iMovie '09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual

The Project Library

iMovie '09 keeps a handy list of all the projects you're working on, called the Project Library (Figure 2-2). This list shows the names and previews of each project. It also displays the length and date of each project, plus a set of icons that indicate if your project has been shared to YouTube, MobileMe, iTunes, or the Media Browser. (All of these sharing options are covered in Chapters Chapter 12 and Chapter 13.)

To begin editing an existing project, in the top left corner of the iMovie window, double-click the project, or click the Edit Project arrow button. On the other hand, if you're already editing a project, you can go back to your Project Library list by clicking the Project Library arrow (in the same spot where the Edit Project arrow used to be).

Figure 2-2. The Project Library shows your list of projects and project folders, along with a skimmable preview of your project and other useful information like the project date, length, and shared status.

Creating a Project

To create a new project, you have three choices:

• Choose File → New Project.

• Press ⌘-N.

• Click the + button beneath the Projects list.

In each case, the New Project sheet appears, as shown in Figure 2-3. Here's where you give the project a name, and choose an aspect ratio for it. See the explanation on Aspect Ratios: The Missing Manual for details on aspect ratios. You can also choose a theme and ...