MarsLegstrong

Q: Can't edit EXACTLY where I want on FCPX

I've been using FCPX regularly for months and haven't noticed this problem before, so I feel like I changed a setting on accident and I don't know how to fix it:

 

I'm trying to make an edit at a specific point, and it won't let me. Instead it will automate the edit to be slightly ahead or behind where I want to make it on a particular frame.

 

For example: Clicking and dragging the end of the clip keeps snapping to a particular frame instead of landing where I want ("snapping" is turned off)

 

Another example: Using the blade tool I'll click where I want and then I see the cut nearby on the closest frame mark. I'm trying to make the cut in between the two frame marks (yes, extremely precise, on one of the subframe marks is where I'm trying to make the cut) and I can't seem to do so.

 

After months of working tediously with this program I don't remember this being an issue. I did just update to El Capitan 10.11.5... maybe that changed something?

 

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. It's 2:40 am and I'm giving up. Please help.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on May 30, 2016 2:41 AM

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Q: Can't edit EXACTLY where I want on FCPX

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  • by Karsten Schlüter,

    Karsten Schlüter Karsten Schlüter May 30, 2016 4:16 AM in response to MarsLegstrong
    Level 7 (32,668 points)
    Video
    May 30, 2016 4:16 AM in response to MarsLegstrong

    smallest unit in edit is a frame=1/25th, 1/30th of a second.

    you can not edit frames in half ......

     

    If, for instance, the source fps does not match the Project setting, it can happen, you can not come between two source frames.

     

    Noticed the same issue with some 3rd party material, which was delivered 'processed' in any way (manual conversion? 25/30 in 30/25fps? iPhone material, which has sometimes variable framerates?? YouTube downloads? - often huuuge pain) ... nothing you can do about it.

     

    so first, check source clips fps and Project settiings.

  • by Luis Sequeira1,Helpful

    Luis Sequeira1 Luis Sequeira1 May 30, 2016 1:31 PM in response to MarsLegstrong
    Level 6 (11,849 points)
    May 30, 2016 1:31 PM in response to MarsLegstrong

    Maybe you have your timeline zoomed in a lot.

    You can't cut video on a subframe.

     

    Can you post a screenshot?

  • by Alchroma,

    Alchroma Alchroma May 30, 2016 4:27 AM in response to MarsLegstrong
    Level 6 (18,926 points)
    Video
    May 30, 2016 4:27 AM in response to MarsLegstrong

    My 10.11.5 is working fine with FCP X 10.2.3.

     

    Have you tried resetting FCP X? Hold Option-Command as FCP X starts then Delete Preferences.

    Screen Shot 2016-05-30 at 9.25.40 PM.png

     

    Al

  • by Russ H,Helpful

    Russ H Russ H May 30, 2016 1:36 PM in response to MarsLegstrong
    Level 7 (21,770 points)
    Quicktime
    May 30, 2016 1:36 PM in response to MarsLegstrong

    MarsLegstrong wrote:

    \ I did just update to El Capitan 10.11.5... maybe that changed something.

    No. Nothing has changed in FCP or with this version of OS X. What others have said…audio can be edited at the sub frame level, but not the video.

     

    Russ

  • by MarsLegstrong,

    MarsLegstrong MarsLegstrong May 30, 2016 1:35 PM in response to MarsLegstrong
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    May 30, 2016 1:35 PM in response to MarsLegstrong

    Hi Everyone, thanks for the help. After over an hour of troubleshooting like an idiot last night I realized what I was trying to do was impossible—trying to cut a frame in half, basically.

     

    My timeline was zoomed in 100%, but I've worked like that before! I was trying to sync the cut to a music cue, and it wasn't exact. So I panicked. Night ruined.

     

    After searching for "video subframe editing" or something like that I found ONE search result with a forum explaining this issue. Ugh. I'm embarrassed.

     

    Thanks all. Live and learn.