Learn about the basic functions of Final Cut Pro X. This video will help those familiar with iMovie to learn about the general Final Cut Pro X interface, events and projects. See how to import video, add it to the timeline, apply a transition and titles. Then learn how to export your project.
Want to know more about how to use Final Cut Pro on your Mac? Check out this MacMost course!
Comments: 21 Responses to “MacMost Now 589: Final Cut Pro X Basics”
Javi
13 years ago
Thanks!!!!!
Vinny
13 years ago
Thanks for the overview. Has helped me decide NOT to go from FCP 7 to X. It looks like iMovie on Steroids. The interface is too different and I'm too old to learn something new. Took me long enough to get comfortable with FCP 7. Unless X works with MP4 files don't see any reason to switch.
FCPX does work with mp4 files, yes. Imports them, etc. But there are many different types of mp4 files, so I'm not sure what you mean.
rdsii64
13 years ago
Final Cut Pro X has handled MP4 files for me with no issues. On the rare occasion I a file that didn't work, clipwrap fixed the problem with out transcoding.
rdsii64
13 years ago
So Far I have never had an MP4 file not function with Final Cut Pro X. When I do have an occasional file compatability issue, Clipwrap solves the problem without transcoding.
Squafdonoboles
13 years ago
How about MPEGs? I have hundreds of clips in MPEG format.
What about MPEGs? Are you referring to the previous question? MP4 files are MPEG files, so the same answer applies: There are many different types of MPEG files, so it depends on which type it is as to whether FCPX will handle it. But most likely it will. If not, you just have to convert them.
Mr Anthony Cotton
13 years ago
This has got me baffled too. I have never even used iMovie, but i am started to get interested, because i want to learn just how to join tutorials together. Have you got a video, or somewhere i can do this. Gary
If you want to join two finished videos together, you can just import them both into iMovie and put them one after each other in the project, then export the new video.
Mr Anthony Cotton
13 years ago
That was a quick answer,because i just nipped off to see the basic editing in iMovie. I know you have wrote two lines, but i am not technical at all. I remember in one of your videos, that if you were next to me now i would get it straight away.
Open iMovie put the videos next to each other,then do you click on export the new video,and they are joined together. ( I have never opened iMovie before) Is that more or less what you do. Gary
Take the time to learn the tool first. It can be frustrating trying to accomplish a task with a tool you have no experience with. Check out all of the MacMost iMovie tutorials (http://macmost.com/tag/imovie) or take a class or buy a book. Don't expect to learn it all instantly -- it takes time.
Mr Anthony Cotton
13 years ago
I nipped off again and there was a QuickTime tutorial about exactly what i wanted to do. I understood most of it,and i think its more user friendly offhand than iMovie. Yes i can understand what you are saying about learning. Example - When it came to learn how to use the Mouse. I tried for about 3 months and gave up. I am not a quitter, so i went back to this place where i was learning just about computers, and i conquered it. Gary
Mr Anthony Cotton
13 years ago
Just the little things that you think of.
I have just found out how you view the other videos. Underneath it says the number of videos on this topic. I just clicked it and hey presto it shows you what the other videos are. I must emphasise that it is these little things that are important. Thats why i have chosen QuickTime for joining videos. I am not a Stephen Spielberg. Thanks again Gary
rdsii64
13 years ago
When I got to the point that iMovie wasn't quite flexible enough, I started trying to learn Final cut Express. Now that I have switched to Final Cut Pro X, its like being set free. So far Final Cut Pro X has been Barney simple to learn compared to Final Cut Expres. Everything that was kludgy difficult in Final Cut Pro express is simple and fast in Final Cut Pro X. It just gets out of your way and lest your work. This app rocks!!
rdsii64
13 years ago
When I said Final Cut Pro Express I meant Final Cut Express
thanks
Sammy
12 years ago
Gary,
I currently have a project in iMovie I have been working on for quite some time. I am interested in Final Cut Pro X and would like to know if I can transfer my iMovie project into FCP X and resume editing where I left off.
MP4 is a file type that contain lots of different things. Perhaps try converting the file to something else with QuickTime Player or MPEG Streamclip.
Dustin Collins
12 years ago
Ok, so my FCPX project is ready for export and I want to make H.264 MP4 so I can play it back on my PS3 easily. I also have compressor and I can't seem to figure out how to get it give me a custom setting for MP4. I wanted the bit rate to be over 10,000 kbps but for some reason the MP4 template in Compressor will not exceed that. Any ideas? Should I just export it as a .mov file than convert it to MP4 in Quicktime or streamclip, would this downgrade the quality any?
If you can't seem to get the result you want with FCPX or Compressor, then MPEG Streamclip is a good option. If you export at high quality (standard export from FCPX should work) and then are using something as high as 10,000 kbps, then quality shouldn't be an issue. It will downgrade the quality (you said "in any way") but I can't imagine it would be noticeable.
Want to know more about how to use Final Cut Pro on your Mac?
Thanks!!!!!
Thanks for the overview. Has helped me decide NOT to go from FCP 7 to X. It looks like iMovie on Steroids. The interface is too different and I'm too old to learn something new. Took me long enough to get comfortable with FCP 7. Unless X works with MP4 files don't see any reason to switch.
FCPX does work with mp4 files, yes. Imports them, etc. But there are many different types of mp4 files, so I'm not sure what you mean.
Final Cut Pro X has handled MP4 files for me with no issues. On the rare occasion I a file that didn't work, clipwrap fixed the problem with out transcoding.
So Far I have never had an MP4 file not function with Final Cut Pro X. When I do have an occasional file compatability issue, Clipwrap solves the problem without transcoding.
How about MPEGs? I have hundreds of clips in MPEG format.
What about MPEGs? Are you referring to the previous question? MP4 files are MPEG files, so the same answer applies: There are many different types of MPEG files, so it depends on which type it is as to whether FCPX will handle it. But most likely it will. If not, you just have to convert them.
This has got me baffled too. I have never even used iMovie, but i am started to get interested, because i want to learn just how to join tutorials together. Have you got a video, or somewhere i can do this. Gary
If you want to join two finished videos together, you can just import them both into iMovie and put them one after each other in the project, then export the new video.
That was a quick answer,because i just nipped off to see the basic editing in iMovie. I know you have wrote two lines, but i am not technical at all. I remember in one of your videos, that if you were next to me now i would get it straight away.
Open iMovie put the videos next to each other,then do you click on export the new video,and they are joined together. ( I have never opened iMovie before) Is that more or less what you do. Gary
Take the time to learn the tool first. It can be frustrating trying to accomplish a task with a tool you have no experience with. Check out all of the MacMost iMovie tutorials (http://macmost.com/tag/imovie) or take a class or buy a book. Don't expect to learn it all instantly -- it takes time.
I nipped off again and there was a QuickTime tutorial about exactly what i wanted to do. I understood most of it,and i think its more user friendly offhand than iMovie. Yes i can understand what you are saying about learning. Example - When it came to learn how to use the Mouse. I tried for about 3 months and gave up. I am not a quitter, so i went back to this place where i was learning just about computers, and i conquered it. Gary
Just the little things that you think of.
I have just found out how you view the other videos. Underneath it says the number of videos on this topic. I just clicked it and hey presto it shows you what the other videos are. I must emphasise that it is these little things that are important. Thats why i have chosen QuickTime for joining videos. I am not a Stephen Spielberg. Thanks again Gary
When I got to the point that iMovie wasn't quite flexible enough, I started trying to learn Final cut Express. Now that I have switched to Final Cut Pro X, its like being set free. So far Final Cut Pro X has been Barney simple to learn compared to Final Cut Expres. Everything that was kludgy difficult in Final Cut Pro express is simple and fast in Final Cut Pro X. It just gets out of your way and lest your work. This app rocks!!
When I said Final Cut Pro Express I meant Final Cut Express
thanks
Gary,
I currently have a project in iMovie I have been working on for quite some time. I am interested in Final Cut Pro X and would like to know if I can transfer my iMovie project into FCP X and resume editing where I left off.
Thanks in advance.
Yes. Final Cut Pro has the ability to import iMovie projects and events.
I recently purchased final cut pro x and it will let me import my mp4 videos but will only play the audio any help?
MP4 is a file type that contain lots of different things. Perhaps try converting the file to something else with QuickTime Player or MPEG Streamclip.
Ok, so my FCPX project is ready for export and I want to make H.264 MP4 so I can play it back on my PS3 easily. I also have compressor and I can't seem to figure out how to get it give me a custom setting for MP4. I wanted the bit rate to be over 10,000 kbps but for some reason the MP4 template in Compressor will not exceed that. Any ideas? Should I just export it as a .mov file than convert it to MP4 in Quicktime or streamclip, would this downgrade the quality any?
If you can't seem to get the result you want with FCPX or Compressor, then MPEG Streamclip is a good option. If you export at high quality (standard export from FCPX should work) and then are using something as high as 10,000 kbps, then quality shouldn't be an issue. It will downgrade the quality (you said "in any way") but I can't imagine it would be noticeable.