Ten things I hate about FCP ...

Question

I have recently trained on Final Cut Pro, and have worked on various edit suites up to date.
Firstly I actually quite like FCP, and think it is a robust editor that is real value for money. I am amazed at some of the unique features and ideas at work in FCP.
And it's amazing how much it can do out of the box!
But there a re a few things that bother me.
Can anyone suggest if I am going about things the wrong way, or if these are "features" of FCP; I am not suggesting that any of these are not fixable, or that I am not missing some small check box, please enlighten me if you know a fix.
Here is what I hate about FCP:
1) "Sync Lock" is always on:
If I edit an interview on V1A12; then decide to put some cutaways on tracks V2A34. I like what I have done, but want to ripple delete half a shot in the center of the cutaways.
So I make sure I only have V2A34 on "Auto select", I turn off "Linked selection", I mark an In and Out, and hit "ripple delete".
But it makes a hole? It doesn't ripple delete.
I constantly find myself hitting this brick wall, of clips strangely sync locking to others.
How do I turn this off?
I know I can "track lock" the tracks I don't want to touch, but it then is just too many mouse clicks every time I want to ripple delete.
It just slows my momentum and feels like something from imovie, not a "pro" app.
2) Anamorphic errors:
I work in PAL 16:9; looks good most of the time. But why does it go stretched when capturing? Or when I trim one preview is wrong, color can't even do 16:9?
That's some poor code guys.
3) Insert and Overwrite jumps to timeline:
When I select I/O points on a clip, and press "insert" or "overwrite" it goes in to the time line, but it also automatically highlights the timeline / canvas window.
"What's the problem?" I hear you ask, well say I am creating a sequence from a clip, I want to easily just play and mark I/O points and insert, then continue to play and mark more points. But in FCP it forces me to every time press "toggle windows" to get back to the viewer window, or click the mouse.
More extra clicks or presses that slows my momentum.
4) Color grading ***** in FCP:
Has no-one asked why it is so hard to create a curves based "filter" in FCP? I mean one that is free with the program. The three point grading is weak.
"Color" is nice but wastes time having to export the sequence, render, import, rebuild your graphics.... and then you have to search through the timeline to find your early test grades and mock up grades, as they will mess up your pretty 'color' grade.
If only grades were handled in FCP, and also if they were not treated as other "filters" but let you see on the timeline what was pre-graded and what wasn't.
The whole "round trip" process assumes you finish your edit, then grade.
But what if you want to pre grade, then later change edits?
Or grade as you wait for the director to get their script in shape.
I would actually argue that 'color' isn't a round trip, it is a one way street that ends with an output in FCP, impractical for many work flows that are non-linear.
(I know you can go back and forth, but that is really hard and you need to break up clips so 'color' doesn't render the whole tape, and you need to keep an eye on what has been, what is source.... 'color' is only practical as a linear workflow after you have FINISHED your edit; just like we all did in the 90s, but it is 2007 now and I work a totally non-linear edit where I online some bits as I go; easy in Avid hard in FCP)
5) Difficult 'patching':
It is a slow 'multi-click' patching experience every time I want to change where clips go to. Why do I have to drag the audio then the video source to destination, rather then just double click to jump to source, or even better, auto-patch too what ever tracks I have auto-selected! Now that would save some time.
6) Subtle highlights:
Can I change the color of the window highlight? I would love to have a really bright red or purple to tell me which window is selected. The subtle lighter highlight is too hard to miss, and I often end up adding an in or out to the viewer (source) when I want the timeline (destination), or the time line when I want the viewer (source).
So that's about it,
Only seven things, maybe I will find more as I continue to work with FCP.
I could list everything that is great about FCP, but that would take too long.
Message was edited by: Tiborius
Message was edited by: Tiborius

Answer 1

I have to agree with Andy here... Once you spend time with the application you will learn how to flow with it...
I do understand that every application has it's own way of working, and you need to learn it's flow.
I also know a poor interface when I have worked with other systems that just work.
If I used a separate keyboard short cut to auto select 3 individual video layers, then 6 audio layers, then I need to make keyboard shortcuts to patch each 9 layers... so that is 16 mapped keys; there is a better way, look at the simple Avid patching and selecting system.
Though FCP has much more superior clip selecting, and in timeline keyframe editing!
learn keyboard short-cuts... once you master key-strokes you'll wonder what you were ever doing wasting time clicking on little icons on the screen... practice makes perfect.
Well I have tried to find where auto-patching, and an easy keyboard shortcut, less then 3 button presses rather then the three drags or clicks, but I can't find any.
I just think it is clunky in FCP, that is my just opinion.
I certainly agree that learning to use the keyboard is essential in edit systems. But I just feel that FCP is very reliant on the mouse to work.
Especially in the area of 'auto-selecting' and patching.
One thing that you might want to think about is what you are learning whilst experiencing these annoying little hurdles.
I don't mind hurdles, and I thought my post showed that I was enjoying FCP and am not planning on walking away and ignoring it.
But hiding flaws in program by saying:
If everything was easy, handed to you on a plate, you'd miss out on SO much.
Is very sad really.
Obviously I like challenges, by learning a new system.
I don't think asking if certain issues I was having were actual program faults, not my workflow, is valid. This is a forum to ask and a place to get people to answer; or hand it on a plate if you like.
Like the guy who moaned about having to make 14:9 overlays in photoshop... so what?
Ah, that was me!
And here's what, why miss out such an important thing as flexible guides to an edit system.
I know photoshop well, and CAN make a template, but I shouldn't have too. It shows how FCP is still a pro-sumer and unfinished program.
Anyway if I make my guides, import them to FCP, make a high video track, then I have to lock it so it doesn't interfere with my edit (as FCP has auto sync-lock), I can never read my programme duration as the safe title has to be very long over the top,
It's harder to turn off and on, oh but I could map some keyboard shortcuts! This is a long work around for essentially something that should just be built in.
I will just have to do it this way, as FCP is unable show anything but their idea of safe title area. I don't feel like I am mastering my craft, I feel like I am working around a program that is not Professional.
Final Cut Pro is a strong contender to take the cup in a few years time, but it would be nice to have it made a little better for version 6.
So I am still curious if anyone else has any particular gripes about what they hate about FCP?
I am sure some would be easily fixed with a blessed keyboard shortcut, or some other work around.