CheatSheetsHero

Catalog / iMovie Cheatsheet

iMovie Cheatsheet

A quick reference guide for using iMovie, covering essential functions, editing techniques, and exporting options to help streamline your video editing workflow.

Getting Started & Interface

iMovie Interface Overview

1. Project Library: Displays all your iMovie projects.
2. Timeline: The workspace where you assemble and edit your video clips, audio, and titles.
3. Viewer: Previews your video project.
4. Browser: Where your media (video clips, photos, audio) is stored and accessed.
5. Toolbar: Provides quick access to editing tools, such as trimming, audio adjustments, and title insertion.

Importing Media

From Finder:

Drag and drop media files directly into the iMovie browser or timeline.

From Camera/Device:

Connect your camera or device to your Mac. iMovie will detect the device and allow you to import media.

iMovie Toolbar Button:

Click the ‘Import Media’ button in the toolbar. A window will open, enabling you to navigate to your files or connected devices.

Creating a New Project

Movie Project

Create a traditional timeline-based video project with multiple clips, transitions, and effects.

Trailer Project

Use pre-designed templates to create a Hollywood-style trailer. Simply fill in the placeholders with your own footage.

Steps
  1. Open iMovie.
  2. Click ‘New Project’.
  3. Choose ‘Movie’ or ‘Trailer’.
  4. Name your project and select an aspect ratio (16:9 is standard).
  5. Click ‘Create’.

Basic Editing Techniques

Trimming Clips

In the Timeline:

Hover over the edge of a clip in the timeline. The cursor will change to a trim tool. Drag the edge to shorten or lengthen the clip.

Precision Editor:

Select a clip and press E or click the gear icon above the viewer and choose ‘Show Precision Editor’. This allows for frame-by-frame trimming and audio adjustments.

Splitting Clips:

Position the playhead at the point where you want to split the clip. Right-click on the clip and select ‘Split Clip’ or press ⌘B.

Adding Transitions

Accessing Transitions:

Click on the ‘Transitions’ tab in the browser (located between ‘Media’ and ‘Audio’).

Applying Transitions:

Drag and drop a transition between two clips in the timeline. Adjust the duration of the transition by dragging its edges.

Common Transitions:

Dissolve, Slide, Wipe, Fade to Black. Double-click a transition in the timeline to adjust its settings.

Working with Audio

Adjusting Volume:

Select a clip in the timeline and drag the volume control line (the horizontal line across the audio waveform) up or down to increase or decrease the volume. Alternatively, use the audio controls in the Inspector.

Adding Music/Sound Effects:

Import audio files into iMovie or use the built-in sound effects and music library. Drag audio clips into the timeline below your video clips.

Detaching Audio:

To separate audio from a video clip, right-click the clip in the timeline and select ‘Detach Audio’. This allows you to edit the audio independently.

Audio Ducking:

Automatically lowers the volume of background music when dialogue is present. Select the background music clip, open the ‘Audio’ tab in the Inspector, and check the ‘Duck’ box.

Advanced Editing Features

Adding Titles and Text

Accessing Titles:

Click on the ‘Titles’ tab in the browser. Browse through the available title styles.

Adding Titles:

Drag and drop a title style above a clip in the timeline or as a standalone element. Adjust the duration and position of the title.

Editing Titles:

Double-click on the title in the viewer to edit the text. Use the text formatting options in the Inspector to customize the font, size, color, and alignment.

Using Effects and Filters

Applying Effects:

Select a clip in the timeline and click the ‘Color Correction’ or ‘Audio Effects’ buttons above the viewer. Choose from various effects and filters to enhance your video and audio.

Common Effects:

Color Correction, White Balance, Saturation, Audio Equalizer, Noise Reduction.

Adjusting Effects:

Use the Inspector to fine-tune the settings of each effect to achieve the desired look and sound.

Working with Green Screen (Chroma Key)

Importing Footage:

Import both your green screen footage and the background footage you want to use.

Applying the Effect:

Place the background footage in the timeline, then drag the green screen footage above it. Select the green screen clip, click the ‘Video Overlay Settings’ button above the viewer, and choose ‘Green/Blue Screen’.

Adjusting the Effect:

Use the ‘Softness,’ ‘Cleanliness,’ and ‘Crop’ controls in the Inspector to refine the green screen effect and remove any unwanted artifacts.

Exporting and Sharing

Exporting Your Project

Click the ‘Share’ button in the upper right corner of iMovie.

Choose your desired export option:

  • File: Exports the project as a video file to your computer.
  • YouTube/Vimeo: Directly uploads the project to YouTube or Vimeo.
  • Facebook: Shares the project on Facebook.
  • Email: Sends the project via email.
  • AirDrop: Shares the project with nearby Apple devices.

Export Settings

Resolution:

Choose the video resolution (e.g., 720p, 1080p, 4K). Higher resolutions result in larger file sizes and better video quality.

Quality:

Select the video quality (Low, Medium, High, Best). Higher quality settings increase file size.

Compression:

H.264 is a commonly used video compression format. You can also choose Apple ProRes for professional workflows.

Optimizing for Web

When exporting for online platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, consider these tips:

  • Resolution: 1080p is a good balance between quality and file size.
  • Frame Rate: Use the same frame rate as your source footage (e.g., 24fps, 30fps).
  • Bitrate: Adjust the bitrate according to the platform’s recommendations.
Download PDF