The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro X

If you're using FCPX, Final Cut Pro X by Rick Young is essential reading.It's also a good companion publication to Brendan Boykin's Final cut Pro X 10.1.They approach the same subject in very different ways, Boykin's book is about procedures and Rick Young's book provides detailed analysis of the myriad tools available, but largely hidden away, in this brilliant piece of software.The package of Final Cut Pro X and Apple's 6 and 8 core Mac Pro's is superb, and really has to be used to be fully appreciated.On the surface the software appears deceptively simple but in reality it is a highly complex and very powerful program.FCPX is very different from its predecessors so the 2 books I have mentioned in this review will provide you with all the informationyou require to gain a comprehensive understanding of the program and allow you to make the choices necessary to make it work for you.Both books are clearly written and concise. I highly recommend both publications.

I'm an experienced video editor, having used Adobe Premiere for nearly twenty years. I recently switched from Windows to Mac and bought this book to ease the transition from PP to FCPX. I'd rate the book as only 'okay'.This book is more of a reference than an introduction to FCPX. Normally, I'd have no problem with that approach, but in this case, it left me a bit disappointed. FCPX looks like a great NLE app, but it is built on a conceptual model very different from its predecessors and from other Mac NLEs. I'd have been happier with this book if it had spent more time early on explaining the process of editing within FCPX, rather than simply providing a catalog of tools and keyboard shortcuts.I'd recommend looking further if you've never used FCPX before. If you have used FCPX and simply need a reference book on how to perform specific tasks within the app, then you'll probably be happy with the book.

THIS IS IT! After trying video learning methods, where material is handled too quickly and hard to find, and too smug, I bought this "reference manual" and it is the best out there! I also have the first version, this one is more modern with 50+ pages more and is more up to date. This is the best book on the topic. I use it to refer back to subject parts I have not used and/or to help refresh myself. It is a MUST HAVE! It really is!

I've been using Final Cut Pro for about 2 1/2 years now and this is the only book I own on it. I purchased several really good video training's from Ripple Training that got me started. I purchased this book mostly as a reference and it has served me well. The book is laid out well and easy to navigate with 100's of images and consise instructions. I refer to is regularly while I am working on projects. I recommend this book for both experienced and beginning users as a great learning tool and reference.

This is a great book. I learned on AVID and edited a lot in FCP 7. I originally purchased a different (Apple Pro Training Series) book that was confusing and lengthy. I plodded through the confusing and quickly out-of-date book by Diana Weynand. 500 pages of plodding tutorials that didn't teach me much.This book by Rick Young is great. Straightforward, and just shows what you need to do. Great manual. I recommend this to anyone working in Final Cut Pro.

I'm a Rick Young fan and have other Focal Guide books written by Rick. If I see his name as author I know things will be explained simply and directly, as I like to hear them. I'm an experienced editor with FCP7 and using this as a reference to get up to speed on FCP X.

Excellent primer. Concise, though a bit subjective for my personal tastes. (I'm sure the author is a fine editor so that's no failing.) Book best used as adjunct to other tutorials for full impact. Will recommend to colleagues!

I would not recommend this book. I didn't find the exposition clear and methodical, which is what you want if you are a beginner using the app.A better manual is "Final Cut Pro X 10.1" by Brendan Boykin, which is "Apple Certified".

Clear information, well written and easy to understand-ideal for beginners and intermediates,advanced users need to go elsewhere. I have used many focal press books over the years and this is to the same high standard.

It helps me a lot to jump from FCPro 7 to FCPro X.Easy to understand , most of the time, it's an excellent help for the understanding of FCPro X.Good Book.

Very well laid out and easy to understand book. I like to dip in to it when I get a bit stuck.

Very clear and easy to read. Either as a reference book or using it to make a start on FCP, this is the best book I have found.

A very useful book with good instruction