Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Larry

This morning, Apple updated Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, and Compressor 4. According to Apple’s website, here are the changes.

Final Cut Pro X — What’s New in Version 10.1.2

Optimized, proxy, and rendered media can be stored at any location outside of the library
Easily delete optimized, proxy, and rendered media from within Final Cut Pro X
Used media indicators for Compound clips, Multicam clips, and Synced clips
Option to show only unused media in the Browser
Apply a standard (Rec. 709) look in real time to high dynamic range and wide color gamut video from ARRI, Blackmagic Design, Canon, and Sony cameras
Automatically apply an ARRI embedded 3D LUT from the new AMIRA camera
Support for Apple ProRes 4444 XQ
Improved speed and accuracy when synchronizing clips
Audio recording improvements including countdown and automatic Audition creation from multiple takes
Fast export of cuts-only projects containing XDCAM media
Export entire library as a single XML file
Selecting a library displays key metadata in the Inspector
Adjust relative and absolute volume of a clip or range selection
Create Keywords from Finder Tags when importing media
Option to sort events by date or name in the Libraries list
Import a clip by dragging directly into the Browser
Share 4K video to Vimeo

Motion — What’s New in Version 5.1.1

• Support for Apple ProRes 4444 XQ
• Improved Sequence Text behavior for animating characters, words, and lines
• Enhanced Contrast filter parameters for refined adjustments

Compressor – What’s New in Version 4.1.2

Support for Apple ProRes 4444 XQ
Better performance when working with large batches
Status display and improved responsiveness when using “Send to Compressor” from Final Cut Pro X and Motion
Improved performance and color accuracy when encoding H.264 source files from GoPro cameras
Fixes issues transcoding alpha channels in image sequences
Includes general stability improvements

The new features that I am especially struck by are the ability, in FCP X, are its improved media management. Of all the complaints I’m hearing currently about Final Cut, media management and file linking are at the top. This new update seems to address that issue.

The Motion changes essentially keep it in parity with Final Cut Pro X.

While the new changes in Compressor, especially fixing color saturation issues in compressed files and improved stability, address some ongoing concerns.

I have not yet installed the new software. The standard rules apply: don’t upgrade if you are in the middle of a project, unless your current project is not working.

The new ProRes 4444 XQ codec is worth learning more about. Here’s an article I wrote that explains this in more detail.

As always, let me know what you think.

Larry

18 Responses to Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X

Newer Comments →

Tim says:

June 27, 2014 at 7:15 pm

Does Final Cut X have the ability yet to export individual Audio Tracks?

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Larry says:

June 27, 2014 at 7:26 pm

Tim:

FCP X had long had the ability to export individual audio clips and groups of clips using Roles.

To convert them into ProTools you need X2Pro from Marquis Broadcast.
To convert them for Adobe Audition, use X27 from Intelligent Software.
To convert them into EDLs, use EDL-X from Xmil Workflow Tools.

Larry

Reply
Tim says:

June 28, 2014 at 5:30 pm

Thanks. I do a lot of video work hat has multiple versions of audio that needs to be synced to each animated video then converted to ac3 so I can load into DVDSP. For some reason I thought this could not be done in FCX. Must have missed that. Guess I will buy it and start learning my way around it now with all these new features. Thanks for the help!

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Clayton says:

June 29, 2014 at 10:58 am

This kind of skated by me, but seeing it……it seems to re-enforce Apples commitment to FCPX. Thats good news.

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- Larry says:
  
  June 29, 2014 at 11:08 am
  
  I agree. Apple updated all its video apps and releases a new version of ProRes. Plus, Apple stressed they were still committed to Final Cut and Logic.
  
  All good signs.
  
  Larry
  
  Reply
Victrolux says:

June 29, 2014 at 1:40 pm

Ironically, just the day before this update I purchased “FINAL CUT LIBRARY MANAGER”… specifically to be able to delete render files globally across all/any library. If I’m not mistaken, it appears as if, in the update to FCPX, one can assign/delete file storage locations only on a library-by-library basis… not globally across all libraries. So Final Cut Library Manager might still work better for deleting globally. I hope FCLM will still work once I begin to locate FCPX scratch, optimized and render files on a separate disc…. if not I hope FCLM will update/adapt soon.

BTW, Larry, thanks for your great 3 day FCPX webinar on Creative Live. Great marketing decision on your part… because, as a result of how helpful it was I will STILL likely purchase your full training from your site.

Victor Ingrassia
Oakland, CA

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- Larry says:
  
  June 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm
  
  Victor:
  
  Thanks for the kind words.
  
  However, your money is safe. Library Manager does more than the new version of FCP X. All of Final Cut’s operations are library-focused. You work with one library at a time. Yes, we can now delete render, optimized, and proxy files – but only one library at a time.
  
  Final Cut Library Manager allows us to work with multiple libraries at the same time.
  
  Larry
  
  P.S. I’m already at work creating updated training for FCP X – it should be out shortly.
  
  Reply
Victrolux says:

June 29, 2014 at 1:45 pm

Follow up to my previous post about Final Cut Library Manager.. the current update does not yet support FCPX’s scheme of storing generated media on other drives… but they say they will be releasing an update that will address this in the future:

“v.2.05

Allows cleaning of internal files (as with the previous verison) when Final Cut Pro 10.1.2 is installed.
Note: Final Cut Pro 10.1.2 now adds support for externally stored generated media and cached files. A future update to Final Cut Library Manager will also handle these files.”

~Victor

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Caesar Darias says:

June 29, 2014 at 4:24 pm

I just noticed there are new Transitions, Titles, Themes and Generators in FCP X. And there are more Jingles! Did Apple even mention that? I’m not complaining. I hope they will keep expanding music and, especially, give us more Loops.

Anyway, Larry, if there’s a way to name clips upon import, please explain that in your new tutorial. I know it can be done later. However, it’s so much easier and more organized do it before.

Thanks.

Reply
- Larry says:
  
  June 29, 2014 at 4:30 pm
  
  Caesar:
  
  There are a large number of new features – which is why I’m writing an article and revising my video training to cover them. (both out shortly)
  
  However, at this point, we still can’t rename clips during import.
  
  larry
  
  Reply
Caesar Darias says:

June 29, 2014 at 5:34 pm

Thanks, Larry. I’m looking forward to your always detailed, informative and entertaining videos.

BTW, still no seamless roundtripping with Motion. UGH! Why, Apple? Why?

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Henry K says:

June 29, 2014 at 7:20 pm

Hi Larry,

I do notice one unmentioned change in FCPX 10.1.2, which is Library’s sorting order.

In the pervious version, it is in order to library’s name but now is in order of “time of open”, last opened on top.

Is there any way to change it back to sorting by name?

Thanks.

Henry

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- Larry says:
  
  June 29, 2014 at 7:47 pm
  
  Try the sort options in the Gear icon, just below the Libraries list. Also, right-click inside the Libraries list and try the Sort Order options listed there.
  
  Larry
  
  Reply
Henry K says:

June 30, 2014 at 1:35 am

Hi Larry,

Thanks for your prompt respond.

When I select a Library, the gear icon sort by options are “grey out”, right-click inside the libraries only give me the “Sort Event By” option, either method allow me to make any “Library” specific sorting method.

I would like to know if any one else has the same problem. It’s ok if you only have 1 or 2 libraries, but if you need to open 20 libraries simultaneously, it will be problematic.

Cheers,

H

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- Larry says:
  
  June 30, 2014 at 1:43 am
  
  Henry:
  
  No one else has reported this, yet. And I won’t have time to take a serious look at this until the end of the week. If it is a real problem, please contact Apple Support.
  
  Larry
  
  Reply