Final Cut Pro X: Making the Transition

As a very experienced Final Cut Pro 7 editor I was totally flummoxed at trying to make use of FCP X. I would have just ignored it except that the totally rewritten version has tremendous upsides when it comes to mixing video formats, raw speed and other "under the hood" type things. This book, which I downloaded in digital form has been a Godsend in understanding X. It's not hard to learn, but it's not all that intuitive and you really need a book like this to ease the transition.

I appreciate the author, he has all the information and resources down, but the method for training leaves me short. To just read a book and learn it in a technical manual is difficult. I much prefer the method of having working files and following the procedures along with the lessons, I think you learn better. I think this book will come in more useful after I have learned the methods and plan to return to this later after I better understand the changes. I have worked with most versions of FCP for almost ten years, this is a different animal and I felt I needed to train. I just don't think this the best method to quickly learn, better for later. This is not to say it is not a great book written by a well informed person, just the wrong way for early training. I am glad I have this, I hope that is understood. FYI, I have the IPad versions and that is a wonderful way to train, sitting right next to the computer. as good as any book - better. I also bought the Peachpit training system AND this too. I will use the Peachpit (Apple Training Method) first and then back to this, Both are IPad books as well as traditional - either works. LATER UPDATE: Actually the Peachpit training book was old and so far in behind in versions that I threw it out and bought The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro X [Paperback], Rick Young (Author). This was a great book, pretty current, came with web updates and web videos by Rick Young that are just terrific! THIS IS THE BEST BOOK GOING, in my opinion. Get up to speed in just a few sessions! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240523830/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

This is a good quality book in every way, which is reflected in the price. Still, I highly recommend the book for experienced FCP editors needing a handy reference book for the new platform. As the title suggests, the book will be most helpful during the transition. Still, expect to put in your time with X.

My previous editing experience was with 16mm film many years ago. Recently, after experimenting with my smartphone's video capability, I wanted to create a faux trailer for a video contest (Lights! Cameraphone! Action!). I heard that Final Cut Pro X was a powerful but hard to master program, so I went looking for a guide. FINAL CUT PRO X: MAKING THE TRANSITION turned out to be exactly what I wanted: It's clear, encouraging, detailed, practical, well-organizded, and--just often enough--witty. After spending a few hours with it, I felt ready to start editing my first project--a trailer for a documentary. After editing some of the material I had shot, I had questions. A friend recommended that I take training session at the Apple store. Thanks to Larry Jordan's book, I had a foundation that made the training much more valuable. I continue to read and benefit from the book.

Author Larry Jordan is a real gift to the video production community. His explanations on the subject are clear, simple, thorough, and gets right to what editors need to know. Unfortunately this book is now partially outdated due to FCP updates. When I bought the book in late 2014, I was transitioning from FCP 7 to FCP X and did not realize that FCP X had gone through a major overhaul not long after this book was written. As a result, most of what this book explains about Libraries and Events is no longer correct, and other small points here and there have been modified. That made it confusing and cumbersome to read something in the book, find out it was no longer true in the program, and then have to hunt online for the current, correct information (often going to the author's website, where he has great, up-to-date mini tutorials.) Because of this, I'd have to recommend looking to other books to get an introduction to FCP X, and checking to make sure the book is relevant to the current version of FCP X.

I am so happy I bought this book. It is really helpful to learn, and work my way through to be able to use Final Cut Pro X. Larry Johnson has some amazing videos online that have helped me too. I can't wait to see my finished product!

This is an awesome book! Larry Jordan is my hero! I'm new to video editing, and have been using iMovie for the past year. Larry Jordan is making my transition to FCP very fun and informative!

When FCPX came out, I was very frustrated at having to learn yet another editing system. (It is far enough removed from FCP7 that it is really a different program.) This book really helps in the transition. Even though it certainly could be used by someone who is brand new to editing, or who is moving over from another platform or software program, it seems to be particularly valuable to all of us who are making the move from earlier FCPs. For those doing client-driven editing, losing time making the transition is costly. Even though it seems like actual editing instruction takes a while to get to, a careful foundation of file exporting, organization, feature layout, etc. is covered first. With that knowledge in hand (and in particular the knowledge of what's different than FCP7), the actual editing becomes a lot more intuitive and fun. Highly recommended.

This book is an essential tool for anyone starting out with FCPX. I was rather upset and daunted to see all the changes Apple had made to Final Cut with this new edition. I realised it would take me some time to navigate effectively around the software and learn all the new features (and changed names?!) I bought this book in addition to the apple training book, as the workflow and layout of the new editing software is so different to what I am used to. I have only dipped into both books for information on chapters that were relevant to me. Unlike Apple's book, which gives all the technical information on what FCPX does and how to use it, Larry Norman's book considers the advantages and disadvantages of using one set up / form etc. over another, and discussed the 'whys' of the choices available. For example his advice on modifying the audio settings to 'stereo' as opposed to the 'surround' setup by Apple is extremely helpful. His explanations are highly informative giving the user understanding as to the best choices for the individual or project. As an experienced editor his recommendations and insight are taken from someone who is actually using the product and can explain to anyone who has edited using an alternative / or older version the differneces. I highly recommend this book to any editor using FCPX for the first time. (beginner or pro)

Good learning tool.

Utilisateur de Final Cut Pro depuis la version 1.0, j'ai énormément apprécié cette mise à niveau vers FCPX. C'est parfois un peu trop didactique, mais l'auteur couvre toutes les fonctions de FCPX de manière claire et structurée. Une fois lu de bout en bout, il reste une référence pour telle ou telle fonction car il est impossible de tout mémoriser tant il y a de nouveautés dans ce logiciel. La courbe d'apprentissage n'est pas raide, elle est verticale. Mais, au bout du compte, quelle puissance et quelle efficacité ! L'ouvrage est très bien mis en page, ce qui ne gâte rien et améliore d'autant la lisibilité.

Not much useful

I bought this book as I am trying to move on from i-Movie 11 to FCPX. It is indeed a transition but is in many ways easier to use than i-Movie. The book guides you through the many subtle differences and locates the hidden menus without too much fuss. I can see that the scope of the topics covered will meet the requirements of beginners and experts alike. I have loaned my book to a friend, who is undergoing a similar learning curve to myself, and he has very quickly placed his order for a copy . The book arrived well packed as always, from Amazon, and very promptly