Can't edit EXACTLY where I want on FCPX

Question

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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Answer 1

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.

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Answer 2

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?

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Answer 3

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

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.

Al

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Answer 4

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

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

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Answer 5

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.

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