Beginner’s Guide to the Free Video Editor

Welcome to Effortless Editing: What You'll Master Today

Ever stared at a pile of footage wishing for a magic wand? CutScene's free video editor is that wand – browser-based, no installs, unlimited fun. This tutorial walks you through the essentials: setup, timeline basics, effects, and export. By the end, you'll craft pro videos for social, work, or play.

No prior experience? Perfect. We'll use simple analogies (timeline = your story's script) and real examples. Ready? Let's turn chaos into cinematic gold.

Quick Setup: Your 5-Min Launch

1. Dive In – Create Account & Project

• Head to CutScene, sign up (email or social, no card drama).
• Dashboard → "New Project." Choose resolution: 16:9 (YouTube/web), 9:16 (TikTok/Reels), or custom.
• Name it (e.g., "My First Vlog") – boom, timeline ready.

Analogy: Like opening a blank notebook – infinite pages, no rules.

2. Media Magic: Import or Generate

• Upload: Drag videos, images, audio from your device. Supports MP4, MOV, JPG, MP3 – auto-optimizes.
• AI Spark (Optional): Click "Generate" – try Flux for images ("sunset beach vibe") or Kling for clips ("chef cooking pasta"). Starter credits let you test free.

Pro Tip: Organize uploads in media groups – tag "B-roll," "Music" for easy grabs.

3. Timeline Tour: Where Stories Come Alive

The timeline is your canvas:

• Tracks: Video (clips/images), Audio (music/VO), Effects (transitions/graphics).
• Drag & Drop: Pull media to tracks – reorder like puzzle pieces.
• Trimming: Hover edges to resize; or I/O keys for precise in/out.
• Playhead: Scrub with mouse/arrows – Space to play/pause.

First Edit: Drag a clip, trim 10s, add another – preview with Space. Feels like directing your own mini-movie!

Essential Edits: Build Your Masterpiece

Cutting & Trimming: Shape the Narrative

1. Select clip (click it).
2. Drag edges – shorten or extend.
3. Split Tool: Ctrl+K (Cmd+K Mac) at playhead – divide for rearrangements.
4. Ripple Delete: Highlight + Delete – gaps close automatically.

Example: Vlog footage? Trim awkward pauses, keep the laughs. Timeline stays clean.

Text & Graphics: Add Your Voice

1. Left panel → "Text" – pick Title, Subtitle, or Lower Third.
2. Double-click to type (e.g., "Welcome to My Channel!").
3. Resize/position with handles; animate (fade in/out).
4. Match fonts/colors to brand – presets speed it up.

Story Time: Added a popping title to my travel vlog? Views spiked 20% – text guides the eye!

Audio Adventure: Soundtrack Your Story

1. Drag music/VO to audio track.
2. Adjust volume (track header slider).
3. Keyframes: Right-click waveform → add points for fades.
4. EQ Basics: Reduce lows for clarity, boost highs for sparkle.
5. Sync: Align beats with video cuts – zoom timeline for precision.

Tip: Layer SFX (door creak, laugh) – tiny sounds make videos pop.

Effects & Transitions: Cinematic Flair

• Transitions: Select cut point → library (fade, zoom, wipe). Drag between clips.
• Effects: Clip → Properties → Effects panel. Add blur, glow, or color shifts.
• Keyframing: Animate scale/position – zoom on a product reveal.

Fun Challenge: Add a zoom transition to two clips – instant energy boost!

Color Correction: Pro Polish in Seconds

Click clip → "Color" panel:

• Exposure: Brighten/darken overall.
• Saturation: Amp colors for social pop.
• Temperature: Warm (orange) for cozy, cool (blue) for sleek.
• LUTs: One-click presets (cinematic, vibrant).

Workflow: Grade all clips similarly – select multiple + apply. Your video? From meh to mesmerizing.

Example: Washed-out phone footage? +20 saturation + warm temp = Instagram gold.

Export Mastery: Ship to the World

1. Preview Full: Space through – catch glitches.
2. Export Button: Top-right → Format (MP4 universal), Resolution (match project or downscale).
3. Presets: TikTok (vertical MP4), YouTube (1080p H.264).
4. Quality: High for pro, Medium for quick shares.
5. Go: Local download – no cloud waits.

Pro Export Tip: 1080p for most platforms – 4K if hardware allows, but compression kills extras anyway.

Social-Specific Workflows: Platform Perfection

TikTok/Reels Rocket (Vertical)

1. 9:16 Project
2. Fast cuts (2-3s), big text
3. Trending audio sync
4. Export 1080p

YouTube Power (Horizontal)

1. 16:9 Setup
2. Intro/outro graphics
3. Text chapters
4. 1080p/4K Export

Instagram Glow (Square/Vertical)

1. 1:1 or 9:16
2. Captions heavy
3. <90s Trims
4. Subtle transitions

Duplicate projects – one base edit, endless adaptations.

Organization & Performance: Stay Smooth

Media Library Mastery

• Drag to folders/tags: "Footage," "Graphics."
• Search by name/type – no lost files.
• Delete unused – free device space.

Layer Logic

• Name tracks: "VO," "Music," "B-Roll."
• Mute/Lock for focus.
• Group clips (Ctrl+G) for bulk moves.

Speed Secrets

• Proxy editing for 4K (low-res preview, full export).
• Close tabs – more RAM for timelines.
• Render previews for complex effects.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Level Up: Your Next Edits Await

Congrats – you're editing like a boss! This tutorial covered basics; now experiment.

Power-Ups:

• Shortcuts Guide – 3x speed.
• Social Tips – Platform hacks.
• AI Generation – Clips on demand.
• Color Mastery – Pro grades.

Quick Reference:

Free, fun, forever – start your CutScene journey. From beginner to viral creator, one edit at a time!