> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tessact.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Make your first edit

> Complete a practical five-minute editing pass on a video draft.

export const FramePrecision = () => <Tip>
    The editor evaluates timing in whole frames. Zoom into the timeline before a precise trim or keyframe move, then verify the result one frame at a time.
  </Tip>;

export const AutosaveNote = () => <Note>
    Editor changes are autosaved. After a substantial edit, allow a moment for synchronization before closing the tab or changing networks.
  </Note>;

This walkthrough turns the loaded draft into a cleaner opening: tighten the first shot, add a title card, balance its audio, and preview the transition.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set the opening frame">
    Click the opening video clip in the timeline. Drag its left trim edge inward until the first visible frame has settled camera motion. Use the frame-step controls to inspect the exact boundary.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a title">
    Choose the **Text** tool from the right rail, click the canvas to insert a text layer, and enter a concise title. In the inspector, set a clear type hierarchy, then position it inside the title-safe region.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give the title a readable base">
    Add a **Solid** layer, size it as a compact lower band, and place it behind the text with the layer-order controls. Lower its opacity until the landscape remains visible.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Time the overlay">
    In the timeline, move the text and solid so they begin after the opening shot settles. Trim both to the same end frame. Multi-select them when moving the pair so their relative timing stays intact.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Balance the opening audio">
    Select the opening video or audio layer and adjust volume in its inspector. Then drag the timeline's fade-in handle to avoid an abrupt first sample.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview the result">
    Seek just before the title begins and play through its exit. Check at normal speed, then frame-step across the two boundaries to catch a one-frame flash or audio discontinuity.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="A title treatment selected in the inspector">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tessact/vfxW-9CCvO3MqPNT/images/editor/screenshots/editor-text-title-inspector.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=vfxW-9CCvO3MqPNT&q=85&s=b17ceb04dac9c99a5fa087b7be694f29" alt="Title layer selected with typography and appearance controls in the inspector" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/editor/screenshots/editor-text-title-inspector.png" />
</Frame>

<FramePrecision />

## Quality checklist

* The first shot begins on an intentional frame, not mid-jolt.
* Text remains legible over both the brightest and darkest underlying pixels.
* The solid and title share the same active interval.
* The title does not touch composition edges at any point in its animation.
* Audio enters smoothly and never clips.
* Playback crosses each edit without a blank frame.

<AutosaveNote />

Continue with [core selection](/editor/editing/selection), [timeline trimming](/editor/timeline/trim), or [text inspector details](/editor/layers/text).