I've been trying to get up to speed on splat (from 8.53) for a couple months now and I just don't get the 'smart tool'.
What used to be so simple is so way over complicated now. 
 
Are there some tricks to using this thing? 
Example: So, I zoom in (need help with that too). After finally centering the screen to where I thought I was zooming, I click the mouse wheel, see the smart box, scroll to clip automation, click to select clip gain. edit some clip gains. Need to split, hit 'S', nothing happens, oh, OK, mouse wheel clik, select clip, hit "S", nothing happens, clik, hit "S" splits. Yeaa! Back to clip envelope, edit a little. Oh, fade the split clip, look for little fade thingy, not there. hmm, mouse wheel clik, select clip, fades,
Etc. etc. 
This is ridiculous. And, the "smart tool" doesn't do anything. I have to keep using the clip dropdown box.
Are there any decent, in depth tutorials anywhere?
Key bindings? shortcuts?
What am I missing?
 
And, while I'm here, how do you zoom in and out and have the zoom zoom to what is selected?
For example, I select tracks 43-50, go to the little +/- slider in the lower right. Start zooming and I'm looking at tracks 19-whatever.
 
Thanks
 

heres a video on the smart tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pAqFtracp0
 
here are the functions of the smart tool
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Tools.01.html
 
its going to take you a little while to get used to it. as well as combining it with other keyboard shortcuts.
for example: Zooming-
Hold down the Z key to temporarily enable Zoom mode, then lasso to select the region you want to zoom into.
To revert to the previous zoom level, press ALT+Z.

The smart tool is sensitive to hot spots on the view you are using. This is true of the TV and the PRV.  It is a very cool way to get a lot done quickly. However if you don't feel comfortable using it don't. Just use the tool you want from the tools module on the control bar. You can press T to bring up the tools HUD and select from it. Plus there are keyboard shortcuts to access various tools.  
 
In Platinum one has a slew of options on how one wants to do things. 

timidi
This is ridiculous. And, the "smart tool" doesn't do anything. I have to keep using the clip dropdown box.

That's an easy one. Refer to Week 92 in "Friday's Tip of the Week."
 
Also to split, hold Alt and click with the Smart Tool.
 
As to zooming, I put zoom in/out horizontal on keybindings. Saves a bunch of time.

Thanks for the responses guys.
 
Still don't get it. 
The video (all 2:30 minutes of it) is pretty ridiculous. I've watched it many times just trying to figure out what to say in this post. It's main premise is based around moving a clip, slip edits, fades, and a editing a pan envelope. Who friggin cares. Could do that very easily before without all the extra steps. Except now, it really screws up working with clip gain. 
 
The whole idea of the 'smart tool' seems to have been invented just to look current in the DAW market.  I guess it's important to at least look like Studio One. Same with the new browser vst add on thingy. What is the point?
It's all really sad and pathetic. 
 
Sorry. I'm just pretty frustrated by it all.
JMO

- Shift+click to change Edit Filter to match the object clicked (e.g. Clip, Vol Envelope, Pan Envelop, Clip Gain, etc.)
- Alt+click to split
- Ctrl+wheel to scroll the view
- Ctrl+Alt+wheel to zoom (I find having 'At Now Time' enabled in Track View Options preferable to 'At Cursor')

Thanks Dave. I'll check those out.
 
My latest piss fest is: I've been tweaking a song and noticing levels just seem to change inadvertently. Come to find that Sonar has created static volume envelopes in the envelope lanes of all my tracks. WTF. I've been adjusting levels, come to find the volumes snap back to where the envelope is set. AARRGHHH...............

Clicking the button to show automation lanes creates a volume automation envelope by default. Possibly you've been inadvertently clicking the automation lane button when you mean to show take lanes...? Shift+T toggles take lanes open and closed, which will help avoid hitting the wrong button as well as being more convenient in some cases (like when the track is minimized and the button doesn't show)

timidi 
The video (all 2:30 minutes of it) is pretty ridiculous.

Sorry man. just trying to help. there are plenty of other videos out there on YouTube (on the smart tool)

No insult intended Chuck.
My displeasure was not  directed at you or anyone else that is trying to help. Really, Sorry.
I've searched for and watched as many Smart tool videos that I can find.
I'm sorry again, but, they are all pretty lame (at least for a dimbulb like me I guess).
 
Dave. those kb shortcuts are great:) Thanks
As far as the envelopes, thanks for the default info. Certainly a good bit of knowledge there.
Geez. At some point, in this current project,  I've looked in the envelopes lane on all tracks to see if anything there (like delay sends, mute, etc). Went about my business "mixing" LOL.. I'm tweaking away with the volumes, thinkin that sounds good, move on to the next, then the previous volume snaps back, I don't notice. etc etc.
No wonder I'm having such a time with this tune. GEEZ..  WOW.
 
Feature request: default Envelope lanes = blank..