Evidence of XML Importer Found in Final Cut Pro X - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Evidence of XML Importer Found in Final Cut Pro X

by

While Apple has received significant criticism for stripping out a number of features from its professional-level video production software in the transition to Final Cut Pro X, the company has said that it will be updating the new application on a regular basis, and has acknowledged that it is working on restoring some of the lost features.

One of those missing features is compatibility for XML projects, a popular open format that Apple had embraced in Final Cut Pro for several years before eliminating it in Final Cut Pro X. According to Philip Hodgetts, Apple has apparently stated that it is working on a replacement for the XML workflow, as well as the ability to import XML from older projects into Final Cut Pro X.

fcp x xml 1
That XML import support may in fact be coming relatively soon, as some digging by MacMagazine.com.br [Google translation] reveals that the XML importer is already present in Final Cut Pro X in some form, but has not been turned on.

fcp x xml 2
MacMagazine.com.br's source not only found references to an "importFinalCutXML" function within the code, but also was able to run the function to bring up an "Import XML" window that is unfortunately not yet functional.

Top Rated Comments

200 months ago
You got what they meant though, right? Don't be so pedantic - noone cares the exact terminology for headers and includes - these are VIDEO EDITORS, not nerds.

AriX offered the MacRumors bot a chance to fix the text. Exact terminology does matter in a written article, or I might as well post that Final Cut Pro X does offer multicam (oh I meant you can import from different kinds of cameras).

Cheers,
a proud nerd.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K.B. Avatar
200 months ago
terminology be damned--- if this had been included in the release it would have quieted at least 10% of the outcry over FCPX.

I don't understand... were they working on a deadline for release? I sure never heard one and it didn't seem 'overdue' to me. Why not take another week and get this working?

Another needle in their ass because someone pulled the trigger too soon on releasing this product.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
insidegui Avatar
200 months ago
Update

I'm the guy who discovered all that stuff about XML inside FCPX.

AN UPDATE:

Unfortunately It seems like the methods I've found aren't for importing of old FCP7 XML files, but a new kind of XML called "AXEL", which stands for "Apple eXchange Editing Language". The original blog post about It has screenshots of this thing actually working: http://mcmgz.in/1wf

Two interesting factoids:
- The new interface is internally called "AquaPro"
- FCPX is ready for Lion and has some frameworks built in specially for the new feline

ANOTHER UPDATE:
I just wanted to let you know that I've also found some stuff in there about making the media browser and the video preview fullscreen, and It works just fine, even in Snow Leopard. I don't understand why Apple leave all that good stuff out even when It's perfectly functional, It seems like they want to keep It out of the first version just so they can come a few months later with a new release and make a lot of buzz about It.

There are two screenshots of the method calls found inside the code: http://migre.me/58z5A

When I called the method "toggleFullscreenOrganizer" I was running with two monitors and the media organizer went fullscreen on my secondary monitor. The same happend with "toggleFullscreenDisplayArea", but this time the video preview went fullscreen.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmcalpin Avatar
200 months ago
Ouch. Just having this in the shipping FCPX 1.0 product would have made the release A LOT smoother for Apple.

Not "smooth," by a longshot, but smoother. Apple's getting torn apart by its best friends (Pogue, Gruber, etc.) over this.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AriX Avatar
200 months ago
importFinalCutXML is a method, not a function. And you don't "run" a function, you call it. (Just nitpicking here, but what was written looks kinda weird to a programmer.)
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)
200 months ago
such a sloppy release
Score: -2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27

14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2

Friday October 30, 2026 12:42 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27.2 on October 26, bringing enhancements to Siri AI, adding Suggestions in Messages, and sneaking in a string of smaller additions across Photos, Podcasts, Games, Apple TV, and FaceTime. iOS 27.2 is available to download to your device now via Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update. Note that some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models....
iPhone Duo Week Later Thumb 2

iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later

Friday October 30, 2026 11:46 am PDT by
It's been a week since the iPhone Duo was released, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera wanted to revisit his review since he's been able to use the Duo for a longer stretch of time. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. You've probably seen images of iPhone Duos with a bright white line running across one side of the inner display. There is a defect affecting some...
Latest Stories
Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera
Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera
1 hour ago
Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday
2 hours ago
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
18 hours ago
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
20 hours ago
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
20 hours ago
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
1 day ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
2 days ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
2 days ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
2 days ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
2 days ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
2 days ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
2 days ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
3 days ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
3 days ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
3 days ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
3 days ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
3 days ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
3 days ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
3 days ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
3 days ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
3 days ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
3 days ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
3 days ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
3 days ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
3 days ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
3 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
3 days ago