Apple Releases Final Cut Pro X 10.1

Today, Apple updated Final Cut Pro X to version 10.1 — probably the most significant update since Final Cut’s initial release. (In case you are wondering, my vote for second most significant update is version 10.0.3.) This new version sports hundreds of new features, both large and small, and some very exciting improvements.

The update is free and available on the Mac App store. However, it requires OS X Mavericks to run. Plus, it requires updating all existing FCP X Events and Projects.

If you are in the middle of a big project – DON’T UPGRADE!! Finish the project, then upgrade.

When you do, there is a lot to look forward to:

• Improved performance, specifically to support the new Mac Pro and dual GPUs
• Hundreds of big and small usability enhancements throughout the program.
• Totally revised media management

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I like this new version for its speed, media management, and the improvements to the editing process. As with all updates to any editing software, never update in the middle of a project. But, when you update, you’ll be glad you did.

Updating events and projects needs to be approached with caution, but, once you understand how it works, updating is straight-forward.

Here’s a detailed look at what to expect in the new version.

RUNS EVEN FASTER

(Click image to view larger version.)

While I haven’t done any formal performance testing, I was surprised by how smooth and quick the application felt as I was creating my latest Final Cut Pro X training — and I was running it on a 2010 iMac!

NOTE: More RAM helps. There is a big difference in Final Cut’s performance between running on 4 GB of RAM and 16 GB of RAM. FCP X will use as much RAM as you can give it; though, if you are on a limited budget, 16 GB is RAM is fine. Also, always store media to a second drive; don’t use the boot drive.

And, before you ask, no, I haven’t run this on a Mac Pro – new or old. Like I said, even on an older iMac, the software feels very smooth.

MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Better performance is always good, especially as we step up into larger frame sizes, but the biggest change is media management. Judging from my email and the most popular articles on my website, media management drives most people nuts. And not just Final Cut, media management for any video editing software is confusing to many people.

Apple thought they fixed it with their initial concept of Events and Projects. But there was still confusion, and quitting Final Cut just to move events in and out of the app was a mess.

In this version, Apple replaced Events and Projects with Libraries. The old Event Library is gone, replaced by the Libraries pane. Libraries contain Media, Events and Projects. Events are now more like folders, or bins, which store stuff. Projects are now stored in Events. With a single keystroke, we can now create instant “Snapshots” of a project to serve as a reference for a particular point in the edit.

You can open, close, and backup Libraries without ever quitting Final Cut. And, the old limit of about 2,000 clips per event has been significantly expanded. A Library is a “bundle,” similar to Keynote. A Bundle acts like a single file, but stores all your media and other elements inside itself. This means it is very easy to backup, move, or copy entire libraries.

The only downside – and it’s a big one – is that all current Events and Libraries need to be updated before they can be used in Final Cut 10.1. However, media files are fine and don’t require updating.

NOTE: I’ve written a separate blog that details media management in the new version. Read it here.

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Before you upgrade your editing system, watch this short eight-minute video that explains what you need to know about upgrading Events and Projects.

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NOTE: The excellent utility from Intelligent Assistant, “Event Manager X” can be a help in upgrading Events and Projects. Even better, the folks at Intelligent Assistance are now offering this utility for free. To learn more, visit: www.intelligentassistance.com.

I really like the new media management. It is faster, safer, easier and better… once you get through the update process. However, updating is a one-time-only procedure which is straight-forward – just watch my video first.

NOTE: Apple also has a white paper that describes this process as well. To learn more, visit: www.apple.com/finalcutpro/

OTHER COOL NEW FEATURES

There are lots of new features, some big and some small, that make using the program a lot more fun.

• Project Snapshots allow you to duplicate a project with a keystroke to save as a reference for the future. I used these a lot in creating my training.
• FCP X now natively supports both MTS and MT2S files, as well as improved linking to REDCODE RAW files.
• We can move, copy, and paste multiple keyframes at the same time.

• We now have the option to add or remove Ease-In/Ease-Out behaviors from the Ken Burns effect. (If this doesn’t mean much to you, then ignore the cheering coming from other parts of the building…)

• Changing the speed of a clip (clip retiming) was improved, along with the ability to create a “Fit-to-Fill” edit.
• Background tasks automatically stop when you quit the application.

• We can add fades to individual audio channels
• Multicam audio handling and trimming was improved.

• The Inspector got a new icon – and we can display and join Through Edits!

• We can share 4K files directly with YouTube, as well as share files to Chinese sharing sites Youku and Tudou.

(Click image to view larger version.)

• We can hide the Libraries and Browser panes to make more room to view the Viewer. This is a huge help when you need to view scopes, the Viewer and the Color Board for color correction.

The list goes on:

• Minor tweaks to the interface
• Editing and trimming improvements
• Improved split edits and audio trimming
• Revised preferences
• Improved tapeless media import
• Improved keyword performance
• Revised replace edits
• Simplified moving clips with transitions
• Improved media consolidation and backup
• Import photos and movies from iOS devices
• Improved Viewer controls
• Improved image stabilization
• Improved Sharing
• Custom interfaces for FXPlug effects

There’s a lot in the new version – and we’ll be talking about it for a long while to come.

SUMMARY

The latest version of Apple’s Final Cut Pro X does not deliver world peace. Nor does it fulfill every editor’s wish list. But Apple has done a solid job of adding features that we can use in our projects every day to make our edits go faster, easier and with a bit more fun.

And, as soon as you are between projects, I recommend you upgrade. The faster performance and new media management, alone, make the upgrade worthwhile.

LEARN MORE

I just completed all-new training on this version of Final Cut Pro X. To see the first 15 movies – which will give you a Quick Start into the application – visit my YouTube channel.

To download your own copy of my Final Cut Pro X training, please visit our store.

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