Final Cut Pro terms

Clip Collision

When two clips overlap in time.

What is clip collision in Final Cut Pro?

Clip collision in Final Cut Pro refers to a situation where two or more clips overlap each other on the timeline. This can occur when you're trying to move or edit a clip and it ends up overlapping with another clip. When this happens, Final Cut Pro will usually prevent you from making the change, to avoid unintentionally overwriting or deleting parts of your project.

However, Final Cut Pro also provides tools to manage and resolve clip collisions. For instance, you can use the "collision" feature to automatically move the conflicting clip to a different track or position on the timeline. Alternatively, you can manually adjust the clips to avoid the collision. Understanding and managing clip collisions is an important part of editing in Final Cut Pro, as it helps to maintain the integrity of your project.

How to use clip collision in Final Cut Pro?

Clip collision in Final Cut Pro is a feature that prevents clips from overlapping on the timeline. To use this feature, you first need to ensure that it is enabled. You can do this by going to the top menu, selecting "View", then "Snapping". If clip collision is enabled, there should be a check mark next to it. If not, simply click on it to enable.

Once clip collision is enabled, you can start using it in your editing process. When you move a clip on the timeline, it will automatically snap to the edge of another clip if it's close enough, preventing the clips from overlapping. If you want to override the clip collision feature temporarily, you can hold down the 'N' key while moving the clip. This will allow you to place the clip wherever you want on the timeline, even if it overlaps with another clip.

Why is clip collision not working in Final Cut Pro?

Clip collision not working in Final Cut Pro could be due to a variety of reasons. One common issue is that the "Position" tool is being used instead of the "Select" tool. The Position tool allows clips to be moved without affecting the surrounding clips, which can disable the clip collision feature. To ensure clip collision is working, you should use the Select tool when moving clips around on the timeline.

Another possible reason is that the "Magnetic Timeline" feature is turned off. The Magnetic Timeline is a feature in Final Cut Pro that automatically adjusts the timeline to avoid clip collisions. If this feature is turned off, clips can overlap and collide. To fix this, you can go to the "View" menu, select "Magnetic Timeline", and make sure it's checked. If these solutions don't work, it might be a software glitch, and updating or reinstalling Final Cut Pro could solve the problem.

How to fix clip collision issues in Final Cut Pro?

Clip collision issues in Final Cut Pro can be fixed by using the 'Position' tool. This tool allows you to move a clip without it automatically snapping back to its original position due to the magnetic timeline. To use the 'Position' tool, select it from the toolbar or press 'P' on your keyboard. Then, click and drag the clip to the desired position on the timeline. The clip will stay in the new position, and any clips that were in that space will be moved out of the way, preventing clip collision.

If you're still experiencing issues, you may need to adjust your clip connections. Clip connections are the lines that connect your primary storyline to your secondary storyline or connected clips. If these connections are not properly aligned, it can cause clip collision. To adjust your clip connections, simply click and drag the connected clip to the desired position. If you need to disconnect a clip, select it and then choose 'Break Apart Clip Items' from the Clip menu. This will allow you to move the clip independently of its connected clips, helping to resolve any collision issues.

If you use Final Cut Pro...

You should try Tella.tv - a screen recorder that doesn't compromise on speed or creativity.

Tella simplifies video creation: record, customize, and share in one place; combine separate clips and quickly remove mistakes; apply beautiful backgrounds, layouts, and effects with just a few clicks; share the video link or export in 4K.

With Tella, create product demos, tutorial videos, and online courses that look amazing in minutes, not hours!

Tella screen recorder

< Back to Final Cut Pro glossary

Try Tella today!

Screen recording for creators — simple and powerful.

7-day free trial — no credit card required