Viewer Options

The Clip Viewer also has a Timeline option.

After all this playing around in the Viewer, you may have discovered that the Viewer offers two viewing options. By default, you probably have the Clip Viewer activated. As shown in the screen shot to the right, the Clip Viewer is designated with the eye symbol. In the Clip Viewer, you can easily drag around thumbnail images of your clips. It is probably the easiest mode for the beginner to work in.

But the Viewer also provides another option. By clicking the clock symbol, the Viewer switches to a Timeline Viewer. Here, the thumbnail images of your video clips share the space with representations of your audio tracks. The relative length of each clip is represented graphically in the timeline. You also gain the ability to turn audio channels on and off, set up fades, and force your clips to play at speeds other than normal.

Previewing Your Video

To play a clip or clips in the Monitor, make your selection in the Shelf or Clip Viewer and simply press the Play button.

After moving your clips around, you might be eager to see how your video really looks. By choosing a clip in either the Shelf or Viewer, you bring that clip into the Monitor window for viewing. As shown in the graphic, VCR-like buttons below the Monitor gives you full control over the playback of your video clip.

If you wish to play more than one sequential clip in your Viewer, simply hold down the shift key and choose another clip. Then hit the Play button in the Monitor window and watch iMovie play the selected clips. You might want to play your entire edited movie. Simply hit the Home button (the rewind symbol that points to a vertical line) and iMovie will rewind to the beginning of your movie. From here, a quick click on Play will start your edited movie from the beginning. iMovie also offers a full-screen Play button if you prefer.