Apple

Syncing Clips Automatically in FCPX

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If you're working with dual system sound (very common in DSLR workflow) you'll need to marry the camera footage with an external audio recording.The easiest way to sync is to let Final Cut Pro X try to do it automatically. As long as you have sufficient levels in your reference audio, we find the process is successful most of the time. The process works best when you need to sync a singe video file to a single audio file. Here’s how:

1. Select both and audio clip and a video clip in the Event Browser.

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You can select multiple clips by holding down the command key and clicking on each clip. You’’ll know a clip is selected by the yellow selection box at the edge of each clip.

2. Choose Clip > Synchronize Clips (Opt+Cmd+G.)
A new clip is created in the Event Browser. This new clip is a compound clip. Which means it is really a clip made up of at least two other clips.

3. Look for a new clip in the Event Browser.
Newly synced clips do not have any Keywords attached. If you’re filtering your Event Browser using a Keyword collection you might not see the new clip. Be sure to switch your view to see all clips in the Event. You might want to tag the synced clip with additional keywords.

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Depending on the size of the original files, this new clip could appear very quickly or take a while. If you can’t find the clip, simply select the search box in the upper right corner of the event library and type in “Synchronized clip.” You probably will find it after you type “synch.”

4. Select the clip in the Event Browser and click the Play button.

5. Watch the clip back and check for sync.
You should hear both the reference audio and the dual system sound playback. Later you’ll learn how to discard the audio.

Want to learn more about editing DSLR video in Final Cut Pro X? Then check out From Still to Motion: Editing DSLR Video with Final Cut Pro X (Coming Soon)

Don't worry Adobe Premiere Pro fans… that version is in the works too and will be updated and ready for the next version.

RIP Steve Jobs – You Changed the World

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If you would like to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences, please email rememberingsteve@apple.com

I just heard the news… and it hurts. I find it strange that I am fighting tears over the loss of a man I've only met in passing.

But the truth is that I owe much of my professional career to this man's vision.

The first computer I learned on was an Apple. I had a Mac from day one in college.

I built my company around Macintosh technology.

I've used the portals Steve built to reach so many others. From the books I write to the podcasts I publish, Apple technology helps me reach the world.

I think at all the people who have captured and shared their memories thanks to Steve and his concept of the Digital Hub.
His move to put iLife and iWork into the hands of so many has changed the way people communicate.

So while many will remember his technology genius…. I remember a man who believed that the world could be a better place.

One where everyone's voice could be heard.
One where sharing video and photos was as easy as pushing a button.
One where the boundaries of cost wouldn't prevent creatives from achieving their dream.
One where students could learn and be better connected.
One where people could use technology to create better experiences and interactions.

Thank you Steve for all that you've done.

sadmac

Please share your thoughts below as well as send them to rememberingsteve@apple.com

Final Cut Studio Goes Back On Sale

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I just got off the phone with a lovely woman at 1-800-MY-APPLE.

Here are the highlights of the call.

  • Final Cut Studio 3 is back on sale. In fact it’s been available for 4 days.
  • The studio costs $999 (just like it used to).
  • If you're a student, that’s $899 (just like it used to).
  • There are NO other discounts or upgrades that the representative could find.


This product is not on the consumer Apple website. You have to call 1-800-MY-APPLE. According to the representative… she says that there’s been A LOT of calls asking for it to go back on sale… so she was glad to be able to sell it again (instead of telling people no).

So there you have it…. Those of you sitting on older versions of Final Cut Pro can step up (but not upgrade). You’re now set if you needed new licenses to go with that new Mac Pro (oh wait, still waiting for that…).

Here’s another story on the re-release, if that helps.

I’ve updated my chart on where things stand for Final Cut Pro X (which still seems stuck in the middle).

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Repairing An Aperture Library

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This is a guest post from Scott Engel

I want to thank Richard for giving me the opportunity to be a guest blogger. I am a freelance photographer specializing in wildlife, but I do a lot of zoo photography as well. In a past life I also worked for Apple Retail as a Creative/Trainer and I hold an Aperture 3 Certification.

Aperture is a wonderful application. Sometimes, however, you might encounter an error with your library and it will not open. Aperture has a great set of troubleshooting tools in case your library becomes corrupt or fails to load.

1. While holding down the Option and Command keys, click on Aperture to launch it.

2. There are three tools to help you repair a library:
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  • The first choice, Repair Permissions, will address a majority of issues and is the fastest.
  • The second Choice is to Repair Database. It takes a little bit longer but it’s more thorough.
  • If your library needs some extra attention, then choose Rebuild Database. This is the most time consuming, but is very thorough.


3. Click Repair to make the fix.

You can contact Scott on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Engelimages | Twitter @Engelimages
He also has a small photo gallery at www.engelimages.com

Final Cut Pro X App Store Scores Rise

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The App Store scores for Final Cut Pro X continue to rise over time. In the strictest sense, the app is no longer failing.

Here are a few observations I'd like to share:

  • The App has fallen off the Top 10 list of selling apps (down to 11). This is largely due to initial demand being satiated and Apple removing it from the home page (except for a little button below the fold).
  • The App is firmly entrenched in the #2 spot for Top Grossing. This means Apple is making good money of the application and it can b considered a success financially.
  • The user community remains fiercely divided. I've spent the last few weeks entrenched in user group events and industry functions. Apple, Adobe, and Autodesk are certainly gaining new users.
  • The next dot release update is going to be a watershed moment. MANY (and I mean many) are taking a wait and see approach to see how much Apple can put back in.
  • I heard from a reliable source at the Atlanta Cutters Event that the XML resources will be released to developers in the next two weeks. This will open up new opportunities for FCPX to participate with other professional applications. No word on cost implications however.
  • I have heard from many people switching (or thinking of switching) to Adobe Premiere Pro how surpassed they are at its performance and features. These same people love After Effects and Photoshop, yet seem surprised at how good the integration is between the three. Dynamic Link, Native Editing, and Adobe Media Encoder continue to please.
  • Hardware companies like AJA are broadening their support to all the manufacturers. Avid, Adobe, and Apple are all seeing new products and new support with drivers.
  • Several major places are adding in or strengthening their use of Adobe and Avid tools. I've spoken to folks at Discovery, CNN, Turner, American University,
  • The DSLR crowd (including Vincent Laforet, Phillip Bloom, and Shane Hurlbut) are now using Adobe Premiere Pro. The RED community is quickly switching too.
  • The industry got a quick shot of evolution. "Everything just changed in post" rings true. It's just that a lot more shuffling is occurring than anyone expected.

Adobe Offers Path to FCPX Editors

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As disgruntled Apple Final Cut Pro users search out options for professional video editing, Adobe Systems has been a major beneficiary of the big switch since FCPX hit the market. In her interview with Jim Guerard of Adobe Systems, Debra Kaufman finds the result of Adobe's offering for former FCP users to be a big uptick in pro video users.
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Creative COW has posted a great article that goes in-depth with both Adobe staff and users about why folks are switching to Adobe Premiere Pro.

Some of my favorite parts:

Adobe also created another key feature: ensuring integration of Adobe Premiere with the new generation of digital cameras. "We natively support all these camera formats from Sony to Panasonic, from RED to the Canon 5D Mark II," says Guerard. "You don't waste hours and hours of transcoding on ingest. The time and money we save people and the amount they're able to get done is huge."

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Who's making the switch to Adobe Premiere Pro? According to Guerard, the broadcast and indie filmmaker arenas are the most likely suspects. "In broadcast, there is so much happening with multi-screen delivery and distribution," says Guerard. "With Premiere, you can seamlessly take the content out to all kinds of platforms. And broadcasters know us and trust that we're dedicated to this market. They know they'll get a brand new release every year. For professional editors who count on their software application to pay the bills, they need that kind of partnership and collaboration."

Be sure to read the whole article here – http://library.creativecow.net/kaufman_debra/Adobe-offers-switch-FCP/1

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Listen to this Maccast on Final Cut Pro X

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I recently had a chance to talk with some very smart folks about the release of Final Cut Pro X. The show looks at several issues and tries to explain why people had such a hard time with the release.

"A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Show 357. When Apple released the latest version of Final Cut Pro they created quite an impact although it may or may not have been the one they wanted. The Final Cut Pro X (FCPX) release was very anticipated and had a lot of hype. When it shipped many in the high end pro video market cried foul. In this episode I invited three video pros, Richard Harrington, Ron Brinkmann, and Chris Fenwick to come on and help the average Mac Geek make sense of why this release was such a big deal. The changes impact not only those in the video community, but also bring insights and revelations for the rest of us as well."
Be sure to listen to the show here – http://www.maccast.com/2011/07/16/maccast-2011-07-16-final-cut-pro-x/
If you'd like to follow my public Facebook page – click here – http://www.facebook.com/RichHarringtonStuff
More of a Twitter person? Then click here – http://www.twitter.com/rhedpixel

Investing and Doing Business In the Apple Ecosystem

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I recently had the chance to be a guest on the very cool podcast called The MacJury.

"Operating in the shadow of Apple may be different from any other company in the world. A special MacJury convenes to discuss the benefits and challenges of doing business in and as part of the Apple ecosystem. What makes the Apple space different and what that is attractive from a business and investing perspective, the most recommended area for developers to get involved in, and a case study of how one hardware company approached it, are included in the deliberations. The question of the number of apps in the Mac App Store, the store’s features and how what is and isn’t there affects vendors, the importance of demo versions and much more are covered by the very diverse panel of Mark Fuccio, Tom Loverro, Rich Harrington, Jean MacDonald and host Chuck Joiner."

You can listen to the show or download it here – http://is.gd/WMsOpB

It was a very interesting show with lots of view points and insight.