Quote Can I set an in and out on the raw video before inserting it into the timeline. It seems that I have to drag the entire clip first and then trim or split.

That's often the easiest and most convenient method. As such, one often uses another video track as kind of a staging area to trim. With the video in the library, one can use right mouse click and then the "Edit Using Content Aware Editing...", it will detect some scene but you can ignore and use or own mark in/out selections and then they will be added to timeline at current scrubber location when you activated the clip in the library.

Jeff

Quote Can I set an in and out on the raw video before inserting it into the timeline. It seems that I have to drag the entire clip first and then trim or split. I'm used to editing programs where you set an in and out and then simply insert into the spot you want it to go. Am I missing something on Cyberlink Powerdirector?

This isn't quite what you asked about as this deals with trimming the clip after it has been moved to the timeline, still I think you might find this tutorial helpful:

The latest Powerdirector, 17, has just that new function called "Precut", it even meshes well with trim and multi-trim and returns a simply cut video file or files to your library. To be clear, they are not actually files, just precut representations. Very cool. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
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It's just that the video source is two hours long and it would be so much easier just to clip something and insert rather than insert it and then clip. I'm new to powerdirector, and while I like it overall, this is the way nearly every other video editing program works. I guess I'll just adapt.

Quote The latest Powerdirector, 17, has just that new function called "Precut", it even meshes well with trim and multi-trim and returns a simply cut video file or files to your library. To be clear, they are not actually files, just precut representations. Very cool.

Wow, I learn something new every time I come here. I had never noticed the precut option. Thank you Barry the Crab (love that handle!) for mentioning it. If you don't take joy in the snow you'll have less joy in your life and the same amount of snow.

Quote Hankster65

It doesn't help the OP much, he has PD16. Honestly when I first saw the function I didn't think much of it, but it has been a good improvment in my editing flow. HP Envy Phoenix/4thGen i7-4770(4@3.4GHz~turbo>3.9)
Nvidia GTX 960(4GB)/16GB DDR3/
Canon Vixia HV30/HF-M40/HF-M41/HF-G20/Olympus E-PL5.
Tape capture using 6 VCR, TBC-1000, Elite BVP4+, Sony D8 camcorder with TBC.
https://www.facebook.com/BarryAFTT

Barry is a wealth of great information.

Thanks for highlighting one of my tutorials.

Here is a tutuorial that deals with one dimenson of the new pre-cut tool.

--Jim