"Heads up! The screenshots in this article are from Clipchamp for personal accounts. The same principles apply to Clipchamp for work and school accounts."
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Instantly watch your video back without disrupting your editing workflow with full screen preview. Full screen mode is when you collapse video editing tools like the editing timeline and toolbar to preview your video in a larger size that fills your entire monitor or screen.
Previewing your video in a wider format allows you to immerse yourself in a full detailed review of your work, for all video genres from personal videos to school projects and work presentations. Full screen previewing is a convenient and efficient way to review your work with precision and clarity without having to export your video.
Learn how to quickly preview your videos without size limitations in Clipchamp video editor.
How to make a video full screen in Clipchamp
Step 1. Open an existing video or create a new video
Open Clipchamp to an existing video or create a new video. Make sure to drag and drop a video onto the timeline before previewing.
The below example contains an existing video with the toolbar, property panel, and timeline opened. Here in the primary video editor view, you can preview your video in small dimensions inside the stage.
Step 2. Collapse the toolbar, property panel, and timeline
You will find the toolbar to the left of the stage, the property panel to the right of the stage, and the timeline below the stage.
The toolbar on the left-hand side is opened by default, you can collapse it by clicking on the collapse toolbar button. You manually open the property panel on the right-hand side when editing individual media assets on the timeline. To collapse the property panel, click on the collapse property panel button.
Once you have collapsed the toolbar and property panel, your screen will only display the stage and the editing timeline.
Collapse the editing timeline by clicking on the collapse timeline button at the bottom right of your screen. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut command + option + 3 (Mac) or control + option + 3 (Windows).
After you have collapsed the toolbar, property panel, and editing timeline, the video preview will fill most of the stage. You can preview the video here by clicking on the play button.
Step 3. Use full screen video preview mode
To expand the video view so it fills your entire screen, click on the full screen preview button.
In full screen mode the video will fill your entire screen.
Step 5. Restore regular Clipchamp display
When you’ve finished previewing, press the esc key to close full screen mode. If you collapsed the toolbar, property panel, and timeline, you will need to manually reopen each of them.
To expand the timeline, click on the expand timeline button or use the keyboard shortcut. To expand the toolbar, simply click on any of the tabs. To expand the property panel, click on the video on the timeline so it’s highlighted then click on any tab inside the property panel.
Once you have expanded the toolbar, property panel, and timeline, the regular video editor view will be restored.
Frequently asked questions
Does full screen video mode include sound?
Your video’s sound will play when previewing your video for each preview option. Clicking on the full screen preview button or collapsing the toolbar, property panel, and timeline will not affect your video’s sound.
Can I edit my video in full screen mode?
You will have limited editing capabilities when previewing. If using the full screen preview button, you can only play, rewind, fast forward, or turn on autocaptions. If you collapse the timeline, you will be able to click on the toolbar and property panel to make changes but this will reduce the size of the video preview inside the stage.
Can I preview the content library in full screen mode?
You are unable to access the content library or other tabs inside the toolbar and property panel when using the full screen preview button. If you have collapsed the toolbar, property panel, and timeline, you can access the content library by reopening the toolbar, but it will slightly reduce the size of the video preview inside the stage.
Can I share my full screen videos?
All videos will export to their full screen size, depending on the aspect ratio. To export your video so it’s compatible with full wide screen displays, make sure you edit and export your video in the 16:9 aspect ratio. You can also export your video in the cinema screen 21:9 ratio for extra wide displays like projectors, widescreen televisions, and widescreen monitors.
Need more beginner-friendly video editing tips? Learn how to create videos using stock media and how to add background music to your videos.
Start creating videos today with Clipchamp or download the Clipchamp Windows app for free.
