Looking for "Idiots guide to smart tools"

It's possible I am an idiot...actually it's probable.  With this said, I cannot figure out these smart tools, they seem to not crop a clip when I want or slip edit when I went....dont get me started on crossfades because that it pure voodoo at this point.  It worked 1 time and then I sat there for 10 minutes playing with each tool and could not get another crossfade to happen (yes the crossfade option is checked)
 
I don't blame the software, I have been doing things the old way and would 'love' to change to this new fangled idea, I just cant figure the darned thing out.  Is there a "smart tools" for dummies manual comming out in the near future?

Thanks Seth, I actually did watch the video several times and my confusion over the above topics still continues.  It doesnt mention crossfades or grabbing any fades.  I watched as he slip edited a clip but for me I dont always get that option.  I'm sure it's complete user error and simple but I'm totally not getting the hang of it. 

Like the monkey who cannot let go of the cookie to get his hand out of the cookie jar, I am repeatedly running the smart tool over my clips ends going "why wont you slip edit?!"  Then I go on to playing with the new compressor for a bit and say to myself "ooo this is neat"....

Also, we used to be able to make the screen colors look like older versions of cakewalk...I dont mind the dark color so much but the dark meters are difficult to read.  I like bright red lights in my "warning track"  Is there a way to change that back?

Smart tools so far has not worked very well so far. Hopefully it's something I'm doing wrong

chrisharbin


Smart tools so far has not worked very well so far. Hopefully it's something I'm doing wrong

What are you trying to do, and what is the Smart Tool not doing that you want it to do. You know it can't cook you dinner, right?

Chris,

The Smart Tool is context sensative, so rather than trying to think of it in terms of getting it to change modes, think of it in terms of finding the hotspot on the type of data you want to edit.

For example, load AudioSnap on a track and open the Inline PRV in a MIDI track below it. Notice how when your mouse is over the AudioSnap clip the Smart Tool will edit the transient markers and nothing else. Then move your mouse down to the open Inline PRV and notice how the Smart Tool now edits MIDI data, etc.

Seth Perlstein [Cakewalk
]

Chris,

The Smart Tool is context sensative, so rather than trying to think of it in terms of getting it to change modes, think of it in terms of finding the hotspot on the type of data you want to edit.

For example, load AudioSnap on a track and open the Inline PRV in a MIDI track below it. Notice how when your mouse is over the AudioSnap clip the Smart Tool will edit the transient markers and nothing else. Then move your mouse down to the open Inline PRV and notice how the Smart Tool now edits MIDI data, etc.

I thank you very much for the tips!