FCP Tip: Importing stills of a set duration

Question

I'm editing together a sort of slideshow in final cut express and there are
LOTS of pictures that need to go in. Is there a way to set it so I can just drag
them in to be 2.20 secs instead of the regular 10 secs? I'm SURE there must
be a way to do it (it would save a ridiculous amount of time).

THANK YOU
Charlotte

Answer
Hi Charlotte

This is so simple you're going to kick yourself! ;) I use Final Cut Pro, but I'm pretty sure it works the same in FCE.

Go to >Final Cut Pro > User Preferences (or press Alt-Q /Option-Q).

Click on the 'Editing' Tab.

Set your desired duration in the Still/Freeze duration window (top-left).

Click OK.

Now, select all the stills, or the bin they're in and hit backspace. This will "delete" them from the project, but not from the hard drive.*

Now re-import them (if they're all in one folder, choose > File > Import Folder and this will create a bin with the name of the Apple Folder). They will now all be the default duration.

TIP: If you highlight a whole batch and drag them into the CANVAS, and choose 'Import with Transition' they will all get a default transition in between them, saving you the hassle of putting a transition between each one.