Start with the full featured editor selection when you open the program. Then clear the library (the upper left hand box) of all the canned media the program comes with. You can do this by right clicking on the files and then select "remove from library". Then load all of the media (video clips, still and audio) that you want to use into the library. Do this with the "import media" folder icon. Once you have loaded your clips into the project library you can drag it into the editing workspace on the bottom of the screen. You have to import the whole clip initially. To set the start and end points, select the "trim" tool from the pick list above the workspace. That will let you change the beginning and end of the clip. If you want to cut material out of the middle of the clip, then you have to "split" the clip using the "Split" function above the media workspace. Once split, you can adjust the start and end points just like for the whole clip. Then you can slide the remaining footage up next to it. If you want to merge a separate clip, you can either put it on the same video editing line, or on one of the duplicate lines below the first entry. Although the download didn't come with a manual, the manual is available as a .pdf online at:
http://www.cyberlink.com/support/powerdirector-ultra/userguide_en_US.htmlWhen you are all done, you have to publish the edited result by clicking the "Produce" menu button at the top of the screen. This will convert your Power Director editing directions into a .wmv, mpeg, .avi of other file format for the material you want to share online. If you just save the project, that only saves the editing directions in the proprietary Power Director program language. That is still a good idea in case you want to revisit some of your edits later on.