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Subtitling a Video

Create and Edit

The different methods for creating subtitles and editing their text efficiently.

Creating Subtitles

Three ways to add a subtitle, depending on the situation:

Via the + menu in the toolbar — creates an entry at the playhead position. This is the simplest starting point.

With the keyboard using Cmd + T — same result, faster. Ideal when your hands stay on the keyboard during text entry.

By drawing on the waveform with Cmd + mouse — click and drag directly on the waveform to precisely define the start and end of the subtitle. This is the most natural method for syncing a subtitle to a dialogue passage.

Each new subtitle is automatically numbered and inserted in chronological order.

Editing Text

Double-click a subtitle in the list to enter edit mode. Text is typed directly into the field.

Scene Cut handles two lines per subtitle — L1 and L2. Navigation between lines and entries is fully keyboard-driven:

ActionKey
Move from L1 to L2Tab
Move to next subtitleTab (from L2)
Go back to previous subtitleShift + Tab (from L1)

This fluid navigation lets you chain the entry of multiple subtitles without touching the mouse.

While typing, validation indicators update in real time — character count, reading speed, line balance. A quick glance is all you need to know if the text is compliant.

Split and Merge

Splitting a subtitle separates it into two at a chosen point. If the subtitle has two lines (L1 and L2), each goes into one half. Splitting is accessible by right-clicking a block on the timeline, or from the toolbar.

Merging two consecutive subtitles combines them into one. The timing covers the total duration of both entries, and the text is automatically grouped. Select two adjacent entries, then use the merge button in the timeline toolbar.

Delete

Select one or more entries and press Delete. For large deletions (more than half the project), Scene Cut asks for confirmation to prevent accidents.

Copy / Paste

Copy and paste works on two levels:

  • Between subtitles in the same project — pastes the text and formatting into the selected entries
  • Between different projects — copied subtitles are repositioned at the playhead of the target project

The clipboard is also compatible with other applications: copied text is available in plain format, and text pasted from outside is automatically split into L1/L2 blocks.

Undo / Redo

Cmd + Z undoes the last action, Shift + Cmd + Z redoes it. The history covers all operations — typing, deletion, moving, splitting, merging, formatting. Rapid typing is grouped into a single undo action to avoid undoing letter by letter.