FCP 6 - Time Remap Question

[Adam Corvin]

Is there a way to speed up or slow down a clip using Time Remap in the timeline but keep it the same length?

[Ben Balser, ACT]

I'll assume you mean Constant Speed remapping. Variable Speed remapping actually does keep the clip in the Timeline window the same length. Constant Speed will change the duration. But, that doesn't mean you can't do what you want to do. Here's the workflow.

With your Sequence open in the Timeline window, place your playhead on the first frame of the clip. Hit "F" to do a Match Frame-Master Clip. This brings the Master Clip from the Browser into the Viewer, with the Viewer playhead on the same frame that matches the clip in the Timeline window.

Next, go to the Motion tab in the Viewer, open the Time Remap section, make sure it's set for Constant Speed, and change the Speed %.

Now, back in the Timeline window, hit "X" to place in and out points around your clip. Then hit "F 11" (or use the buttons in the Canvas window) to do a Replace Edit. Poof, speed change without effecting the rest of your Timeline!

The Replace Edit uses the 3-point editing model, meaning you need three edit points for it to work. By hitting "X" in the TL window, the clip the play head is over has In and Out points placed around it. The playhead in the Viewer window is considered an In point, thus your three points for the Replace edit.

[Adam Corvin]

Yes - I meant Constant Speed. This was exactly what I needed!