How to Trim Clips in PowerDirector (Version 24.3 and Later)
The redesigned Trim window, and what changed in it from earlier versions.
Updated Aug. 29, 2026 · 4 min read
In a hurry? Use the trim quick guide instead.
PowerDirector 24.3 redesigned the Trim window. The controls do the same job, but the segment list in Multi Trim was rebuilt: each segment now carries its own delete and Select Range controls instead of sharing one set at the bottom of the panel. The window is titled Trim, and the confirm button reads Apply. If yours looks different, the guide to the earlier layout covers it.
- Select the clip, click Edit, then Video > Tools > Trim. The scissor icon above the timeline is the shortcut.
- Park the playhead and press I to mark in, then O to mark out.
- For several pieces from one clip, switch to Multi Trim and repeat.
Steps to Trim a Clip
Prefer to watch? Here is the whole thing in under three minutes.
Step 1: Open the Trim Window
Select the clip and click Edit. On the Video tab, under Tools, click Trim.
The scissor icon above the timeline gets you there in one click, which is worth learning if you trim often.
Step 2: Single Trim or Multi Trim
Two tabs at the top of the window, and the choice is about how many pieces you want out of the clip rather than about how precise you need to be.
| Mode | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Single Trim | The clip is straightforward and you only need to change where it starts and ends. |
| Multi Trim | You want several highlights out of one long take. Marking them all in one pass is faster than trimming the clip repeatedly. |
Step 3: Mark In and Mark Out
Move the playhead to where the clip should start and click Mark In, or press I. Then move it to where it should end and click Mark Out, or press O.
The yellow markers either side of the timeline can be dragged instead, which is quicker when you are eyeing the shot rather than working to a number.
Reading the In and Out Frames
The right-hand column gives the segment's Duration, In Position and Out Position as numbers you can type into, with a still of each of those frames beside them. This part is not new in 24.3, but it is the fastest way to place a cut exactly.
Several Pieces From One Clip
Switch to Multi Trim and mark in and out repeatedly. Each pair becomes a segment, and they build up in the list on the right.
Select Range, at the top right of a segment's entry, zooms the timeline into the area around that segment so its start and end can be nudged precisely. The bin icon on the entry removes it.
The Result
Beside the playback controls, Original plays the whole clip and Output plays only what you have kept. Checking on Output before you apply is how you catch a segment that starts a beat too late.
Haven't got PowerDirector yet? This is the 24.3 layout, so it is what you get on a fresh install today.
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