Avid Media Composer 5 switching from FCP

[Richard Sanchez]

I still take about a week to get acclimated, and I jump between systems all the time. Check out https://community.avid.com/blogs/training/archive/2007/04/15/avid-for-final-cut-pro-users-lesson-4-project-differences.aspx I believe there is a DVD available too.

Richard Sanchez
North Hollywood, CA

“We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.” – Bill Hicks

[Christian Kinnard]

I go back and forth depending on the project and like Richard says it takes me about a week to really cross over. People have different philosophies as to how to handle this, like trying to map the keyboards so they are similar. I’m the opposite. I try to keeping them completely separate, Avid and FCP function in completely different ways so the base keyboards is structured for that. Be patient, once you get your base keystrokes down you’ll move slightly faster and then you’ll branch out.

Avid and FCP are great in their own ways, and Avid 5 is really making me consider dumping FCP all together (that will never happen).

Christian

[Javier Hernandez]

Cammie:

Well, exactly the opposite happened to me.. I was an AVID editor forced to Final Cut and I hate it. It has nothing to do with the programs, is just you know so well the other one that you will need time to get use to it. Something I did to simplify the transition and that may help you :
Map you keyboard to mimic the final cut keyboard. Both programs have more or less the same features but in different places. To map your MC keyboard click the settings tab in the master bin and double click keyboard. Then go to tools>command palette and beging mapping. You will need to identify which buttons do what because some icons are not the same.

I also looked for Avid to FC tutorials so I guess you will find FC to Avid tutorials on line.

I ended up using FC fairly well, but after 2 years I’m back to my MC and I still like it better. Both programs have their pros and cons. You will be better off knowing how to use them both.

[Cammie Noel]

Thanks I still hate it but will forge ahead…

[Cammie Noel]

Thanks for the feedback. Im still hatin it but won’t quit. However I LOVE FCP and always will.

[Cammie Noel]

TY. I am just not used to MC and really think it is needlessly complicated . I have to admit it does has some cool features. nevertheless I love the simplicity of FCP.

[Grinner Hester]

It just takes time in the chair. You’ll notice if you mouse over icons, you’ll be flagged as to what they do. Don’t get frustrated. Break in times vary from user to user.
You kind of migrated backwards in today’s day in age, didn’t you?

[John Pale]

I’ve used FCP since v1, but have also been a heavy Avid user since 1998. I’ve seen both platforms evolve.
I switch back and forth all the time.

I think trying to make one behave like the other is a big mistake. Despite the recent changes in MC5, they still have a fundamentally different approach to editing, and trying to make them superficially more alike makes both of them less efficient. Thats why I think the changes in Avid MC 5, that are geared toward FCP users, are terrible, but thats a whole other discussion.

As others have said…time in the chair using them will make it second nature…you’ll adapt and be a better editor for it.

[Cammie Noel]

LOL now I am trying to export this 3/4 finished thing and finish it in AVID…….we shall see what happens.