Apple delivered on its promise of an update to Final Cut Pro X this morning. They released Final Cut Pro X v10.0.3 (Full Specs). The update fixes SEVERAL glaring gaps that users have been asking for.
The major features include:
- Multicam editing with automatic syncs up to 64 angles
- New chroma keying
- Enhanced XML for interchange with third party apps that can include color grading and audio keyframes
- A BETA driver for broadcast monitoring that supports Thunderbolt devices as well as PCIe cards.
- Layered Photoshop graphics support
- Manual media management with the ability to relink
Pricing:
- The application still costs $299.99 (US) to new users.
- The update is free from the Mac App Store
- A 30-day free trial of Final Cut Pro X is available at www.apple.com/finalcutpro/trial.
Apple has also taken down their FCPX FAQ document (http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/faq/) which is too bad. I liked the company communicating status on what was coming next.
Third-Party News:
Intelligent Assistance releases 7toX for Final Cut Pro, a lightweight application for translating Final Cut Pro 7 projects to Final Cut Pro X.
The application sells in the Mac App Store for $9.99 (US). The application looks to rely on the new XML features released today in the free update.
- 7toX for Final Cut Pro translates Final Cut Pro 7 Bins to Keyword Collections in Final Cut Pro X,
- Converts Sequences to Compound Clips that can be browsed and edited.
- Metadata and log notes from Final Cut Pro 7 are migrated to Final Cut Pro X.
- Motion tab settings and keyframes are translated into equivalent parameters in Final Cut Pro X.
- Layers from Photoshop files are properly preserved
- More than 30 Transitions and 70 Filters are matched and applied — with detailed reporting in context in the Magnetic Timeline
- 7toX also allows editors to migrate their Final Cut Pro 7 multicam projects to the latest version of Final Cut Pro X.
I have not been able to test the above, but I know this company well. This is a HUGE accomplishment and I commend them. Apple, buy this code and put it into Final Cut Pro X. This fills in critical holes.
What's Next?
I am happy to see that many of the problems have been addressed. There is still work to do however.
- Non-beta broadcast monitoring
- The option to see a second window when working (I find it impossible to line up a 3 point edit with one window).
- Ability to switch to a track-based timeline
- Support for raw workflows
- Support for several missing codecs
A great detailed article from my friend Gary Adcock at Macworld Magazine