Apple iMovie User Manual

1
Tutorial
iMovie at a Glance
“iMovie at a Glance” introduces you to the controls in the iMovie window. You use these controls
to create your own movies. Take a look at these pages even if you don’t plan to do the tutorial,
because you’ll need to know the names of the iMovie controls to follow instructions in
iMovie Help.
The pages that follow introduce you to the main iMovie window, the timeline and clip viewers,
and the different panes you use to add professional polish to your movie.

Apple iMovie Specifications

General

Developer	Apple Inc.
Initial Release	October 5, 1999
Operating System	macOS, iOS
Category	Video editing software
License	Proprietary
4K Support	Yes
HDR Support	Yes
360° Video Editing	Yes
Audio Editing	Yes
Color Correction	Yes
Motion Graphics Templates	Yes
Latest Version (iOS)	3.0
File Format Support (Import)	DV, HDV, MOV, MPEG-4, H.264, AVCHD
File Format Support (Export)	MOV, MP4
Languages	Multiple languages
System Requirements (macOS)	macOS 11.5.1 or later
System Requirements (iOS)	iOS 15.0 or later
File Formats Supported	MOV, MP4, AVCHD, DV, HDV, MPEG-4

Summary

iMovie Window Overview

iMovie Monitor and Playback

Watch clips play and control playback using the iMovie monitor and playback controls.

Scrubber Bar and Mode Switch

Navigate frames with the scrubber bar and switch between camera and edit modes.

Volume Slider and Pane Navigation

Adjust speaker volume and access different iMovie panes via buttons.

Trash and Disk Space Management

Delete unwanted clips and monitor available disk space for optimal performance.

Clip and Timeline Viewers

Clip Viewer Functionality

Arrange clips and identify transitions. Clips are sections of video or still images.

Timeline Viewer for Editing

Synchronize audio with video, adjust timing, and manage audio tracks and volume.

Timeline Zoom and Clip Speed

Adjust clip visibility with the zoom slider and alter playback speed with the clip speed slider.

Media and Content Panes

Clips Pane Organization

Manage imported video and still images. Clips have names and durations (minutes:seconds:frames).

Photos Pane for Images

Import photos, apply Ken Burns effects, reverse effects, and set duration.

Audio Pane for Sound

Add music, sound effects, or record voiceovers from various sources.

Effects and Transitions

Titles Pane Customization

Add titles, rolling commentary, or credits. Customize style, font, color, and timing.

Transitions Pane for Smooth Cuts

Add transitions between scenes. Adjust speed and preview effects like dissolves and pushes.

Effects Pane for Visual Enhancements

Apply special effects like black and white, brightness adjustments, or rain to clips.

iDVD Export

iDVD Chapter Markers

Add chapter markers to your movie for scene selection in iDVD.

Create iDVD Project

Export your movie directly to iDVD to create a DVD project.