I kindly suggest adding a “Replace” button within the Properties panel of a selected clip. This would allow users to swap an existing clip or image in the timeline/playlist with a different file from their computer while maintaining the same position and duration.
The Workflow Gap
Currently, if a user realizes they have imported the wrong take or needs to revert an edited image (e.g., an image modified in Affinity Photo), they often have to delete the old clip, import the new one, and manually re-align it.
Proposed Functionality
- Location: Placed near the “Convert” and “Open With” buttons in the Properties tab.
- Action: Clicking “Replace” opens a file browser. Selecting a new file instantly replaces the old one in the project.
- Key Benefit: It keeps the project file organized by ensuring only the final intended clips are active, without cluttering the playlist with “wrong” takes.
Primary Use Cases
- Iterative Editing: When choosing between multiple takes of a scene, a filmmaker can quickly swap “Take 1” for “Take 2” to see which fits the pacing better without re-editing the timeline.
- External Editor Correction: If a user opens an image in Affinity via Shotcut, saves it, and then realizes the edit was incorrect, they can use “Replace” to quickly revert to the original source file or a different version without leaving the interface.
- Template Swapping: Replacing a placeholder image or video with final high-resolution assets at the end of a project.
Why this is better than “Delete and Add”:
- Maintains Metadata: It preserves filters, transitions, and keyframes applied to that specific clip container.
- Efficiency: It reduces the number of clicks required to update assets.
- Cleanliness: It prevents the “Playlist” from becoming a graveyard of unused files.