How to create clips in Final C

There is a split clip function Cmd-B. There is also a blade tool in the tools menu. You apply a transition by selecting the edit point and double clicking the transition you want to use or Cm-T for the default transition.

Honestly you cannot learn how to use an application by asking questions on a forum. I would recommend Steve Martin’s 60 minute intro. 

Learn FCP in Under 60 Minutes - YouTube

There is also Final Cut Bro getting started 

 https://youtu.be/L3bZ-ETKZ8U

For a more in depth introduction use the Izzy video tutorials. The version is a bit dated but the principles are the same.

Final Cut Pro Tutorial | Izzy Video

If that doesn’t work for you, you should get a book either on paper or digitally.

FCP seems to rely on a LOT of Cmd-KEYS and I think that as I learn these, it will smooth out my work and my questions.

As Luis says, the command key (shortcut key) is not essential, but it is useful to remember. Here are some commonly used shortcuts for adjusting the length of a clip.

⚫︎Shortcut to change clip length:

Hover the playhead (cursor) over a clip on the timeline →If you want to shorten the part by deleting the part before the playhead, press "option+[" If you want to delete the last part, press "option+]"

Click the edge of the clip. →A yellow media handle is displayed. →Place the playhead where you want the clip to be longer. →Expand with "shift+X".

Have fun learning FinalCutPro. Follow the FCP community to read and learn from other users' questions and solutions.

LD34 wrote:

Thank you for your help. The two answers that you gave me helped me immensely and for starters, I just want to get used to creating the video length that I want. I apologize asking simple questions and agree to look at the suggested intro and tutorials. The bottom line on these is that most times, they concentrate on EVERYTHING where I am looking for specific pieces of information.

One thing that I do notice is that FCP seems to rely on a LOT of Cmd-KEYS and I think that as I learn these, it will smooth out my work and my questions.

Many many tasks can be done with the keyboard. It is not mandatory to do it that way, but as you become more familiar with the shortcuts you’ll appreciate how much faster you can edit.

In addition to all the excellent suggestions that have been given I would add the following keyboard shortcuts.

There is no need to drag a clip down to the timeline . . . simply select it in the Browser, press the E key and it will magically fly down to the timeline.

Other shortcuts are the J, K and L keys. With the timeline selected press J and the video will start playing. Press it again and the speed will double . . . each further press will double it.

K stops the video and J plays the video backwards, each additional press doubling the speed.

These shortcuts work in iMovie as well.

FCP probably has hundreds of shortcuts but luckily you don't need to learn them all!