Create PDFs from Your iPad or iPhone

August 26, 2011 in Adobe, Business, Resources

Adobe has expanded its suite of iOS apps with CreatePDF. You can now convert several different files into a PDF right from your iOS device.

The app uses Adobe's online PDF creation service.

You can submit:

MS Word (docx, doc), Excel (xlsx, xls), PowerPoint (pptx, ppt)
Adobe Illustrator (ai), Photoshop (psd) and InDesign (indd)
Images – JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TIFF
RTF, Text and WordPerfect
OpenOffice and StarOffice documents

Final Cut Pro X App Store Scores Rise

July 31, 2011 in Adobe, Apple, Business, Video

FCPX_SCORE_7_31

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

July 31, 2011 in Adobe, Apple, Business, DSLR Video, Video

title_banner

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.

Article Focus:

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."

and

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

______________________________________________________________________

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

Listen to this Maccast on Final Cut Pro X

July 27, 2011 in Apple, Business, Video

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

July 26, 2011 in Apple, Business

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.

The Closing of a Bookstore and How it Affects You

July 23, 2011 in Business, Personal

As a book author I find this sad… and a very scary warning…
More than 10,000 people just lost their jobs from one book store chain alone. (Here's the whole note).

As a book reader who loves roaming the aisles and touching books, this is a bad sign…

I have so many good memories of taking the kids to pick out a new book (with a great cup of coffee in hand).

I often am disheartened by how intellectual property is becoming devalued.

My books are pirated all of the time. Same goes for my videos.
People record live classes against permission… then post them online.

People complain when I give things away for free that it's not enough (or the right file format, or the part they wanted).

For the record… writing a book for me is typically six months of work.

Yes, I also have a "real" job too. I write and teach mainly because I want to preserve the knowledge I have been given or discovered.
But I also like to take the family on vacation, live in a nice middle class house, and send the kids to college.

I want the film, video, and photo industries to survive. Not just devolve into stammering YouTube tutorials followed with back and forth comments telling me how much I suck/rock (or that my voice sounds like Vince Vaughn… or that I am going bald… or that I used to be skinnier).

The world is changing… stealing has become easier…

But it doesn't make it right.

If you need to keep learning to remain professionally viable (and I suspect all of you do) then support that ecosystem.
Read 6 books a year. Enroll in some online classes. Attend a conference if you can.

Read blogs (there's lots of great ones)… and remember to occasionally say thank you. Complaining is okay too… just pretend that a real person is on the other end and actually reads it.

Karma… Pass it on.

Don't Miss the Great Camera Shootout

July 05, 2011 in Business, DSLR Video, Video

In the most scientific camera comparison to date, “The Great Camera Shootout 2011: a documentary of the Single Chip Camera Evaluation (SCCE)” premieres with Episode 1: “The Tipping Point.” The first episode of the 3-part web series examines three SCCE Tests: The Dynamic Range Test, The Under Exposure Test and The Over Exposure Test.

You can see part one – here (http://www.zacuto.com/the-great-camera-shootout-2011/episode-one)

Camera Requirements for Multi-camera Shoots

July 02, 2011 in Business, Video

Figure_06-06

When planning a multi-camera video shoot, several factors can impact the quality of the final production. Choosing the right equipment (along with the crew to run it) will have the greatest influence on the quality of the final production. Here are some details to look for when selecting cameras:

Matched codec/format. Ideally, all your footage will have the same codec (compressor/decompressor). If you've mixed formats (like DVCPRO HD and AVCHD), you may need to convert the footage to match for some edit systems. You'll also want to be able to match frame rates so footage stays in sync.
• Lens length. With multi-camera events you'll often be shooting from a distance. Many cameras have fixed lenses that aren't good for long-distance shooting. Be sure to consider distance from subject when choosing a camera.
• Number of audio inputs. Generally speaking, cameras will have 2–4 inputs. Depending on your number of audio sources, more discrete audio channels can really come in handy. If not, look to use an external audio recorder.
• Chip size. Many multi-camera shoots are for concerts or performance events. These events often have low light, which means cameras with single chips, or even 1/3"1/3-inch chips, can get grainy.
• Tapeless acquisition. Choosing to record direct to disk or cards makes it easier to record for long periods without interruption. Make sure you have enough recording capacity to avoid having to stopping for a "tape change."
• Timecode method. Be sure to examine your options, which will may include time of day or synced timecode. These professional options make syncing cameras easier.

Figure_06-04

Tip: Power in Demand

Ten cameras plus a five-ton grip truck’s worth of lights can put a big drain on a location's circuit. Be sure you do a site survey and identify where your power is coming from. You'll likely need to use several extension cords ("stingers") to get the required power to your set. If you draw from too few outlets, you may blow a fuse.

Import

Can I import projects from Final Cut Pro 7 into Final Cut Pro X?

“Final Cut Pro X includes an all-new project architecture structured around a trackless timeline and connected clips. In addition, Final Cut Pro X features new and redesigned audio effects, video effects, and color grading tools. Because of these changes, there is no way to “translate” or bring in old projects without changing or losing data. But if you’re already working with Final Cut Pro 7, you can continue to do so after installing Final Cut Pro X, and Final Cut Pro 7 will work with Mac OS X Lion. You can also import your media files from previous versions into Final Cut Pro X.”

If we are willing to lose some data, what could be imported?

Can we import the bin structure of a project to use existing organization?

You say that there is no way to translate or bring in old projects. Can we definitely take this that there will be no way now or ever?

Gary thinks that the question becomes how much can be brought in and how much of the previous structure is not translatable to the new app. Gary thinks that it should be possible to import the media files into a FCP X event. Folders and subfolders could carry over the existing naming conventions and folder nesting as Smart Collections and use the folder structure to achieve hierarchy via keywording.

Can I import my video directly into Final Cut Pro X as I could in Final Cut Pro 7?

“Yes. Final Cut Pro X allows you to import video from a wide range of devices, including many AVCHD-based cameras and DSLR cameras. You can find a list of supported cameras here: http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/cameras/en/. The list will grow as we continue to test and qualify new cameras.”

We also use decks to ingest media too, what about them?
Any plans for device control for decks and standard protocols?

Gary thinks that third-party tools will be required for acquisition and playback of tape-based media, and are not yet available. He feels that Log and Capture is gone. Options like serial control will be in the hands of the hardware manufacturers.

How about third party capture cards?
What about Firewire based capture devices like the AJA IO HD?

Gary says that there is billion dollar ecosystem built around Final Cut Pro. He feels confident that there will be devices and they will be able to do more that output a Mirrored Desktop signal. He is of the opinion that this is the number one priority at this time for Apple. However he wants that just like how most three year old capture cards do not work with FCPX, users should not expect older capture hardware will likely need to be replaced too.

"Some camera manufacturers will need to update their import plug-ins to work with the new 64-bit architecture of Final Cut Pro, and we are working with them to provide these updates as quickly as possible. Until then, you can use your camera manufacturer’s import software to convert video for Final Cut Pro X."

Which manufacturers are you working with?

"For example, Sony offers an XDCAM Transfer application that allows you to convert XDCAM video without transcoding so it can be imported into Final Cut Pro X. You can find more information here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4724. If you are working with RED cameras, you can use the free RED software REDCINE-X, designed to transcode RED RAW video to ProRes for use in Final Cut Pro X: https://www.red.com/support/all/downloads.”

What if we don’t want to transcode to ProRes (defeats the purpose of Raw workflow for many)?
What about Arri Alexa?
How about camera raw formats for time-lapse?
Any plans to recognize the advanced metadata created by high end cameras? Many use FCP7 XML side car files, how do we access this data?

Gary points out that Raw is a viable workflow for many users, however, that long form or documentary projects have always done the Online / Offline process to keep the overall media size somewhat manageable.

Editing

Can I edit my tape-based workflow with Final Cut Pro X?

"Yes, in a limited manner. Final Cut Pro X is designed for modern file-based workflows and does not include all the tape capture and output features that were built into Final Cut Pro 7. Final Cut Pro X does support FireWire import for DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO HD, and HDV. In addition, companies like AJA and Blackmagic offer free deck control software that allows you to capture from tape and output to tape."

Are you saying that anything to do with tape, outside DV and HDV, is up to third-parties?
What about other decks (such as those from Panasonic) that can use FireWire to pass DVCPRO and DVCPRO HD data?
What APIs have you opened up? In other words what features are possible if third-parties choose to use them?

Does Final Cut Pro X support multicam editing?

"Not yet, but it will. Multicam editing is an important and popular feature, and we will provide great multicam support in the next major release. Until then, Final Cut Pro X offers some basic support with automatic clip synchronization, which allows you to sync multiple video and audio clips using audio waveforms, creating a Compound Clip that can be used for simple multicam workflows."

By next major release, do you mean version 2?
Historically there has been approximately two years between major versions, can you comment on a timeline more specifically?
By simple multicam workflows , do you mean two angles?

Does Final Cut Pro X support external monitors?

"Yes. If you have a second computer monitor connected to your Mac, Final Cut Pro X gives you options to display the interface across multiple monitors. For example, you can place a single window — such as the Viewer or the Event Browser — on the second monitor, while leaving the other windows on your primary monitor. Like previous versions, Final Cut Pro X relies on third-party devices to support external video monitoring. We’ve been working with third-party developers in our beta program to create drivers for Final Cut Pro X, and AJA has already posted beta drivers for its popular Kona card: http://www.aja.com/support/konaNEW/kona-3g.php."

Will we be able to mirror that second window to two places?
What color space is that second monitor going to function in?
How can we view a true video signal on that external monitor?
Any plans to support a second computer monitor and an external video monitor at the same time?
Will devices like the AJA IO Express and IO HD as well as Matrox MXO line work for laptop users and those with limited card slots?

Can I save different versions of my project?

"Yes. Final Cut Pro X automatically saves your project during the editing process, so you never lose your work. If you want to save a version of your project, with or without duplicate media, select it in the Project Library and choose File > Duplicate Project."

Will I be able to choose a Restore command to go back to a specific point in time?
Can I set a control for how often FCPX saves? Currently it appears that the app is literally saving every keystroke and movement.
Can I view separate states of an autosave so I can choose to compare two versions of a project based upon their time stamp?

Are keyboard shortcuts in Final Cut Pro X different from those in Final Cut Pro 7?

"Many keyboard shortcuts for navigation, start/end marking, and tools are the same in Final Cut Pro X and Final Cut Pro 7. Some keyboard shortcuts have changed to support new features. Final Cut Pro X offers powerful keyboard customization, and you can view and modify keyboard shortcuts at any time by choosing Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize."

Is there a way to save my settings to move to another machine?
How can a user backup their settings?

Can I use my third-party plug-ins in Final Cut Pro X?

"You’ll be able to use them as soon as they are updated. Because Final Cut Pro X has a modern 64-bit architecture, third-party plug-ins must be 64-bit too. Final Cut Pro X already supports 64-bit Audio Units plug-ins. For motion graphics, third-party developers can build effects, titles, transitions, and generators as templates in Motion 5 for use directly in Final Cut Pro X. Developers can also build 64-bit FxPlug 2 plug-ins for Motion 5, and integrate those plug-ins into templates that can be used in Final Cut Pro X. These templates, together with any associated FxPlug 2 plug-ins, will work in Final Cut Pro X even if Motion is not installed on the computer."

In the future, will you release the plugin specifications before the day of software release to give developers adequate time to develop? It is very inconvenient to keep having your tools break because of secrecy.
Is there a way to create a bundle installer as well as to protect the work if you develop effects or templates using Motion?
Will Apple offer a market place (or open the App store) to help distribute these effects?

Media Management

Can I specify a scratch disk location?

"Yes. When you import media, you can specify the Event and the drive where you’d like to put it. You can also specify where you’d like to put your project. In Final Cut Pro X, a project and its rendered media always travel together in the same folder, so it’s easy to move projects between different hard drives and computers."

Many prefer to keep projects on one drive and renders and media on another drive, is this workflow possible?

Currently the only choice seems to be to keep the render files and project files together, which can place a performance hit on your system drive. The alternative is to place your project files on the media drive which makes project recovery difficult after drive failure.

Can I share projects with other editors?

"Yes. You have several options for sharing projects. You can hand over just the project file, and the recipient can reconnect the project to his or her own copies of the Event. Or you can send the complete project and Event as a package to another editor. Final Cut Pro X includes options for duplicating, moving, and consolidating projects and associated media to streamline sharing between editors."

Will we gain the ability to trim unused media using handles? This allows a project to be consolidated to a smaller package.

Can I store media in locations other than my system drive?

"Yes. Turning off the “Copy files to Final Cut Events folder” option leaves the imported files where they are currently located. You can also move the project and associated media at any point during the editing process by dragging the project to another mounted hard drive within the Project Library."

Can we gain some easy setup options that make this simpler? I find that I need to take 11 steps in order to prevent transcoding. I must uncheck options for both import and automatic rendering?
When will we see support for many popular networked drives formats that are not HFS+? Many are also reporting issues with gigabit ethernet, please address?

Can I hide Events that I am not working on?

"Yes. You can hide Events in Final Cut Pro X by moving them out of the Final Cut Events folder. In the Finder, navigate to the /Users/username/Movies folder and create a new folder. Then move the Events you are not using out of the Final Cut Events folder and into your new folder. The moved Events will no longer appear in Final Cut Pro X. If your Events are located on an external drive, you can move the Events to a new folder on that drive, or you can simply unmount the drive."

Are you open to other options?
How about the traditional concept of a project file?
What about the approach of Apple Aperture which uses multiple libraries that can be easily switched between on import?

Export

Can Final Cut Pro X export XML?

"Not yet, but we know how important XML export is to our developers and our users, and we expect to add this functionality to Final Cut Pro X. We will release a set of APIs in the next few weeks so that third-party developers can access the next-generation XML in Final Cut Pro X."

Are you saying that it will be the same type of XML that is supported currently by numerous manufacturers industry-wide? Or is this a new version?
In order for export to be useable, XML exports would have to be able to conform to the industry standards for inter-device communications
Will this ability cost us extra money like the OMF export option or will it be built-in?

Does Final Cut Pro X support OMF, AAF, and EDLs?

"Not yet. When the APIs for XML export are available, third-party developers will be able to create tools to support OMF, AAF, EDL, and other exchange formats. We have already worked with Automatic Duck to allow you to export OMF and AAF from Final Cut Pro X using Automatic Duck Pro Export FCP 5.0. More information is available on the Automatic Duck website: http://automaticduck.com/products/pefcp/."

You say when the API’s are available... is that dependent on Apple or another company to make these available?
Are these features waiting on the hardware API set as defined for Lion?
What is the priority of these features? Is it this version or the “next major release”?

Can I send my project to a sound editing application such as Pro Tools?

"Yes; you can export your project in OMF or AAF format using Automatic Duck Pro Export FCP 5.0. More information is available on the Automatic Duck website: http://automaticduck.com/products/pefcp/."

Any plans for native support?

Does Final Cut Pro X allow you to assign audio tracks for export?

"Not yet. An update this summer will allow you to use metadata tags to categorize your audio clips by type and export them directly from Final Cut Pro X."

Will this be a bundled feature or one that requires a third-party plugin?
Can we actually view and organize tracks in the timeline?
What about clips that are reused in different ways?
Will this still require a plug-in like the one made by Automatic Duck to fully function?

Can I customize my export settings?

"Yes. Compressor 4, available from the Mac App Store for $49.99, allows you to create a wide variety of custom export settings that you can use in Final Cut Pro X. The most popular export options and formats, including ProRes and H.264, are already built into Final Cut Pro X."

What about using the media manager to go to other codecs from companies like Cineform and Avid?
What about choice on import for more than two codecs?

PurchaseCan I purchase a volume license?

"Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, and Compressor 4 Commercial and Education Volume Licensing will be available soon via the Apple Online Store for quantities of 20 or more. After purchasing, customers will receive redemption codes they can use to download the applications from the Mac App Store."

What about 5 users licenses? 10 user?
How does a company purchase more than one license without using multiple credit cards or iTunes accounts?
How many machines can a single copy be installed on?
How many users can use it at once?

All in all, a good start in the right direction. Please add your questions below. Hopefully the official Apple document will keep growing.