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Video Studio: Editor Guide
The Video Studio editor uses a workstation layout designed for efficient video composition. This guide covers the full editor interface and all available tools.
Editor Layout
The editor is divided into four main areas:
┌──────────────┬────────────────────┬──────────────┐
│ │ │ │
│ Layers │ Video Preview │ Properties │
│ (Left) │ (Center) │ (Right) │
│ │ │ │
├──────────────┴────────────────────┴──────────────┤
│ Timeline │
│ (Bottom) │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘Center: Video Preview
The live preview canvas renders your video in real time. It shows exactly what will appear in the final export at the current playhead position.
- Click Play/Pause to control playback
- Drag the playhead or click anywhere on the Timeline ruler to jump to a specific time
- The preview automatically updates when you change layers, properties, or timing
Left: Layer Panel
The Layer Panel lists all visual and audio layers in your project. Layers are rendered from bottom to top — the top layer in the list appears in front.
Each layer shows:
- Visibility toggle — Show or hide the layer without deleting it
- Layer name — Click to rename
- Media indicator — Which asset or local file is assigned
Layer types:
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Background | Images or videos that form the visual backdrop |
| Audio | Music tracks, sound effects, voiceovers |
| Text | Lyrics overlays or custom text |
| Asset Group | A collection of media that rotates during playback |
Adding a layer: Click the + button at the bottom of the Layer Panel and select the layer type.
Reordering layers: Drag layers up or down to change their stacking order.
Right: Properties Panel
The Properties Panel shows controls for the currently selected layer. The available controls depend on the layer type:
- Visual layers (Background, Asset Group): Position, scale, rotation, opacity, fit mode, loop settings
- Text layers: Font, size, weight, color, alignment, anchor, animations, LRC import/export, word timing
- Audio layers: Volume, trim start/end
Bottom: Timeline
The Timeline displays all layers as horizontal bars along a time ruler.
- Ruler: Shows time markers. Click or drag to scrub the playhead.
- Layer rows: Each layer gets its own row. Media blocks (lyric lines, asset group members) appear as draggable, resizable blocks within their row.
- Playhead: A vertical indicator showing the current playback position.
Timeline interactions:
- Click the ruler to jump to a time
- Drag the playhead to scrub through the video
- Drag a block left/right to change when it appears
- Drag the edges of a block to resize it (change duration)
- Select a block to show its properties in the Properties Panel
Working with Media
Adding Media from Library
- Select a layer
- Click Add Media in the Properties Panel
- Browse and select an asset from your Library (audio, image, or video)
- The asset is linked to the layer — it will be fetched via a secure, temporary URL
Adding Local Media
- Drag a file from your computer directly onto a layer
- The file loads instantly without uploading
- Local files are session-scoped — they stay on your device
- When saving a project with local files, you'll be prompted to either keep them local or upload them to your Library
Replacing Media
- Select the layer with the media you want to replace
- Click Replace in the Properties Panel
- Choose a new asset from the Library or a local file
- Timeline placement and transforms are preserved where compatible
Project Settings
Access project-level settings from the editor toolbar:
- Project Name: Rename your project
- Preset/Aspect Ratio: The format preset selected at creation
- Duration: Adjust the total project length
- FPS: Frames per second (affects export smoothness)
Note: Changing the project duration does not affect individual layer timing — media will loop, freeze, or leave blank depending on layer settings.
Saving Your Work
Manual Save
Click the Save button in the toolbar to save your project to the backend.
Version Conflict Handling
If another user saved changes to the project while you were editing, you'll see a conflict dialog with three options:
- Save as New Version — Keep your changes as a separate version
- Overwrite — Replace the remote version with your local changes
- Discard and Reload — Throw away your changes and load the latest remote version
Unsaved Changes Guard
If you try to leave the editor with unsaved changes, you'll be prompted to save before exiting.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Video Studio supports common keyboard shortcuts for efficient editing:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Play/Pause | Spacebar |
| Undo | Ctrl/Cmd + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z |
| Delete selected | Delete / Backspace |
More shortcuts will be added in future updates.