On Sun, 25 Feb 2001 23:10:02 -0500, "Jim Black" wrote:

>I only recently started with NLE on my PC. I have tried Premier and found
>it's interface confusing for casual users. If you want to spend the time to
>learn it and use it frequently so you don't forget, it is reputed to be
>quite powerful.

I think Adobe has made a basic mistake with Premiere...
It opens the first time with a relatively non-intuitive
interface, which even I don't understand...;-)
Fortunately, it can be converted to a VERY intuitive
interface very easily (why Adobe doesn't supply it
this way, I don't know - the majority of buyers are
first-time NLE users, and this program can be very easy
to use...). Click on the preview window upper-right
right-facing triangle, and select "single view" (with
dual monitors you can then size the window to 720x480
for full-size preview for NTSC), shrink the borders to
the smallest they will go before losing the resolution
you want (320x240 for 1/2 size for use on a single monitor).
Next, hit the similar triangle on the timeline window and
select "timeline options" and select the middle "icon size"
and top "track format" - this gives you a running view of
video content, along with track file-source info. With the
same triangle you can also select "track options" to add
a couple of audio and video tracks, and while there, also
name the audio tracks more usefully as, A1A, A1B (instead
of A2...), A2, etc. so audio track names correspond
with video track names. Arrange the windows for best use
for you and save the project as "TEMPLATE", or some such
(when starting a new project, open this and save it
["save as"] with a new name to preserve the template).
Now you can work on the timeline entirely, making all
editing decisions right there, using the various tools
to move/cut/filter/transition/etc. clips as if you were
handling real filmstrips ('cept this is "non-destructive -
all changes are reversable). Use "file", "import/export"
to bring in, save materials as files. Try lotsa stuff to get
used to the various tools (I use only the arrow, razor,
"lasso", and [hidden under the square "lasso"] "double
arrow" tool [moves everything to its right along the
timeline as a set, to open/close gaps]). Double-click
in the empty line above the time scale to get the
"work area" bar, adjust to taste, hit "enter"-key to
render changes under that bar for preview. "Scrub" the
timeline with the mouse in the time scale to see/hear
video slowly (for making editing decisions). Change
timeline resolution (down to one frame level, if want)
to get a better view, if needed (lower left corner).
Hold down the "alt" key while scrubbing to see unrendered
changes (sound is silent). Right-click on video or
audio tracks to access filters and other options. Click
on triangles at track left ends to "open" tracks to
see audio waveforms and gain access to video and audio
level-setting "rubber bands" (you can click on them
to place "handles" [for mixing sound, with fade in/out
"ramping" of the "rubber-bands", or hover the mouse on
them, then hold the "shift" key to adjust overall audio
levels or video transparency (with transparency key-type
selected - right-click on track to access that...).
You will eventually have tried all the menu items and
controls - then you may find you can also combine
various functions/controls to expand possibilities
and do most anything you want. You can also add "plug-ins"
to expand the range of basic transitions, filters, etc.
E X P E R I M E N T . . . , and have fun!