Dealing with Gaps in a track in the Timeline

rach123

Newbie Joined: Sep 09, 2018 23:05 Messages: 5 Offline

Solved by

Sep 14, 2018 18:07

Hello all,
Starting out with PowerDirector and searched the forums here but did not find an answer so posting to see if anyone may have an answer.

Setup is I am creating video out of 2oo pictures and some small video clips.

Track 1 is the photos and videos

Track 2 is has some of the videos with audio off

Track 3 has Titles, that are grouped with some of the photos in Track 1

Track 4 is Audio files m mostly mp3

So, what I did was setup Track 1 photos and vidoes in order, then added titles to Track 3 and grouped them to the relevant photos in Track1
I then then added the music clips to Track 4.
I found when I would need to move or change duration of a photo, if I would cut and inert, it would move items in Track 1 if I chose Insert but NOT move the grouped title, so I would constantly have to go back and realign the title.

I didnt worry about Track 4 as much as they are just songs with are long clips that are easy to drag back and I had not really worked on that timing, as I figured I would do that last.

I had most of the Track 1 and Track 3 Titles etc stuff in order, and I worked to move/edit the Track 4 audio to how I wanted it.
But I am finding there still are some photos I want to remove or tweak duration on in Track 1. So, when I remove a photo in Track 1, I choose Remove and Fill Gap, and it just moves items in Track 1 and I again have Tracks 2, 3 adn 4 out of sync. I would have thougth the Grouping function would force group of items to stay together in order no matter where moved on timeline.

If I choose. Remove and Fill Gap and Move All Clips, it still leaves a blank gap. I am not sure why it leaves the Gap, as it does not give any message that it cannot move all clips.

So, what I am hoping to find is how to edit track one by adding, removing, or changing durations, and maintain where things are lined up in the other tracks?
Right now it seems I am left with having to again remove a photo or change it in track 1, and then have to go back thru tracks 2 and 4 and see what has changed and re-align everything.
Thanks for help.

Rach

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Sep 15, 2018 07:45

You can lock/unlock the track(s) you do not want to move or change. only leave unlocked the track you are changing. That wiil leave all other tracks alone.

Look for the lock symbol to the left of the tracks. Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

rach123

Newbie Joined: Sep 09, 2018 23:05 Messages: 5 Offline

Sep 15, 2018 12:39

Quote You can lock/unlock the track(s) you do not want to move or change. only leave unlocked the track you are changing. That wiil leave all other tracks alone.

Look for the lock symbol to the left of the tracks.

Thanks. That makes sense if I only want one track to move, my question though was how to edit Track 1 ; adding, removing, or changing durations; and maintain where things are lined up in the other tracks?

I have tried to updload pictures of issue, but adding attachments to this post, I am not sure why that doesnt work for me, I end up with blank screen after attachment loads and it doesnt get added to this post.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Sep 15. 2018 12:40

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Sep 15, 2018 14:18

Quote

Thanks. That makes sense if I only want one track to move, my question though was how to edit Track 1 ; adding, removing, or changing durations; and maintain where things are lined up in the other tracks?

I have tried to updload pictures of issue, but adding attachments to this post, I am not sure why that doesnt work for me, I end up with blank screen after attachment loads and it doesnt get added to this post.

To attach things to your post click the blue attachments button below the text box.

Sometimes the forum is crazy and will not take attachments. In that case you use an online drop box or photo site. post the link(s).

You can do the edits to track one with all the other tracks locked, you can then lock track 1, group the rest of the tracks (unlock first) move all at once.

You can use locks in any combination to accomplish what you want. Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

rach123

Newbie Joined: Sep 09, 2018 23:05 Messages: 5 Offline

Sep 15, 2018 14:40

Quote
To attach things to your post click the blue attachments button below the text box.

Sometimes the forum is crazy and will not take attachments. In that case you use an online drop box or photo site. post the link(s).

You can do the edits to track one with all the other tracks locked, you can then lock track 1, group the rest of the tracks (unlock first) move all at once.

You can use locks in any combination to accomplish what you want.

Thanks. Yes, but issue is after I have done edits in Track 1, i can lock and move other Tracks etc to line up on the timeline, and I can do that without needing to lock tracks. Let me try explaining it this way... I have all tracks lined up, all is good, and I am doing like a final review. Doing so, I come accross a photo that I missed and want to edit or say remove it. Now, removing it or inserting or change duration, this now modifies Track 1 as expected, but now the items in tracks 2, 3, 4 etc are no longer in sync with items in Track 1

Here is link to the photos

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AuYUQqgZ10QRyTQz5-kcADylKxLe

The Image to remove is sample of what I want to remove
the other 2 are what happens when I try to remove and how it affects the other tracks.

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Sep 15, 2018 19:01

Quote

Thanks. Yes, but issue is after I have done edits in Track 1, i can lock and move other Tracks etc to line up on the timeline, and I can do that without needing to lock tracks. Let me try explaining it this way... I have all tracks lined up, all is good, and I am doing like a final review. Doing so, I come accross a photo that I missed and want to edit or say remove it. Now, removing it or inserting or change duration, this now modifies Track 1 as expected, but now the items in tracks 2, 3, 4 etc are no longer in sync with items in Track 1

Here is link to the photos

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AuYUQqgZ10QRyTQz5-kcADylKxLe

The Image to remove is sample of what I want to remove
the other 2 are what happens when I try to remove and how it affects the other tracks.

Thanks for the pictures,

I would fill the gap with something else with the same duration, otherwise you may end up with the other tracks out of sync with track 1. Or you could leave the gap, if there is something on track 2 and higher number track you would never see, the gap on track 1, all the other tracks overlay track 1.

Third option remove and fill gap, on track 1, then move the items on tracks 2 and 3 to resync. I do not know what that will do to the sound track. Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

rach123

Newbie Joined: Sep 09, 2018 23:05 Messages: 5 Offline

Sep 15, 2018 19:30

Quote
Thanks for the pictures,

I would fill the gap with something else with the same duration, otherwise you may end up with the other tracks out of sync with track 1. Or you could leave the gap, if there is something on track 2 and higher number track you would never see, the gap on track 1, all the other tracks overlay track 1.

Third option remove and fill gap, on track 1, then move the items on tracks 2 and 3 to resync. I do not know what that will do to the sound track.

I would fill the gap with something else with the same duration, otherwise you may end up with the other tracks out of sync with track 1. Right, which is the reason for my post in the first place.

if there is something on track 2 and higher number track you would never see, the gap on track 1 - correct, which would have negated this post to begin with.

Third option remove and fill gap, on track 1, then move the items on tracks 2 and 3 to resync - As orginally stated: I found when I would need to move or change duration of a photo, if I would cut and inert, it would move items in Track 1 if I chose Insert but NOT move the grouped title, so I would constantly have to go back and realign the title.

Thanks for taking the time to answer, but back to the original question:

So, what I am hoping to find is how to edit track one by adding, removing, or changing durations, and maintain where things are lined up in the other tracks?
Right now it seems I am left with having to again remove a photo or change it in track 1, and then have to go back thru tracks 2 and 4 and see what has changed and re-align everything.

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Sep 16, 2018 08:04

The only option for removing gaps that will move all the other tracks is the "Remove and move all timeline clips after removed gap."

That closes the gap, and moves the rest of the timeline together. That should keep the sync relative to whatever postion the gap is.

There may not be a truly automatic way to do what you want.

The final choice is you the editor. Sometimes, you just have to use the manual method. Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

rach123

Newbie Joined: Sep 09, 2018 23:05 Messages: 5 Offline

Sep 17, 2018 23:32

Quote The only option for removing gaps that will move all the other tracks is the "Remove and move all timeline clips after removed gap."

That closes the gap, and moves the rest of the timeline together. That should keep the sync relative to whatever postion the gap is.

There may not be a truly automatic way to do what you want.

The final choice is you the editor. Sometimes, you just have to use the manual method.

As stated in my original post : "If I choose. Remove and Fill Gap and Move All Clips, it still leaves a blank gap. I am not sure why it leaves the Gap, as it does not give any message that it cannot move all clips."