Preparing the Project

To get started, you will launch Final Cut Express and open the project file for this lesson. In the Lesson 7 Project file is a finished sequence of what you will accomplish. You will also create a new sequence to begin editing.

1.	Launch Final Cut Express HD and choose File > Open, or use the keyboard shortcut, Cmd-O.
2.	Choose the Lesson 7 Project file from the Lessons folder on your hard drive. Note The Timeline and Canvas windows do not open because there are no open sequences. These windows open only to display an active sequence.
3.	In the Browser, display the contents of the Sequences bin and double-click the 7-Finished sequence. Play it to see what you will accomplish in this lesson.
4.	To create a new sequence to begin editing, Ctrl-click on the Sequences bin in the Browser to bring up the shortcut menu. Choose New Sequence. Tip Remember, to change your Timeline preferences before creating a new sequence, choose Final Cut Express HD > User Preferences, or press Option-Q. Select the Timeline Options tab, set your preferences, and click OK.
5.	Name the new sequence Moving Edits and double-click it to open it in the Timeline.
6.	In the Timeline, Ctrl-click the 7-Finished sequence tab and choose Close Tab to close it. Close any other open sequences (besides Moving Edits) the same way.