Does “FCPX or Not” really boil down to “AE or Not?”

[Chris Jacek]

[Oliver Peters] “Cut in X and send a flat file to AE. Split the clip at the cuts and you are ready to go.”

Yes, but doesn’t that workflow break down when you are dealing with transitions between clips in your NLE. Once Automatic Duck came along, it drastically changed my workflow (for the better). I was never comfortable with flattening, and then having a bunch of segments. Having that ability to get my timing and basic motion down in my NLE, and then bringing it into AE and individually control my elements of each layer is important to me (and maybe nobody else). Granted, I’ve done a great deal of short-form in this manner. I doubt it would work well for a doc.

Professor, Producer, Editor
and former Apple Employee

[Oliver Peters]

I agree that flattening is not ideal. I merely point it out as an option. Use ClipExporter then to go from X to AE. However, it is possible to add some transitions on top of cuts in AE. For example, glow/blur dissolves or light effects. There’s usually a midpoint that is completely blown out and hides the cut.

Oliver

Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com

[Brett Sherman]

I use FCP X daily and AE periodically. In general, I create short graphics that fit into 5-20 minute long videos. So opening a whole sequence/project in AE is not at all useful to me.

I like AE, but part of what I find problematic about the CC is that Adobe seems to be kicking occasional users like me to the curb. I have to really think hard about do I really need 4 computers with CC for $1200 a year for our department. That’s a chunk of change to use AE maybe 12-15 times a year and Photoshop/Illustrator 20 times a year. Previously I skipped versions to save money. That’s not a possibility now. Probably, either I’ll go down to one license for CC or just an AE license. And I’ll probably start doing more in Motion.

[David Mathis]

[Brett Sherman] “I like AE, but part of what I find problematic about the CC is that Adobe seems to be kicking occasional users like me to the curb.”

I agree with you there.

New version of Final Cut Pro X and Mac Pro is exciting yet no announcement of plans for Motion going forward. I am considering a FCP X, Motion, Resolve and Nuke workflow. Fusion looks like another option for After Effects but only runs on Windows at the moment.

[Petros Kolyvas]

Don’t discount Blender! It can do some amazing things and the compositor is node-based, very much in the vein of Shake.

—
There is no intuitive interface, not even the nipple. It’s all learned. – Bruce Ediger

[James Culbertson]

I use After Effects extensively and I love FCPX. Just drag the AE file to the event icon, use a label like .gfx.mov with smart collection. Use Replace key command, or audition if necessary. Takes a few seconds to update.

[Jeremy Garchow]

Yes.

Edit in FCPX, Xto7 for an XML, Import Pro Import After Effects.

I would look at Motion if I could get my edit in to it as easy as Ae.

[David Mathis]

I have been curious about Blender and considering it. Just a few quick questions if I may.

1. What is the learning curve?
2. Looking at motion graphics in Motion but wanting to know how well the two “integrate” with each other.
3. I am also interested in Nuke as an alternative.

The Final Cut Pro X or not forum is both informative and entertaining.

[Petros Kolyvas]

I’d say the learning curve is steeper – but like a lot of software once you get the core concepts it begins to move more quickly – I’m still a novice myself.

As far as integration goes, I’m not sure what you mean. It integrates no differently than AE would in an FCPX workflow. Give it the clips you want to work on, export clips, import them into FCPX. My experience with FCPX is, to be fair at this point, limited – I’m starting two real projects on it shortly after having completed only very small jobs using it along side PrPro CS6.

As far as Nuke is concerned the main difference would be Nuke is a compositor first and foremost (and is rather, ahem, pricey) and Blender is a 3D package first and foremost but seems to be developing some very good compositing infrastructure.

My early opinion (still being formed) is that while there 3rd party support for AE is widespread, the (familiar from my Shake days) node-based interface of Blender makes completing some compositing tasks dramatically simplified.

I don’t think there’s a “better than other” option in the end, just a solution that’s right for each of us.

I do think as FCPX and CC debacles have proved, there’s a growing interest in community driven software solutions like Blender, even if some features end up feeling a bit like they were designed by “committee.”

—
There is no intuitive interface, not even the nipple. It’s all learned. – Bruce Ediger

[Craig Shamwell]

I will tell you that I never use AE! FCPX’s third party FX Plug-Ins have become very robust and extremely time saving….seriously!!!! Everything from Color Grading to motion tracking HUB Effects to Dead Pixel removal!
When FCPX first came out, I made the silly mistake of reading and taking for granted what everyone was saying. Sure 10.0.1 was buggy as hell, but boy did I love being able to preview pretty much everything and not have to guess if that was the filter or effect I wanted in FCP7!!
I hated, you hear me….hated the magnetic timeline!! But I have to give Apple Credit because the updates just kept on coming, and things got better! Especially the simple task of moving and deleting connected clips without other clips disappearing and upsetting everything! I can move stuff all over the timeline without worrying about synching or timing. This is very helpful when you want to see how a different “structure” would work.
If i were you my friend, I would seriously re-think your move back to Windows. With so many Plug-Ins built just for FCPX, (thanks to Apple for making Motion open to developers) its an untouchable NLE. And to add to my very first statement….I never use Motion either!! With the right Plug-Ins for the job at hand, FCPX is truly a stand alone editor where just about anything can be done, without ever leaving it! Yes I know its not for everyone, but even if you use anything else, its worth having around and knowing how to use it.