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trimming-video-files.md 4.8 KB

Trimming down videos files for Atlas hero sections

Author: @toiletgranny

The purpose of this document is to provide technical guidance for content curators on trimming down video files to be later displayed in featured videos hero sections on Atlas.

Video license

Make sure the video is suited for All audiences and that its license is one of the following:

  • CC0
  • PDM
  • CC_BY
  • CC_BY_SA
  • CC_BY_NC
  • CC_BY_NC_SA

If the video's license is not listed above, it means it cannot be edited or remixed, thus it can't be trimmed down and be featured in any of our hero sections.

Trimming video file

Depending on how large your video file is and which operating system you're on, your process for trimming down a video file may differ. We recommend starting with the online option.

Online

Using a browser-based online tool is the fastest and easiest way to trim down a video file. Please note, that the tool described in this guide comes with a limit of 700 MB per file and can process up to 10 videos per day unless you upgrade to a paid plan. If the above limits are exceeded, feel free to follow macOS or Windows guides below.

1. Copy a link to a video

copy link

Right-click in the center of a video player and select Copy Video Address to have its URL copied into your clipboard.

2. Open the video in Online Video Cutter

Open the video in Online Video Cutter

  1. Proceed to Online Video Cutter from 123Apps.
  2. Click on the arrow icon in the Open file button, and select From URL from the dropdown.
  3. Paste the video URL into the newly opened window and wait for the video file to be processed.

3. Select time range

Select time range

  1. Once your video file has been processed, using the timeline (1) underneath the video preview click and drag blue handlers to select the 10 seconds sample of your choice.
  2. For maximum precision, fine-tune your selection using timestamps input fields (2) below the timeline.

4. Export

Export

  1. Once you're happy with your selection, click on the cog icon to open up a File format popover.
  2. Enable the No re-encoding option.
  3. To export your video, click Save in the bottom right corner.

5. Save

Save

Once your video has been processed, click on the Save button to save it on your computer. And that's all!

macOS

The easiest way to trim down a video file on a Mac is to use the built-in QuickTime video player.

1. Download the video

Download the video

Right-click in the center of a video player and select Save Video As... to save it on your computer.

2. Open the video in QuickTime

Open the video in QuickTime

Open the video file in QuickTime.

3. Select time range

Select time range

  1. To enter trimming mode in QuickTime, go into Edit -> Trim from the top menu or hit ⌘T on your keyboard.
  2. Once you're in the trimming mode, use the timeline to click and drag yellow handlers to select the 10 seconds sample of your choice.
  3. For maximum precision, click and hold a yellow handler while not moving your cursor for a brief moment. After a while, you should notice the timeline zooming in and allowing for more granular time adjustments.
  4. Once you're happy with your selection, click on the Trim button on the right side of the timeline.

4. Save

Save

  1. Upon clicking the Trim button from a previous step you'll end up with a new Untitled video file.
  2. To save it, go into File -> Save from the top menu or hit ⌘S on your keyboard. And that's all!

Windows

The easiest way to trim down a video file on a Mac is to use the built-in QuickTime video player.

1. Download the video

Download the video

Right-click in the center of a video player and select Save video as to save it on your computer.

2. Open the video in Photos

Open the video in Photos

Open the video file in Photos.

3. Enter trimming mode

Enter trimming mode

To enter trimming mode in Photos, click on the three dots icon in the top right corner and select Trim from the dropdown.

4. Select time range & save

Select time range

  1. Once you're in the trimming mode, use the timeline to click and drag white dots to select the 10 seconds sample of your choice.
  2. Once you're happy with your selection, click on the Save as button in the top right corner. And that's all!