Quick Start Guide

Create Your First Edit

This is the fastest route from a blank project to a finished video. It skips the detail so you can see the whole workflow in one go - each step links to a fuller article when you want to dig deeper.

You'll create a project, import some footage, cut it together on the timeline, trim and polish it, then export the result.

Note: You'll need a few video or audio files to work with - any footage will do.

Step 1: Create a project

A project holds all your clips and sequences in one place.

1. In the Project Browser, click Create Project.
2. Type a name for your project.
3. Click Create.

Your new project opens, ready for media. There's nothing to save - Lightworks saves everything as you work, automatically and continuously.

Step 2: Import your media

Next, bring your footage into the project.

1. Click the Import clips button to open the Import panel.
2. Browse to the folder containing your video, audio, or image files.
3. Choose how to bring the media in (see the table below).
4. Select the clips you want, then click Import.

Your imported clips appear in the Content Manager, ready to use.

Tip: Not sure which to pick? Create Link To Media is the quickest way to start editing.

Step 3: Review and mark a clip

Before adding a clip to your edit, find the part you actually want to use.

1. Double-click a clip in the Content Manager to open it in the source viewer.
2. Play and scrub through it to find your section.
3. Press I to set the mark in point where the section should start.
4. Move the playhead to where the section should end.

That's all you need - Lightworks uses the current playhead position as the end, so you don't have to set an out point. This is known as mark and park.

Step 4: Build your sequence

A sequence is your edit: clips cut together on the timeline. A new project already has an empty sequence ready in the timeline.

1. With a clip marked in the source viewer, click Insert to add the marked section to the sequence.
2. The playhead moves to the end of what you just added.
3. Open your next clip, mark it, and Insert again.
4. Repeat to build up your edit.

You can also drag a clip onto the timeline - straight from the Content Manager, or from the source viewer.

Tip: Press Space over the timeline to play back your sequence at any time.

Step 5: Trim a cut

Trimming fine-tunes where one clip ends and the next begins.

1. Move your mouse close to the cut between two clips - the pointer changes to a trim cursor.
2. Click and hold, then drag left or right to shorten or extend the clip.
3. Release the mouse button - the trim is applied and finished.

That's the simplest trim, and it covers most everyday tweaks. There's more when you need it: a single click on a cut opens the trim instead, so you can drag as many times as you like and review the result before closing it with a click away from the cut (or Tab).

Trimming is one of Lightworks' real strengths, and it has a complete section of its own - see Trimming for the full range of techniques.

Step 6: Add a transition

A transition smooths the change between two clips - a dissolve is the classic choice.

1. Right-click the cut between two clips on the timeline.
2. Choose a transition, such as Dissolve.
3. Set the length (how long the transition lasts).
4. Click Add.

Note: A transition needs spare footage on both sides of the cut to overlap. If there isn't enough, Lightworks tells you - trim the clips a little shorter and try again.

Tip: For a simple fade to or from black, you don't need a transition at all - drag the fade handle in a clip's top corner, or use the dedicated fade controls. See Video transitions and fades.

Step 7: Balance your audio

Get your levels sitting comfortably before you export.

1. Open the audio mixer.
2. Drag a track's fader up or down to set its level.
3. Use the LR (master) fader to set the overall level.
4. Use solo or mute to check individual tracks.

For fades, levels over time, and the full mixer, see Audio basics.

Step 8: Export your video

When your edit is ready, turn it into a finished file.

1. Select your sequence.
2. For a fast file with sensible defaults, right-click the sequence and choose Export, then pick a preset. For full control over format and resolution, open the Export panel.
3. Choose your settings - MP4 is the default and a safe choice for most uses.
4. Click Start and choose where to save the file.

To publish straight to the web, choose YouTube as the destination and sign in when prompted.

Where to go next

That's a complete edit, start to finish. To build on it:

• The Lightworks interface - learn your way around the panels.
• Importing media - formats, linking, and managing media.
• Basic editing - insert, replace, delete, and arrange clips.
• Trimming - the full set of trimming tools.
• Audio basics - mixing, fades, and levels.
• Export overview - formats, presets, and delivery.