Deal-Breaking FCPX Issues. Is My Info Inaccurate?

[Scott Witthaus]

The Ripple Training advice is a good one. Get it and get into it. Got me to working with FCPX how it was designed, not trying to make it work like FCP7, PP or MC.

I think organization is a key thing too, as in any NLE timeline.

Since FCP7 is dead, your choices, outside of X, are (basically) down to MC (slow and old, with ancient effect and titling modules, just to name two) and Premiere, which still hasn’t convinced me it’s for real and seems to always be on a verge of a crash (I am working with CS6, to be fair). There is no perfect answer. Most of us use a combination of them all. Good luck!

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

[Bob Woodhead]

FWIW, I found it took about 6 months before I felt I was approaching the speed and comfort of Legacy. In the ensuing year or so, I believe I’ve gone well beyond the maximum “productivity” of Legacy, as pertains to my workflow needs. As others have pointed out many times here, there are those whose workflows are not conducive to X. Perhaps as X evolves, it will cover those needs as well. Perhaps not. Use the tool that fits best.

But I feel what’s most important in trying to switch to X is to work with it on a regular basis for an extended period to come to your own decision. As you have done, it is critical for experienced editors to watch basic X tutorials. Both of these factors are needed as X has opted to break with many established editing “traditions”. Use the Cow’s amazing resources to get past those brick walls you’re pounding your head against.

“Constituo, ergo sum”

Bob Woodhead / Atlanta
CMX-Quantel-Avid-FCP-Premiere-3D-AFX-Crayola
“What a long strange trip it’s been….”

[Lillian Young]

I’ve gone through several tutorials including Ripple, Lynda, etc.

[Craig Seeman]

[Lillian Young] “I’ve gone through several tutorials including Ripple, Lynda, etc.”

But baed on your comments and all responses here, with a diversity of workflow methods, it seems you din’t understand some aspects or, at least, don’t understand how to reason through when to use what. There’s certainly been a number of critiques in areas where FCPX requires more work than other NLEs but your comments don’t fit that for the most part. Sorry if that offends.

To put it another way. Even if one knows what every button and command does, one has to know how to “think like X” and know when each will get to where you want to go easiest and fastest. It seems your missing when to use what in certain situations.

[Scott Witthaus]

What kind of projects are you working on?

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

[Lillian Young]

Thanks to everyone for your responses, corrections, solutions, opinions and suggestions. *whew* That’s a lot 🙂

I want to point out that I work at a company, so just ‘getting with the program’ and upgrading my OS isn’t something that suits us company-wide. It has to be a selective decision that takes time. I remain disappointed that Apple released a major update that can only be used on a new OS.

For the record, I have a laptop that I have installed 10.1 on as it’s my backup computer. I haven’t used that version yet.

Also, I have watched hours of tutorials from Lynda.com, Ripple Training, Class On Demand, Infinite Skills and Larry Jordan.

I am not one of those who jumps into something haphazardly and then complains that it doesn’t work. I have given FCPX dedicated time over the last 2 months and even told my boss that FCPX is the best for the team. I think I did so prematurely and/or I am not yet skilled enough to have made that suggestion since I do not confidently have solutions to the issues I’ve listed here nor extended experience with X.

I want to love FCPX. I have already picked up the shortcuts and am gaining speed. I love live previews of the effects and the magnitude of options. No other editing package excites me as much. BUT, I do not know of anyone else in my workflow/company using it.

Time will tell, but I do greatly appreciate all of your responses. Thanks!

[Lillian Young]

Me? Short-form packages, sizzle reels, narratives here and there.

[Craig Seeman]

[Lillian Young] ” I remain disappointed that Apple released a major update that can only be used on a new OS. “

This is certainly an interesting point to discuss. Given that Apple makes both the NLE and the OS and is primarily a hardware company, their business motive is to move you to new hardware. The OS went from inexpensive to free to completely remove the financial aspect of OS updates (from Apple’s perspective) for a facility.

As someone who used Avid for 10 years I can say one was equally hamstrung when they were slow to certify OS updates as other developers took advantage of new features or even just improved stability.

Generally, but with some notable exceptions, Apple developers know Apple’s push to OS updates and they’re fairly quick to move their products up.

[Lillian Young]

You’re not offending me. You are responding respectfully and being kind enough to give me your time here.

I will review the responses here, revisit some of the tutorials from Ripple Training and give X another try.

Thanks!

[Lillian Young]

Having used Avid for 10 years, I am interested in your view of X comparatively.

Have you switched to X as a primary tool?