Single key "Cut/Splice" or Blade Command?

Hello again!

Whilst scrolling/nudging through some raw footage by using the < > arrow keys, I found it to be very slow and inconvenient to have to hit the "B" key to insert a splice point and then my "P" key (or whatever other key) to get back to a non destructive cursor. I thought, "Wow, wouldn't it be great if I could just nudge my way along, and then when I wanted to make a cut or splice, just hit one key and then continue on my nudging way to my next edit point."

Surely someone has thought of this and it's already doable in FCPX but . . . how?

Thanks for reading this!

Command-B

And take a look at this video (posted before on this site) about editing during playback...



There may be some differences with the current version on FCPX.

Well, that's a wealth of knowledge for sure! Thanks for bringing this clip to my attention Marchyman. Editing during playback is cool and quite useful if for nothing else but speeding up the entire process but I'm sure I'll discover many more uses as I get my feet wet. I'd clued in on the basic key commands (B, V, P etc.) but wasn't aware of the Option additions. Cool!

The "nudge" editing ( using the arrow - left/right) I was doing was very specific in that I wanted to cut on exact frames as opposed to "cutting on the fly". I was hoping for a nudge, nudge, blade, nudge feature whereby I could nudge and then hit one key to cut/splice and then carry on immediately with another nudge. I'll definitely fool around with the advice I've taken from this video and see if that doesn't get me closer to where I'd like to be.

Your time is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

I'll mention it again as well: If anyone needs audio assistance (ProTools or any other audio advice) I'm more than pleased to reciprocate. Don't wanna be a leech here!

P

Command-B cuts without switching tools.

Oops... posted that already. Not thinking, my bad.

Hey Ben,

Hehe thanks! It's the thought that counts.

I suppose having a single key blade command could pose some threats but, perhaps if it (the key ) were strategically located whereby you weren't going to hit it accidentally, it'd be quite convenient.

I'm going to look into editing some key commands

Thanks again for posting!

OK, so Command-B isn't good enough? How so? I'm confused.

No, no . . . ! I'm not good enough LOL! I just like single finger commands. More complicated than that I get messed up

You're not serious, are you?

Sure I am. Why not have a single key command? Maybe it's a right brain/left thing, I dunno.

pwillis wrote: Sure I am. Why not have a single key command? Maybe it's a right brain/left thing, I dunno.

At the risk of incurring Ben's eternal derision, I entirely agree.

Which is why the first thing I did was to swap the keyboard commands for Blade and Blade Tool so that Blade (the action) becomes the B key (no modifier) and Blade Tool (the mode) becomes Cmd B.

To me, it makes far more sense to have the action mapped to a single key and the mode mapped to a key plus modifier. Far easier to hit a single key on the fly than to use a key plus modifier - at least for me

Thanks Simon! Always nice to get s little backup !

Personally, when I'm zoomed in on a clip and nudging it along with the arrow keys, a single key "splice" would just be soooo convenient, fast and accurate. Using the modifier slows the process by having to switch back to the mouse and click and then revert back etc. it interrupts my "flow" big time!

Cheers!

Switch back to the mouse for what?

I find this very interesting because in the several decades I've done technical computer application training to techs and end users, no one ever had an issue with modifier keys.

Personally, one hand on keyboard, one hand on my Magic Trackpad, I don't "switch" between either, and can hit Command-[any key] with one hand. I just find it interesting.

But, as you stated, you can customize the commands to your hearts content.

I think this is touching on a big issue. For me, and probably most, modifier keys are a great thing. They extend the speed related to keyboard shortcuts by at least double, or even treble with a single hand. For me this isn’t so much of an issue. I think they’re great. I’m a long time user of my Wacom tablet and previous to FCPX, was an ex-Avid keyboard junkie, I only used the tablet for graphics (After Effects/C4D) and switched to the mouse for video editing.

With FCPX I’ve found that I can mix it up and keep with the tablet for editing, I still don’t like bringing my pen/hand to the keyboard (rather than letting go of my mouse) but it’s not so bad. A simple example would be the “fn-left arrow” instead of the “home” keys/s with the small Apple keyboard that requires 2 hands. That obviously has the simple solution of using a full size keyboard, but it does show the importance of customisable keyboard sets.

I’m finding that with FCPX, even though it’s almost half way into its second year, and always adjusting its workings, it is currently making it impossible to find a personal keyboard set. Personally I’m ok with that, it is still early, it is a compromise, and getting to know the app/adjusting to it, is evolution just like Darwin told us: Something along the lines of:

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

It’s what I thought when FCPX was first introduced, I’m going along with it and it is doing just fine.

For me there also a “want” related to this. I want to be able to select an edit point and use a keyboard shortcut to skip to the next while taking the edit point with it. I think that would be a great thing.

Edit:

Perhaps a keyboard shortcut to offer the option of moving to the next edit point with the trim tool or without, just like the slip with or without the connection, would be great.

Avid has a community dedicated to "wish lists" and user suggestions which can get voted up or down. Once there are enough votes in favor of a particular mod, Avid carries through with it. I think this is a great idea and if Apple hasn't already done this, it should certainly be considered.

I agree Dave: a key command which brought you to your next edit point would be good. Protools has this feature with it's audio software and more specifically, you can move forward or backward within the audio file to locate specific transients using the "Tab" key hence it's name "Tab to Transients". It's great in that it doesn't just skip to edit points, it is also amplitude sensitive. The same idea could be applied within FPCX. I think it's a great idea!

Adaptation to change is without a doubt, a great asset however, believing that change cannot be manipulated is not. Thankfully we have command modifiers for that!

Adaptation to change is without a doubt, a great asset however, believing that change cannot be manipulated is not.

Ooh, that's nice.

Thank you, I love that stuff.