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Tip #482: How to Create a 3-point Edit

… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #482: How to Create a 3-point Edit

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

3-point edits provide precision without changing duration.

Topic $TipTopic

A 3-point edit is one where the duration of a range in the Timeline determines where a clip from the Browser will begin and end. These are used in an already-edited project where you need to insert a shot, without changing the duration of the overall sequence.

Here’s how to create one:

  • Set at least an In for a clip in the Browser.
  • Use the Range tool to set an In and Out in the Timeline.
  • Type D to perform an overwrite edit in the timeline equal to the Range and matching the In of the Browser clip to the In of the timeline.
  • Type Q to perform the same edit, but place the new clip on a higher layer.

The benefit to a 3-point edit is precision. You can precisely control where a clip starts and where it ends, without changing the overall duration of your project. And this technique makes creating them very fast.


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2 replies
  1. Constance
    Constance says:

    I haven’t used this edit before and I sense it would definitely be useful but I think I need to see it done to really ‘get it,’. I’ll search the training videos to lock this in.
    Thank you!
    Constance

    Reply
    • Larry Jordan
      Larry Jordan says:

      Constance:

      This is used when you need to precisely determine exactly where a clip with go – generally in the middle of a project, not at the end.

      Definitely worth learning.

      Larry

      Reply

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