System and method for accessing and manipulating time-based data

A system and method of accessing and manipulating time-based data allows data of at least two diverse types to be arranged with respect to a common internal time line of a meta-clip. The internal time line of the meta-clip is re-mapped, in use, to a global time line in a nonlinear editing system. The data within the meta-clip is accessed, modified and otherwise manipulated within the non-linear editing system environment as a single clip. A meta-clip in accordance with the present invention can comprise diverse data types including, without limitation, video, audio, 2D or 3D animations and their components and other meta-clips. Filters, effects or other operators can be applied to meta-clips, with some operators affecting each clip within the meta-clip and other operators affecting only clips of applicable data types within the meta clip.