ScreenFlow terms

Parent Clip

The original clip from which other clips or subclips are derived.

What is a parent clip in ScreenFlow?

A parent clip in ScreenFlow is a primary video or audio clip from which other clips, known as child clips, are derived. The parent clip serves as the original source material in the editing process. Any changes made to the parent clip, such as trimming or adding effects, will be reflected in all of its child clips. This is because child clips are essentially linked copies of the parent clip.

This feature is particularly useful in video editing as it allows for consistent modifications across multiple clips without having to manually adjust each one. For instance, if you want to apply the same color correction or audio enhancement to several clips, you can simply make the adjustments to the parent clip, and all the child clips will automatically inherit these changes. However, it's important to note that any changes made directly to a child clip will not affect the parent clip or any other child clips.

How to use parent clip in ScreenFlow?

ScreenFlow's parent clip feature allows you to apply changes to multiple clips at once. To use this feature, first, select the clip you want to set as the parent. This is typically the clip with the settings you want to apply to other clips. Once you've selected the parent clip, go to the properties pane and click on the video or audio tab, depending on what you want to adjust. Make the necessary adjustments to the settings.

After you've adjusted the settings of the parent clip, you can apply these changes to other clips. To do this, select the clips you want to change. Then, right-click on the parent clip and select "Copy Properties". Next, right-click on the selected clips and choose "Paste Properties". This will apply the settings from the parent clip to the selected clips. Remember, any changes you make to the parent clip after this will not automatically apply to the other clips. You'll need to repeat the copy and paste process if you want to update the other clips with new changes.

Why is the parent clip important in ScreenFlow?

The parent clip in ScreenFlow is important because it serves as the primary source of all the edits and modifications made in a project. It is the original, unedited version of the video or audio file that you are working on. This means that no matter how many changes you make, the parent clip remains untouched, preserving the original content. This is crucial because it allows you to revert back to the original version if needed, providing a safety net for your editing process.

Moreover, the parent clip is also important because it sets the parameters for the child clips. Child clips are the segments of the parent clip that you cut, edit, or modify. They inherit the properties of the parent clip, such as resolution, frame rate, and aspect ratio. Therefore, the quality and characteristics of the parent clip significantly influence the final output of your project.

How to adjust the value of a parent clip in ScreenFlow?

In ScreenFlow, adjusting the value of a parent clip involves a few steps. First, you need to select the clip in the timeline. Once the clip is selected, you can adjust its properties in the video or audio inspector panel. The inspector panel is located on the right side of the ScreenFlow interface.

In the inspector panel, you can adjust various properties of the clip such as scale, position, rotation, opacity, audio volume, etc. To adjust a value, simply click on the corresponding slider and drag it to the desired position. Alternatively, you can click on the value next to the slider and type in a specific number. Remember to press "Enter" or "Return" on your keyboard to apply the changes.

It's important to note that any changes you make to a parent clip will affect all of its child clips. If you want to adjust the value of a specific child clip without affecting the parent, you need to detach it first. To do this, right-click on the child clip in the timeline and select "Detach Audio" or "Detach Video" from the context menu.

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