Editing & Post-Production
Three-point editing
Also called: three point edit
An insert has four edit points: in and out on the source clip, in and out on the timeline. Mark any three and the NLE calculates the last one for you. Mark in and out on the source plus an in on the timeline, and the clip lands there at its own length. Mark in and out on the timeline plus an in on the source, and the software takes exactly enough footage to fill the gap, which is how you drop B-roll over a hole in a talking head without measuring anything. It is old broadcast practice, it predates every NLE now in use, and it is still the fastest way to work once your hands know it.