The Magnetic Timeline – Time, Space and One Clock To Rule Them All

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Paul Dickin] “and allow discussion of relevant technical advancements out into the open.”

Not quite NDAish, but helpful:

https://www.digitalrebellion.com/blog/posts/5_great_lion_features_for_editors.html

[Brad Bussé]

I up the ante; quantum entanglement.

[David Cherniack]

[Walter Soyka] “With clip connections on an absolute timeline, you wouldn’t have to manually select the correct clips before editing. The NLE could select them for you, based on the clip connections you had already defined. You’re front-loading the thinking about which clips go together in a move.”

But FCP-X is not an absolute timeline so you’re citing a possibility that doesn’t exist. My contention is that in a relative timeline the example is possible but clumsy and may lead to clips getting shifted around in unintented ways.

Why isn’t Craig jumping in here to point out the errors in my conjectures? Is it still unclear?

David
AllinOneFilms.com

[Don Walker]

I have read much and commented little, now this old school “Linear Editor” has one simple question; While it is obvious that the magnetic timeline is geared to a ripple edit workflow, is it a simple task to do an “overwrite edit” where existing footage is replaced by new footage, with no change in timeline length?
Or is this “old school”?
I don’t mean to sound ugly, I am waiting and watching to see if I want to upgrade to CS5.5 or dive in with FCPX

don walker
texarkana, texas

John 3:16

[Andrew Richards]

[Don Walker] “While it is obvious that the magnetic timeline is geared to a ripple edit workflow, is it a simple task to do an “overwrite edit” where existing footage is replaced by new footage, with no change in timeline length?”

One keystroke will do it: “D”.

Best,
Andy

[Craig Seeman]

And if you just want to move things around without “magnetism” you can use P, the Position tool.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Andrew Richards] “One keystroke will do it: “D”.”

Exactly. You can still do three point edits as well with the range, or you can replace the edit which is essentially an overwrite with the timing in place, have to mark an in on the incoming clip (which will also mark an out, but with replace, the timeline clip’s timing is honored).

[Misha Aranyshev]

Yeah, right. But they split it in two flavors, D and Shift-D and you cannot set an IN without the app setting out so it is a mess.

[Craig Seeman]

I don’t find the magnetic timeline an issue. If you want to move things around without the magnetic effect just use P (Position tool) instead of A (Selection tool).

Since clip connections can be moved to any frame on any clip underlying I don’t see a problem there either.
If a Connected clip or Secondary Storyline crosses multiple clips, you just connect it to the frame and clip of your choice. The connection defaults to its first frame but it’s easy to move.

One thing one must be aware of is that if a connected clip or secondary storyline is only over a single clip, it can only be connected to that clip. You can easily delete the primary storyline clip and the gap that replaces it, maintains all the connections. Nothing ripples.

Of course you can use the delete/backspace key and then the primary storyline does rippled and the clips connected to that clip also disappear but it’s just one choice one has given the other form of delete without rippling.

I can also copy and paste and individual clip in the storyline (any clip connected or any storyline) and it doesn’t carry the connected clips.

I can even Command click to select clips and copy and paste them together whether or not they are connected.

A big advantage of clip connections is that it becomes easy to move a complex stack related to a clip . . . a frame . . . in the primary storyline. It’s there to use but you’re not really limited by it in any significant ways I can see as of yet.

Things can be magnetic or not, be moved together or not. I find there’s no complex procedures for it to behave as I need it in any given circumstances.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Michael Aranyshev] “But they split it in two flavors, D and Shift-D and you cannot set an IN without the app setting out so it is a mess.”

A mess? It’s just different. If you want to simply overwrite, then don’t set a range on the timeline at all.

If you need it specifically timed, set a range on the timeline, or use a replace edit, or better yet, use the audition feature to test it and see if you like it. This is where the magnetic timeline shines.