Import Clip Button
The Import Clip button (🎥) exports the selected clip from your Premiere Pro timeline directly into Chat Video Pro for video-to-video editing, SAM 3 rotoscoping, or AI processing.
Where to Find It
The Import Clip button is located in the Composer toolbar, to the left of the Frame Capture button. It appears as a video camera icon (🎥).
What It Does
When you click the Import Clip button:
Detects the selected clip on your Premiere Pro timeline
Exports the clip region (respects in/out points if set)
Trims to timeline selection (not the entire source file)
Generates a thumbnail for preview
Adds to composer as a video attachment
Ready for editing with SAM 3, Kling VFX, or other video tools
Important: Source Video vs. Rendered Effects
Understanding What Gets Imported
Regular Clip Export (Default Behavior):
✅ Source video file - The original media file
✅ Timeline in/out points - Respects your selection
❌ No color grading - Lumetri corrections are NOT included
❌ No effects - Time remapping, effects, titles are NOT included
❌ No adjustments - Adjustment layers are NOT included
Why this matters:
If you've applied color grading, effects, or time remapping in Premiere Pro, these won't be included in the exported clip
The imported video will be the raw source file, not the rendered version you see on your timeline
Including Color Grading and Effects
To include all your Premiere Pro work (color, effects, time remapping):
Nest the clip first in Premiere Pro:
Select your clip(s) on the timeline
Right-click → Nest (or use keyboard shortcut)
Give the nested sequence a name
The nested sequence now contains all your effects, color, and adjustments
Select the nested sequence on your timeline
Click Import Clip button in Chat Video Pro
Media Encoder export - Chat Video Pro automatically uses Adobe Media Encoder to export the nested sequence
Includes all color grading (Lumetri)
Includes all effects and adjustments
Includes time remapping
Matches your sequence settings (frame rate, resolution)
Takes a few seconds longer (Media Encoder processing)
Workflow comparison:
Direct clip export
❌ No
⚡ Fast
Raw footage, no effects needed
Nested sequence export
✅ Yes
🐢 Slower
Color graded, effects applied, time remapped
How to Import Videos
Method 1: Import Clip Button (Timeline → Composer)
Best for: Clips already on your Premiere Pro timeline
Select a clip on your Premiere Pro timeline (click on it)
Click the Import Clip button (🎥) in Chat Video Pro
Wait for export - Button shows pulse animation while processing
Clip appears in composer as video thumbnail
For clips with effects:
Nest the clip first (Right-click → Nest)
Select the nested sequence
Click Import Clip button
Wait for Media Encoder export (takes longer but includes everything)
Method 2: Drag & Drop from Library
Best for: Previously generated videos or saved media
Open Library - Click Library icon in sidebar or use Library panel
Find your video - Browse generated videos, imported clips, etc.
Drag video from Library
Drop onto composer - Video appears as attachment
Ready to edit - Same as imported clips
Library videos include:
Previously generated videos
Videos imported from timeline
Videos saved to Library
All your Chat Video Pro media
Method 3: Drag & Drop from File System
Best for: External video files
Open file explorer/finder
Find your video file (MP4, MOV, etc.)
Drag video file onto the Chat Video Pro composer
Video appears as attachment
Ready to edit
Workflows After Importing
Once you have a video in the composer, you can access multiple editing workflows:
Workflow 1: SAM 3 Background Removal
Best for: Professional rotoscoping and transparent video
Import video (using any method above)
Click "Edit" on the video thumbnail
Select "SAM 3" from model selector
Choose selection method:
Text prompt: "the person in the white shirt"
Box selection: Draw rectangle around subject
Preview: Click "Track Frame" to see mask preview
Process: Click "Track Entire Video" to process all frames
Export: Click "Remove Background" to get transparent ProRes 4444 video
Output: Professional transparent video ready for compositing
Workflow 2: Kling VFX Visual Effects
Best for: Adding effects without After Effects
Import video (3-10 seconds recommended)
Click "Edit" on the video thumbnail
Select "Kling VFX" from model selector
Enter effect description:
"Add rain to the scene"
"Make it nighttime"
"Add fire in the background"
"Change the lighting to golden hour"
Optional: Add 1-4 images best results use a nanobanana image for style reference
Click "Edit Video" to generate
Compare: Use Before/After toggle to see changes
Output: Video with effects applied, original audio preserved
Workflow 3: Video Upscaling
Best for: Increasing resolution for final delivery
Import video
Click "Edit" on the video thumbnail
Select "Upscale" from model selector
Choose upscaler:
Topaz - Industry standard (1.5×–4×)
Flash VSR 2 - Maximum control, ProRes output (1.5×–10×)
Bria - High quality up to 8K (2×–4×)
Set scale factor and other parameters
Click "Generate" to upscale
Click "Done" to add upscaled video to chat
Output: Higher resolution video ready for delivery
Technical Details
What Gets Imported (Regular Clips)
Source media file - Original video file from disk
Selected region - Only the portion on your timeline
Timeline in/out points - Respects your selection
No rendering - Uses source file directly (fast)
What Gets Imported (Nested Sequences)
Rendered video - Fully processed with all effects
Color grading included - All Lumetri corrections
Effects included - Time remapping, effects, titles
Adjustment layers - All adjustments rendered
Sequence settings - Matches your sequence frame rate and resolution
Media Encoder export - Uses Adobe Media Encoder (slower)
Supported Clip Types
Regular Clips:
Imported instantly using source media file
Fast export, no processing needed
No effects/color included
Nested Sequences:
Automatically exported via Adobe Media Encoder
Takes a few seconds longer
Includes all effects and color grading
Matches sequence settings
Adjustment Layers, Titles, Graphics:
Require nesting first (to include in export)
Processed through Media Encoder
May take longer depending on complexity
Export Limits
Maximum file size: 1 GB
Maximum duration: 5 minutes
Longer clips: Trim on timeline before exporting
Nested sequences: May take longer depending on effects complexity
File Format
Regular Clips:
Uses source file format directly
No conversion needed
Nested Sequences:
Export format: H.264 MP4 (for compatibility)
Quality: Matches timeline quality settings
Frame rate: Matches sequence frame rate
Resolution: Matches sequence resolution
Tips for Best Results
Nest first for effects - If you want color/effects included, nest the clip before exporting
Keep clips short - Under 30 seconds for faster SAM 3 processing
Trim on timeline first - Only export what you need
Select single clips - Import one clip at a time for best results
Check file size - Keep under 1 GB limit
Use Library for reuse - Drag videos from Library to reuse in multiple projects
Troubleshooting
"No clip selected"
Solutions:
Click directly on a clip in your timeline
Ensure the clip is actually selected (highlighted)
Check that you have an active sequence
Try selecting a different clip
"Color grading not included"
Solution: You need to nest the clip first:
Select your clip(s) on timeline
Right-click → Nest
Select the nested sequence
Click Import Clip button
Media Encoder will export with all effects included
"Clip export taking too long"
Common causes:
Nested sequence (requires Media Encoder export)
Adjustment layers or graphics (need rendering)
Very long clip (trim on timeline first)
Complex effects (may slow export)
Solutions:
Wait for export to complete (shows progress)
Trim clip to shorter duration on timeline
Simplify nested sequences if possible
Check Media Encoder is running (for nested sequences)
"Export failed"
Common causes:
Clip is offline or missing source file
Insufficient disk space
File format not supported
Clip duration exceeds 5-minute limit
Solutions:
Relink offline media in Premiere Pro
Check available disk space
Ensure source file is a valid video format
Trim clip to under 5 minutes
"File size too large"
Trim clip to shorter duration
Use lower quality export settings (if available)
Split into multiple shorter clips
Check source file size
Related Features
Frame Capture Button - Export single frames (not entire clips)
Video Canvas Editor - Edit imported clips
SAM 3 - Professional rotoscoping tool
Kling VFX - Visual effects and scene modifications
Library - Store and reuse imported videos
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