Customer Reviews

Final Cut Pro 3 for Macintosh: Visual QuickPro Guide

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The book has a lot of useful information, but it can seem out of date. It focuses on OS 9 and gives only lip service to OS X (a brief ten page chapter 14 added to the end of the book). It's location of files and preferences, etc assumes OS 9. Once in a while mention is made of OS X's differences when describing the location of files (such as Easy Setups). But not always, which is confusing (for example, the location of plug-ins and preferences files is different, but you won't know that unless you go to Ch 14 and see if you can find something on them.) Another example, it offers advice on installing FCP on a partition with its own System Folder and special extension set to avoid conflicts. The unsaid assumption is that you are in OS 9. Is there any reason to follow the same precautions in OS X? (we don't have extension sets there, remember?) We'll never know--at least from this book. Further, it sometimes describes an older version of FCP - for instance, it mentions the Preferences settings window as having 5 tabs. Sorry. Has 6 now, and not all with same names. Screen shots all are from OS 9 (except for a few in Ch 14). If you're using X, I'd look for something more current.

oh, WOW, Lisa does it again!
If you haven't used this book with Final Cut, you've been missing the greatest aid an editor could possibly have! And with version 3, the best got better... all the help you need, easy examples, funny and concise writing, all the newest features. About time we have the latest version of the book for this program. If you are using FCP, buy this book now!
Thanks Lisa! You rock!

ps - for more reviews of this book, read the amazon entries for the earlier versions (for FCP 1 and FCP 2)

I bought this book. I wish I hadn't. Entire parts of it are just the reproduction of the User guide provided by Apple. So, I'm wondering how it can be considered useful.

FRED from Europe is correct in his assessment. Nothing to gain from this book.

As a "newbie" to FCP and NLE, I have found this book to be confusing. I usually don't find a clear and understandable answer to my question or problem, and I have to go elsewhere.

This book just lables buttons and does not explain how to set up and use final cut pro 3. the trouble shooting section is a joke. Don't waste your money I found more useful information on the free discussion board at apple.com

This is the Final Cut Pro book to keep. Info is concise, well organized, accurate. Highly recommended.

It's not the book for beginner.