Final Cut Pro X Effects Editing Starts Before the Shooting Stops - Ideas to New Filmmakers

Final Cut Pro X Effects Editing Starts Before the Shooting Stops - Ideas to New Filmmakers Apple's recent release of Final Cut Pro X (FCPX) has caused a lot of controversy. Many new features and speed improvements have already been added, but additional features are conspicuously missing. Further, this latest release is not backward appropriate for any previous versions. Exactly why is it so different and what's Apple's game plan? Here's the scoop.

Older versions of Final Cut Pro were built using the Carbon application programming interface (API), which limited programs to 32-bit, thereby limiting available memory to 4GB. In an occasion where base MacBook Pros include 4GB of memory and dual-core, 64-bit processors, that's a serious limitation. Apple's latest API, called Cocoa, allows the utilization of 64-bit architecture, eliminating memory bottlenecks, which necessitated a complete rewrite of Final Cut Pro. Because FCPX is just a complete rewrite using Cocoa, it's able to work even faster on current hardware and takes advantage of multi-core processors.

Judging by the array of professional features conspicuously missing, FCPX was probably written primarily for speed with plans to include more features later on. It currently doesn't support OMF output, that is commonly used to import audio into ProTools for mixing, or Edit Decision List (EDL) data, a characteristic used to go a task into another program for the finishing stage. Multi-cam support and output to tape, a structure still utilized by many professionals, can be missing.

Furthermore, there look like no plans to release a brand new version of Final Cut Server, which can be used allowing multiple users to work with a remotely-stored project simultaneously. Several video formats, including XDCAM and Red, do not even have support; because of the complete rewrite, support for every single video format must be completely rewritten. Updates adding missing features should start showing up soon, but many professional video editors are, understandably, worried that they'll be left in the lurch.

Not everything about FCPX is bad news, though; Apple has added several new, user-friendly features for their favorite video production program. The final cut pro x app features a new Magnetic Timeline feature, which groups audio, video and effects together and allows the designer to maneuver clips around without displacing the project. Additionally, FCPX has Content AutoAnalysis, which detects the current presence of people in the video and identifies close, medium and wide-angle shots. Compressor 4, the encoding companion program for Final Cut Pro, adds additional export functions, live streaming support and streamlined library settings. Motion 5, FCPX's motion graphics companion, provides smart motion templates, parameter control and editable Final Cut Pro templates.