"Combine" is grayed out under "Clip" drop down menu

[Steve Lokietz]

Hi,

Windows XP Pro SP3, Windows Movie Maker v5.1

I read in the help pages that if I want to concatenate multiple .mpg clips
into one single clip, I should drag the clips I want to combine into the
timeline/storyboard area (in the order in which I want them to be shown),
then choose "Clip>>Combine" from the drop down menus. When I click on the
"Clip" drop down menu, the "Combine" option is grayed out.

What would cause it to be grayed out?

thanks,
Steve

 

[John Inzer]

Hi,

Windows XP Pro SP3, Windows Movie Maker v5.1

I read in the help pages that if I want to concatenate multiple .mpg
clips into one single clip, I should drag the clips I want to combine
into the timeline/storyboard area (in the order in which I want them
to be shown), then choose "Clip>>Combine" from the drop down menus.
When I click on the "Clip" drop down menu, the "Combine" option is
grayed out.

What would cause it to be grayed out?

thanks,
Steve

=====================================
Combine only works for clips that were originally
a single file (clips were created as the file was
imported or you split the clip manually) and they
must be in the correct order. It does not work for
assorted clips.

However...if you Save your project as a Movie...
it will be a single file.

To save as an .avi movie file...
(and several other options)
Type...Ctrl+P to open the Save Movie Wizard /
Choose...My Computer /
Next /
Enter a Name and a Save Location /
Next /
Show More Choices /
Other Settings /
Open the drop window and choose...DV-AVI /
Next /
Wait while the movie is saved /
Finish...

To save as a .wmv movie file...
Type...Ctrl+P to open the Save Movie Wizard /
Choose...My Computer /
Next /
Enter a Name and a Save Location /
Next /
Tick...'Best Quality For My Computer'
Next/
Wait while the movie is saved /
Finish...

Also, you may find it useful to use
a custom profile:

Movie Maker 2 - Saving
Movies - Custom WMV Profiles
http://tinyurl.com/s2vgu
or...
http://www.papajohn.org/MM2-SavingMovies-CustomProfiles.html

Creating Custom Profiles
for Windows Movie Maker 2
http://tinyurl.com/cuny7
or...
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/expert/customprofile.mspx

--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[Steve Lokietz]

Thanks so much - I will try out what you suggested!

Steve

 

[John Inzer]

Thanks so much - I will try out what you suggested!

Steve

========================
You're welcome.

--

John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

 

[Odie]

I have the same thing happening, but the clips were all created from the same
file. I clipped out pieces, and the remaining clips will not "combine" back.
The Combine command is greyed out.