What training on FCP X to come from FCP 7

andrew00

Well-known member
Hey,

I've been using FCP 7 for years and like a lot of people never liked FCP X when it came out.

Now it's pretty solid I'm interested in learning about it and maybe making the switch.

Can anyone recommend a training program that isn't super beginner - aka something that is perhaps designed for people who knew FCP 7 and who are looking to understand FCP X but who don't need being told what basic functionality is.

Cheers!
 
I haven't seen anything like that, probably because FCPX is so different. And, there are quite a few workflow changes from 10.0.x to 10.1, so make sure that any training you use has been updated to include that. Some training just adds a "what's new in 10.1" feature, but some have totally redone their training for 10.1. For general training, the sources that most seem to use are Ripple Training, Larry Jordan, and MacProVideo. Each has a very different style so you might want to check out some free samples to see if you like the approach or not.
 
Cheers for the reply.

So do you think it's prob best if I just do a training course (one updated as you suggested) from scratch and just breeze through the early bits just to get a complete up to date?
 
Yes - although the early bits are really what's different - you can skim thru the parts about what a roll and slip edit are :-). Just approach with an open mind and be open to new terminology and possibly a new workflow.

I didn't come to it until 6 months after it came out, and had been using Final Cut "Classic" for several years. But I was also familiar with iMovie and had even done a bit of informal iMovie training for Apple Ed Sales in my neck of the woods, so I had no problem at all with the general interface.

FCPX really likes a lot of ram, cpu, and gpu power. And it really runs better on a newer Mac, especially if you're doing something complex or long. And it's faster on 10.1, which requires Mavericks.

Good luck with it - I really like it.
 
Agree with ddixon. I've used Larry Jordan's stuff in the past and he's great. For FCPX, I used Ripple training and was really happy.

Izzy Video has a series of free FCPX tutorials here. However, it looks like he only has them updated through 10.0 so it might make sense to jump straight to a paid version if you have the cash.
 
Your training will only go so far. The projects from what I've seen, can't be migrated forward. It's like starting all over again. New app, new workflow. From all the reviews I've read over the last few years, the consensus seems to be that Premiere is more like the FCP7 workflow, and FCPX is a good program, but very different approach. I went to Premiere myself, and the timeline approach is similar to FCP7 but better. My brief experience with FPCX was, to put it mildly, like working with iMovie. Meaning so very different as to be like driving in the UK. But of course, people (like me) got used to driving in the UK. However, it wasn't worth it. Just sayin'. My recommendation is to check out Larry Jordan's web site. He's totally in the FCPX is fabulous camp.
 
Cool I'll def check Larry out as a starting point and give it a whirl, from scratch hehe. Thanks y'all!
 
Your training will only go so far. The projects from what I've seen, can't be migrated forward. It's like starting all over again. New app, new workflow. From all the reviews I've read over the last few years, the consensus seems to be that Premiere is more like the FCP7 workflow, and FCPX is a good program, but very different approach. I went to Premiere myself, and the timeline approach is similar to FCP7 but better. My brief experience with FPCX was, to put it mildly, like working with iMovie. Meaning so very different as to be like driving in the UK. But of course, people (like me) got used to driving in the UK. However, it wasn't worth it. Just sayin'. My recommendation is to check out Larry Jordan's web site. He's totally in the FCPX is fabulous camp.

Nothing is worth it if you don't put the time to learn to use it properly. You had a "brief experience" with X and read the reviews, so you parrot the outdated iMovie reference. FCPX may seem similar to iMovie on the surface, but it is a deep and powerful NLE. Powerful enough to cut a major Hollywood studio movie http://vimeo.com/83441833

If you want something like FCP7, then stay with FCP7 or go to Premiere. If you are interested in a modern NLE, a new and different workflow that dramatically increases your editing speed, then learn FCPX. And you CAN migrate your FCP7 projects to X.
 
To echo a few sentiments already mentioned: Ripple and Larry Jordan are both excellent training sources. I just finished Larry Jordan's FCPX 10.1 Training, and it was immensely helpful. He starts off with overviews of new features that will get you moving quickly.

As an experienced editor in PPro and FCP7 who'd already done some self-training in X, I found some of the chapters to be a bit slow moving. That said, FCPX is such a different piece of software that it's worth the time to watch them all. Your current editing background will definitely help you learn faster, and X really opens up opportunities to speed up your workflow immensely IMO.

Next I'm going to buy Ripple Training's "FCPX In Depth".

Good luck!
 
To echo a few sentiments already mentioned: Ripple and Larry Jordan are both excellent training sources. I just finished Larry Jordan's FCPX 10.1 Training, and it was immensely helpful. He starts off with overviews of new features that will get you moving quickly.

I haven't used any of Larry Jordan's training so I can't comment on its quality, but if you're going that route here's a coupon code that just landed in my inbox for $50 off: FCPX-COMP
 
I was quite happy with FCP6 on Snow leopard, until my graphics card started showing signs of failure, forcing me to buy a new Macbook Pro 15 inch 2.8 ghz 16 gigs of ram and a 764 ssd drive..... a big step up from my 2010 model. There is no going back after Retina..... but I digress.

I thought this is the perfect time to get FCPX. Although I was at home, happy, and knew my way around FCP6.... so the idea of learning a new NLE was not something I was looking forward to, but I have to admit ..... FCPX is lots of fun! The main difference is it seems everything is already thought out for you. imagine aliens design a spacecraft that an ape can fly by just pressing the iconic buttonry. It does everything for you..... I was shocked to find you didn't even have to save anything it did it for you.

Since I'm the kind of person who never reads manuals, I ended up getting Larry Jordan's FCPX 10.1 set of videos. I think the hardest thing to get used to is the new timeline without tracks. It just seems like all the overly complicated workflows in FCP6&7 have been streamlined.

I don't know if it's my new computer with retina and blazing fast speeds, or the new FCPX, or both but dang! I'm having loads of fun.
 
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