Edit a video
Cut, layer, and title a video on the timeline, or ask Astro to do it.
The editor is a timeline with a preview above it and Astro beside it. You can make every change by hand, or describe the change and let Astro edit the timeline.
Start an edit
There are three ways in.
| You have | Do this |
|---|---|
| A video you just generated | Press Open in editor on it in Create. |
| Footage of your own, or an older Studio video | Open Studio → Editor, press Create, then Start from a video. Pick the video or upload one, then press Start editing. |
| Nothing yet | Press Create, then Blank project, and choose a shape: 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube and the web, 1:1 for a feed. |
The editor saves by itself. Your edits are listed on the Editor page, where you can rename, duplicate, or delete one.
The screen
| Area | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Left | The chat with Astro |
| Center | The preview, with play, a seek bar, and Fullscreen |
| Bottom | The timeline. Drag its top edge to make it taller. |
| Right | Settings for the item you selected. It appears only when something is selected. |
| Top right | Version history and Export |
Ask Astro to edit
Type what you want in the chat on the left. For example:
- "Trim the dead air at the start and end."
- "Add bold captions to the whole video."
- "Make the pacing feel snappier."
Astro changes the timeline and you see the result in the preview. To ask about one moment, move to it and press Show Astro this frame.
Every change Astro makes is a version you can undo. See Go back to an earlier version.
Edit on the timeline
The toolbar above the timeline adds and cuts.
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Media | Adds a video, an image, or audio from your Media Library |
| Text | Adds a text item |
| Captions | Writes captions from the speech. See Add captions. |
| Split | Cuts the selected clip at the playhead |
| Delete selected | Removes the selected item |
| Undo, Redo | Steps back and forward |
| Zoom out, Zoom in | Shows more or less of the timeline. The picture does not change. |
Drag a clip to move it. Drag its edge to trim it.
Layers
Each row of the timeline is a layer. A higher layer covers the ones below it. Right-click a layer to hide, mute, or lock it, to move it up or down, or to delete it. Separate audio moves a clip's sound to its own layer. Double-click a layer's name to rename it.
Change the selected item
Select an item on the timeline or in the preview. Its settings open on the right.
| Item | Settings |
|---|---|
| Text | The words, Size, Text colour, and a Backdrop behind them |
| Video or audio | Volume up to 200%, and Speed from 0.25x to 3x |
| Video or image | Remove background takes one colour out, such as a green screen. Pick the colour and set the Strength. |
| Image | Size and Opacity |
| Any item | Transition in and Transition out: Fade, Slide, or Wipe, up to 2 seconds |
In the preview, drag an item to move it and drag a corner to resize it. Reset position puts it back.
Change the shape of the video
Use the Aspect ratio menu on the preview. It has vertical, widescreen, square, and four more shapes. Adaptive fits the shape of your footage.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
| Delete or Backspace | Remove the selected item |
| Cmd/Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + Z | Redo |
Go back to an earlier version
Press Version history. Each entry says whether You or Astro made it. Click one to preview it, then press Restore to return to it, or Back to current to leave things as they are.
Next
Add captions, then export the video.