"Fit" not working on iMovie - No change when selected

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"Fit" not working on iMovie - No change when selected

Hello! I'm a long-time iMovie user and recently got a new iMac. I've just opened up iMovie to edit some screen recordings and the "Fit" feature under Crop isn't working. I've tried changing it in Preferences (no luck), and the regular Fit tool in the project editing settings (toolbar above the video preview) isn't creating any change. The sides are continuing to be cut off instead of the clip fitting inside the frame. Anyone else having this issue? Any ideas why this could be happening? Here's a link to what's happening (or rather, not happening): https://www.loom.com/share/0ea792be2aa349ea9ce70f6e819b3c26?sid=ae2f92e1-f624-4c0e-8d12-cb1e30061f39

iMac 24″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Nov 28, 2024 8:39 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Nov 28, 2024 10:30 AM in response to zelia913

Hi,

When a function of iMovie isn't working correctly, often deleting/resetting preferences will cure it. To delete/reset preferences open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new empty library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. (To reopen your old library close iMovie and go to your Movie folder or wherever you have your old iMovie library stored. Double click on the library’s icon. iMovie will open in that library.) Possibly you may need to

reboot to set the changes. Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to

your project.

Another thing that you can try is to put your media into a newly created project and see if the crop tools work correctly there.

Having said that, it looks to me from viewing the link you posted that the clip in the timeline consists of a photo with gray boarders around it with some additional data on each side of it. If so, then isn't the clip in fact fitting the iMovie screen with the Fit setting that you selected?

-- Rich

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Answer 2

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Nov 28, 2024 3:22 PM in response to zelia913

You could try booting up in Safe Mode and, after everything loads, immediately shut down and reboot in normal

mode. Then see if iMovie works properly.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

-- Rich

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Answer 3

zelia913 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2024 11:17 AM in response to Rich839

Thanks for your reply! I deleted the preferences and creating a new project (based on previous suggestions I saw in the community) but unfortunately, no luck.

If you look closely at the beginning of the clip, I click on the clip in the Media section and it shows the whole thing. When I add the clip to the timeline, a bit of the left and right side are being cut off. It's a full screen recording and you can see the red window close button at the top left is in view, but when I add it to timeline, it's cut off. With "Fit", it should fully fit in the video, resulting in a bit of black at the top and bottom to compensate for the ratio. However, it's not doing that. Here's another clip that shows the difference between the clip in My Media and the clip in the timeline. I also toggle between Crop to Fill and Fit - there's no difference. It's not actually fitting the clip fully in the video frame. https://www.loom.com/share/b3b7a53e87404423ae4fb3799afefb5c?sid=ee42e99e-52fc-49a8-8c1f-63ecbaefc94a

Any other suggestions? I'd love for this to be user error because it would be an easier fix, but unfortunately I don't think is. I'm happy to be wrong about that though!

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