Today at the SuperMeet event, Apple announced Final Cut Pro X. It’s all 64-bit, and frankly, looks great.
Final Cut Pro X is fully color managed via colorsync, with a resolution-independent playback system. The whole gig uses Grand Central Dispatch, meaning rendering and other tasks can use multiple cores more easily. Color matching can be done between clips very simply. More advanced color correction can be done right within the app.
FCP X has also learned some new importing tricks, including automatic, non-destructive color balance fixing, media and more.
Editing has been overhauled, as well.. FCP X boasts a “magnetic timeline” that allows users to slide clips around the timeline, without disrupting the placement of other clips that might be in the way. Additionally, primary audio and video are locked together, and secondary audio sources can be tied to video clips as well, meaning accidental sync issues should be a thing of the past. Animating Keyframes are done in the timeline, as opposed to an additional window.
Clips can also have keywords applied to single sections, unlike in the past, when an entire clip had to use the same keywords. Clips can also be stored in iMovie-like collections, or be used to create easy-to-handle sequences, called “compound” clips. A new Inline Precision Editor makes editing clips together easier than ever, with previews of unused footage easy to access for trimming.
It’s clear that Apple borrowed some things from iMovie for this. FCP now includes a film strip view for easier versioning and keyword tagging, not unlike iMovie.
FCP X is more than just video, though. Audio appears to have gotten some love, too. FCP X can automatically analyze audio and sync similar audio clips. Waveform analysis looks like it has gotten beefier, with much better precision editing tools. Keyframing should also be easier in the new version. (See here.)
FCP X has built-in tools making editing b-roll easier. Dubbbed “Second Stories.” Gotta love Apple’s branding for this kind of stuff.
For those who are keyboard lovers (like me), FCP X seems to include far more in the way of keyboard commands. In his demo, Apple’s Randy Ubillos said, “everything can be driven from the keyboard.”
Reports are coming in that the demo is a “beta,” indicating that FCP X might not be quite ready for release.
Reports are also coming in that FCP X won’t require transcoding, which would be huge for DSLR users and others. Everyone who is tweeting from the event keeps saying how fast the demo looks.
FCP X will be released in June of this year on the App Store, for just $299, according to @fcpsupermeet. The rest of the Final Cut Pro Studio (apps like Color, Motion, Compressor) were not mentioned at the event.
Information Via PhotographyBay, @fcpsupermeet, @reximilian, @robimbs
Photo Credit: @robimbs, via MacStories
If certainly seems like they are dumbing it down. There isn't a viewer anymore, I guess so the interface can fit all on one screen.
It looks more like imovie than Final Cut.
What happened to compressor, DVD Studio Pro, and Motion?
As a FCP editor since version 1.0, I'd like them to release FCP 8 and add the 64 bit interface. Leave imovie for the consumers.
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LikeFCPX.CO is the Q&A spot for the new final cut pro. I know I got a lot of un-answeared questions.
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LikeFeature-wise, I think they've finally stepped up their game and followed through the way FCP users have been expecting for a long time. And really, in many ways they went above and beyond.
The price... I think it's a double-edged sword. Have they stepped down into *gasp* everyday consumer territory, or are they just waiting to gouge our eyes out with a bundle price with the other FCP Studio tools we expect?
Either way, I'm satisfied, and I can't wait to get my order in. I've got a summary of the new features and more of my thoughts here, for those of you who care to read it! http://blog.jessespringerfilms.com/post/4572737239...
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LikeAnyone else love how Apple chose to announce this at a FCP user group rather NAB?
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LikeYou can follow the show here :
http://www.photographybay.com/2011/04/12/final-cut...
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Likeseems like brilliant software has been dumbed down for the average user. Im disappointed, yes 64 bit is great, but face detection? who cares...... and for 299? what about dvd studio, color, compressor etc?..... It looks like apple is catering to joe public. I thought an upgrade was suppose to be an upgrade. Think i'll spend my money on DaVinci Resolve and continue to use my current FC 7 system.. what a joke.. great marketing though.... iMovie X
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LikeYou sound like the kind of Nerd that wants something to become harder and more complex over time so that you can lord your "skillz" over others and justify laboring hours and hours in FCP over someones wedding video.
If you haven't got the hint, Apple takes software that's overly complex and making a quick and simple. If you want to continue to do stuff the slow and hard way then stick with the current version of the Final Cut Studio.
Also, why update DVD Studio Pro? Seriously. Color wasn't even made by Apple. It was bought and added in.
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LikeSpot on!
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LikeExactly. Also think of it this way:
Instead of spending hours fumbling around with the program, trying to figure out how something works, spend that time editing and being creative and making an awesome video.
P.S. With that, I think it is very, very important to understand everything the program is doing, and not become so dumbed down that you don't know what frames are or anything.
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LikeAmen brother, I can't stand it when editors (of the avid ilk usually), boast about how complex their given piece of software is... Really? as you say Eric, gimme tools that make the task SIMPLE, then it frees my brain up to be CREATIVE! Go FCP X! Though one thing I do think is unfortunate is that at this price point, every propellorhead and his auntie will be running around calling themselves editors!!
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Likewell, i think you are being a bit silly on this (no offense). With your logic that helps me out. see, I'll be doing my edits in half the time as you , therefore getting more work and making more money. I've been editing 13 years on avid and fcp. This is absolutely amazing. the new color correcting alone is awesome. stuff I would take into Ae or another software I can now do within FCP. Sure an average joe may be able to use this if they want, but they won't even use it to its capability unless they are a pro. so all the pros will appreciate all the changes. I really don't understand why people are picking on apple for making it simple and pretty. It seems people like you just want to complain. As a professional this will enable me to work much more efficiently and let me get more sleep at the end of the day. if you don't see that, then you must not be a pro and just want to bash new technology that you don't understand.
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LikeAny word on exporting reference files from Final Cut in FCP X?
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LikeUnderstand your point of view. Pinnacle Liquid (basically unheard of in North America) was already doing a lot of the "new features in FCP X" almost fifteen years ago. Never the less I'm sure FCP X will be a great NLE system. Improvements always help.
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LikeSuper pumped about this!
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LikeThat's so awesome. I want to play with it, dammit.
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LikePlease be available soon, you can't demo this and make us wait too long. :)
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LikeOh hell yes.
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Like