Simple advice: mouse VS. trackpad

dastoelk wrote:

… Is there anyone our there who uses a trackpad soley when editing on FCPX?

I'm left-hand handicapped, I'm using my MagicTrackpad in extenso ...

following advice givin' here

http://fcp.co/final-cut-pro/news/819-using-gestures-to-edit-with-final-cut-pro-x

but 'soley'? no.

FCPX is - imhu - based for TWO HANDS usage.

there are so many keyboard-shortcuts, which speed-up processes.

… or are the only access to some commands 😉

starting with the very basic thing:

I O

J K L (right hand pointer on J)

staring at the screen, I'm scrubbing back/forth in the Event, setting my raw ins/outs (cutting down soccer games) and applying to storyline E - in a second round, when it comes to detail (slowmo, graphics), I love the ability to navigate with the MagicTrackpad. Sometimes using a friends machine, I'm missing e.g. the ability to wipe fast back/forth - although knowing, cursor up/down gives much preciser (English?? 😁) control to 'jump' to specific points.

ctrl-shift-S to extract audio to create sort-of L-cut for slowmos, shift-F to 'find back' the used part in an Event … meanwhile I'm doing this blind-folded.

no, but trackpad-soley? not possible.

What needs change is not your input device but your 'non-stop, rest-not-taking video editing.The human heart contracts for 0.3 seconds and then relaxes for 0.5 seconds. Please be considerate to the muscles of your right hand and give them rest as soon as you feel they are under strain. I do hope you have that SMILEY yellow soft ball with you....squeeze upon it frequently.

If you happen to be a diabetic, please see that your sugar levels are normal. Also, ensure that there is neither active or passive inhalation of nicotine which may be causing a reduction of blood flow.

One question: has this pain come on after you took up FCPX which allows for speed-editing?

PS:

This reply is directed to the OP and not to the addressee! Error is regreted

Message was edited by: somanna

Definitely use the keyboard for variety and speed of editing, but if mouse or trackpad don't help you, try a track-ball if you are otherwise reasonably dextrous, with a functioning thumb! I never use a mouse or a pad - always the ball. It needs no desk-space to speak of, and the hand is resting in a most comfortable position.

The more time you spend on the keyboard, the faster you'll be editing.

The Magic Trackpad is a wonder. I've been using it since it came out and will never touch a mouse again. It releves all my wrist strain, as I was close to some serious injury, too, at the time. I've never been happy with track balls or graphic tablets. But I know so may professional editors working FCP (especially FCP X) with a Magic Trackpad and simply love it.

After years of using a mouse I too started to develop wrist, elbow and general arm pain, I moved to the magic track pad and I find it fantastic for the majority of editing. In P/shop for deep etching I ues the mouse or wacom, my prefered method of course is to give it to someone else!

Tony

Magic Trackpad!

Just the fact that you don't have (possible) input errors from the surface below, makes this a hands down selection for me. The fact that it's also much better on your wrist and arm, is, to me, a bonus.. ;-)

Just to add my voice to two (make it three) solid pieces of advice that have already been given here:

1) Make full use of the keyboard shortcuts - using the keyboard to the fullest will make most tasks a lot quicker and more precise

2) Prefer a Magic Trackpad over (any) mouse.

3) Have enough rest - make pauses, stand up, move, stretch.