corner; this will allow you to zoom in on the exact point in the video and make a perfect cut.
Clip Editing Options
Under the Quick Fixes menu, a video clip can be enhanced, auto-corrected, and improved using several different tools. The Auto-fix option can adjust color and brightness instantly; you can pan or zoom in or out; you can apply a slow motion effect; you can add an artistic filter to give your video a unique look. YouTube lets you revert back to the original at any time to compare before and after clips. You can also add text banners, adjust the audio, and stabilize or rotate your video.
Other Features
YouTube Editor also allows you to add pictures and free audio tracks to your project. There are also many Creative Commons videos you can splice in for creative b-roll action. Add titles as separate clips in between clips, or at the beginning and end. Once you’re finished creating your video, simply click the Publish button in the top right, and YouTube will automatically render and post the video on your YouTube channel.
For more information about creating and optimizing YouTube videos, contact the experts at In Focus Studios. For help creating video content, call today for a free consultation.
