This tutorial is an original manually prepared language version. It does not use the article live-translation service.
Quick answer
Turn manual clip count on when you know the exact number of outputs you need. Turn it off when you want BestAI to calculate how many full sequential clips fit inside the selected range using the active duration.
Use the relevant BestAI tool with one short test file or paragraph first. Confirm the result, then process a larger batch. This prevents a small setting mistake from being repeated across many clips or a long narration.
Why this tutorial matters
Without a clear clip-count rule, creators cannot predict whether a ten-minute source will create five, ten or twenty outputs. The manual/automatic switch separates a business decision—how many deliverables are needed—from a mathematical decision—how many full clips can fit.
The BestAI workflow is designed around a simple rule: one active control should own one decision. When a mode overrides another setting, the conflicting control is disabled in the interface and ignored by the backend. This makes the plan shown on screen match the actual result.
Recommended starting settings
| Setting | Practical starting point |
|---|---|
| Manual ON | Choose a specific count from 1 to the supported limit. |
| Manual OFF | Create complete sequential clips until the selected range is exhausted. |
| Placement | Use sequential for coverage, evenly spaced for sampling, random for exploration. |
| Duration | The active normal or exact duration controls capacity. |
| Batch limit | Use smaller reviewed batches for important content. |
These values are starting points, not universal rules. Source quality, speaking style, platform, audience and the purpose of the video can require a different choice.
Step-by-step tutorial
Step 1: Define the deliverable
If a client needs six clips, use manual mode. If you are exploring everything useful in a long source, automatic mode is a better first pass.
Step 2: Set the usable source range
Clip capacity should be calculated from the range that actually contains useful material. Excluding intros, breaks and credits makes both manual placement and automatic counts more meaningful.
Step 3: Choose placement in manual mode
Sequential placement covers the source in order. Evenly spaced placement samples different points across a long video. Random placement can reveal overlooked moments but requires stronger review.
Step 4: Read the capacity warning
If the requested manual count cannot fit with the active duration, the actual possible count may be lower. Treat the live plan as a capacity check, not a promise that every segment is editorially strong.
Step 5: Use automatic mode for full coverage
With manual mode off, BestAI creates full sequential segments and ignores a final remainder that is too short. This avoids exporting an accidental tiny clip at the end.
Step 6: Review for repetition
Automatic mathematics does not know whether two clips repeat the same idea. Remove duplicates and keep only segments that can stand alone.
Quality-control checklist
- The selected range excludes irrelevant material.
- Manual count matches the deliverable requirement.
- Automatic mode creates only full clips.
- Placement method matches the editing goal.
- Duplicate or weak ideas are removed after generation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using random placement when the entire source must be covered.
- Setting a high manual count without checking duration capacity.
- Confusing the planned clip count with the number of publishable clips.
- Exporting a very short remainder as a separate Short.
- Keeping near-duplicate clips because the tool generated them successfully.
Frequently asked questions
Does automatic mode find viral moments?
No. It calculates complete sequential clips. You still decide which moments are useful, accurate and engaging.
What happens if the manual count is too high?
The plan should reduce or warn based on the duration available. Shorten the active duration or select a longer source range if more full clips are required.
Which placement should beginners use?
Sequential is easiest to understand because the results follow the source order and gaps are easier to identify.
Practical example
A client asks for five social clips from a webinar. Manual count gives a clear deliverable and evenly spaced placement can provide a first sample. For your own archive, automatic sequential mode can reveal every complete segment before you choose the five worth publishing.
Separate capacity from quality
The live plan answers how many clips can fit. It cannot decide whether the clips repeat the same point, contain enough context or represent the strongest moments. Keep those two decisions separate. ## Final takeaway
Manual mode controls deliverable quantity; automatic mode controls complete coverage. Use the live plan for capacity, then use human review for quality.