Apple Posts Final Cut Pro X FAQ, Promises Updates
Final Cut Pro X is a breakthrough in nonlinear video editing. The application has impressed many pro editors, and it has also generated a lot of discussion in the pro video community. We know people have questions about the new features in Final Cut Pro X and how it compares with previous versions of Final Cut Pro. Here are the answers to the most common questions we’ve heard.
The FAQ mirrors some of the same issues addressed in David Pogue's article with responses from Apple product managers, but also gives a few more specifics.
Regarding importing from Final Cut Pro 7, Apple says that due to the many changes there was no way to "translate" old projects without losing or changing data. So, Apple suggests that users continue to use Final Cut Pro 7 for existing projects.
As for Multicam editing, Apple again promises that "it will" support it. The "next major release" will provide "great multicam support".
Another feature they promise will be coming is export of XML. They say they "know how important XML export" is to their users and expect to add it to Final Cut Pro X. A set of APIs will be released in the next few weeks so that 3rd party developers can access the "next-generation XML in Final Cut Pro X". Similiarly, OMF, AAF and EDL support should become available through 3rd parties once the API is available. One third party solution is already available for OMF and AMF export.
Finally, assigning audio tracks for export is promised for a "summer" update which will "allow you to use metadata tags to categorize your audio clips by type and export them directly from Final Cut Pro X."
Final Cut Pro X was released just last week, but was met with significant complaints due to missing features. The rest of the FAQ provides some more details that may be of interest to professional video editors.
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The "next major release" will provide "great multicam support".
But, because of the way Apple chooses to conduct its business, the next major release could be six months or six years away. Not very comforting.
For me, this FAQ just appears to admit that FCPX wasn't really ready for mainstream release (and really shouldn't have been given the 'Pro' moniker).
It's a clear indication that they had a choice: Release in June or extend several Betas to key developers for the next 2 quarters and then release it, and still receive complaints for change.
Again, I know this has been debated back and forth. I'm not a video editor, but I've followed the release closely.
The release lacked features that people didn't even fathom weren't going to be included. It's a different level of justified complaining.
The best equivalent is that when Lion is released, it turns out it doesn't work with current Mac formatted hard drives. You have to reformat everything in a new format. It's just so absurd, it wouldn't have occurred to people to ask Apple specifically if Mac formatted hard drives were supported in Lion. (just a hypothetical example).
If people were just complaining that the interface was different, I'd probably fall on your side and tell people to suck it up and try it. But that's not what people are complaining about.
arn
After all, what more do you want?
It's an absolute rewrite in the form of v1.0. There's ought to be things missing and Apple now promises to patch them up.
On another note, there will hardly be a professional using FCP X straight off for his/her final projects.
The only thing I'm doubtful is the Multi-cam support which might still not be added to FCP X as the FAQs state.
If you're going to do something, do it right. Don't go halfassed and say "We'll fix it later"
While I actually do like FCPX, some of the lack of features really to cause a problem for me, and multi-cam is one of the big ones. I guess one has to wait a while to get that? Or am I reading that wrong?
need FCP7, it still works well and will be supported by Apple
I don't believe that's true. At least, you can't buy it anymore. So your business can't hire another FCP 7 editor without trying to find a copy on ebay or pirating it.
arn
Exactly. That could be bad. I don't know what Apple means by High Priority. :confused:
Exactly. What would really help would be a roadmap for these updates. And reserving multicam support, which was enjoyed in FCP7, for the next major release is just insulting.[ Read All Comments ]
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