Final Cut Pro terms

Skimming

Hovering over timeline or browser to preview.

What is skimming in Final Cut Pro?

Skimming in Final Cut Pro is a feature that allows you to quickly preview your footage in the timeline or the browser. As you move your cursor over the clips, it plays a real-time preview of the footage. This can be incredibly useful for quickly finding a specific moment in your footage without having to play the entire clip.

This feature can be turned on or off depending on your preference. When skimming is turned on, a red line appears under your cursor as you move it across the clip, showing you exactly where you are in the footage. Skimming can be used in both the timeline and the browser, making it a versatile tool for editing in Final Cut Pro.

How to do skimming in Final Cut Pro?

Skimming in Final Cut Pro is a simple process that allows you to quickly preview your clips or timeline. To do this, first, ensure that the skimming feature is enabled. You can check this by going to the "View" menu at the top of the screen, then select "Skimming". If it's already enabled, there will be a checkmark next to it. If not, clicking on it will enable the feature.

Once skimming is enabled, you can simply move your cursor over the timeline or over any clip in the browser. As you move the cursor, you'll see a red line moving with it. This is the skimmer. Wherever the skimmer is, you'll see a preview of that exact moment in the viewer. This allows you to quickly scan through your footage and find the exact moment you're looking for. If you want to disable skimming temporarily, you can press the 'S' key on your keyboard. Press it again to re-enable skimming.

Why is skimming not working in Final Cut Pro?

Skimming not working in Final Cut Pro could be due to a variety of reasons. One common issue could be related to the settings of the software. There is an option in the View menu to turn skimming on or off, so it's possible that it has been accidentally turned off. If this is the case, simply go to the View menu, select Skimming and make sure it's turned on.

Another possible reason could be related to the performance of your computer. If your system is running low on resources, it might struggle to load and skim through the video smoothly. This could be due to insufficient RAM, a slow processor, or not enough free space on your hard drive. In such cases, you might need to upgrade your hardware or free up some space on your computer. Also, ensure that your software is up-to-date, as outdated versions might have bugs or compatibility issues that affect skimming.

How to turn on/off skimming in Final Cut Pro?

To turn on skimming in Final Cut Pro, navigate to the top menu and click on "View". In the dropdown menu, you will find the option "Skimming". If it's not already checked, click on it to enable skimming. Skimming allows you to quickly preview your clips or timeline by simply moving your cursor over them.

To turn off skimming, follow the same steps. Go to the "View" menu, find the "Skimming" option and click on it. If skimming is currently enabled, there will be a check mark next to it. Clicking on it will remove the check mark, effectively turning off the skimming feature. This will stop the preview of clips or timeline when you move your cursor over them.

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