Apple announced a major update to its popular non-linear editor that improves remote workflows, proxy media, and ProRes RAW functionality while bumping performance and adding workflow tools that are sure to appease filmmakers. 

With the release, ProRes RAW sees a big bump in capability. Final Cut Pro X now includes camera settings tools for ISO, color temperature, and exposure offset that are directly in the inspector. The update also sees improvements with the Metal-enabled plug-ins for RED RAW and Canon Cinema RAW Light. Apple says transcoding 8K RED RAW video to ProRes 422 is up to 2 times faster on Mac Pro and 3 times faster on a MacBook Pro. On top of that, Final Cut can now playback and edit 8K Canon Cinema RAW light, which is good news for Canon owners.  

Proxy workflow just got easier too. Libraries are more portable, and for the first time, editors can create proxy files in ProRes Proxy or H.264 at 50, 25, or as small as 12.5%. So if you have an older, slower Mac, this could be welcomed news. Apple says editors can also consolidate proxy media, images, and audio to an external or network-connected drive. The FCP Library can be relinked to different proxies that have already been created. Additionally, proxy media can be generated by third-party applications via XML. 

Fcpx_update2Smart Conform

Final Cut also adds its own version of Adobe's Auto Reframe called Smart Conform. Like Adobe, it uses "machine learning" to crop clips and convert them into different aspect ratios for social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter saving you valuable time. Video can then be resized and repositioned to fit your needs. 

The update includes a slew of other great features. Editors can add a crossfade between 2 audio clips, use the context menu to close a project or clear timeline history, or sort clips and projects in List View by modified date. 3D video can be stabilized and viewed in the 360-degree Viewer with separate streams for each eye. 

Motion and Compressor see updates as well. Third-party 3D models can be imported and manipulated. Motion adds a new Stroke Filter to automatically outline an object or text element using the alpha channel. Compressor now supports custom LUT effects as well as the ability to use Camera LUTs that can convert log-encoded footage to SDR or HDR. 

The latest version is out now and is free for existing Final Cut Pro X owners. What do you think of the updates? Is there something you want to see in the next one? Let Apple know in the comments below. 

Source: Apple

appleFinal Cut Pro Xfcpxupdates
Editing & Post-Production