FCP Hints & Tips

Create a "Virtual Clip" In Final Cut Pro, double-click on a video in the media browser. It will then show in the viewer. Scrub to the start of the clip.... hit the capital I key (sets the in point). Scrub to the end of the clip, hit the capital O key (sets the out point). Now, drag the video from the viewer down to the timeline and you have a clip. You can also drag it over to the media browser and it will create a virtual clip you can use just like a video.

If you want an "on disk" clip, first create a reference movie Run QT7 on the movie. Now, scrub to the in point, hit the capital I key. Scrub to the out point, hit the capital O key. Now, File -> Save As... but save it as a "reference movie". It will save it instantly. The reference movie is a 100% legitimate quicktime movie that you can use in a project if you wish. Note that it refers to the original movie.

If you need to split or remove a segment of a clip you can do so with the Razor Blade tool. The clip must be on the timeline. See this helpful tutorial.

Got any FCP hints and tips? Add them here.