Brutal learning curve with Edit Pro Plus...

Kaywahjay wrote on 8/10/2018, 3:55 PM

I have so many questions I'm not sure where to begin...

Ok, first things first. I'm sure that this program contains everything I need (and much more) to build a fantastic movie from my video's, photos and music library. I'm having a VERY hard time navigating my way through all of the features and capabilities of this incredibly complex and intricate program. The tutorials are vague, and not comprehensive and the Tech support dept. is no help as they have staff answering the phones who know even less than I do. The program itself isn't intuitive and trying to discover what each of the little, "arrows, boxes, drop-downs, bubbles" etc, actually do is frustrating. I'm now starting to realize that the "Pro" in the title indicates that it's for trained professionals. Just a few of my questions are...

Is the pop-up project file that appears each time I open the program the best way to begin a new project for easily saving the progress that I've made? or is there a better, and simpler way to save my projects?
What is the purpose for having so many track options available?..Shouldn't I for example be building my movie from video's and photos on a single track as a continuous timeline, and also place all of the soundtracks onto another track as a continuous timeline?....or do I utilize multiple tracks each time I add something to the story?
Is it necessary to move the tracks all the way up to Track 1, 2,3, etc.?...I notice that when I add a title sometimes it places it onto track 3 or 4. Does it make any difference?
When I want to tag another title page with text onto the tails of another title page with text how is that accomplished?
How do I edit only a portion of a music soundtrack into a timeline and delete the unwanted portions?
At times I have a difficult time removing ALL of the content of a previous video or photograph from the Viewing area...very strange that it hangs around. I'll often end up closing the program in an attempt to get rid of it all
Aside from YouTube and this forum how else can I get detailed information on how to comfortably maneuver my way through Edit Pro Plus?

I know this is a lot but any help is appreciated,

Thanks!

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 8/11/2018, 3:45 AM

@Kaywahjay

. . . . Is the pop-up project file that appears each time I open the program the best way to begin a new project for easily saving the progress that I've made? or is there a better, and simpler way to save my projects? . . . .

That depends on what you are wanting to do - if you are starting a new project you use this dialog to set up the correct settings for the project, using the dropdown menu there are a selection of preset projects to start from.

Once you have started a project and want to save click File, Save project or File, Save project as if you want to keep progressive versions so you can go back in case of issues.

When going back to a saved project you use the Open project tab.

. . . . . What is the purpose for having so many track options available? . . . .

You have answered your own question - once you get more proficient with the program and build more complex projects you will use more tracks.

. . . . Is it necessary to move the tracks all the way up to Track 1, 2,3, etc.? . . .

That is not necessary - video and image objects lower tracks will appear on top of those objects on lower tracks, this how Picture in Picture for example works. Movie Edit Pro (MEP) will automatically insert some effects etc on lower tracks and adjust the positions sizes etc if usinge effects like Collages or Picture in Picture.

. . . When I want to tag another title page with text onto the tails of another title page with text how is that accomplished? . . .

Can you clarify please giving an example if possible.

. . . . The tutorials are vague . . . How do I edit only a portion of a music . . .

I do not know which tutorials you have been looking at, however this one by browj2 (John CB) cover all these sort of actions. There are several other tutorials by John CB to follow as well.

. . . . At times I have a difficult time removing ALL of the content of a previous video or photograph from the Viewing area . . .

Can you clarify what you mean by 'Viewing area'- the Preview Monitor where you see the timeline playback, or the Media Pool where all your images/ video/audio files etc are?

. . . . Aside from YouTube and this forum how else can I get detailed information on how to . . .

A good starting point is to read the installed PDF manual available under Help in the program to understand the terminology and what functions do.

Stick to basics first,watch John CB's tutorials in the Tutorials section of the Forum and start with a simple project, eg a few video clips and / or images with basic transition(s) and a music track and work your way up to more complex ones.

HTH

John EB

yvon-robert wrote on 8/11/2018, 11:04 PM

Hi,

May be the best way to start is to work with somebody knowing video program to help you.

Regards,

wongck wrote on 8/12/2018, 9:15 AM

My takes is to learn on a simpler software. I learned 1st on the MS Movie Maker and then move on to MEP. On a simpler learn , you can easily learn stuff like time lines, adding music, transitions, titles... just enough to make a video. Then move to the more powerful software using the foundation from the simpler software.

Just my 2 cents.

Just like flying, of course you can start flying a 777 first as long as.... nothing happens.