For the Best Results, Use the Latest Version.

Using the Timeline

The Playhead is an important indicator in the timeline that shows your current position in the video. It helps you navigate through your project easily. The frame where the playhead is placed is also displayed in the preview window, allowing real-time viewing of edits.

Adjust Timeline View

You can zoom in or out of the timeline to get a better editing view. When you hover over the time ruler, your cursor changes into a two-way arrow. Drag left or right while holding the mouse button to adjust zoom. Additionally, the Zoom to Fit Timeline button in the top-right corner allows you to instantly view all clips within the timeline. You can also use the zoom slider for manual control.

Adding and Managing Tracks

Tracks are the layers where your media files are placed. In Filmora, video and audio are always placed on separate tracks to keep the timeline organized.

Step 1. Add a Single Track

To add a track, simply drag and drop a video or audio file into the timeline. Filmora will automatically create a new track for it.

Step 2. Add Multiple Tracks at Once

Import multiple tracks from your device and drag to select them all. Now drag them all together to the timeline. You can also add each track one by one to the timeline to enable multiple track editing. Click the + icon located at the bottom left corner of the timeline to enable the Manage Timeline option. From here, choose Add Video Track or Add Audio Track according to your choice.

Step 3. Adjust Track Height

Open the Track Manager and access the Adjust Track Height option. Choose the height from the options provided. This helps you increase or decrease track size for better visibility and editing control.

Hide and Lock Tracks

Filmora allows you to control track visibility and editing access easily. Follow the guide below to learn how to do it:

Step 1. Hide or Mute Tracks

Click the Eye icon on any video track to hide it from the preview, allowing you to focus on other layers without deleting anything. For audio tracks, click the Speaker icon to mute the sound instantly, which helps you manage background audio or isolate specific clips while editing.

Step 2. Lock Tracks on Timeline

Head to the left corner of the timeline and click on the Lock icon to lock the track to block it from moving or being modified.

Mastering Multi-Timeline Editing

Filmora also supports advanced editing using Compound Clips, which work as separate nested timelines. This feature helps you organize complex projects more efficiently. Follow the steps mentioned below to learn how to add and manage compound clips in Filmora timeline:

Step 1. Create and Open Compound Clips

Right click on the track and choose the Create Compound Clip option from the extended list. Double-click it to open it as a separate timeline tab above the main timeline.

Step 2. Switch Between Timelines

You can switch between the Main Timeline and Compound Clip timelines by clicking on their tabs. Each tab works as an independent editing space.

Step 3. Use Dual Timeline View

Drag a compound clip tab down into the timeline area to activate dual timeline view. This allows you to work on two timelines at the same time and move content between them easily.

Step 4. Export a Specific Timeline

Right-click on a timeline tab and choose Export Current Timeline. This lets you export only that specific sequence without affecting the full project.

Step 5. Customize Timeline Preferences

Go to the File option and click the Preferences option to adjust timeline behavior. You can enable or disable automatic opening of compound clips in new timeline tabs based on your workflow preference.