Apple - Final Cut Pro X - Software Update (http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/software-update.html)

Plus more chroma options, layered photoshop importing, XML 1.1 support, and a beta for broadcast monitoring.

And it's free!

Edit: It looks like they've just released a $9.99 app to import FCP 7 projects into FCP X. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/7tox-for-final-cut-pro/id496926258?ls=1&mt=12

Has the sky opened and sunshine returned?

Multicam with mixed formats? The light is blinding me (of course, only if it works)!

Apple is doing what they always do with their "ground breaking - new paradigm" products. They're putting it out there and then addressing the issues that the users bring up to prioritize their bullet list of what to do to it next. Notice that XML and Multicam were the two most ranted about things missing from FCPX... and the first 2 addressed.

Software development is not an infinite resource endeavor. With everyone focussed on making FCPX, there was no one left to do FCP8 - and as a business looking toward a new product, no reason to (look at the Lisa and the Apple III) do so if you can throw all of your resources to push the new product forward faster.

Since they were building it primarily from the ground up, it makes sense that they would build the foundation before all of the other bits and pieces. I'm happy they seem to be looking to the community for a list of what is the most important to focus on next.

XML first also enabled a 3rd party to come in and make a converter from 7 to X that addresses another complaint without having to spend any resources on it... they could potentially even just buy that converter from the developer and add it in to the program as a File menu import option.

It's like so many other things they've done in the past. In a year or two (which will be too late for some), they will have a product that was specifically made to fit into the Apple look and feel that addresses the needs of its users across the board. OSX looked really stupid when it first came out until I opened the terminal application and saw that all of the power I needed as a network/systems admin was there but hidden from the standard end user. Much more elegant "pleasing everybody" type of approach to hiding the technology behind the interface, but leaving the power there for those who need it.

This is no longer an abandoned Adobe product from the late 80s that changed hands too many times (through Macromedia)... this is a single developer product that fits within the primary look and feel of the platform.

Used the Photoshop layers addition already. The layers act like a compound clip, just like in FCP7. Very convenient but it needs to be able to have clip markers work back and forth. I put a marker on the file in the timeline but it didn't show up when I opened the file in a separate timeline.

A database file management system is going to be, ultimately, much better than a document based file management system. It will be like a jet turning on it's afterburner or JATOs. The new FCP database system will make it much easier for new features to be added.

Yesterday I checked for "Updates" and was told there were none. This morning, again, I checked for updates and again was told (computer message) there were none. Did a quick Internet search for "FCP X 10.0.3" and found lots of hits so I called Apple and rather than just get a simple update with a small download I had to trash my 10.0.2 copy and download .3 from scratch. All 2.5 hours worth!

It's good to see there is improved Title editing because the past few days I was having real problems editing my titles. Hopefully the improvement will make it easier but it'll be a couple hours before I can find out.

Just bought the paperback book "Final Cut Pro X, How it Works", Edgar Rothermich, and although I never used FCP7 this looks like it would be really helpful for those who did. There are a lot of examples of how one did things in 7 with the comparison of how it is now done in X. This should be helpful to 7 converts.

I've been using Premiere Pro while FCP X was being brought up to spec, but now that FCP X got upgraded, I thought I'd try their multicam editing feature for my latest project. Wow. I'm blown away. No instruction manual. I just selected all the camera angles and the separate sound file, right-clicked, selected New Multi-cam Clip (taking a guess) and the attached image is what I'm left seeing: four camera angles automatically synced up and ready to cut. So much for needing Plural Eyes.

Seems blindingly simple compared to what it took to figure out Premiere's multi-clip editing. Haven't had a chance to edit it all the way through, but it looks promising.

Any experience from anyone else? Bumps? Bruises? Revelations?
Chris

I have to say I'm impressed with Apple and how they're (finally) handling FCP. I had the 10.0.2 demo, which had already expired, but was really curious to give this new version a shot, as I saw a few things in some demo videos which had previously given me migraines.

I trashed the 10.0.2 version and downloaded the 10.0.3 demo on a whim, not expecting it to work. To my pleasant surprise, the new version offers a new full 30 day demo. Really glad to see they're going the extra mile to get the software (back) in people's hands.

And trying the trick I saw in that demo video finally broke the logjam in my mind on how this program works, so unless I find some other time bomb in there, I'm all in.

Yesterday I checked for "Updates" and was told there were none. This morning, again, I checked for updates and again was told (computer message) there were none. Did a quick Internet search for "FCP X 10.0.3" and found lots of hits so I called Apple and rather than just get a simple update with a small download I had to trash my 10.0.2 copy and download .3 from scratch. All 2.5 hours worth!

Just out of curiousity, did you look under Mac App Store, or under Software Update? I've been reading that a few people had issues getting the update to come up.

Heath

I was able to talk to Richard Townhill at Apple on the phone about the big FCP X update, and he said they have a tremendous number of third-party developers onboard.

Apple’s Richard Townhill Talks Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3: Multicam, Broadcast Monitoring, and More | heath mcknight dot com (http://heathmcknight.com/2012/01/apples-richard-townhill-talks-final-cut-pro-x-10-0-3-multicam-broadcast-monitoring-and-more/)

Heath

The update came out on the same day that I shot a large public hearing with five cams: A Panasonic AG-HMC80, Sony 560V, Canon 5D MKII, Canon 7D and a GoPro HD Hero2. Loaded up the footage, and it synced up without a hitch. Color correction much faster than with PP and AE.

Looks like the ugly duckling is maturing.

Just out of curiousity, did you look under Mac App Store, or under Software Update? I've been reading that a few people had issues getting the update to come up.
Heath

Actually, no, I hadn't (looked under Mac App Store). Also, in a way I'm glad that a few other people had the same problem doing an update because, at least that way I don't feel like a total computer clutz.

I've got a second FCPX install (they allow two) on my other computer. Went to the Seattle boat show yesterday and got back late so didn't get anything accomplished; however, today is a new day and updating it from .2 to .3 is the first thing on my to-do list. I'm just dreading the thought of another 2.5 hour download but I guess I can find some way to twiddle away the time.

You know, there is one other thing that is bothersome and that's what to call "it". There's FCPX, FCP-X, FCP X, FCX, .... and I think there may have been a few other versions I've come across. Personally, I don't particularly care for using four letters because it's too much typing. Caps is bad enough. Wonder if Apple has an official short term for it?

While it was in development I occasionally called it FCPx but now that it seems to have matured I guess that maybe the full X is in order? In aircraft the X stands for experimental.

I also don't care for the full jump from 7 to 10. Aren't they supposed to go to 8 next???

And, what about FCX.3 or FCPX.3 for version .3?

Open the Mac App Store, go to the Updates tab, and download each update individually, so you don't have to trash the old app, then reinstall the new one.

I call it FCP X; QuickTime jumped to X, too, lol.

heath

Actually, no, I hadn't (looked under Mac App Store). Also, in a way I'm glad that a few other people had the same problem doing an update because, at least that way I don't feel like a total computer clutz.

I've got a second FCPX install (they allow two) on my other computer. Went to the Seattle boat show yesterday and got back late so didn't get anything accomplished; however, today is a new day and updating it from .2 to .3 is the first thing on my to-do list. I'm just dreading the thought of another 2.5 hour download but I guess I can find some way to twiddle away the time.



John:

I have FCP X, Motion and Compressor on both my desktop editing Mac and a Macbook Pro and both had "3" on the App Store icon on the dock on Wednesday morning so I checked and the updates were listed for install.

I just set both to "install all" and then took off on a shoot. They were done when I got back.

D.

First off, reply to Doug. Quote: "I just set both to "install all" and then took off on a shoot. They were done when I got back."

Well, Doug, you're just too dang efficient! Guess I could have done that too but I kinda like to be around incase "stuff" happens, or maybe that's just my excuse.

Regard the "Update" download "problem", this is definitely a "local knowledge required" thing. The way I did it was wrong. Here's why.

1. Going to the Apple icon in the iOS tool bar and clicking on "Software update..." is wrong. Yes, FCPX is a software, BUT, it is not part of iOS. Going this route doesn't tell you that, you're just supposed to know that.

2. Option 2, open up FCPX and in the tool bar selet something like "Check for new whatever" [don't remember exactly what it said but it implied, at least, one would check for updates. Realize you're in the FCPX application and not in iOS so you'd think you're checking for the FCPX update. It goes though all the motions and tell you your software is up to date. How can that be? You're in FCPX.2 and everybody else is downloading the update for X.3? What gives? Wrong again (you clutz).

3. Option 3, go to the App Store and FCPX is the top left icon. It says, rightfully, that it is "Installed". You know that's correct because that's what you're trying to update, right? Can you update here? Nope (again).

4. Option 4, call Apple Store Specialist or support. Hopefully you don't get the guy I taked to the first time that tells you to trash your FCPX copy because now you have to download the WHOLE thing. This time I got someone a little smarter. Now the proper way. On the page where you can see the FCPX icon, at the top of the web page is a tool bar with little grey icons. The one on the far right has an arrow pointing down and this is for Updates. Click on this and that's where you get your .3 update!

How do you know this? Because you read it here! or maybe you called Apple and talked to someone in the FCPX section ('cuz the other people don't know this).

Hope this helps.

Local Knowledge Required!

John:

Yikes! That was quite an adventure. I'm not even going to try to replicate that. Not sure I have the tech know how to pull that off :) In my case it's always better to be dumb and stupid and click the right button by accident.

D.

Doug:

It rains a lot where John lives. Apparently driving around with your windows fogged up all the time makes you a little... sensitive.

Okay, Charles, you're right on two counts.

1. It does rain a lot here. We have one month of unusual weather, though, and it comes in August. Boaters call it "Fogust." (It's often foggy in the morning and sometimes even all day) However, I can't use the weather this time as an excuse for being sensitive because today we had a sun-break. Actually, I think there was one yesterday but I was indoors all day at the Seattle boat show and it was dark when I came out. So much for that excuse.

2. Rain Sensitivity, well, kinda, but more the backhanded side of it. It's when it stops, like today. The sun came out and it hurt my eyes. Haven't seen the sunglasses since probably last October. Between the short days and the grey skies you don't need 'em that much.

Staying a little more "on-topic", though, with regard to Updates.

I had thought I updated FCPX.2 earlier today by using the right/correct button (I'm not as lucky as Doug so I have to go though all the trial-and-error steps first before I finally "luck" out - usually co-insides with calling 1-(800)-Apple or something like that), .... and downloaded the update but as it probably turned out, iOS-Lion had an update just a couple days ago and apparently that was what was downloaded. The version numbers are really close together, like 10.7.3 for Lion vs 10.0.3 for FCPX.3.

Guess I didn't notice the little .7 there. Probably blinded by the bright light of the monitor.

It may not be over because after downloading the update it didn't say Finished, or Restart your Computer, or anything.... it just ....quit. Left me with a window that had no moving anything. Time now to re-boot the computer and see if it's updated.

So there you have it......

Oh, and fogged-windows aren't too bad as long as nothing gets in the way. Watch out for that bright sunlight, it can be hard on the eyeballs.

The new multicam editing is so freaking slick. Granted I never used multicam in legacy FCP or any other NLE, so I'm not really saying this as a comparison, since I don't know what they were like. But just that I love it and it's super easy and fast to use.

Doug:

It rains a lot where John lives. Apparently driving around with your windows fogged up all the time makes you a little... sensitive.

No problem. I feel John's pain :)

Yeah, I does rain a lot in the Pacific Northwest. Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia rain just means a day when I can't crank up the Harley and head out for the twisties. Rain forces me to focus on editing projects, which is what I should be doing even when the sun shines.

FCP keeps maturing and I'm finding it more and more fun to use. Just wish it would work natively with MTS files. The import process from my Panasonic AG-HMC 80 is a pain and takes a lot of disk space. It's a lot easier to just load the MTS clips into Premiere Pro CS5 and work from scratch.