Hi,

The workflow you described works, but it's usually not the best approach if your goal is to preserve as much of the original footage as possible.

Here's the recommended workflow in CapCut:

1. Set the project/canvas to 16:9 first.
   • Change the canvas or aspect ratio to 16:9 before adjusting the clip.
   • This lets you see exactly how much of the original video will fit within the frame.
2. Select the 1:1 clip.
   • Don't use Crop first unless you're sure you want to permanently remove parts of the image.
3. Resize and reposition the clip instead.
   • Drag the corners in the preview window or adjust the Scale control.
   • Move the clip left, right, up, or down so the most important content remains visible.
   • This gives you the greatest flexibility when framing the shot.

When to use Crop?

The Crop tool is useful when:

• you want to permanently remove unwanted edges, or
• you need a precise 16:9 composition before applying other effects.

Keep in mind that cropping a 1:1 video to 16:9 doesn't reveal more of the image it simply removes the top and bottom portions to create a widescreen frame. After cropping, you'll have less flexibility to reposition the image.

If you want to preserve the entire video

If your goal is to keep the entire square video visible:

• Leave the clip at its original scale.
• Set the project canvas to 16:9.
• Add a blurred background, solid-color background, or a duplicate-and-blur background behind the square video.

This is a common technique for YouTube and other 16:9 platforms because it preserves the full 1:1 image without cropping.

Summary

• Best for maximum flexibility: Set the project to 16:9, then scale and reposition the clip.
• Crop to 16:9: Use only if you're comfortable losing part of the image.
• Best for preserving the entire frame: Use a blurred or colored background instead of cropping.

In most situations, setting the timeline to 16:9 first and then adjusting the clip's scale and position provides the best balance between flexibility and image preservation.