graphics and multimedia

I found several mistakes in the book. In one chapter it is recommends that you apply the 3 way color correction filter, when in fact you needed to use the normal color correction filter. I was able to figure out what was actually intended, but it baffles me why Apple as well as Peachpit Press would put out a book like this without a quality assurance check. This was not the only issue with the lessons. In my copy, on lesson 21 it asks you to modify the auxillary 24fps timecode of a clip, but I was unable to do so with the file that was included in the DVD.

If Final Cut Pro was as buggy as this book was, I would have switched over to Premier a long time ago. I am concurrently teaching myself Shake with Apple's Pro Training series for that program and haven't noticed anywhere near the mistakes that I have with this one.

I do have to admit I learned a hell of a lot from this book, WHEN THE LESSONS WORKED, but next time they should have someone do a QA check on the files as well as fact check on the lessons.

BTW, Peachpit has not addressed any of my emails regarding these problems. Not Good!

A very clear definition of how to do nearly everything in FCP4. Having only the knowledge of how to do a simple cut, I was able to follow the book and understand it. I'm still in high school, so you know if I can do this, you can as well. The book contains with it a DVD that offers 8.3 gigabytes of lessons that you give you all the shots you need, and then you open the book and the book explains what to do with the shots given to you. Depending on your current skill level, you can skip any lessons that you already know. The book does require some knowledge of the interface, like the canvas, viewer, browser, and timeline, and how they all function. I recommend the book to anyone that wants to learn FCP4 very well.

I only wish I had more time to spend with this book. I am fortunatly busy editing! Everytime I sit down with this thing it changes the way I edit. It is clearly written and takes you through good editing techniques as well as how to use FCP to accomplish them. Best $35 I ever spent.

Dan S.

iPeace.tv