Keyboard shortcut mapping for "Overlay" Edit

[Mel Matsuoka]

Please add a mappable keyboard shortcut for the "Overlay" edit mode!

I often have to overcut hundreds of timecode-burn edits in a sequence using a new clean master, and would like to be able to mark in/out points on the timeline, based on the existing clip in V1, then edit the clip in the Source Monitor onto an empty track above that clip, without having to manually toggle source/track assignments. 

I basically want to be able to perform the same action that occurs when you drag a clip from the Source Monitor to the Program Monitor, then dropping it on the "Overlay" tile, except using a keyboard shortcut!

It really surprises me that this very useful edit mode can only be executed via drag and drop!

[smrpix]

For the sake of this explanation, assume your video cut is on V1 and you want to add your new version to V2.

Set the track selector on the timeline side to V1. 

Move your CTI above the clip you want to replace.  This will automatically highlight it.

Mark the clip in-out (keyboard default "x")

Load your replacement clip in the source monitor.

Move the V1 indicator on the source side of the timeline to the V2 position.  (You only have to do this once.)

Hit overwrite (keyboard default ".")

Rinse and repeat.

Modify to taste.

[Mel Matsuoka]

Bumping this request for 2024! It's frustrating that there's still no keyboard mapping for Overlay edits!

[thepixelsmith]

I assume there is no movement on this because this is basically the process done when you use the Overwrite keyboard shortcut and move the Source Patching selector to the upper track.

Don't you only have to more the selector once at the beginning of your process or am I maybe missing something?

[MikeJM]

I just discovered the Overlay edit mode today and was excited to assign it to a shortcut. I am stunned that it doesn't exist. I can think of no good reason for it not to.

Sure you can move the source patching to a specific track, check that there's nothing on that track, and then use "Overwrite", but that's an argument for why the Overlay edit function shouldn't exist in the first place. It does exist, so why doesn't it also exist as a shortcut? It seems like an oversight. Personally I think being able to use a shortcut to "overlay" clips without having to worry about patching or 'deleting' anything could be pretty darn useful.

[thepixelsmith]

@MikeJM 

I assume you are right that not adding a keyboard shortcut is an oversight since the features were added at very different times and I believe for different types of users.

Using the Source Patching switches is a really old method (it's how I was taught to edit 30 or more years ago) while the Overlays (thats the name for all the options that appear when you drag footage into the Program monitor) were added much later to match the feature set of Final Cut Pro which was already at the time introducing a more visual drag and drop style of working. 

And yes, there were older users who considered the entire overlay system unneccessary since there were already workflows to do the same thing. Though you can argue which is better or more efficient.