The 28 ways we made Descript easier and better at Season 6

Descript
14 Jun 202405:30

TLDRDescript's Season 6 update introduces 'Underlord', an AI assistant for streamlined editing. Alongside, it brings 28 enhancements to the platform's user experience. These include a refreshed interface, a unified sidebar for insertion menus, and a split properties tab for scene and layer controls. Captions, composition navigation, and the recorder have all been relocated for better accessibility. The AI actions are now more visible and user-friendly, with popular effects easily accessible in the Underlord sidebar. Template and layout improvements, timeline redesign, and automatic speaker detection in transcriptions are also part of the update. The script editor has been refined with a friendlier empty state, improved scene boundaries, and an enhanced workflow for speaker labels. Notifications and marker navigation have been improved, and the home button has been given prominence in the menu controls.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 The Descript app has received a visual overhaul with a new coat of paint, giving it a refreshed look.
  • 📚 Insertion menus have been consolidated into a single right sidebar for easier access and less obstruction while working.
  • 🔧 Properties are now organized into 'Scene' and 'Layer' tabs, streamlining the control of different aspects of the project.
  • 📺 Captions have been relocated to their own sidebar and apply to the entire composition by default for better management.
  • 🔄 Enhanced composition navigation allows for quick switching between compositions and persistent access via the project sidebar.
  • 🖌️ The canvas selection toolbar now includes more properties, reducing the need to keep the layer properties tab open constantly.
  • 🎙️ The recorder has been moved to the sidebar, simplifying the process of inserting recordings into the script.
  • 📂 An improved file preview experience allows for easier identification and dragging of desired file parts into the composition.
  • 🖇️ For layers spanning multiple scenes, it's now simpler to adjust the scope of selections, affecting either the current scene or the entire layer.
  • 🤖 AI actions, previously hidden, are now prominently displayed in the new Underlord sidebar with a more user-friendly interface.
  • 📐 Template and layout management has been revamped, including remembering project-specific templates and swapping layers between layouts more intuitively.
  • 📈 The timeline has been fully redesigned with numerous small improvements for a cleaner and more user-friendly experience.
  • 📝 The script area greets users with a friendlier empty state and has removed unnecessary margin buttons for a cleaner interface.
  • 🔉 Automatic speaker detection during transcription has been implemented, removing the need for manual setup and speaker count specification.
  • 🔄 An improved workflow for merging speaker labels allows for easier adjustments and corrections in speaker identification.
  • 🗂️ A new selector for switching between different editor layouts has been added for greater customization and efficiency.
  • 🔔 Enhanced notifications for activities like file uploading, transcribing, and effect processing keep users informed of progress.
  • ⏭️ Marker navigation has been relocated to join other transport controls for a more integrated workflow.
  • 🏠 The home button has been extracted from other menu controls for easier access and navigation.

Q & A

  • What is the headline feature in the new version of Descript?

    -The headline feature in the new version of Descript is called 'Underlord,' an AI assistant that assists with editing tasks.

  • How has the user interface of Descript been updated?

    -The user interface has been refreshed with a new coat of paint, and menus have been consolidated into a single right sidebar for easier access.

  • What changes were made to the properties and scene controls?

    -Properties that used to be on the right are now split between two tabs: 'Scene' and 'Layer.' Scene controls include layout selection and transitions, while layer properties are accessed through the 'Layer' tab.

  • How have captions been improved in the new Descript version?

    -Captions now have their own sidebar, and when clicked, they apply to the whole composition by default.

  • What is the new feature for composition navigation?

    -Composition navigation has been improved with quick switches between compositions available in the app bar and a project sidebar for compositions that are always open.

  • How has the recorder been integrated into the new Descript interface?

    -The recorder has been moved to the sidebar, allowing users to insert recordings into the script as new layers or replace selections by clicking in the script.

  • What improvements have been made to the file preview experience?

    -The file preview now shows in a large popover, making it easier to find and drag the desired part of the file into the composition.

  • How can users change the scope of their selection for layers that span multiple scenes?

    -Users can now easily change the scope of their selection to apply changes to either the current scene or the entire layer across all scenes.

  • What is the new Underlord sidebar and how does it enhance AI actions?

    -The new Underlord sidebar lays out all AI actions for easier access and discovery, and features a more user-friendly interface with buttons and visual elements.

  • What changes have been made to templates and layouts in Descript?

    -Templates now remember the selection on a per-project basis, layouts swap layers instead of adding new ones, and elements like annotations and overlays have been moved to a separate section.

  • What updates are expected in the timeline and script workflow?

    -The timeline has been redesigned with numerous small improvements for a cleaner and easier-to-use interface. The script workflow has also been updated with a friendlier empty state and improved scene boundary design.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Descript's Major Update: Underlord and UI Enhancements

Descript has introduced a significant update with the headline feature 'Underlord,' an AI assistant designed to streamline editing tasks. Alongside this, the platform has incorporated 28 minor yet impactful quality of life improvements. These enhancements include a refreshed interface, a reorganized sidebar for easier access to insertion menus, and a new properties tab layout. Captions are now managed through a dedicated sidebar, and composition navigation has been optimized. The canvas selection toolbar has been expanded for more direct property access, and the recorder has been relocated to the sidebar for convenience. File previews have been improved for easier content selection, and layer selection scopes have been refined. AI actions are now more accessible in the Underlord sidebar, with enhanced UI for better user experience. Popular AI effects are also featured in the sidebar for easier discovery.

05:03

📚 Template and Layout Improvements, Timeline Redesign

The update also brings substantial changes to templates and layouts. Once a template is selected, Descript now remembers the choice on a per-project basis. Layouts now swap layers rather than adding new ones, enhancing the user experience. Some old templates that add layers, such as annotations or overlays, have been moved to 'elements.' Saving new layouts has been simplified, and further improvements to layouts are expected in the coming month. The timeline has been fully redesigned with numerous minor enhancements for a cleaner and more user-friendly experience. Additionally, the script section has been updated with a friendlier empty state for new projects or compositions, and the workflow for merging speaker labels has been improved. Automatic speaker detection is now a default feature during transcription, and marker navigation has been relocated for better accessibility.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Descript

Descript is a software application that specializes in audio and video editing, with a focus on ease of use and powerful features. In the context of the video, Descript has released a new version with significant updates and improvements. The updates aim to enhance the user experience by making the application more intuitive and efficient.

💡Underlord

Underlord is introduced as the headline feature of the new Descript version. It represents an AI assistant that automates many aspects of the editing process, thereby reducing the manual effort required from the user. This feature is central to the video's theme of making Descript 'easier and better'.

💡Quality of Life Improvements

These refer to the minor yet impactful updates that have been made to Descript. They are not major new features but rather enhancements to the existing functionalities that contribute to a more enjoyable and efficient user experience. The script mentions 28 such improvements, emphasizing the company's commitment to refining the product.

💡Sidebar

In the updated Descript interface, the sidebar is a key component that consolidates various tools and features, such as the recorder and file previews. It is designed to streamline the workflow by keeping frequently used functions easily accessible without obstructing the main editing area.

💡Scene and Layer Properties

Scene and layer properties are specific settings within Descript that control different aspects of the project. The script explains that these properties have been reorganized into two separate tabs for better clarity and ease of access, allowing users to manage scene-level controls and layer-specific properties more effectively.

💡Captions

Captions in Descript refer to the text overlays that can be added to a video or audio project for accessibility or emphasis. The script mentions that captions have been moved to their own sidebar, and when applied, they affect the entire composition by default, which simplifies the process of adding captions across the project.

💡Composition Navigation

This term relates to the ease with which users can switch between different compositions within Descript. The script highlights improvements in this area, allowing for quicker navigation between projects and the persistent display of open compositions in the project sidebar.

💡AI Actions

AI Actions are features within Descript that utilize artificial intelligence to assist with editing tasks. The script notes that these actions, previously hidden in a search box, are now prominently displayed in the Underlord sidebar, making them more accessible and easier to discover.

💡Templates and Layouts

Templates and layouts in Descript provide pre-designed structures for projects, making it easier for users to start with a specific format. The script discusses significant changes to how templates are remembered on a per-project basis and how layouts now swap layers instead of adding new ones, offering a more intuitive and flexible approach to project setup.

💡Timeline

The timeline in Descript is a critical tool for editing, allowing users to view and manipulate the sequence of clips in their project. The script mentions a full redesign of the timeline, with numerous small improvements aimed at making it cleaner and more user-friendly.

💡Speaker Detection

Speaker detection is a feature that automatically identifies and labels different speakers in a transcribed file. The script notes that this was previously a manual process, but it has now been automated, simplifying the workflow for users and reducing the potential for errors.

💡Empty State

The empty state refers to the initial view or screen that users see when they create a new project or composition. The script mentions that Descript has introduced a friendlier empty state, which is designed to guide new users or reset the interface for a fresh start.

Highlights

Descript has released a major new version with an AI assistant called Underlord that automates editing tasks.

28 quality of life improvements have been made to Descript, enhancing user experience.

A new coat of paint refreshes the Descript interface, making it more appealing.

Insertion menus have been consolidated into a single right sidebar for easier access.

Properties are now organized under 'Scene' and 'Layer' tabs for better clarity.

Captions have their own sidebar and apply to the whole composition by default.

Composition navigation has been improved for quicker switching between compositions.

The canvas selection toolbar now includes access to more properties for convenience.

The recorder has been moved to the sidebar for easier recording and layer insertion.

File preview experience is enhanced with a large popover for easier file navigation.

Changing the scope of selection for layers that span multiple scenes is now more straightforward.

AI actions are now more accessible in the new Underlord sidebar with an improved UI.

Popular AI effects have been added to the Underlord sidebar for easier access.

Templates and layouts have been significantly revamped for a more intuitive experience.

Descript now remembers the selected template on a per-project basis.

Layouts now swap layers instead of adding new ones, enhancing the slide deck experience.

The timeline has been fully redesigned with numerous small improvements for ease of use.

Speaker detection is now automatic, simplifying the transcription process.

Changing speaker labels and merging them has been streamlined for better workflow.

A new selector allows for easy switching between different editor layouts.

Notifications for activities like file uploading and transcribing have been improved.

Marker navigation has been relocated to the transport controls for better organization.

The home button has been separated from other menu controls for easier access.

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