What function allows you to copy clips and settings without altering the original media?

The function that allows you to copy clips and settings without altering the original media is "Paste Attributes." This feature is particularly useful when you want to replicate specific attributes, such as effects, transformations, or color corrections, from one clip to another while preserving the integrity of the original footage.

When you use Paste Attributes, you can selectively choose which properties to copy, ensuring that only the desired aspects of the clip are applied to the new clip. This method is efficient in workflows where consistency in effects or settings across multiple clips is required, as it streamlines the editing process without the risk of modifying the original media files.

In contrast, other options such as clip duplication create an entirely new clip, but this may not carry over various settings or attributes without manual adjustment. Export settings focus on output formats rather than how clips are manipulated within the project, and media management deals with the organization and handling of media files rather than attributes of clips. Therefore, Paste Attributes is the most appropriate function for photocopying settings while leaving the original media intact.