Final Cut Pro X An Up and Running Guide by jason kohlbrenner Version 10.2.1 - Updated 07.10.2015
This guide has been designed to give
you a basic overview of starting a
project in Final Cut Pro X and seeing
it through completion over a short
period of time. It is a companion
piece to the hands on training that
you will be receiving in class or in the
lab. You can also use it as a refresher whenever you are working in Final Cut Pro X.
There are many things that this guide does not cover, so we have included some
resources that are available at the end of this document.
Editing is fun, and this program allows you to tap into your creativity without bogging
you down with technical processes. Whether you are brand new to the world of video
production, or a veteran who has worked with a variety of NLE’s, you will have a good
time learning and using this program.
There is a learning curve to the program. While not steep, its not without it’s flaws and
quirks, but nothing out there is perfect. So, if you have any questions at all, don’t
hesitate to ask someone. After all video production is a team sport!
Have fun!
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Computers & External Devices
Computer Configuration System Requirements for Final Cut Pro X 10.2.x
● Apple computer ● Operating System: OS X v10.10.2 (Yosemite) or later ● Memory: 4GB of RAM (8GB is recommended for 4K editing and 3D Titles) ● Graphics: OpenCL Graphics card or Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later with 256MB of
VRAM (Video Memory)
External Hard Drives
Working with video can be very taxing to your computer. That being said, the best practice is to
make sure that all of your files are located on an external hard drive that is attached to your
computer. Working off your computer's internal hard drive is not ideal, and cause problems
down the road.
When choosing an external hard drive, the faster the connection type the better. Thunderbolt &
USB 3.0 hard drives are ideal for editing HD video. They are fast and meet today’s current
standards. Firewire hard drives are capable of editing HD video, but can become sluggish as
your project grows. USB 2.0 hard drives are much slower and are not ideal for working with HD
video.
A Note about USB 3.0 Hard Drives Not all computers USB ports are capable of embracing the speed of USB 3.0.
While USB 3.0 hard drives will work on most computers, they will often times be working at
slower speeds which are not fast enough to edit HD video. Know what your computer is
capable of before purchasing a new hard drive.
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Create Project Folder with Subfolders
1. Create a Project Folder on your external hard drive using the following structure:
Organizing your Media
Create a folder for the days media
Before copying over the media from your card files, within the content type folder, make a new
folder naming it according to the date and card number that you are about to copy over (ie.
20140407Card 1).
Note: Never use Slashes (/) when naming files or folders!
Copy Media into Project Folder
Copy the entire contents of the card into the folder you just created.
Cameras sometimes generate a number of folders that contain files other than your video and
image files. These files usually contain valuable metadata that your editing software can be
used in a number of different ways. It is always preferred to keep the contents and structure of
the card in place. Final Cut Pro can interpret these card structures and utilize any metadata that
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corresponds to your media files.
Tip: If you organize your files prior to importing, Final Cut Pro can acknowledge the work you
have done and sort your files accordingly.
Final Cut Pro
Program Layout
Tool Bar
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Importing Media
Configure Final Cut Pro Preferences To access the Preferences, in the menu under Final Cut Pro choose Preferences
I. Playback Preferences
● Rendering Check the “Background Render” box and set to “Start after 60 seconds”
II. Import Preferences
● Files: Select “Leave files in place” ● Transcoding: Keep both boxes unchecked ● Keywords: Check “From Finder Tags” & “From Folders” ● Video: Keep box unchecked ● Audio: Check “Separate mono and group stereo audio” & “Remove
silent channels”
III. Destinations
● From the left column choose “Master File”. In the right column, change the “Video codec” setting to H.264.
Remember: When using the lab computers, you will need to adjust your preference settings each time you work on your project!
Create a Library for your project
A Library the foundation of your Final Cut Pro project. It is a container that holds all of the
media and projects that you are working on. Libraries easily facilitate the sharing of projects
from one editor to another.
Multiple libraries can be opened at one time and you can close libraries at any time. When
opening Final Cut Pro from the dock or application folder, a Library named “Untitled” will load.
Close this Library!
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Close the default Untitled Library
1. Right click (ControlClick) on the library you wish to close 2. Choose Close Library “Untitled” from the menu
(Libraries can also be closed from the File menu and choosing Close Library)
Create a new Library
1. In the Menu bar, choose File > New > Library 2. Navigate to your the project folder that you created 3. In the Save As field, name your Library and click Save
Setting Library Properties
After you name your new library, the Library Properties inspector pane will open.
1. In the “Storage Locations” area, click Modify Settings.
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2. In the Storage Location popup window, under the “Backups” dropdown, select Choose…
3. On your External Hard Drive, select your Assignment Materials Folder, then choose “FINAL CUT”.
4. Click Choose
5. Match your settings to the settings in the screen above. Then click OK.
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6. Your “Library Properties” pane should look like the image above. With the “Backups” location now listing the folder FINAL CUT
Opening Libraries Libraries can also be used to open up Final Cut Pro when in the Finder. Simply double click on the library in your project folder to launch the Final Cut Pro application. Once the application opens your Library will open with it.
Events
Events are another type of container that reside within a Library. The event container is one
method of organizing your media. Multiple events can exist in a library and media can be
shared between events.
We will be using two events structure in our Library: Media & Timelines.
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Rename Existing Event
Whenever you create a new library, a default event is created. This event usually is labeled
with the current date (ie: 20150107). We will be changing the name of the event to Media.
1. Click on the name of the existing event to activate the text entry field
2. Change the name to Media and press Return to change the name of the event
Create a New Event
1. RightClick on your Library and select New Event (OptionN) 2. A new event is created with an activated text entry field 3. Change the name to Timelines and press Return to name the new event.
Importing
Import Window The import window has four panes: the sidebar (left), viewer (top), import options (right) and the browser (bottom).
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Media Import Options
Add your Project Folder to the Sidebar 1. Navigate to the hard drive or location where your Project Folder resides. 2. From the Browser pane in the Import window, drag your Project Folder over to
the label Favorites in the Sidebar. 3. A green circle with a + will appear, let go of the mouse button and a shortcut to
your Project Folder will appear.
Importing Media You have configured your project folder and organized your media according to the date and card number. The import window is the most efficient way of adding an organizing media into an event.
I. Importing AVCHD Media 1. Select your Project Folder from the Sidebar. 2. Using the Browser pane, navigate to the folder that
contains the media that you want to import. 3. In the Import Options pane, make sure the
following options are selected: ○ Files: Copy to library ○ Audio: Separate mono and group stereo
audio & Remove silent channels 4. Click Import
II. Importing DSLR Media, Audio & Graphics 1. Select your Project Folder from the Sidebar. 2. Using the Browser pane, navigate to the folder that
contains the media that you want to import. 3. In the Import Options pane, make sure the
following options are selected: a. Files: Leave files in place b. Audio: Separate mono and group stereo
audio & Remove silent channels 4. Click Import
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The Import Window will close after you click on the Import button. You will see the thumbnails of the media you are importing populating the Browser pane in the main Final Cut Pro window.
NOTE: Do not work with any media until all of the clips have completely finished importing. A small white circles on a clip in the Browser pane, indicates that the clip is in the process or needs to finish importing. Working with media that is not fully imported can cause problems when sharing / exporting your project.
Clip not finished importing
➽ Import complete
Organizing Clips
There are a variety of ways that Final Cut Pro can be used to organize and manage your files. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with your footage, the more efficient you can creatively edit your project. Events are one method of organization that you can Keyword collections and the rating system that is built into the application, are a couple of ways in which Final Cut Pro speeds up the creative process.
Keyword Collections
Media contained in an event can be assigned a keyword so that it can be easily found or searched for. Keywords can be assigned to full clips, or portions of a clip. There is no limit to the number of keywords that a clip can be assigned to.
Keyword Collections are virtual folders that can be found in the Library pane within an Event. Highlighting a keyword collection will display all of the clips with that keyword in the browser. This filtering speeds up the process of looking for clips.
Keywords can be added to a clip through the Keyword Editor or by dragging a clip into a Keyword Collection in the Library pane.
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Using the Keyword Editor 1. Select a clip or portion of a clip.
2. Click on the in the toolbar or press CommandK to open the Keyword Editor. 3. When the Keyword Editor opens, in the text area type a name for the keyword. 4. Within the event container, a Keyword Collection will be generated containing your
keyworded clip and any other clips with that keyword.
Creating a Keyword Collection from an Event 1. Rightclick (ControlClick) on the event that you would like to contain the Keyword
Collection. 2. From the menu choose New Keyword Collection. 3. A new Keyword Collection will appear under the event container with the text label
highlighted 4. Enter the name of the Keyword collection and press Return
Removing a Keyword 1. Select the clip that you want to remove the keyword from.
2. Open the Keyword Editor or (CommandK) 3. In the Keyword Editor, select the keyword you want to remove and press (Delete)
Rating Clips
The rating system within Final Cut Pro is another great way of adding metadata to a clip so that it can be found easily. ratings that can be given to clips are: Favorite, Unrated, and Rejected. Clips that are rated can then be quickly filtered by using the filter popup menu at the top of the Browser panel.
Favorited clips or sections of a clip can be renamed in the list view of the browser which is searchable in the Event Browser. In Filmstrip View, favorited clips have a green line through the marked section, while rejected clips have a red line through the marked section:
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In List View, favorited clips have a green star badge, while rejected clips have a red X badge:
Rejected clips or portions of a clip can be instantly filtered out using the filter popup menu.
Rating / Un-rating a Clip or Section of a Clip 1. Select a clip or portion of a clip. 2. From the rating section of the toolbar, click on the appropriate rating:
● Favorite: Green Star (F) ● Unrate: Hollow White Star (U) ● Rejected: Red X (Delete Key)
Syncing Clips
When you are working with video clips that have associated sound files from an external
recording device, combining them into a Synchronized Clip makes working with the content
much easier.
Synchronizing Video and Audio Clips
1. In the Browser, select your video clip, and while pressing the Command key, select the
associated audio clip.
2. With the clips selected, Rightclick (ControlClick) and from the shortcut menu choose
Synchronize Clips.
3. In the background a new clip will be created in the event named:
“video clip name Synchronized Clip”.
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Working in the Timeline
The timeline is where you will construct your story. The process begins by creating a rough cut, loosely structuring the story. Through editing and trimming, the story begins to take shape and the timing starts to work itself out. This is followed by fleshing out the story using Broll and other supporting material. The timeline is where the fun begins!
Creating a Project
A project in Final Cut Pro is essentially a sequence where you will craft your story. Projects are
located within an event, but can be made up of any media that is contained within the Project
Library.
Create a Project
1. In your Project Library, rightclick (controlclick) on the Timelines event and choose New Project (CommandN) from the shortcut menu.
2. In the Project Properties Dialog, complete the following : ○ Project Name: Last Name Story Title v 1 ○ In Event: Timelines
3. Click on the “Use Custom Settings” button. 4. Set your “Video Properties” to Custom and match the following settings:
○ Format: 1080p HD ○ Resolution: 1920x1080 ○ Rate: 29.97p
5. Press OK
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A project will be created in the Timelines event and will be located at the top. By default, the first video clip that gets added to a project will set the project properties according to the properties of the video clip. If you need to work within a specific set of parameters, you can set you project properties in the Project Properties Dialog.
Duplicate a Project After you have started a project, it is a good habit to duplicate and work from a new version your project before you make any changes. Versioning gives you an opportunity to go back to point in time where your edit was solid if you may ever need.
1. In the Browser, rightclick (controlclick) on the project that you wish to duplicate, and from the popup menu select Duplicate (CommandD).
2. Change the version number of the duplicate project to the next number in the sequence. 3. Open project and work with this newly created version.
Working in the Primary Storyline
The Primary Storyline is the backbone of your story. This is
represented by the darker area in your project timeline. The
primary storyline has magnetic properties which when moving
clips around changing their order, the others will shift themselves
to the left or right to make room for the clip you are adjusting.
When you delete a clip, the clips ripple to close any gaps.
Inserting a clip, will cause the clips in the timeline to split and shift
down all while maintaining a continuous stream of playback.
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Adding Clips to the Timeline
Clips can be added to the primary storyline by either dragging the clip from the browser panel
down to the timeline or by using the Connect, Insert and Append buttons in the toolbar:
● Connect: (Q is the shortcut command)
Connected clips attach themselves to clips in the primary storyline either according to
the position of your skimmer (primary) or your playhead (secondary).
● Insert: (W is the shortcut command)
Inserting a clip will insert a clip at the position of your skimmer (primary) or your
playhead (secondary) and ripple the the clips in the storyline further down the timeline.
● Append: (E is the shortcut command)
When you append a clip, it will always place itself at the end of your primary storyline.
Trimming Clips
After you have started to layout clips in your primary storyline, you can begin to finesse and set the pacing of your story. The trim tools are what you will use for fine tuning.
● Select Tool (A) The select tool will allow you to move your clips around in the timeline. It will also allow you to perform trim functions on the edges of clips. When clicking on the edge of a clip the mouse pointer changes into ripple trim mode and allows you to adjust either the start point or end point of clip.
● Yellow Edge: indicates that you have footage either before the head of
the selected clip or footage after the end of the selected clip. ● Red Edge: Indicates that you have reached either the absolute
beginning of the clip or the absolute end of the clip.
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Gap Clips The magnetic properties of the timeline are not always helpful when it comes to the pacing of the story. To achieve the right flow, Gap clips can be sued to add little pauses and breaths. These are quite useful to enhancing the overall story. Once a gap is introduced, it is treated like any other clip in your timeline.
● Inserting a Gap Clip through the Edit Menu 1. Position the playhead at the position in the timeline where you want to insert the
gap clip. 2. In the Menu Bar select Edit > Insert Generator > Gap (OptionW)
Doing this will insert a 3 second Gap clip into the timeline where you positioned your playhead.
● Replacing a Clip with a Gap As you are working on your story sometimes you need to remove a clip without it effecting the rest of your edit. To replace a clip with a Gap clip:
1. Select the clip in your timeline. 2. Press ShiftDelete. This will delete the clip and replace it with a Gap clip
Blade Tool (B)
Now that you are comfortable inserting Gap clips into your timeline, the Blade tool provides you with a method of splitting a clip in an area that could benefit from a removing a word, or simply create a pause. The blade tool can be used
● to cut out a section of a clip. ● to separate and move a portion of a clip ● create gaps when used in conjunction with the replace with
gap command (ShiftDelete)
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Shaping the Story
Once you have the worked out the pacing and flow of your story, its time to begin dressing it up and using some of that great footage you recently shot. To do this we are going to move outside of our primary storyline and begin to work above and below it.
Connecting Clips: Adding B-roll & Sound When working with video or still images, the image that is on top is what the viewer will see. Viewing the clips in the image on the left, as the playhead moves forward in time, clip DN_9390 will be the only video visible until the playhead moves past the end of the clip revealing clip directly below it. Audio on the other hand, will always play through. Because of this, we can work more creatively with the visual in ways which either compliment the audio or to simply cover our gaps and long segments of interview.
Connecting a Clip to the Primary Storyline 1. Cue the playhead to the location where you would like to cover. 2. In your Browser pane, select the clip you would like to use.
3. In your Toolbar, press the button (Q) to connect the clip to your playhead.
NOTE: When you connect a clip:
● Video clips will always connect above the primary storyline. ● Audio clips will always connect below the primary storyline
You can always drag the connected clip to another location either above or below the primary storyline.
Once a clip is connected to another, the connected clip assumes the role as a child to the clip it is connected to. When you move the parent clip, the connected clip will move with it. This is very helpful when rearranging clips in your timeline.
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Transitions A transition is the change from one clip to the next. There are a variety of different transitions, but we will focus on straight cuts and crossdissolves. Straight Cut
CrossDissolve
While straight cuts are the most common type of transition. It is used to move quickly from one
clip to another. Crossdissolves are used to slowly transition between clips. Crossdissolves
are commonly used for scene transitions.
There are a wide variety of transitions available to use in the Transition Browser, located on the
right side of the toolbar.
Transition Browser button
Adding the Default Transition (Cross-Dissolve)
1. Click on the edge of the clip where you would like to add the crossdissolve. 2. Press CommandT, this will add the default transition, which is most commonly the
CrossDissolve.
Adding a Transition from the Transition Browser 3. Click on the edge of the clip where you would like to add the
transition. 4. in the Transition Browser, select the transition you want to use, and
doubleclick on the transition. This will add the transition to the edge of the clip(s) that you selected.
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Working with Audio Audio can make or break your project. A nice clear sound will keep the viewer engaged. Poor
audio or fluctuations, pops or extraneous noises can be distracting causing the viewer to lose
focus on what is happening in the story. Luckily, Final Cut Pro has some nice tools for working
with Audio.
Activating the Audio Meters
The audio meters can be found in the Dashboard located in the middle of the tool bar to the right of the timecode. There is another set of audio meters that are located at the end of your timeline. If the audio meters in the timeline are hidden, simply click on the audio meters in the dashboard (Center of the Toolbar) to reveal them.Adjusting Audio Levels
Adjusting Clip Volume Levels
Adjustments to the volume levels of a clip can be modified in the two places:
lower portion of a clip.
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the Audio tab of the Inspector
Changing Clip Levels
Using the Inspector Drag the volume level in in the Volume and Pan section of your Audio Inspector panel to the right to increase volume, and to the left to decrease volume
Inside the clip 1. Drag your Select tool over the black Volume Control line. It will turn into the icon
you see below. 2. Click and move the level line up to increase the volume. Movel the level line
down to decrease the volume. 3. The amount you are changing the volume will be displayed in the badge above
your mouse pointer
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Fading Audio In and Out Audio is present all of the time in our clips. When we are making our selects or trimming our ins & outs to the perfect spots, sometimes we will end up with audio pops at the beginning or end of a clip that might sound a little jarring. A way to combat this is to fade in / fade out the audio at the beginning and end of the clip. When you select a clip in the timeline, you will see a handle appear on the level line at the start and end of the clip.
To fade the audio in or out, simple drag these handles into the clip. A timing flag will appear letting you know the duration of the fade. Adjust until you feel that the sound is right.
Adding Keyframes Sometimes you will need to duck audio in and out due to a loud noise or as a way of transitioning smoothly from one sound bite to another. Keyframes are points that can be set on the audio level line which allow you to change the volume at that point. Keyframes usually work in pairs, one acting as the anchor and the other the manipulator. There are two ways of creating keyframes:
1. OptionClicking on the audio level line 2. Using the Range tool
Creating Keyframes - Option-Click with the Select Tool 1. Position the Select tool over the place in the audio where you want to make a keyframe
and press Option.
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2. While holding down the Option key, you will notice a small diamond appear beside the Select Tool.
3. OptionClicking will place a Keyframe. 4. Move the Select tool to where you want to put the next keyframe and OptionClick place
it. 5. Using your select tool, click and drag the second keyframe up to ramp up the audio level
or down to decrease the volume.
Create Keyframes using the Range Tool
1. From your tool palette, choose the Range Selection tool [R] 2. Using the Range Selection tool, select the range that you would like to adjust the
volume.
3. Hovering over the audio level line, click and drag it to the desired volume level.
4. Return to the Selection Tool [S] and select the clip. 5. You will see the 4 keyframes that were created when you adjusted the volume level.
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Titles Titles are extremely easy to work with in Final Cut Pro. There are a variety of styles that you can select from in the Title pane ranging from the most basic to prebuilt animated title sequences.
Adding a Title / Lower Third 1. Position your playhead to the location you would like to add the title. 2. Doubleclick on the title in the title pane. This will result in the title connecting to your
primary storyline at the playhead position.
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Inserting a Title into the Primary Storyline 1. Position your playhead to the location you would like to add the title. 2. Select the title you want to use in your title pane.
3. Perform an Insert Edit by pressing the insert button [W]. 4. The title will be inserted into your primary storyline at the playhead position.
NOTE, this will cause the rest of your timeline to ripple
Modifying a Title / Lower Third 1. Position your playhead over the title or lower third you are modifying. 2. Click to select the title. 3. In the Viewer window, doubleclick on the text to make it active for editing
4. Begin to fill in the title or name of your subject. 5. When you are done press Return
Titles can also be modified in the Inspector pane. In the Inspector you will have control over more variables like fonts, color, font size, spacing, etc.
To access these controls, click on the Inspector button in the tool bar.
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Sharing a Project / Exporting Whether you have just finished your project or are exporting a cut for review, we will need to get the project out of Final Cut Pro. To do this we will be using the Share menu to create two versions of your story: a Master copy and a compressed version for viewing on the web, mobile devices and personal computers.
Creating a H.264 Version for Class A high quality Master file that you just created cannot be viewed on most computers. Thus, you will need to also create a version that is playable on both PC’s and Macs, as well as a version that can be uploaded to video sharing sites like Vimeo & YouTube.
1. Go through your timeline and double check the following: ○ Check the end of your timeline to see if you have any extra footage or gap clips
at the end of your time line that you don’t need. Everything in your projects timeline gets exported.
○ Make sure that all of your clips are active and your audio levels are audible. ○ Proof read your titles and lower thirds making sure names and titles are spelled
correctly.
2. With your timeline window activated, click the Share button in at the far right of the toolbar.
3. From the Share Project menu, select Master File
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4. The Master File Info window will popup. Make sure to fill out the following fields:
○ Title: Last NameProject NameH.264 ○ Description: add a brief description of your project ○ Creator: enter your name ○ Tags: these reference the keywords and events used in your project
5. Click on the Settings tab, and configure the following:
○ Format: Video and Audio ○ Video Codec: H.264
6. Click Next. 7. In the Save As window, navigate to your Project folder > OUTPUT. Make sure the file is
named properly and click Save
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What is H.264? This refers to the video compression codec that has been adopted as an open standard. Meaning, that the file format is playable on a number of different devices as well as a variety of programs on both the Mac & PC.
Creating a Master File A Master file is a high quality version of your project that is used for primarily used for archive. This master file can be used with file conversion programs like Apple’s Compressor to generate different versions of your story for distribution across multiple platforms. Follow these steps to create a Master File of your story:
8. Go through your timeline and double check the following: ○ Check the end of your timeline to see if you have any extra footage or gap clips
at the end of your time line that you don’t need. Everything in your projects timeline gets exported.
○ Make sure that all of your clips are active and your audio levels are audible. ○ Proof read your titles and lower thirds making sure names and titles are spelled
correctly.
9. With your timeline window activated, click the Share button in at the far right of the toolbar.
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10. From the Share Project menu, select Master File
11. The Master File Info window will popup. Make sure to fill out the following fields:
○ Title: Last NameProject NameMaster ○ Description: add a brief description of your project ○ Creator: enter your name ○ Tags: these reference the keywords and events used in your project
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12. Click on the Settings tab, and configure the following:
○ Format: Video and Audio ○ Video Codec: Apple ProRes 422
13. Click Next. 14. In the Save As window, navigate to your Project folder > OUTPUT. Make sure the file is
named properly and click Save
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This can’t be all! What’s next? This guide is meant to provide you with a general overview of a basic Final Cut Pro X workflow from start to finish. There is so much more that the program is capable of and I encourage you to explore and test the limits of your creativity and how this tool can work for you. If you are left wanting to know more, here are some resources that I have found extremely useful in expanding my knowledge of Final Cut Pro X.
● Final Cut Pro X 10.1 Professional PostProduction by Brendan Boykin This is the official Final Cut Pro X training guide used for Final Cut Pro Training and Certification. It is extremely useful and you can purchase both hard copies and digital versions
● Ripple Training http://www.rippletraining.com/ Ripple Training is a great resource for Final Cut Pro X tutorials as well as a variety of other software. They offer both free and paid tutorials and guides covering the most basic functions to advanced functions like color correction, compositing, multicam, and audio finishing just to name a few.
● FCP.co http://www.fcp.co According to their website, they aim to be the number one Final Cut resource on the net. In my opinion they definitely are. Loaded with news, reviews and tutorials that center around Final Cut Pro X, FCP.co also has the largest community forum discussing FCPX. If you enjoy working with the program, make it a habit to visit this site regularly. It is loaded with free plugins and chock full of great information.
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Thanks... I would also like to give a huge thanks to Joe Blum. Joe has designed a lot of the workflows that we are using in this guide as well as an amazing Final Cut Pro guidebook that covers so much more. The book Final Cut Pro X 10.1 Professional PostProduction by Brendan Boykin, was referenced regularly while creating this guide. It is a great book and I encourage you to seek it out. I hope you found this guide beneficial. If you ever have any questions regarding Final Cut Pro X, or any other video related software, feel free to contact me. My information is below. Cheers jason
jason kohlbrenner apple certified trainer: Final Cut Pro X supervisor: production operations newhouse school of public communications 241 newhouse 3 email: [email protected] twitter: @thisbluehippo
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