Is it safe to come back

[David Mathis]

When version X, that is the number 10 and not the letter “X”, first came out, was not sure what to do. Decided to take a chance around 10.0.6 or so, never really looked back since then.

Despite some of the “It looks like iMovie” or “It is a toy” comments floating around, the current version is very much pro grade software.

A few things to keep in mind is that there is slightly less integration between FCP X and Motion 5 as there is with the “Dynamic Link” with Adobe products. In previous versions of FCP there was “Send To Motion”, not so with X, something to consider. On the flip side of the coin, you can create custom built generators, titles, effects, and transitions inside of Motion to use in FCP X, which can save time.

Two things that I like about X is the magnetic timeline, which may take a little effort to get used to, and the organizing features. Connected clips will allow you to make around big chunks of clips, keeping everything in synch and avoid clip collisions. Finder tags can be brought in as keywords to help further organize.

Media management has improved as well, this was implemented a couple of versions back.

You might need X to 7 and 7 to X if you have another editing software in the mix. Both are available in the App Store, but then again, you might not need them.

The only downside is no keyframing of color correction, and keyframing needs some improvement.

[Andy Neil]

Not sure it’s what everyone wanted. After all, the magnetic timeline is not going away and some people can’t get past that. But if you know how to use it, it’s very useful.

However, it’s compatible with multiple monitors, 4K, multicam (best around IMO), roundtrip to Resolve, and in general a very pro app. You’d need to purchase some 3rd party add-ons depending on your workflow, but those are one-time purchases that still add up to less than Avid’s suite of programs, or Adobe’s persistent rent charge.

Andy

https://plus.google.com/u/0/107277729326633563425/videos

[Mark Suszko]

It’s ready enough, now. And pretty simple to learn.

[Timothy Auld]

If you do delivery work for broadcast you don’t want to go to FCPX at this point.

Tim

[Jeff Markgraf]

[TImothy Auld] “If you do delivery work for broadcast”

I do.

[TImothy Auld] “you don’t want to go to FCPX at this point.”

I do. And I have. So have many others.

But one must be ready and willing to understand and use X on its terms. It’s not Avid or Premiere or anything else. To try to replicate those workflows on X is doomed to frustration and failure.

[Darren Kelly]

Well the statement that you have to use it on your own terms and it’s not premiere or avid tells me this might be the right move for me. Maybe I need a look at Avid

Frustrating at a minimum

[Jeff Markgraf]

Perhaps I should clarify that point.

X is fully capable of importing, editing and exporting broadcast-quallity video and audio in standard broadcast formats. The recent update to pro codecs filled in MXF capabilities, which for many was the last missing piece.

In spite of the much-discussed (and often mis-represented or merely misunderstood) differences in workflow and/or specific techniques, X is far more like Avid or Premiere or FCP Legacy than it is different. (Kinda like the difference in DNA between chimps and humans is less than 3 percent or some such small amount!)

That being said, not having tracks in the conventional sense takes some getting used to. Some people freak out having one primary edit window. And yes, Apple changed some of the customary nomenclature (some with good reason, others seemingly just because they could!).

The biggest hurdle for most is jumping in and thinking, “how do I do (_____) , which I always do in Premiere, in X?” Sometimes it’s a simple change of keystrokes. But often it’s the wrong question. A more experienced X user would reply, “you don’t, because you don’t need to in X” or “X does this instead, which accomplishes the same thing.”

That’s what I mean by using X on its terms, rather than trying to make it a direct Premiere or Avid replacement. Personally, after decades on Avid and FCP (and several other NLEs), I find X to be a breath of fresh air. I’m enjoying the editing process more now on X than I have in years.

But you must dive in and try a real project on it and give it more than a week to wrap your head around the differences.

[Andy Neil]

[Jeff Markgraf] “But you must dive in and try a real project on it and give it more than a week to wrap your head around the differences.”

Took me at least 3 weeks before I started to feel comfortable, myself.

Andy

https://plus.google.com/u/0/107277729326633563425/videos

[Timothy Auld]

Magnetic timeline has absolutely nothing to do with delivery to anything.

Tim

[Andrew Kimery]

[Darren Kelly] “Now Adobe wants $50 per month instead of the $30 I’ve been paying. I think it’s too much,”

Have you tried letting your subscription lapse and then renewing it? Might still get the $30 price.

[Darren Kelly] “Well the statement that you have to use it on your own terms and it’s not premiere or avid tells me this might be the right move for me. Maybe I need a look at Avid

Frustrating at a minimum”

I haven’t used X, but every program makes you use it on its own terms. Some are more flexible than others, but each program has an underlying ‘philosophy’ that it adheres to for the most part. My old line was that FCP Legend was very flexible but it would happily give you enough rope to hang yourself where as Avid made you walk a more narrow path but did a better job of keeping users out of harm’s way. Neither was inherently better, it all just depended on the what the user preferred and what the workflow for the project demanded.