Edit Selection Tool?

[Russell Lasson]

I’ve never figured out how the tool would make me a more efficient editor. I just don’t use it.

But wait….

I’ve just started playing with it and figured out how I might use it. Let’s say you have two clips making an edit on track 1 and another two clips making an edit on track 2 directly above the clips on track 1. Now we want to adjust the edit point between all of the clips at once.

So using the select edit tool, select the edit points and then adjust the edits using the [ or ] keys. It will move both edit points at the same time. That can be helpful.

Another advantage would be that it automatically opens the trim edit window, instead of having to double click on an edit to open the window.

Yet another useful way to use it could be to add a bunch of dissolves to stacked clips. Select the end edit point for all of the clips using the select edit tool, then close the trim edit window and select Apple+T. You just added transitions to every clip at the same time.

I’m guessing that there are more hidden powers of the tool, but I’ll leave others to add what they want.

I’m going to finally start using it now.

-Russ

Russell Lasson
Kaleidoscope Pictures
Provo, UT

[David Prinzbach]

Thanks Russ, very helpful. After playing around with the tool, I’ve discovered that roll and ripple edits are made possible through edits on multiple tracks all at one time, even if the edits do not line up in the timeline. Now the trick will be finding a situation where I would legitimately need this feature.

Dave Prinzbach

Bridges TV

[Russell Lasson]

At least we both know what it does now and can add it to the box of tricks. Thanks for pushing me to look into it.

-Russ

Russell Lasson
Kaleidoscope Pictures
Provo, UT

[Kevin Monahan]

Great for selecting multiple tracks for an extend edit as well. Just wish there was a key command that would prevent the Trim Edit window from opening.

Kevin Monahan
fcpworld.com
Author – Motion Grahpics and Effects in Final Cut Pro
Now seeking post-production work in Los Angeles

Now Seeking Gigs in LA

[Russell Lasson]

I just submitted the feedback to Apple to request a preference setting for whether the Trim Edit Window opens or not when using the Edit Selection Tool.

Let’s see what happens.

-Russ

Russell Lasson
Kaleidoscope Pictures
Provo, UT

[Bret Williams]

Just ignore the trim edit window. I never even noticed it opens until you guys mentioned it. Never affected my workflow. I use the tool all the time to extend edits. Say you’ve got 10 layers creating a comp, and you need to extend them all. You could option click on all the edits one by one and then move the playhead to the desired position and press E to extend them, or you can use the edit selection to to marquee around them all (brings up trim window, ignore it) move the playhead where you want (closes the trim edit window, but leaves edits selected) and press E to extend. It’s only going to mess with you if you have dynamic trimming on and press play after highlighting the edits. In the latter case, that’s probably what you wanted to do anyhow if you were highlighting edits and pressing play.