Introduction
Introduction to the course
Why use Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro UI
Keyboard shortcuts
Editing
Introduction to editing
Initial set-up
Set-up and import
Creating your timeline
Correcting audio
Correcting color
Adjusting the generator
Adjusting the screen recording
Adjusting facecam
Rough cut
Fine tuning
Animation
Titles and text
Transitions
Graphics
Motion and animation
Exporting
Exporting
Revisions and updates
Outro
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Editing
Set-up and import

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Summary

Proper file organization is the key to a smooth editing experience in Final Cut Pro, especially when working on multi-module screencast courses. You’ll set up a structured folder system, import media efficiently, and take advantage of Final Cut Pro’s keyword-based organization. This approach minimizes clutter, saves time, and helps you stay focused while editing each section of your project.

Video Transcript

Setting up for editing success

Before diving into editing, it's essential to set yourself up for success by organizing your files. This is particularly important if you're editing a course with multiple modules and lessons. Spending a few extra minutes on organization will save you hours in the long run, ensuring a smooth editing process.

Organizing your screencast files

To organize your screencast files, the first step is to create a dedicated folder for your screencast project or course. In this case, we'll name this master folder "Demo Course."

Creating subfolders

Within the main "Demo Course" folder, create two subfolders:

  1. Demo Course Footage - for storing your raw video files.
  2. Demo Course Exports - for saving the edited files.

For the "Demo Course Footage" folder, create additional subfolders labeled by sections, such as "Section 1," "Section 2," and so on. Inside these, you can further organize your footage files specific to each module and lesson.

Importing files into Final Cut Pro

With your files organized in Finder, you're ready to import them into Final Cut Pro.

Navigating and importing media

  1. Navigate to your event in Final Cut Pro, right-click, and select "Import Media."
  2. Locate your master folder (e.g., "Demo Course") and double-click to access your subfolders.
  3. Import the footage from the relevant sections.

Maintaining organization with keywords

Final Cut Pro will automatically create keywords based on your folder structure once files are imported. This feature keeps your media organized and easily accessible.

Import settings

Choose "Leave files in place" under import settings to avoid duplicating files and consuming extra storage space. Opt for "Copy to library" if you need portability, although it duplicates footage.

Efficiently organizing your workflow

With everything clearly labeled and organized, you're equipped to start editing efficiently. An organized file system saves you time and effort, allowing you to quickly navigate to the precise footage you need for each section or module.

Getting ready to edit

With your files imported and organized, you're now prepared to start editing efficiently. In the next lesson, we'll set up your timeline for a seamless editing process. By investing time in organizing your assets from the start, you'll ensure that there's no wasted time searching for files, making the editing process smoother and more efficient.