Arranging FCP to look like Windows Movie Maker!

ShamrockFilms

ShamrockFilms

Well-known member
learned the basics of editing on a PC in Windows Movie Maker and now I'm on a G5 using FCP like the big boys, only problem is I can't see the audio graph in the audio timeline so it's really hard for me to cut scenes. I'm basically having to listen to where I should cut to a new scene rather than seeing it in a graph in the timeline.

Question:
I see that I can double click on the audio timeline to see the graph, but the video doesn't play along with it. How do I get the audio graph in the timeline so I can see where the audio breaks and make it easier to edit? Or how do i get the audio graph to play along with the video?

Another quick question:
Is crossfade the only video transition to fade in and out of scenes? Movie Maker had a great fade in and out. Thanks.
 
Go under user preferences>timeline options>show audio waveforms. That should do it for ya.

No, the crossfade isn't the only transition. Go under effects> video transition, and do some experimenting to find the one you are looking for. If you want to adjust the length of the transition you can double click on it and change the time length in the viewer window or you can control click the transition in the timeline, select duration and adjust the length there.
 
I just got the Mac 2 days ago. Im watching all the training videos, working hard and learning fast. Im under pressure to finish a trailer. I'll look at the manual after Im done with all the videos and watched them a few more times. Thanks Blaine.
 
Explanation accepted. Really, try and get the book I recommended to you because it will really put you miles ahead.

Regarding the sequence problem. My fault. I gave you the instructions to set up all new sequences. To change the current one follow this:

Sequence>Settings>Timeline Options>check the Show Audio Waveform box.

This will change the settings for your current sequence. Be sure you sequence (in the timeline) is active.

Hope that helps.
 
I know you are under a deadline to make a trailer, but I find listening for the beat is much faster than using the waveform.


-A
 
Here's a trick I use a lot with music videos, or video work that relies on syncing to sound. Turn off your video tracks so you can't see them (little green things to the left of each track). Play the Seqeunce all the way through to get to know the sound really well. Then, with your finger hovering over the M key, play again and hit the M key where you hear edits needing to be done. This will give you Markers. I find it's way better than looking at wave forms.

And forget everything you ever learned about that Windows applicaiton. You're in a whole new universe now. Welcome on board!

To help you get up to speed faster, check out my series of articles in Event DV (free subscription). They just started few months ago, so we started at the begining and are progressively getting more advanced. Go to www.eventdv.net and so a search there for Cut Lines.

The Apple Pro Training Series book is the best to learn from initially, too. Don't let the huge size fool you, it's easy and quicker than most expect. Just do one chapter every couple of days. You'll be a pro in no time.
 
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