Welcome to elevate.io, your go-to online collaborative video editor designed for creators and teams. This guide will walk you through getting started, from signing up to exporting your first video.

Sign up

1. Visit elevate.io and click ‘Sign up’.

2. Enter your email, name, and password, or use Google sign-up to speed things up.

3. Check your email for a verification code, then paste it into the verification box back on the website.

Onboarding

1. Answer a few quick questions to personalize your experience.

2. Then, choose a plan: 

   1. Starter plan: Free, ideal for testing the platform

   2. Creator plan: Perfect if you want access to exclusive features like 4K exports, unlimited exports, extra seats and more!

Enter the elevate.io workspace

After signing in, you’ll land in the Team workspace, your central hub for:

• Projects

• Learning hub

• Team assets

• Account settings

Making your first video project

To start a new project

• Click the blue ‘Create project’ button.

• Once you're in, name your project by clicking and changing ‘untitled’ at the very top of the editor.

Select an aspect ratio

• Landscape: Ideal for YouTube or presentations

• Vertical: Perfect for Instagram Stories or TikTok

• Square: Suitable for general social media posts

Note: If unsure, you can also upload your first piece of media and drag it onto the timeline, and the editor will automatically match its aspect ratio.

Change aspect ratio

1. Go to the Details panel on the right-hand side of the editor

2. Toggle the Sequence ‘Resolution’ settings to adjust the aspect ratio. This is also where you can find the 4:5 aspect ratio option - great for social ads and carousels.

Upload media

To upload media, drag and drop the files from your computer into the Media panel on the left or click the ‘Media upload’ button to select files.

You’ll notice there are two sections within the Media tab:

• Project - All media uploaded directly into the project.

• Team - All media uploaded by you or your Team members.

Edit the video

Add clips to the timeline

Once your media is uploaded, it’s time to start building your video! Drag and drop footage from the Media panel to the timeline. Then, use the Playhead to watch your video back.​

Trim clips

Drag the edges of a clip to trim its start or end. Move clips along the timeline to build your video using the editing tools above the timeline such as the pointer tool, select backwards, and select forwards.

Cut clips

1. Select the Scissors tool right above the timeline, hover over your clips on the timeline, and then split the clips at your desired points.

2. Delete the section you no longer need by clicking on the residual clip and press the backspace key on your keyboard.

Zoom in and out of the timeline

To zoom in and out, make sure your mouse is placed anywhere on the timeline.

• On a trackpad: Pinch with two fingers.

• With a mouse: Hold Control and scroll the wheel.​

• In the editor: Select, hold, and drag the edge of the scroll wheel located at the bottom

Fade in and out

All clips have fade handles in the corners. Easily click and drag the fade controls to create seamless fade-ins and fade-outs.

Separate audio from video

Right-click on a clip and select Unlink to separate the audio from the video, allowing precise editing and full control. This is great for functions such as deleting the background noise or working on the audio and video independently.

Collaborate with team members

Invite team members

1. Click the blue ‘Invite’ button in the top-right corner of the editor.

2. Enter your collaborator's email to send an invitation.​ 

3. Your collaborator will receive an email directing them to the project. 

4. You can also hit ‘copy link’ and send the video project directly to them.

Real-time collaboration

Once invited, team members can join the project, comment and edit at the same time all in your browser. To follow your teammate’s cursor, click on their icon in the top-right of the editor.

Shared video projects

To access projects you have been invited to, head to the elevate.io homepage, navigate to the panel on the left-hand side of the screen, and select ‘Shared with me’.

Enhance the video

Add music

1. Upload your chosen audio file to the Media Panel.

2. Drag it onto the timeline and adjust its position.

3. Use fade handles to smooth the beginning and end of the audio.​

Apply transitions

1. Go to the Effects panel on the left side of the editor and select the Transitions tab.

2. Drag a transition (e.g., Dissolve) between two clips on the timeline.

3. To adjust the duration, drag the edges of the transition or select the transition on the timeline and adjust it in the right-side panel.​

Note: Make sure there is enough trimmed footage at either end of the clips at the transition point. 

Add text

1. Click the T icon above the timeline to add text.

2. Alternatively, go to the Generators tab in the Effects Panel and drag a Basic Text block onto the timeline.

3. Customize text in the Video panel: Type your message, change fonts, alignment, colors, size and more!​

Add shapes

1. Head to the Effects tab and switch the tab from transitions to Generators,and then select and drag a ‘Shapes’ block onto the timeline.

2. Customize its appearance in the Video panel to complement your text or highlight elements.​

Export the video

Finalize the video project

1. Click Export at the top-right corner.

2. Choose your desired resolution (e.g., 720p, 1080p, 4K).

3. Click Export to begin processing.​

Complete export

Once the export has finished, an email notification will be sent when your video is ready. Then. simply download the video to your computer.

Congratulations!

You've successfully created and exported your first video with elevate.io. Explore more of our guides in our Learn Hub to enhance your editing skills and discover new features. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to improve your editing experience!