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lori_petersen_waite
lori_petersen_waite
Inspiring
August 10, 2020
Answered

Converting a subclip to a master clip

  • August 10, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 1698 views

What is the advantage of converting a subclip to a master clip - anyone know? If you do this, will you be able to match-frame to the original master clip it came from - or is this the reason its not a good idea to convert subclips to master clips?

    Correct answer R Neil Haugen

    Sometimes it's helpful to understand what a "master clip" is in Adobe-speak.

     

    That means it is the metadata reference holder for media used on a sequence. So as a Master Clip, it exists as a stand-alone bit of media, with its own data in the project file. Including any effects that are applied say in a sequence but done using the Master Clip tab ... which are then applied across all instances of that clip in the projects.

     

    A subclip exists as a linked bit of the larger clip ... the full metadata is still with the larger clip, but Premiere 'recognizes' that sub-clip as a segment that can be used by itself. But the master clip for it is still the clip it was taken from.

     

    Neil

    2 replies

    R Neil Haugen
    R Neil HaugenCorrect answer
    Legend
    August 10, 2020

    Sometimes it's helpful to understand what a "master clip" is in Adobe-speak.

     

    That means it is the metadata reference holder for media used on a sequence. So as a Master Clip, it exists as a stand-alone bit of media, with its own data in the project file. Including any effects that are applied say in a sequence but done using the Master Clip tab ... which are then applied across all instances of that clip in the projects.

     

    A subclip exists as a linked bit of the larger clip ... the full metadata is still with the larger clip, but Premiere 'recognizes' that sub-clip as a segment that can be used by itself. But the master clip for it is still the clip it was taken from.

     

    Neil

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
      lori_petersen_waite
      lori_petersen_waiteAuthor
      Inspiring
      August 17, 2020

      Thank you, Neil, for explaining the details of this.

      R Neil Haugen
      R Neil Haugen
      Legend
      August 10, 2020

      Very quick to test your question ... and the answer is ...

       

      Select the option in the bin to Edit Subclip, then use the option in that dialog to Convert to Master Clip ... and now, for any use of the now Master clip in a timeline, the F-match frame keyboard short takes you to the new Master Clip.

       

      Neil

      Everyone's mileage always varies ...
        B
        BibbidiBobbidiBob
        Known Participant
        January 22, 2025

        I just had the same question as I saw the option for subclips.

        I've no idea if they changed anything about it but when I match frame a subclip it takes me to the subclip (which is its own entity in any way I tested: source/master effects, name, instances - it's all unique to the subclip)... that's why I still don't get why I would decide to convert it or what value this conversion holds.

        The only thing that changes for me after the conversion: the trim of the subclip is gone (just like a untrimmed subclip with in/out set but still access to the media beyond it).

        So far I don't see any kind of link between subclip and the clip it originated of.

        B
        BibbidiBobbidiBob
        Known Participant
        January 22, 2025

        Okay, I see one advantage: if you delete the original master clip and just have the subclips left in the project, you could get back the masterclip that way without re-importing it into the project

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