Does anyone have a suggestion for a setting in finalcut that would allow for preview of non rendered files so I can continue editing and then render last so I dont wast time with intermittent renders?

Go to your timeline and at the top left corner of the window where it says RT, click the drop down and turn on Unlimited RT, and then turn on DYNAMIC for both playback quality and framerate. Depending on how fast your system is, this should give you real time preview. If your system hiccups and the dialog box pop ups saying you are dropping frames, just deselect it so that it doesn't appear anymore.

thank you. you are saintly

I have been working in color, and I have two effects going 1.film look and 2, vignette. Now if I hook a noodle to the film look with vignette, then it just gives the gradient in the viewer. I render it, and I just get the vignette gradient and no picture. Do i leave the vignette off of the noodle chain? What may I be doing wrong?
any help would be...helpful

There is also a great vignette plug-in for final cut pro that doesn't require rendering that you could add later. The issue with adding it in color is that it is rendered onto your image and then you are stuck with it.

go to:
www.haiku.com.au/

And click on the "free plug-ins" to download the marcus plug=ins. You can either apply the vignette to the clip or what I prefer to do is make a solid matte of any color above the video and then add the vignette effect and then in the filter tab swithc the mode to "effect only" then adjust to your hearts content.

As with anything in the Final Cut world, there are 20 ways to do the same thing.

-Tucker

Check out this video tutorial on creating a Vignette. I think you will like it a lot:

library.creativecow.net/articles/biscardi_walter/vignette.php