Tip #871: A Faster Way to Change Durations
… for Apple Final Cut Pro X
Tip #871: A Faster Way to Change Durations
Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com
I use this technique in virtually every project – especially for transitions.
I illustrated this tip while presenting a recent webinar covering the basics of editing in Final Cut Pro X.
We all know that we can change the duration of a clip, title or transition by grabbing an edge and dragging. But, there is a faster way – using timecode.
To use this technique:
- Select a clip, group of clips, transition, title or other timeline element.
- Type Control + D. This automatically opens and selects the Duration field in the Timecode window.
- Type the duration you want to enter, without entering any punctuation.
Final Cut will automatically calculate the correct time based upon the frame rate of the project. For example, if you have a 30 fps project and type:
- 30 – Final Cut enters: 1:00
- 120 – Final Cut enters: 1:20
- 45 – Final Cut enters: 1:15
- 325 – Final Cut enters 3;25
- 1234567 – Final Cut enters: 1:23:47:07 (Um, that one I had to check…)
Larry,
On this tip #871 I believe a correction is in order. If, In your second key-in example, you enter 120, you will get 1:20, not 4:00. This is because the “1” is interpreted as “seconds.,” not “frames.” Try it.
Best,, Sam
Sam:
You are correct – I fixed the article.
I was typing faster than I was thinking.
Larry