Re: Simple problem with timeline manipulation

Ok, couple of things. Don't drag and drop in Avid. It's really not designed to workt his way, as you've found out. You really need to get used to using the Insert and Overwrite edit buttons (V and B on your keyboard by default). If you drag and drop in Avid, it defaults to V1 and A1 and A2, and I don't know that that can be changed.

2nd. Notice that your timeline is all purple on the tracks you selected? That indicated the section between your In and Out points. In the case of your video, you have an In and Out marked at the beginning and end of your sequence. The In and Out marks on your sequence will always override the In and Out marks of your Source--it will start at the In point of your source monitor and try to use that video to fill the In and Out duraction marked on your timeline. You're getting the "Insufficient Media" warning because your source clip isn't long enough to fill the duration you have marked in your timeline.

Click on your timeline and clear the out point, then set the In point where you want your source clip to start. Now click Insert to insert your source clip, or click Overwrite to overwrite edit the clip.

I hope this makes sense. Avid is based on 3 point editing--and In and Out point in your source clip and an In or Out point in your timeline, or an In and Out point in your timeline and an In or Out point in your source clip. If you have an In and Out in your timeline and an In and Out in your source clip, it will use the In point of your source clip and will try to fill the In to Out duration of your timeline. If you don't have an In or Out point in your timeline, it will use the position indicator as your In point.

If you're coming from Premiere you'll notice a lot of differences in the way Avid works. Avid works best using Keyboard shortcuts, and the software will let you remap your keyboard however you want to assist you in this. I'd learn the default keyboard layout first, then start customizing it once you get comfortable with it.

Let us know if you have more questions, and welcome to Avid! It's a great program, and once you get the hang of it I think you'll be surpsied how fast you can cut with it.

Michael.