Re: Avid and FCP

I see what this has turned into, Avid vs FCP round one-million-and-one. And since alot Avid users run on PC's we have the classic, PC vs Mac battle. These are always fun.

The PC Memory Problem
The problem here isn't the hardware, its the operating system. Despite being a memory resource hog, Windows 32 bit operating systems are limited in terms of the sheer amount of resources they can be fed. Couple that with the 4 GB of RAM 32 bit Window operating systems are limited too, and you have a major problem. Sure you can work between Avid, PS, and AE, for a period of time on a PC. But eventually Windows will become over-run with too much data and loose track of files it has loaded into RAM. That means those files won't be removed, and they'll sit there and bog down your computer. That's usually why people end up restarting their machines. Because its memory is bogged down with files that don't need to be processed. The best way to avoid this problem on a PC is to limit the number of applications you run at once. But as every editor knows, that is not productive and slows creativity.

Meanwhile, OSX can handle multiple streams of information without so much as hiccuping, largely because it has less processing going on in the background, and OSX on a Mac Pro isn't limited to just 3.5 GB of usable RAM. On a Mac Pro you can have up to 32 GB of RAM, although I'm sure we can all agree that's a bit much. Obviously HD files take longer to render in AE, but that should not effect your ability to use FCP at the same time. If you have enough RAM installed (I suggest 5 GB min) and your running a multi-core Mac, you should be able to do both without a problem.

Avid vs FCP Round 1,000,001
First I need to say that I was wrong when I said you couldn't mix formats. I was told this by one of my superiors, however he recently explained to me that he "does not want me to mix formats unless a client specifically asks for it." I've only been using Avid a few months, and never tried to mix HD and SD, or 16x9 and 4x3. I've been converting formats depending on what the client wants. I apologize for my ignorance on that issue.

With that said, both FCP and Avid have their issues. The ones I mentioned in my previous posts are some I've had with Avid. Its good to know that these aren't common, and are most likely isolated problems. I'm sure some are caused by user errors, and some are software/hardware related, But needless to say they are still problems unique to Avid and/or PC's. Now as far as Avid goes its been around along time and its showing its years.

The FCP graphical user interface is what makes it more of a creative editing tool, then a "cutting" tool like Avid MC. In Avid it takes one or two more steps to add an effect, trim or extend a clip, and select clips that need to be moved in a timeline then it does in FCP. Which is a lot of unneeded work.

Effects:
In Avid you have to step in and out to apply more then one effect to a clip, plus you have to be in effect mode to do any keyframing. In FCP there is a filter tag on the preview window for the clip that lists all of the effects and its parameters. You don't have to enter a new mode to see what's there, just click on the tab and boom they're there.

Trimming:
Again you have to enter "trim mode" to extend or trim a clip, and make sure only the tracks you want to "trim" are selected. Absolutely pointless. In FCP you can do this right in the timeline without having to do anything but put the arrow on the clip you want to trim or extend, and then click and drag.

Moving Clips:
In Avid if you wan to select a clip and move it, you have to be in segment mode, click the top of the timeline (and no where else), and then drag from left to right only. If you drag from right to left, you enter "trim mode." All of these "rules" need to be followed just to move a clip. In FCP pro its very simple. Click anywhere in the timeline you want with arrow, and drag the direction you want, left, right it doesn't matter.

Those differences make FCP a more intuitive program to use, which really can make editing a lot more efficient and allows more time for creative thinking. Not hitting all of those buttons on your keyboard that you would have using Avid MC really adds up. It can be the difference between a good transition and a great transition.

Final Cut Studio: The Creative Edge
Avid MC is an over-priced stand alone cutting software program with effect plug-ins. Final Cut Studio is a seamless editing, motion graphic design, sound mixing/editing, and color correcting package. Apple's Motion has a way to go before its anywhere near as good as After Effects, but its still a powerful program, and works seamlessly with FCP. Avid MC has the Marque Tool. If you have extensive audio mixing or recording to do. FCP Studio has Soundtrack Pro. Avid MC has nothing. A lot of Avid editors don't think of these other applications as part of FCP, because Avid is a stand alone program. But you can't think that way with FCP. Motion, Soundtrack Pro, and Color are all extensions of FCP and help make it a great creative tool. FCP is the foundation, while the other FCPS applications are the building blocks.

Okay, I think I've said my peace. I hope no one is offended by any of this. I know that everyone has their preference. I am obviously still learning the ropes with Avid, and have found it to be an expensive and stubborn program. But it does get the job done, and I am looking forward to getting to know it better.

Until Round 1,000,002

GC











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