Trim
Also known as: trimming, in and out points, ripple trim
Shortening a clip by moving its start or end point, removing unwanted frames before or after the action while keeping the original file untouched.
Updated
What it means
Trimming sets where a clip begins and ends in the edit, known as in and out points. Removing the walk to the start line before a run, or the slow stop after a jump, keeps only the part worth watching. In most editors, trimming does not delete anything from the source file, which makes it fully reversible.
Editors offer several trim types. A simple trim shortens one clip and leaves a gap, a ripple trim closes the gap by moving everything after it, and roll and slip trims adjust the cut point or the content of a clip without changing the overall timing.
Trimming is how dead time disappears from an action edit.
How it works in practice
Trim generously at first, then tighten. Leave a little lead-in before the action so viewers understand what is about to happen, and cut quickly after the peak so the energy stays high.
Use keyboard shortcuts to set in and out points while playing, which is faster than dragging clip edges. Some phone and camera apps also allow quick trims, but they may re-encode the file, so trim on a computer when quality matters. A few frames of difference at each end can change how a clip feels.
For music edits, trim clips so their key moments align with markers on the beat.
What to watch out for
Trimming in a phone app and saving can overwrite or re-compress the original. Always keep the untouched file from the camera as a backup, since you may want the full length later.
Lossless trimming tools that avoid re-encoding can only cut at keyframes, so the result may start slightly earlier than intended.
Over-trimming removes context. A jump without the approach, or a wave without the paddle-in, can feel abrupt. Keep enough before and after to tell the moment properly, then tighten again when watching the whole edit at full speed.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip trims for you. Upload untrimmed clips straight from the camera, however long they are, and the AI cuts away the waiting, walking and setup, keeping only the action for your highlight.