Positioning on the Timeline
Adjusting Timing Manually
Several ways to modify a subtitle's timing:
On the timeline — the most visual method:
- Drag a block to move it in time
- Pull the left or right edges to adjust the in and out points
- Adjustments snap to the frame grid
During playback — to sync a subtitle by ear:
Isets the in point at the exact playhead positionOsets the out point- Works whether the video is playing or paused
Fine nudging — for precise adjustments:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Nudge one frame back | , |
| Nudge one frame forward | . |
| Nudge one second back | Shift + , |
| Nudge one second forward | Shift + . |
Nudging moves the selected block as a whole, respecting the active profile's constraints.
Snapping to Scene Cuts
Scene cuts represent shot changes in the video. A subtitle should never straddle a shot change — this is one of the strictest rules in professional subtitling.
When snapping is enabled (key S), subtitle edges automatically lock onto nearby scene cuts. The snap threshold is 80 milliseconds: as soon as an edge enters this zone, it locks to the cut.
Safety zones define a perimeter around each scene cut. A subtitle whose start or end falls within this zone is flagged as problematic:
| Profile | Safety zone |
|---|---|
| ATAA Cinema | 3 frames |
| Netflix | 12 frames |
Navigation between safety issues is done with the timeline toolbar buttons, allowing you to review each case quickly.
Real-Time Constraints
When standards locking is enabled (visible in the timeline toolbar), Scene Cut prevents modifications that would violate the active profile's rules. A subtitle cannot be shortened below its minimum duration, nor moved in a way that creates an overlap.
Without locking, manipulations are unrestricted — violations are flagged visually but not blocked. This is useful for exploratory adjustments before finalizing the timing.