The software can handle a variety of projects -- from slick-looking presentations and video resumes to a fancy-looking video album of your last tango in Paris. To test the software's mettle, we set out to create and edit a basic, 30-second movie, one you might send out to family and friends. We used the advanced tutorial option with a selection of scenes from an African safari. Each scene is a separate file, which allows you to add separate elements such as text, sound, or transitions.

We added text and transitions, and edited a scene. As long as we followed the tutorial to the letter, our project went smoothly. Adding the various elements was fairly easy. Videos, images, and animations can be dragged and dropped into the window. Adding text and further tweaking with shade and scroll options is easy, and an auto-sequencing option strings clips together. The finished product looked reasonably acceptable for a first stab.

Other features include the ability to add rewind and quit buttons. You also can add animation to your project with path tools and scaling effects. In addition, you can export the file to a webpage or email. The software allows you to import analog or digital video, images files, and sound or music for MIDI, MP3, and CDs.

Before you start tinkering with your own video, you will need to have it already loaded in your computer or transferred from your camera via a FireWire card. A USB connection will work for small video files, but if you have large files, it is faster to use the FireWire method, a difference of minutes instead of hours. (MovieWorks does feature a tool for capturing digital video, but you will need the necessary gear to take advantage of it.) Once you have video on your computer, you can drag and drop it into a MovieWorks window for editing and sequencing.