Managing Clips

Clips are named sequentially during import (such as "Clip 01"), but you can rename them with more meaningful titles. If you split a clip (explained in the next chapter), iMovie adds a slash and a number to indicate it's part of the original, such as "Mountain/1".

To rename a clip:

1. Click the clip's title, which selects the text. Or, either double-click the clip or press Command-Shift-I to display the Clip Info dialog box (Figure 7.12).

   Figure 7.12. Double-clicking a clip displays the Clip Info dialog box, which reveals the media file's name.

   

2. Type a new name and click OK.

The Shelf features slots for storing clips, but it doesn't matter in what order they appear. You'll find yourself moving them frequently as you assemble your movie.

To reorder clips in the Shelf:

1. Click the clip(s) you wish to move. To grab a range of clips, Shift-click multiple clips or click and drag a box around them with the pointer (Figure 7.13).

   Figure 7.13. Click and drag your pointer in the Shelf's background area to select multiple clips.

   

2. Click and drag the clip(s) to a new location in the Shelf.

Tips

• Renaming a clip only changes its name in iMovie. The original media file is still named "Clip 04" (or similar). Do not rename the media file on disk or iMovie will lose track of it.

• Since you can drag clips anywhere in the Shelf, use this capability to visually group scenes or related materials before you add them to your movie.