Can't butt splice two clips on the timeline (small gap between them remains)

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't butt splice two clips on the timeline (small gap between them remains)

macOS 14.7.3, iMovie 10.4.3

When I drag a clip to the timeline and try to place it butt against the tail of another clip, a small (less than a second) (black) gap separates the two clips, and if I try to drag the second clip to butt against the first, it bounces back to where it was, and vice versa if I try to drag the first clip’s tail butt against the second clip.

As a temporary measure, I threw a cross fade over the clips, which is working for this situation.

I found an 'answer' (following), but it was from 10 yeas ago, and doesn't seem to match the UI of the version of iMovie I’m using (I'm not finding "Clips mode", nor "Snap to items in Timeline" (in iMovie Settings…)).

I've attached a screenshot of the gap (note: this is after I applied the crossfade, in case that matters).

… you must view the Timeline in Clips mode. Click on the little rectangle icon above the left end of the Timeline.

Gaps disappear as you describe when you've previously added a gap by dragging a clip to the right. Creating that gap was probably a mistake, so losing it isn't usually a problem. If the gap appeared when you moved a clip right, the Edit > Undo Move command lets you undo that move.

…

All dragging functions are made easier by turning on these two features in iMovie preferences: 1) Snap to items in Timeline …

Posted on Apr 7, 2025 11:55 AM

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Answer 1

Rich839

Level 8

48,054 points

Apr 7, 2025 1:16 PM in response to bob7

Hi,

If below is what you are seeing, it is perfectly normal for clips in the main timeline. It will not cause a blip in the playback.

Clips in the upper timeline can be butted together without any gap displayed. Activate View/Snapping.

-- Rich

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Answer 2

bob7 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 7, 2025 2:24 PM in response to Rich839

Yes, that is what I was seeing prior to creating the crossfade. Thanks for explaining that the gap I'm seeing doesn't affect seamless playback. (The display of the gap is a bit of cognitive dissonance for me, since it is not indicating an actual gap between the clips—but I can send that feedback to Apple.)

Even with View > Snapping enabled, I still see the gap.

You mentioned the upper timeline. I'm not sure what "upper" means. My two clips are on the same track, in case that matters.

thanks

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Answer 3

bob7 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 7, 2025 2:48 PM in response to bob7

Yes, that is what I was seeing prior to creating the crossfade. Thanks for explaining that the gap I'm seeing doesn't affect seamless playback. (The display of the gap is a bit of cognitive dissonance for me, since it is not indicating an actual gap between the clips—but I can send that feedback to Apple.)

Even with View > Snapping enabled, I still see the gap. However my hunch is you mean that having that enabled will snap a dragged clip onto the timeline to the tail of the clip on the timeline you dragged it after, even though a black gap will be displayed between them. (I'm used to audio apps where the display of two butt-spliced clips/regions show their waveforms fully to the heads and tails of the clips/regions, and if there is a cross fade, that is shown as lines superimposed over the waveform, etc.)

You mentioned the upper timeline. I'm not sure what "upper" means. My two clips are on the same track, in case that matters.

thanks

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Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

48,054 points

Apr 11, 2025 11:28 AM in response to bob7

Hi,

By "upper timeline" I mean that there is a video track above the main track where you can insert clips above the clips in the main track. The clips in the upper track will butt together without space between. Transitions are not available in the upper track, unlike the lower track. The displayed spaces between the clips in the lower track is where transitions can be inserted. The displayed space does not cause any blip either in the playback or in the final exported project video.

-- Rich

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Can't butt splice two clips on the timeline (small gap between them remains)