Final Cut Pro Gaining New Features on Mac and iPad Later This Month

[Ludatyk]

There are a lot of workflows that haven't made it to iPad due to its limitations, but there are some workflows that are increasingly incorporating iPhones and iPads into them. The biggest two are photography and videography. So these are low hanging fruit workflows for Apple to build a showcase for how they see iPadOS being a "Pro" OS. In turn, giving us a glimpse at a future that looks different than the OSes we all grew up with (and is embodied in macOS).

What workflows have you personally encountered due to iPad limitations? And there are plenty of photography and videography apps for users to incorporate into their workflow... from the Affinity suite to DaVinci Resolve, which most might believe is a much better alternative to the Final Cut Pro app.

It's not as if users have to depend on Apple for apps, there are plenty of third-party apps to handle user's workflows.

That doesn't mean people haven't been able to build a workable flow for themselves despite it... But it doesn't mean Apple should be OK with the current state.

Well, if Apple is OK with the current state of the iPad platform... they will pack their bags and call it a day lol. Just like all their products... it's a never-ending cycle to improve on them.

The people who criticize the iPad look through the lens of a Mac... always comparing the iPad to it but haven't really taken a step back to see how far the platform has come.

 

[Populus]

I suppose it's too much to hope that this option becomes available for Mac. As a novice I'd happily pay a few dollars to "try it out" for a month or two, but I can't justify hundreds for something I'll rarely use.

Edit: It seems from the responses that I didn't word that very well (only 4 hours of sleep last night!). I'm not looking for the 90-day trial, I just want something I can use once for a few days, then come back to again a year later. It's rare that I need to edit things, and I don't really need much more functionality than what used to be available in QuickTime Pro.

Maybe I should try to learn Resolve instead...

While having a subscription for those cases is very convenient (for instance I only pay the GPTPlus when I need or want to have the better performing GPT4 model, soon the GPT 4 Turbo model), I really hope that, if Apple implements a subscription for the Mac apps as well, they leave the one time purchase option. Because, many people who use the software on a regular basis, even if not at a professional level, maybe prefer to pay upfront and have the ease of mind of using it whenever they need it, without subscriptions.

I think, even being against the subscription trend that Apple is encouraging among developers of apps that aren’t even services or don’t need a complex maintenance, that the optimal solution in this case is that subscribers of Final Cut Pro had access, for that $5/month, to all versions of Final Cut Pro, on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. I see no reason for not including the macOS version inside the subscription, and even implement a better synergy among all the versions, sharing files or tools easily in real time.

 

[corinthos]

These updates are very welcomed. But... the truth is these are very minor and FCP is still way behind Resolve, Premier, and even CapCut.

*sigh*

and Apple is charging for it.

 

[corinthos]

Until and unless they unleash the hardware capabilities and potential of the iPad Pro, sales will continue to suffer.

 

[Razorpit]

I suppose it's too much to hope that this option becomes available for Mac. As a novice I'd happily pay a few dollars to "try it out" for a month or two, but I can't justify hundreds for something I'll rarely use.

Edit: It seems from the responses that I didn't word that very well (only 4 hours of sleep last night!). I'm not looking for the 90-day trial, I just want something I can use once for a few days, then come back to again a year later. It's rare that I need to edit things, and I don't really need much more functionality than what used to be available in QuickTime Pro.

Maybe I should try to learn Resolve instead...

Why wouldn’t you use iMovie then? Better than QuickTime, and free.

 

[rishiomedia]

I think the big point people here are missing is that ’Pro’ at Apple stands for ‘Prosumer’.

 

[Manzanito]

I think the big point people here are missing is that ’Pro’ at Apple stands for ‘Prosumer’.

Try ‘Profit’

 

[OneTraveler]

Finally automatic timeline scrolling? Please Please Show the waveforms and thumbnails as it scrolls. The most irritating thing I have about FCP is the scrolling of the timeline while it plays. Constantly starting and stopping so I can have a glance of the audio and visuals coming up.

Good news. It does. The implementation is nice.

 

[anakin44011]

Back in the day when Adobe Flash was the goto for Multimedia development there was a paid extension that allowed you to run Flash as a kiosk app with the ability to access system level API calls. When it all got discontinued we kept a single machine around running the dev platform for this just so we could update two kiosk systems clients were still using.

Just do the same for FinalCut and Motion. Keep a separate machine that runs an older version so you can access the features you need. Do all other work on your main machine. Somewhat painful but if it gets the job done why not.

I still have my 11" MacBook Air for this reason - runs FCP7 and LiveType in case I ever have to reference old projects.

The thing depreciates by...maybe $10 a year ;-)

 

[jonnysods]

FCP on the Mac is such good value, I think I purchased it maybe 7 years ago or about that - one single charge for it, no subscription!

 

[AdamJD]

. . .Anyone serious about video will never again get locked into Apple video tools.

🤔Hmmmmmmmm....

 

[suchnerve]

But still no support for captioning/subtitling in Final Cut Pro for iPad? And here I thought Apple valued accessibility. 🙄

 

[Nermal]

For using it twice a year just use iMovie or get the free version of DaVinci Resolve.

iMovie is free

iMovie is your friend!

Why wouldn’t you use iMovie then? Better than QuickTime, and free.

Thanks, everyone. I'd quite forgotten that iMovie existed!

 

[nt5672]

🤔Hmmmmmmmm....
View attachment 2308849View attachment 2308850

So they adopted standard video hardware to hold an iPhone. What is your point? These people are trying to attract attention, using a lot less money than Pros actually use. Do you shoot video? I've been CTO for an HD video recording studio and while that may work for a single stream, explain how to time sync the video when there is no common clock (without a lot of manual guessing). How do you easily sync audio recording from a different sources?

In spite of advertising the Apple is still a toy outside of single stream photos and video. It looks good for the home users and a few pros are pushing the limits, but after the magazine articles, they'll go back to using the better equipment.

 

[haysoos123]

I used to be a commercial editor back in the day and got out of it just as the FCP - FCP X transition happened so I never had to deal with it. Had a small project to do for family recently, so decided to give the new FCP a go - surely it would have caught up to the legacy version by now, right?

Yikes. Can't use my regular workflow of cutting and splicing clips and dragging them around. Nor can I move titles by dragging them around the canvas? I gave up and redid them in Motion instead. In honesty it felt like having to use iMovie with a darker theme still. *sigh*

A lot of us are complaining about the lack of new AI features and things like that, but you're complaining about basic functionality that's actually there had you actually learned at least the basics of how to use it. This is a little bit like using Avid and complaining that you can't select on a clip and drag it around... it's possible to do it, you just don't know how and then proceed to dismiss it out of hand.

 

[0339327]

How about allowing the user to set which screen is primary and secondary. Especially valuable when you have more than two displays.

How about real color grading.

How about better work with log.

How about actual, competitively good tracking?

How about AI rotoscoping made easy?

How about better processing of speed changes?

How about better stabilization?

How about better flow transition.

Ahh… how about a real-world, editor-grade NLE!!!

@RigSatMe: you disagree with asking for a better, more feature-rich, more competitive program?

 

[FCX]

So they adopted standard video hardware to hold an iPhone. What is your point? These people are trying to attract attention, using a lot less money than Pros actually use. Do you shoot video? I've been CTO for an HD video recording studio and while that may work for a single stream, explain how to time sync the video when there is no common clock (without a lot of manual guessing). How do you easily sync audio recording from a different sources?

In spite of advertising the Apple is still a toy outside of single stream photos and video. It looks good for the home users and a few pros are pushing the limits, but after the magazine articles, they'll go back to using the better equipment.

For cameras that don't do TC, use TOD. Or don't. Audio sync in FCP is really great, particularly if your angles have system sound, and I've yet to see a smoother Multicam workflow (regardless of camera selection). I do it a lot. Granted, I don't work in a video studio environment and don't typically shoot what I edit, though it does happen from time to time. I have to run with whatever the client can afford, and preproduction calls to iron out details are effective. It helps that my freelancers generally know what we need.

As a professional who edits primarily with Final Cut (I also use Resolve and PPr), it seems to me Apple's approach is more akin to building a camera body, with the user picking and choosing which accessories to add themselves. The fact that I can, and do, use Motion to build many of my own plugins and templates is also a big plus. Yes, it could use updating for current AI trends/capabilities, but it's still the fastest and most fun path from my brain to deliverable.

 

[AdamJD]

So they adopted standard video hardware to hold an iPhone. What is your point?

Apple's video hardware (iPhone 15) and software makes higher quality filmmaking, event and TV production accessible to a wider creative community. I disagree with "[A]nyone serious about video will never again get locked into Apple video tools."

These people are trying to attract attention, using a lot less money than Pros actually use.

The end product was a very well-produced event. I don't care how much money "Pros" use. I care about the story first, then the sound & video. If I were a cinematographer by trade, I might be more snooty about my camera because it would be part of my specific craft. I write and produce. I've used outdated consumer camera and gotten far, far more interaction, smiles and views than the "Pros" standing next to me with a team and very expensive, professional equipment. I'm sure their footage looked WAY better. GREAT! I'm sure it was beautiful footage. Never saw it.

Do you shoot video?

Yes, I'm NOT a cinematographer though.

I've been CTO for an HD video recording studio and while that may work for a single stream, explain how to time sync the video when there is no common clock (without a lot of manual guessing). How do you easily sync audio recording from a different sources?

They used Tentacle sync.

In spite of advertising the Apple is still a toy outside of single stream photos and video. It looks good for the home users and a few pros are pushing the limits, but after the magazine articles, they'll go back to using the better equipment.

But...many shows are single-camera shoots. Home users are consumers. Of course there are better cameras. They're not usually necessary. I'm not filming the next Star Wars film. Empire Strikes Back is still my go-to anyway.

 

[aibloop]

How about allowing the user to set which screen is primary and secondary. Especially valuable when you have more than two displays.

How about real color grading.

How about better work with log.

How about actual, competitively good tracking?

How about AI rotoscoping made easy?

How about better processing of speed changes?

How about better stabilization?

How about better flow transition.

Ahh… how about a real-world, editor-grade NLE!

And… Apple bought the best compositor in the world, shake. And made motion?


I am tired of huge companies buying good software and letting it rot on the wine… I am looking at you adobe.

Even zBrush is gone. It is essentially gone…


I hate how software is turning into subscription based OR apps with mircotransactions/subscriptions… It‘s a nightmare.

I dont mind paying for whole point upgrades with actual benefits. I wish there was actual market regulation limiting how big companies can just bankroll and buy up these smaller companies.. Imgine if they were forced to invest in those companies instead? Up to 49% of stock. Would drive up the value and give them the funds they need to develop.

Commercialism is not good for people. And regulation is basically a joke.


I wish more software went the way of Blender. I wish there was an open source variety getting the blender treatment for a great compositor. And a NLE. And photoshop etc. (I know they try, but none are on the level of blender)

Open source should get support from my tax money tbh. Software is essential for doing the work of today, and I wouldn’t mind if my tax money went to that instead of weapons development/minerals and oil search…

It IS possible today to have a govt website where I choose where my taxmoney go to OR atleast a portion of it… Why not? Vote with your $$$

 

[arkmannj]

And… Apple bought the best compositor in the world, shake. And made motion?


I am tired of huge companies buying good software and letting it rot on the wine… I am looking at you adobe.

Even zBrush is gone. It is essentially gone…


I hate how software is turning into subscription based OR apps with mircotransactions/subscriptions… It‘s a nightmare.

I dont mind paying for whole point upgrades with actual benefits. I wish there was actual market regulation limiting how big companies can just bankroll and buy up these smaller companies.. Imgine if they were forced to invest in those companies instead? Up to 49% of stock. Would drive up the value and give them the funds they need to develop.

Commercialism is not good for people. And regulation is basically a joke.


I wish more software went the way of Blender. I wish there was an open source variety getting the blender treatment for a great compositor. And a NLE. And photoshop etc. (I know they try, but none are on the level of blender)

Open source should get support from my tax money tbh. Software is essential for doing the work of today, and I wouldn’t mind if my tax money went to that instead of weapons development/minerals and oil search…

It IS possible today to have a govt website where I choose where my taxmoney go to OR atleast a portion of it… Why not? Vote with your $$$

Oh how I miss shake, Motion is still around but it kind of feels watered down in some ways compared to the Final Cut Studio Days. Those were the days.

 

[Algr]

I just want something I can use once for a few days, then come back to again a year later.

This won't work. Whenever I go a few months without editing, I come back to find that the latest update has pointlessly moved all the controls and panels around, and I can't find features that I depended on. You'll waste a whole month re-learning the program.

 

[ErikGrim]

Yes, of course you can drag titles around in the canvas.

Doesn't seem that way to me.

 

[ErikGrim]

A lot of us are complaining about the lack of new AI features and things like that, but you're complaining about basic functionality that's actually there had you actually learned at least the basics of how to use it. This is a little bit like using Avid and complaining that you can't select on a clip and drag it around... it's possible to do it, you just don't know how and then proceed to dismiss it out of hand.

Alright then, how do I do it? While you're at it, how do I quickly scale the timeline up and down like you could with the horizontal scrollbar handles in FCP7?

I've worked in UX and UI design for years. There's nothing intuitive about FCP X at all.

 

[Trusteft]

Wait, what exactly is automatic timeline scrolling?

 

[sevoneone]

To understand how little importance they give to the product look no further than their recent keynote. There is an interview with the "Head Apple Editor". What product does she use? Premiere Pro. That's like Microsoft's Corporate Communications team using Google Workspace.

Eh. Never trust anything in a marketing event. I am 99.99% sure all the Premiere stuff we saw and got benchmarks for in that keynote were paid product placements by Adobe. In the behind the scenes video for the event everyone is using Blackmagic Design products.

Too many frustrating years with buggy software really scared me off. Photoshop 2024 now seems to have gone the same way... so many bugs I have gone back to the beta because it's more stable on my MacBook Pro.

I was at the Adobe MAX Keynote where they demoed the new features of Premier2024… it bugged out and fell flat on its face 2 or 3 times in the demonstration. Extremely awkward and I was immediately reminded why so many people have sworn off Premiere.

Please give examples are how fcpx is not pro in comparison to fcp7? As far as I am aware it is even more feature rich

The magnetic timeline is certainly Pro, but it is not the best solution for all situations. Neither is not having traditional tracks and I feel like keyframing was a lot more robust back in classic FCP