Compound Keyboard Shortcuts

[rranney]

Is there any way to execute a series of commands with a single keyboard shortcut? For instance, using a shortcut to open the speed/duration dialog box and changing speed to 40% in one fell swoop? (essentially the equivalent of an "Action" in Photoshop)

Thanks for sharing your ideas and experience!

[Ann Bens]

cant make it any shorter:

Select clips in timeline.

Ctrl+R

40

enter.

Now they all have a speed of 40%.

Actions in PS is quite different.

[rranney]

True that PS is different, I was just using it as an example comparison.

My interest is more from the perspective of as I build my timeline edit, I keep my 60fps footage at 24fps until I want to slow it down for a moment of emphasis. So it's less about finding the quickest way to turn all overcranked footage to slow motion, and more about limiting the number of actions to take in individual clip scenarios.

[eikonoklastes]

If you are on a Mac, you can use macro software like Keyboard Maestro to combine several actions into 1 shortcut. I have used this in the past, and it is beautifully simple to use and works perfectly.

On Windows, I have a keyboard with dedicated macro keys, and the keyboard software allows me to program in multiple actions.

I haven't tried the software route on Windows, but I believe that something like AutoHotKey might help you here.

[rranney]

Thanks for the tips. I'll check out that AutoHotKey software. I know that external devices exist that you can program, I'm just trying to find the most minimalist route and I'm already efficient with keyboard shortcuts vs. external devices.

[eikonoklastes · Accepted solution]

So I thought I'd give AutoHotkey a whirl, and it worked a treat. I think I'll use it a lot more.

I used this script to achieve the example you were after:

^F6::

Send ^r40{enter}

That binds Ctrl+F6 to the sequence of hitting Ctrl+R, typing in 40 and pressing Enter.

Edit:

Upon further research, I've found that there is this wonderful free tool, that complements AutoHotkey, called MacroCreator. It allows you to record your keystrokes, so you don't have to study the syntax of the AHK language in order to create your scripts.

(In the Recording Options, turn off Intervals and Mouse Movements, or else it records a bunch of pauses and mouse movements that you don't need.)

This whole AHK approach is significantly more complicated (looking) than Keyboard Maestro, but it seems to do the job, and if you're comfortable with a few technicalities, then this seems to be a great tool to use.

[SquidTeeth]

I Have a similar dilemma that a preset macro can't quite fix.  I have 11 2 hour long talks all shot 4 camera on consumer handy cams, hence no timecode.  I assemble them all in a rough timeline, but i would like to assign the timeline's TC as the clip's original TC.  My workflow by hand is this:

double click the clip to open it in the  Source viewer

Menu Clip, Modify, Timecode  (I've set as CMD Shift T)

click Current Frame button

Enter the TC from the Time Line TC

Is there a some scripted variable, similar to After Effects pick-whip that I can get the timeline TC?

Thanx a bunch

Darren

[eikonoklastes]

If you want to initiate your macro from the Timeline panel, you can introduce these keyboard shortcuts into your macro:

1. Cmd+Shift+.

2. Cmd+Shift+.

Executing this twice will take keyboard focus from the Timeline to the Program Monitor. This assumes you haven't put a third panel between Source and Program monitors. If you have, repeat the command as many times as necessary to get the focus to the Program Monitor.

If you initiate your macro from the Program Monitor, you can ignore the above steps.

3. Tab - This puts keyboard focus into the timecode field.

4. Ctrl-C

5. Esc

6. Cmd+Shift+,

This will put focus back onto the Source Monitor

From there on, continue with your set of instructions in the macro, and you should be good to go.

[SquidTeeth]

I found a similar response you made in another question and Keyboard Maestro was the answer, using your example i made this version

Double Click     Loads clip into the Source Monitor

Shift-4               Change focus to PGM Monitor

Tab                    Highlight Timeline TC

CMD-C             Copy Timeline TC

Shift-2               Change focus to Source Monitor

CMD-Shift-T     Modify Clip/Timecode  (a keyboard change i brought from using FCP)

Tab                    Select Radio Button "Beginning of file"

Down Arrow      Select radio Button "Current Frame"

Tab, Tab            Highlight TC entry Window

CMD-V              Paste TC       

Return               Accept Change and close dialog

Shift-3               Change focus to Timeline

I did have to add the Keystroke delay to 0.02 seconds as you had recommended in the other post

Thanx so much for the help

Darren