Free Tutorials

3025 articles.

Planning Storage Needs for Video Editing [v]

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan discusses the impact of video frame size, frame rate and codec on storage capacity and video editing, whether you use Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro X.

Why Converting Video Frame Rates Causes Problems [v]

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan explains why converting video frame rates often causes video playback to stutter, whether you use Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro X.

Why H.264 and HEVC Are Hard to Edit [v]

In this short video tutorial, Larry Jordan explains why H.264 and HEVC media are considered inefficient for video editing, whether you use Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X.

Premiere Pro: Timeline Marker Secrets

Premiere holds many hidden tips. Here are three that make working with timeline markers faster and easier.

Update Brings More Proxy Options to Apple Compressor

Apple Compressor 4.4.7 now supports creating a wider range of proxy files. This illustrated tutorial explains what you need to know, how it works and which to choose.

Final Cut Pro X: New! Improved Proxy Workflow

One of the headline features in the 10.4.9 update to Final Cut Pro X is a number of improvements to proxy editing. Here’s an illustrated tutorial on what they are and how they work.

Product Review: G-Technology Releases ArmorLock – Fast, Secure, Portable Storage [u]

The brand-new ArmorLock SSD from G-Technology is fast, secure and rugged. But, it has problems when trying to add multiple secure users to the drive. It’s a great idea that needs tweaking.

Recovery Mode: A Better Way to Repair Your Mac

Apple continues to make it easier – though not intuitive – to bring an errant Mac under control. Here are the steps you need to take to get you Mac running right.

New! Use and Import 3D Objects into Apple Motion

New with the 5.4.6 update to Apple Motion is support for 3D Objects. This illustrated tutorial shows where they are, how to use them and what you need to know to import your own USDZ objects into Motion.

New! Smart Conform in Final Cut Pro X

Smart Conform, the new re-framing feature in Apple Final Cut Pro X 10.4.9, is a good start. It does what Apple says, but there are limitations. Here’s an illustrated tutorial showing how this works.

The Small, Hidden, Updates in Final Cut Pro X 10.4.9

Apple released a flood of small changes with the 10.4.9 update to Final Cut Pro X that didn’t get a whole lot of press. Let me take you behind-the-scenes in this illustrated tutorial to explore these smaller gems.

Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X, Motion & Compressor

This morning, Apple released significant – and free – updates to Final Cut Pro X – to version 10.4.9 – along with Motion and Compressor. Emphasizing workflow enhancements, here are the details.

Frame.io Launches New Version & New Features

This morning, Frame.io announced a new version and several new features, along with updated support for Final Cut Pro X 10.4.9, also released today. Here are the details.

Create an Animated Generator in Motion for Use in Final Cut Pro X

Apple Motion is a very fun way to explore and experiment with motion graphics. Here’s how to create a motion graphic generator (background video) you can use inside Apple Final Cut Pro X.

FCP X: Create a Countdown Clock Video

An illustrated tutorial on how to create a countdown video in Final Cut Pro X that displays remaining minutes and seconds. Then, I show how to embed it into Keynote for a presentation.

Update Audio Plug-ins in Adobe Premiere Pro or Audition

Audio plug-ins do not automatically appear in Adobe Premiere Pro or Audition after you install them. Here’s what you need to do to finish the installation process.

Review: Five Powerful Audio Plug-ins From CrumplePop for Mac NLEs.

A product review of five powerful Mac-based audio plugins to repair common audio problems that are easy-to-use and deliver great results. They support Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and are worth adding to your toolkit.

Configure a 2020 27″ iMac for Video Editing – Should You Buy?

Configuring a 2020 27″ iMac for video editing, with recommendations for system components, along with a discussion of this system vs. new Apple silicon gear.

Premiere Pro: Use Two Computers to Speed Exports

This is a system to speed exporting Premiere Pro projects for one or more editors using two computers, Adobe Media Encoder and Watch Folders.

Premiere Pro: Blend Mode Tricks

Examples of how blend modes can add texture to colors and scenes, along with how to use them to fix problems with exposure or color. This is created in Adobe Premiere Pro, but applies to all NLEs.