> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/getting-started/interface-overview/import-clip-button.md).

# Import Clip Button

## 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 (🎥).

<figure><img src="/files/7eQVikueIzJJAi2E3dvW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### What It Does

When you click the Import Clip button:

1. **Detects the selected clip** on your Premiere Pro timeline
2. **Exports the clip region** (respects in/out points if set)
3. **Trims to timeline selection** (not the entire source file)
4. **Generates a thumbnail** for preview
5. **Adds to composer** as a video attachment
6. **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):**

1. **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
2. **Select the nested sequence** on your timeline
3. **Click Import Clip button** in Chat Video Pro
4. **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:**

| Method                     | Includes Color/Effects | Speed  | Use When                                     |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------- | ------ | -------------------------------------------- |
| **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

1. **Select a clip** on your Premiere Pro timeline (click on it)
2. **Click the Import Clip button** (🎥) in Chat Video Pro
3. **Wait for export** - Button shows pulse animation while processing
4. **Clip appears** in the composer as a video thumbnail

**For clips with effects:**

1. **Nest the clip first** (Right-click → Nest)
2. **Select the nested sequence**
3. **Click the Import Clip button**
4. **Wait for Media Encoder export** (takes longer but includes everything)

#### Method 2: Drag & Drop from Library

**Best for:** Previously generated videos or saved media

1. **Open Library** - Click Library icon in sidebar or use Library panel
2. **Find your video** - Browse generated videos, imported clips, etc.
3. **Drag video** from Library
4. **Drop onto the composer** - Video appears as an attachment
5. **Ready to edit** - Same as imported clips

**Library videos include:**

* Previously generated videos
* Videos imported from the timeline
* Videos saved to Library
* All your Chat Video Pro media

#### Method 3: Drag & Drop from File System

**Best for:** External video files

1. **Open file explorer/finder**
2. **Find your video file** (MP4, MOV, etc.)
3. **Drag the video file** onto the Chat Video Pro composer
4. **Video appears** as an attachment
5. **Ready to edit**

### 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

1. **Nest first for effects** - If you want color/effects included, nest the clip before exporting
2. **Keep clips short** - Under 30 seconds for faster SAM 3 processing
3. **Trim on the timeline first** - Only export what you need
4. **Select single clips** - Import one clip at a time for best results
5. **Check file size** - Keep under 1 GB limit
6. **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:

1. Select your clip(s) on the timeline
2. Right-click → Nest
3. Select the nested sequence
4. Click the Import Clip button
5. 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 the clip to a shorter duration on the 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 the source file is a valid video format
* Trim clip to under 5 minutes

#### "File size too large"

* Trim the clip to a shorter duration
* Use lower quality export settings (if available)
* Split into multiple shorter clips
* Check source file size

### Related Features

* [**Frame Capture Button** ](/getting-started/interface-overview/frame-capture-button.md)- Export single frames (not entire clips)
* [**Video Canvas Editor** ](/features/video-generation/video-canvas-editor.md)- Edit imported clips
* [**SAM 3**](/features/studio/sam-3-rotoscoping.md) - Professional rotoscoping tool
* [**Kling VFX** ](/features/studio/kling-vfx.md)- Visual effects and scene modifications
* [**Library**](/getting-started/interface-overview/library.md) - Store and reuse imported videos