Can’t “INSERT EDIT” in Final Cut Pro X

[Scott Witthaus]

Are you trying to insert between connected clips? If so, highlight all the connected clips in the region and create a new storyline (command-G). With that storyline highlighted, you can insert, move, append and replace just like the primary storyline. Secondary storylines are extremely powerful and efficient. If I have more than one b-roll connected clip in an area, it’s become habit to create that new storyline.

Scott Witthaus
Senior Editor/Post Production Supervisor
1708 Inc./Editorial
Professor, VCU Brandcenter

[Maribeth Abrams]

Thanks! This is just a 5 minute video so breaking it down into smaller storylines isn’t something I want to do. However, I followed your advice and created a “new storyline” by highlighting THE ENTIRE TIMELINE and lo and behold, I can now “Insert Edit” anywhere in the timeline.

For future though, do you know where the function key is located to turn back on Insert Edit function? In the past I’ve always had the ability to do this by default, without having to click on anything.

[Scott Witthaus]

The W key is the insert key. On my last project, which was all interview driven, my primary storyline is the interviewees. If I want to insert another interview clip, I place the playhead at that spot and hit the W key for insert.

My secondary storyline is primarily for B-roll. When I get more than on b-roll connected clip I create a storyline. As long as you have that new storyline highlighted, it acts just like the primary. It’s very cool voodoo.

Scott Witthaus
Senior Editor/Post Production Supervisor
1708 Inc./Editorial
Professor, VCU Brandcenter

[Maribeth Abrams]

Thank you so much for your help. I had tried the W key a bunch of times before posting my initial inquiry, but the clip would come down and land in the audio file rather than in the main (B Roll) portion of the timeline. Now I can see why you block out the storyline in advance.

The strange thing though is that in the past, when working on projects, whenever I dragged down a clip to the timeline, I always had the option of either adding it as a new clip or replacing an old clip with it. The option was simply always there, and when I go to the online tutorials, they also say that the option should always be there. I even tried restarting my computer hoping that the option would return.

But thank you anyway – you have solved my problem for this project!!!!!

[Scott Witthaus]

[Maribeth Abrams] “I always had the option of either adding it as a new clip or replacing an old clip with it. “

I depends where you drag it. If you are on top of the clip and it highlights, you get the pop-up menu to replace from start, etc. If you don’t, it will insert where you drag it. I usually start out by using the E key and append all my selects to my primary to get a quick start on the story. Then I will start finessing the primary, then on to the secondaries. For the example of my project above, the primary storyline is the interview “track” if you will. Secondary storylines on top for b-roll and then the music clip underneath. You don’t have to do it this way, but it’s old track-based habits that still stay with me!

Scott Witthaus
Senior Editor/Post Production Supervisor
1708 Inc./Editorial
Professor, VCU Brandcenter

[Suan k. Seol]

Hi,

While I was searching for my problem with FCPX, I found you’ve experienced the same issue.
I cannot ‘insert edit’ the clip just by dragging it. The reply posted below was one way to do it, but doesn’t solve the problem fundamentally.
I wonder, did you solve your problem so that you can now drag the clip and ‘insert’ instead of overwriting? I don’t really want to bond clips as storyline when I’m just starting to make a rough cut.

Hope to hear from you. Thanks!