What it does
The timing report compares neighboring video events in record order. A positive difference is a gap; a negative difference is an overlap. Results include frame counts, elapsed seconds and surrounding record addresses. Close positive gaps moves following events earlier while keeping their source ranges.
When and why to use it
A gap may be intentional black, an omitted VFX shot or an export problem. An overlap may require an editorial decision. Seeing the timing first makes it possible to distinguish expected structure from a repair that would alter the sequence.
A practical example
Event 12 ends at 01:00:20:00 and event 13 begins at 01:00:22:00 in a 25 fps list. The gap is 50 frames. Reporting preserves it. Closing gaps moves event 13 and later events earlier.
How to use it
- Start with Report only to inspect the active track.
- Resolve overlaps manually and decide which gaps are intentional.
- If a continuous list is required, choose Close positive gaps. Inspect it together with other pending operations in Side-by-Side before approval.
What to check before a handoff
Gap closing removes only intervals empty across all video and audio tracks, moving the following edits together. Leading space before the first event is retained. Ripple changes record positions, so it should not be used merely to make a list look tidier.
Reference & format notes
These guides describe the current EDL Toolbox behavior. For XML format details, see Apple’s FCP7 XML reference and FCPXML documentation. Test the exported list against representative media in your receiving application.