Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

FxPlug plugins are not natively supported in FCP X, but they are natively supported in Motion 5.
The workaround is to create Motion Templates that can tunnel the effect through to FCP X. This is what has been done for most of the effects found in FxFactory Pro and this is what I, and probably all 3rd party FxPlug developers, are in the process of doing starting today.
I already have a somewhat complete version of Stereo3D Toolbox LE working in FCP X. I'm posting updates about this in the 3D forum.

The downside is that the cool dynamic UI stuff that you are used to is not supported through the Motion Templates so no grouped parameters or UI feedback.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Hi Heath.

A few years ago I rang Apple and their rep said that you could (on a laptop and desktop both owned by you, but not on two desktops or on two laptops) and pointed out where it allows it in the license agreement. But you are only allowed to use it on one (either laptop or desktop) at a time, never on both at once. If you try to use both while on a network, it won't even let you start the other one up.

I'll ring Apple this morning and find out the story on my FCP X installation queries and post the results (provided they can give me an answer!).

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Gotcha; I'll say this, we also had different log-ins on one Mac, and if you have it open in one log-in, and you switch users and fire up FCP 5 (at the time), it would do the same thing.

heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

So two dumb questions:

Will this work on Leopard (NOT snow Leopard, still on Leopard), or do I have to upgrade to SL, necessitating adding another $99 to the cost?

Also, will it work on an '08 Imac (2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo, 3GB 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM)?

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

No to Leopard. You need OS10.6.7 just to get the Apple App Store and OS10.6.8 is recommended for FCPX, Motion 5 or Compressor 4.

Your iMac should work fine if it has at least 256MB of VRAM. 512MB is better. The App Store won't let you download it if it doesn't meet the minimum requirements.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Snow Leopard is still $29 on Amazon.com, etc.

Heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Can you jump from Leopard to Lion (hah!)?

Sorry, not familiar with all the deeper system stuff. . .where do I find the VRAM info? Do not see it under system profiler.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Great news!

I just got off the phone with the Apple Rep and he referred me to the license agreement for FCP X in the App Store:

Section "2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions

... you are granted a limited non-transferable license to install and use the Apple Software only on Apple-branded computers that you own or control ...

... you may not distribute or make the Apple software available over a network where it could be used by multiple devices at the same time."

So basically he said (and as backed up in the license agreement) that the computers you own under the same Apple ID can automatically download the same software as you purchased on the initial computer!
So long as they have the same Apple ID and are only used by you.

Added to this, I just found out that Ripple Training have released their new FCP X training (which is "Apple Certified") for only $40, so I'm a very happy camper this morning!

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Actually, there is speculation you may NEED Snow Leopard to upgrade to Lion via a clean install:

Mac OS X Lion clean install may need Snow Leopard disc | Electronista

That info should be under Graphics/Displays, I believe, in the System Profiler.

heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Ah. So I have 256 vram then.

Sounds like $129 or so then for both SL and Lion?

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Nope, $29 for SL and $29 for Lion. A nice, affordable way to upgrade! Much better than the $129, or so, for one OS, all the way up to Leopard.

heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Is this confirmed? Is there a link to this info?

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

It is confirmed. You cannot open FCP 7 files in FCP X. But you can open iMovie projects. That tells me a lot right there. This is not for facilities level post production.

Final Cut Pro X - A first Look

Great overview by Steve Martin.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Ouch!

And thanks for the great link, David.

P.S. I guess there's an opening for someone to develop a new plug-in, "FCS Importer". If someone could work it out, it would prove quite lucrative, I reckon. It seems that it would have to make a new FCP X "Project" for each "Sequence" in the old FCS project (because in FCP X the concept of sequences has been done away with as the project itself now functions as your sequence). It would require a bit of genius to solve, but I would certainly buy such a plug-in.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Jon Chappell from Digital Rebellion has a bit of a FAQs page going:

Final Cut Pro X Frequently Asked Questions - Digital Rebellion Blog

Heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

<RANT FOLLOWED BY LEGITIMATE IDEA/QUESTION...STICK WITH ME, GUYS!>

I can see why backward compatibility would be problematic with the new project architecture, but that's not exactly the point.

Yes, it could be very lucrative for a company to develop a plug in, but I have to ask: Why should they have to?

I appreciate that Apple has rebult Final Cut from the ground up. I think everyone agrees that the overhaul was long overdue. There's been a lot of p!$$ing and moaning about what features Final Cut doesn't have, and if Apple is abandoning their pro users. I've remained silent and hopeful, because there's always folks screaming that the sky is falling because Apple tends to be so tight-lipped about their product developments and releases, but this is really a slap in the face.

If Microsoft released a version of Microsoft Word tomorrow that utilized a WHOLE new software architecture and introduced a whole new paradigm for word processing. How useful is it going to be to people who already USE MS Word if it doesn't open ".doc" files?

It's insane, and Microsoft's developers could try to justify it all they wanted to, but it's still insane.

OK...I'm finished ranting. I'll still be damned if I would pay money for a plugin to import a project to an application that technically authored it, (even if in name only.)

SO...what about this: Is there ANY way to import an EDL into FCPX? I've given things a quick look, and I don't see anything, (I know you can't EXPORT EDLS...Once again...WTF?) but what about creating an EDL in Final Cut 7, and bringing it into Final Cut X as a work-around.

Something for you lucky early-adopters to look into ;)

All the best! Thanks to all for sharing all the news/experiences/info/etc!

-Dan

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

has anybody had any luck with 1080p60 AVCHD? I have a Sony CX700v, and can't seem to get FCPX to recognize the files (as .MTS or ClipWrapped to .MOV). They work if I convert to 1080p30, but QuickTime can play the 1080p60 files so I would expect FCPX to handle them as well.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Kinda feels like Apple is moving out of the business of providing tools for video professionals.

That sucks the big one.

I've been using Adobe CS5.5 for the last couple months, and they are definitely stepping it up. I'm sure they are thrilled with the new Apple release...

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Avid has got to be throwing a party for themselves right now. VS. Apple countering with a better product for professional post...they ducked and tried to make a new market for themselves. Which they might succeed!! But if all else Avid is breathing a sigh of relief. I predict that their market for feature film and broadcast/commercial post will probably go back up. The truly professional market is a small market..too small for Apple.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Just a little bit of practicality.
Apple had to make the break somewhere if they were going to move to a 64 bit program that was render free and finally utilized the multi-cores that we've all been buying for a few years.
The reality is you can't run 32 bit files in the new 64 bit world.
It's just like you couldn't put oats in your Model-T when it came time to move on from the horse and buggy.
Maybe not the best analogy but you get the point.
There's going to be some breaking points when you make a pivotal transition and a period of adjustment.
I'm pretty psyched with what I'm seeing overall even though I'm not thrilled that a couple of my systems won;t run it without new cards...again, just part of the change.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I cut on AVID, have a tiny bit of FCP experience, and a little bit on VEGAS. But I'm in the market for a new laptop and was thinking about Macbook - and picking up a copy of the 'new' version of FCP - running both it and AVID on the laptop.

So I'm reading these reviews with interest. I't does sound like a 'more powerful' version of I-movie. And it has a kind of 'vegas' feel to it too - odd that. I'm less inclined to go Macbook at this point, and even less inclined to add FCP to my chops.

So, I'll agree with David in his assesment that AVID is smiling - and the professional houses are scratching their heads.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Larry Jordan has some interesting things:

Ain’t Nothing Like It In the World – Larry’s Blog

and

Sorry to pull huge quotes like that, but it's worth reading and noting. I have a feeling a quick free update comes out shortly. I'd love to see bigger $49 updates once a year, too!

heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

The 32-64 bit transition has nothing to do with the fact that you can't read old FCP files. Zero. That was a choice that was about their editing paradigm shift, not a CPU change.

The bottom line for me is this: If they are putting out a system that doesn't let you export your audio to be mixed properly (and doesn't let you mix it properly in the app) and that doesn't let you run an external production monitor and more, then they are saying WE ARE NOT MAKING A PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT.

They are now making a very fancy hobbyist product.

Again it's a shame, because I was really looking forward to a reinvention of the paradigm within a professional arena.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I like his post. He points out a lot of things that don't work in it. He also says that it's great and everyone will be using it. BUT... he certainly has a large business interest in everyone porting to FCPX because he's spent months making training for it that he wants to sell you... so you have to take that gung-ho part with some grain of salt.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I agree with you, but I also believe that Apple has told him they're listening and watching. I bet we see an update soon.

heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Ok, so I played with it all day... and its looking like I might be calling up apple tomorrow asking for my money back.. Fine, $300 for FCP, is cheap, and thats why I was willing to be an early adopter, but after using this product for a few hours testing it out... its not about the money... its about the fact that they are calling this piece of garbage product "Final Cut Pro" this software is totally, 100% iMovie Pro and if you are a professional in the video production field, I recommend buying anything but fcpx.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

It's possible. But it's not like they left out one feature that they couldn't have guessed professionals would want. They left out nearly all of them, and they knew it.

I look at the 60 Avid suites at Discovery, where I've done some work. FCP 7 could work in that environment... where they always mix separately... where there is always a production monitor... where they lay out to tape. FCP X could not come close. It would be a joke there.

And they knew that, and still made those choices. I think it's a question of what market they want to serve, and they are making that known loudly and clearly.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I no longer think Apple is abandoning the Pro market, they are just changing the architecture of their software to more elegantly accommodate the needs of the market. With the release of Motion and Compressor, it looks like professional functions that not everybody needs will be offered as separate external programs. For example, audio mastering & multi-cam - these don't really need to be part of the core application. When looking at the big picture, only a few users actually use them. But it looks like it would be easy to offer them as separate US$50 additions? Plus it's much easier to update a separate module instead of constantly rewriting the core editing application. Not only is that smart, but it lets Apple be so much more responsive to the separate consumer, prosumer & professional markets. In the long run, I think it will make everyone happy. And my theory may also be the reason we don't see the "lite" version of FCP. The core application itself is the "lite" version, with professional "heavy" features being introduced as separate programs.

Personally I'm definitely getting good vibes. While FCP X isn't going to be able to currently handle a lot of current professional workflows, it is going to fulfill a huge part of the needs of the video editing market - and in the process that will spur and fund the development of more "professional" features in the future.

I love seeing a plan come together.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I guess I can say that this version of FCP is probably ideal for me... I am a one-man-band who is getting paid to edit content shot on cameras like the EX1, and the content is going to both the web and to broadcast (via Compressor and tapeless delivery). I can't open my last couple of films (started editing with FCP 5, finished in FCP 6, made some minor fixes in FCP 7) in FCP X, but that's okay. I'm moving onto the next project.

I don't own FCP X, nor have I used it yet, but I will soon.

heath

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

OK maybe I wasn't clear with my point.
The new 64 bit editing paradigm won't allow for the import of the 32 bit editing paradigm because the timeline alone is completely different.
It would be like trying to import FCP files into Avid or Premiere.
This, like Avid is a completely different program so it can;t be expected to accept a radically different format.

The things you are frustrated with do not translate into the all cps statement you made.
That's just an assumption.
My assumption is that Apple will address those issues quickly and this new program will move forward the way we've experienced with other new but well supported apps.

I think Apple has thought this through a lot more than they're being credited by some. I'd bet on seeing a fully integrated pro system in less than a year.

For $300 bucks it's a great way to move into the future now and evolve with it.
Or not.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

By the way, the plusses of X and Motion are pretty amazing so far at my studio.
It's not like this is some blunder.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Snow Leopard costs just $29 & you really should have upgraded long ago Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.)

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Went to download it and the reviews were so bad it scared me off. Think I might wait on the sidelines and see what happens with updates. FCP7 is working just fine! Maybe we should just ask for 64bit FCP7. What's wrong with that?

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I don't believe that FCPX should be called a piece of garbage just because version 1.0 no longer meets certain needs yet.

For all we know, in a few months Thunderbolt I/O devices, a 32-bit float OPENCL/GCD rendering engine, 64-bit support, multi-CPU rendering and a powerful metadata engine that FCPX already has will make the next version of FCPX a more powerful tool for professionals. One forum poster on another board found FCP X hooks for XML Import/Export and Python references.

FCPX is starting to look better now that I have steadfastly worked through its editing paradigm, tried compound clips (which behave more intuitively then nesting), audio repair features, logic-sourced audio filters and multiple secondaries in the Color-sourced color correction panel.

Once I learned to use the Q,W,E,D,T and Position tool, my editing speed went way up.

I've already cut together one paying job (a dance video) today. I used the in-built vimeo sharing function to let my client evaluate the job.

It's easy to lose sight of the impressive technical execution of what's there already in FCPX when everyone's crying about features that aren't there yet. I realise the pain of those (including me) who miss Multicam and OMF/XML I/O. I've been there. I use Logic to sweeten my audio mixes. Hope Apple will fix it in the next revisions. That's why FCP7 is still in my Applications folder...

Best,
-Greg

p.s. I don't believe Avid is 64-bit yet, nor does it officially work with 10.6.7 yet.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Yes, but in your example you could at least export an EDL and bring that into Avid. Now that option has been taken away as well apparently.

A couple of things I'd like to know:

There's no sequences... what about having multiple instances of FCPX running simultaneously? And can you still use nesting? What happens if you double click on a nested sequence? Does it open a new window or open that project in the current window?

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Nesting has been replaced by compound clips which allows you to group together a complex set of elements and collapse them into a single clip right on the timeline. Double-clicking unpacks it again.

Not sure yet what to do about the old sequences workflow, it's gone. Separate timelines doesn't seem to be an option. Well figuring it out is half the fun I suppose.

So far so good, I'm enjoying using this, working through an advert that's due next week, and it's making me smile.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

<<Yes, but in your example you could at least export an EDL and bring that into Avid. Now that option has been taken away as well apparently.>>

I'm thinking not taken away, just not implemented yet.

<<A couple of things I'd like to know:

There's no sequences... what about having multiple instances of FCPX running simultaneously? And can you still use nesting? What happens if you double click on a nested sequence? Does it open a new window or open that project in the current window?>>

It's a whole new way of thinking but yes, "nesting" is more powerful and flexible than what you're used to. it's all one project and everything happens in front of you.

I'm telling you I've hated FCs media management for ten years. Once people get used to this new way of thinking most are going to love it. I already do. We do a ton of photography for our clients and media, and Event based management is something I'm already very fond of.

Apple's not stupid, just the opposite. Of course they're making this integrate with iPhoto and Aperture and that's great because it simplifies our workflow enormously. I'm happy to spend more money with them if they keep evolving and integrating their multimedia tools.
I love CS5 for the same reasons.
Win/win

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Ah ha, ok I get it now. Compound clips can be re-used in different projects. So you don't have sequences anymore, you just build your compound clips on the timeline and re-use them later. They are stored like any other clip. Even better, it looks like you can use compound clips with the auditioning feature. And you are supposed to be able to carry over effects as well by applying compound clips to multiple elements on the timeline. That's a pretty slick workflow. Looks like compound clips just became my new best friend.

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

I'm a long term user from the Premiere/AE side, i have in fact the first copy of AE somewhere around here. I have invested thousands in Adobe Products. I tried Final Cut Express but hated it. I've edited short commercial pieces up to 2 hour dramas.

I absolutely love this Final Cut. It combines 99% of what i need across Premiere and AE in a single place, the grading, animated masks and overall editing are what i think should be in an editing package. (I have a VFX background so like to do my own work)

I'm on a macbook pro i7 and it runs really well. I will live with it longer but probably move my main machines over to Macs for this.

I do think though that there are a lot of existing workflows people have that simply don't fit into this approach. Tape based for one. But i've not used tape in years. There's also a massive shift in editing and i think the UI promotes creativity rather than mundane logging and editing. So these things are not right for a lot of 'bread and butter' work. Maybe these issues can be addressed.

I'm not one for being a fanboy, but i really do think apple have managed to shove the creative side of editing up a level and i look forward to doing serious work in it and concentrating on the content - not dynamic linking of compositing, faffing with Magic Bullet Look masks because they don't animate. etc,. etc,.

cheers
Paul

Re: FCP X Now available to buy and download from App Store
 

Having used FCP since version 1.5, I am disappointed.
I believe that a new version of an established product should be an improvement, whether you redesign, recode or just paint it with a different color.
The new product should have the features that users used in the old one. They can get rid of old features that are no longer used but not features that users need.

So I have a few problems:

We premix sound and then export OMFs for just about every project and do the mix in a sound studio.

We often use Muliticlip edits.

We archive our final products either on HDCAM or Digibeta. Now I need a standalone solution to ingest and output? We will move to a completely tapeless solution as soon as all our clients and Broadcast stations do as well.

We don't use our burned in Cinema Displays as broadcast monitors... We have proper, calibrated Broadcast Monitors. We must. Our clients need to be assured that what they see is a reference.

We have ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST in publishing to YouTube or any other exhibitionist social media platform from Final Cut. (If we choose to do so, I don't mind a few extra mouseclicks to encode and upload) I don't want my menus to be cluttered with this time wasting stuff.

They could have kept these features, I am sure. But they didn't. I don't like what that tells me. Either they have been listening to amateurs to give them the wishlist for FCP X or they really don't care about pro users.

Of course they will make adjustments, and add features, but seeing upload to YouTube favoured over broadcast usability makes me shiver. I have a bad feeling about that shift of priorities.

I tried AVID MC 5.5 because they had a deal for 995 $ until last Friday. So I downloaded the demo.
The installation went fine, without any hiccups. When I tried to start the application though - It didn't like it. In fact, even my bluetooth mouse didn't work anymore...
I called the local dealer, asking "wtf..." and he wanted to know what OS I am running. 10.6.7, I replied. Ha! he said, that is the problem. MC 5.5 won't work with that... there is no patch yet. To my question why I can install the software on a OS that is not compatible, he did not have an answer.

So I tried the uninstaller, which made the app disappear from my app folder but still my bluetooth mouse and even FCP 7 didn't work anymore...

Time machine to the rescue. Now all is well again. Regardless to say - the test made it clear "NO MC for us" I don't need more problems. And I especially don't need software that screws up other applications...

So for us FinalCut X and MC is not a solution... then what is?
use FCP 7 until that is totally outdated, which actually last for a while - and then retire to a tropical island - drinking pineapple juice all day... ?