Exporting XML’s for Color Correction

[Jeremy Garchow]

FCPX exports FCPXML which is a different format than FCP7’s XML (XMEML).

DaVinci Resolve reads FCPXMLs.

For EDLs directly out of FCPX, you will need a third party tool called EDL-X: https://xmil.biz/EDL-X/EDL-X.shtml

If using Red material, you can export an FCPXML and load it in to Red Cine X and generate an FCP7 XMEML, or EDL.

The best thing to do is work with Technicolor and send over a sample. That way they can run it through their system and make sure everything gets through.

Jeremy

[Jacob Brown]

hey josh. i’m in middle of post at technicolor in NY…edited in FCPX. they had a little trouble right at the beginning dealing with my XML, but was pretty quickly resolved.

my team there is using autodesk which worked well with FCPX XML — BUT it can’t handle compound clips. something to be aware of.

when you do your xml output for them, you’ll have to break apart comp clips including those with synch’d audio

[Joshua Moise]

Thanks. Could you also educate me on what a compound clip is? I’m presuming it’s when there are separate elements attached to a shot. If so, how should those elements be delivered? Are they put together by Technicolor?

Josh

[Jordan Mena]

Oy Vey! Maybe cutting on FCPX isn’t right for you just yet, on what seems to be a big project. I recommend you either watch tutorials on Lynda.com or buy Ripple Trainings FCPX series.

Good luck!

Jordan Mena | Editor | Colorist | Producer
Los Angeles, CA
jordanmena.com

[Jacob Brown]

it might be what you are used to calling a nested clip. basically anytime you take a bunch of clips and layer them and turn into a single clip within the timeline.

usually you can just flatten these before you export the XML….easy to do in FCPX. If you’ve done any compositing, or multilayer fades though, you’ll need to break apart and leave as layers so that they have the full clips when they bring into flame.

also, i’m not certain about this, but i think that when i was exporting XML, they had trouble when there was audio embedded in a clip — FCPX treats in camera audio or synched dual system audio as priveledged, doesnt drop it into track but keeps in attached to main timeline. you have to “break apart” the audio before exporting….but this is pretty easy as you can select all and do it in a few steps.

my sense was that if i had gone to resolve before creating the XML that i gave to technicolor, i would have been better off. i didnt go that way and cant be certain but when i used resolve for some smaller things, it seemed like it was simplifying the XML in a way that autodesk seemed to ingest better

[Joshua Moise]

Thanks for the response.

[Joshua Moise]

I see. Could you expound on this advice?

[Jordan Mena]

There is a tremendous learning curve when diving into FCPX. I am currently teaching a major network post facility how to move from FCP7 to X. It isn’t easy. Mostly because the editors have no time to just learn the app. They have to learn on the job with deadlines. They are hugely frustrated. I think a feature is a tremendous task to take on as your first project. I say take baby steps. These small steps will pay of huge, but if you don’t really know X you might find yourself overwhelmed when it’s time to deliver.

Jordan Mena | Editor | Colorist | Producer
Los Angeles, CA
jordanmena.com

[James Ewart]

“I am currently teaching a major network post facility how to move from FCP7 to X. It isn’t easy. Mostly because the editors have no time to just learn the app. They have to learn on the job with deadlines. They are hugely frustrated.”

Hello. I’d be really interested to now more about this journey…without being specific or naming names. What they were working on, how they are getting on etc.

Here in the UK people seem lot more hesitant about adopting FCPX (as we were with 7) so it’s nice to have a window into the future (You’re about 2 years ahead of us I reckon!)

[Jacob Brown]

By the way, i think FCPX is really great NLE for editing a feature. I just edited my first feature on it, and had never used it before I started cutting. I learned it very fast. And I think it’s actually a great filmmaker’s tool. As far as what you can do in the timeline, it’s at least as powerful if not more than the other NLEs, but it also very quickly sort of disappears and lets you just work. you can do almost everything with the mouse. you dont HAVE to use keyboard short cuts. skimming through timeline and event clips really lets you work intuitively.

I say go for it!