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

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

Older versions of Final Cut Pro were built utilizing the Carbon application programming interface (API), which limited programs to 32-bit, thereby limiting available memory to 4GB. In a time where base MacBook Pros have 4GB of memory and dual-core, 64-bit processors, that is a serious limitation. Apple's latest API, called Cocoa, allows the use of 64-bit architecture, eliminating memory bottlenecks, which necessitated a whole rewrite of Final Cut Pro. Because FCPX is just a complete rewrite using Cocoa, it's able to use faster on current hardware and takes benefit 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 function used to move a task into another program for the finishing stage. Multi-cam support and output to tape, a format still utilized by many professionals, is also missing. Furthermore, there be seemingly no plans to produce a brand new version of Final Cut Server, that is used to allow multiple users to focus on a remotely-stored project simultaneously. Several video formats, including XDCAM and Red, do not even have support; because of the complete rewrite, support for each video format has to be completely rewritten. Updates adding missing features should start turning 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 with their favorite video production program. The app features a new Magnetic Timeline feature, which groups audio, video and effects together and allows the designer to go clips around without displacing any of the project. Additionally, FCPX has Content Auto-Analysis, which detects the clear 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 final cut pro x support and streamlined library settings. Motion 5, FCPX's motion graphics companion, provides smart motion templates, parameter control and editable Final Cut Pro templates.