Start with a small project
Choose a few short clips and keep the original files. Open CapCut, start a new project and import the media you want to use. Button names can differ between platforms and versions; look for the project creation and media import controls in your installed app.
Arrange and trim your footage
- Put the clips in the order that tells your story.
- Select a clip and trim unwanted footage from its beginning or end.
- Split a clip at a scene change when you need to remove a section in the middle.
- Play the sequence from the beginning and check how the cuts feel together.
Begin with the main video track. Add an overlay only if a second image or clip helps explain something, such as a demonstration or picture-in-picture reaction. Fewer layers make a first project easier to review.
Add readable text
Use a short title or caption to identify the subject. Check size, contrast and position against every shot it covers. Keep important text away from the edges so it is less likely to be cropped by the place you publish.
If you use automatic captions, review the generated words. Names and speech recorded against noise may need corrections. Available caption tools and text templates depend on the version and account.
Balance the sound
Listen to the original audio before adding music. Reduce music volume when it competes with speech, and line up sound effects with the visual moments they support. Check the usage rights of music you import, particularly for commercial work.
Preview before exporting
Watch the full edit once without touching the timeline. Look for accidental gaps, cut-off words, distracting effects and audio that changes volume abruptly. Select an aspect ratio suited to your destination and check the framing again.
Then follow the export and save guide. If the editor slows down, close unnecessary apps and try a shorter or less complex project before changing many settings at once.