What is the term for bringing an audio or graphic file into editing software?

The correct term for bringing an audio or graphic file into editing software is "importing." This process allows users to take external files, whether audio, video, or graphic, and make them available for manipulation and editing within the specific software environment. Importing is crucial because it enables the editor to work with various media formats and organize them on their timeline or workspace, facilitating the creation of a cohesive and polished final product.

In contrast, the processes referred to by the other terms function differently: exporting involves saving or sending the edited project out from the software to a different format or location; linking refers to creating a connection to an external file without actually bringing it into the project's workspace; encoding is the process of converting data from one form to another, typically related to compressing and transforming files for output or storage. Understanding these distinctions is key for effective management of media files in editing workflows.