… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1732: Create Custom Column Sets Faster

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

The new custom Column Sets allow greater Browser flexibility.

(I discovered this tip while researching my recent PowerUP webinar illustrating New Features in Apple Compressor & Final Cut Pro.)

One of the new features in the 10.5.3 update to Final Cut Pro is custom Column Sets. These determine the columns of metadata that appear in List view in the Browser.

In the past, we could Control-click any column header when in List view in the Browser and choose from a variety of data fields. Then, we could drag column headers left or right to change the order. Those options were expanded in this update.

Now, we can create an unlimited number of Column Sets, each with different data fields and organization.

NOTE: Here’s a link that explains this feature in more detail.

The tip behind this feature is to avoid starting with the Column Editor (simply because it provides an overwhelming list of choices).

Instead, Control-click any column header (red arrow in screen shot), make sure the Default Column Set is checked, then choose Save Column Set As.

This duplicates the default set, allowing you to configuring columns with many of the fields you will ultimately want to use already included in the set.

EXTRA CREDIT

Once you create the duplicate, you can open the Column Editor and add any missing fields that you need. It is always easier to start with a mostly-complete project than build a new one from scratch.

You can switch between them as often as you want.