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Final Cut Express is SOOO confusing!
- Thread starter GreyFox1221
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Lacero
macrumors 604
I use Final Cut Pro and know it like the back of my hand. <--- cliché. LOL. Once you know how to use FCE, it's a joy to use because it can do almost anything you want it to. Editing is a breeze when you know the shortcuts and the methodology of how it cuts.
Here's to the Crazy Ones 
I think the natural progression of this thread would be... does anyone know of a helpful guide/tutorial for fcp for newbies?
After G
macrumors 68000
Just because everyone else uses FC, doesn't mean that it's perfect for everybody.
Think about why people use / prefer to use a Mac or Linux, instead of Windows.
Though admittedly, everything takes time to learn.
I don't know why people are so forgiving when new users transfer from Windows to OS X, but not when new users with experience from other media apps try to use Apple ones and have valid complaints. It's not like using these things comes naturally, as good as Apple interfaces are. Everyone has had their learning curve.
Think about why people use / prefer to use a Mac or Linux, instead of Windows.
Though admittedly, everything takes time to learn.
I don't know why people are so forgiving when new users transfer from Windows to OS X, but not when new users with experience from other media apps try to use Apple ones and have valid complaints. It's not like using these things comes naturally, as good as Apple interfaces are. Everyone has had their learning curve.
~Shard~
macrumors P6
Lacero said:
Damn, it's almost as if you did that just for me... damn you Lacero and your baiting techniques.... although I must say I'm impressed...
Ah well, at least it wasn't "Lol"... 😉
G5Unit said:
"in efficient" - thanks for the laugh, that's the funniest thing I've read all day! 😛 😀
To the original poster, if you're having trouble with FCE, don't sweat it - as with any other program, there is a learning curve, and just be patient and you'll pick it up. Perhaps become a little more familiar with iMovie for starters, as that is a simple tool which would definitely help give you a better idea of how to do things in FCE. Otherwise, there are no doubt tutorials, etc. floating around which could be of service. Finally, FCE is not the right tool for everyone, and is not without its flaws - of course, show me an app that is perfect... 😉 😎
puckhead193
macrumors G3
where are you located, if your near an apple store you can see if they offer a workshop on it... i went to one and i learned so much 🙂
LethalWolfe
macrumors G3
Like any pro app FCP (or E sense they are basically the same) can looking intemidating to newbs (especially newbs w/o any/much editing experience), but once you get the basics down it becomes much less complex. And while FCP does have a learning curve, it's pretty shallow compared to Avid (which I first learned on). Avid's UI hasn't changed hardly at all sense the early/mid-90's.
The tutorial in FCP is pretty good, IMO, for getting to know the program. There are also a number of FCP books. www.kenstone.net is a good on line resource, but it might be too advanced for what you are looking for right now.
To G5Unit. I can understand being frustrated w/FCP if you are doing a lot of heavy compositing/GFX type stuff. But that's 'cause you (by way of your teacher) are using the wrong tool for the job. For an NLE (non-linear editor) FCP does well in the vertical editing department.
Lethal
The tutorial in FCP is pretty good, IMO, for getting to know the program. There are also a number of FCP books. www.kenstone.net is a good on line resource, but it might be too advanced for what you are looking for right now.
To G5Unit. I can understand being frustrated w/FCP if you are doing a lot of heavy compositing/GFX type stuff. But that's 'cause you (by way of your teacher) are using the wrong tool for the job. For an NLE (non-linear editor) FCP does well in the vertical editing department.
Lethal
notjustjay
macrumors 603
The thing I found confusing with FCE was that there are about 10 different ways to accomplish any given task (e.g. get a clip onto the timeline). Learn one way and get used to it so consistently that it becomes habit. Learn the keyboard shortcuts too. The rest comes with time and experience.
OutThere
macrumors 603
ITASOR said:
Not really. I'd actually recommend staying away from iMovie if you want to learn FCE/P...the way it all comes together is so much different in iMovie than FCP it'll just be confusing.
I taught myself FCP 4 years ago, and even after countless thousands of hours using it I can't even pretend that I'm a master at it.
The single most useful thing, though, are the key commands...I hadn't paid attention to the fact that I could change tools, unlink audio, break stereo pairs and a million other things with the keyboard for a good long while after learning how to use FCP...
You'll find the basics of FCP relatively easy, once you get clips on the timeline, but as a good friend told me when I was first starting out:
"Final Cut Pro is easy to learn but hard to master."
edit: I also think that with Apple pushing FCE, too many people are using it who really don't need it. For the basic home movies, iMovie is damn well equipped.
eXan
macrumors 601
ITASOR said:
I went from imovie to FCP. It was very difficult to learn this app. I felt so noob... 😉 It was VERY confusing!
Since FCP and FCE have the same interface, I guess it is also pretty difficult to learn it after imovie.
lol I remember my biggest confusion while I learnt FCP - I couldnt find how to import video from my camera!!! 😀