Multicam, audio tracks to be added back

Apple product managers have answers to a variety of the complaints pro editors have made about Final Cut Pro X, reports the New York Times' David Pogue. The managers say for instance that while multicamera editing is currently missing, restoring it in an update is a "top priority." A stopgap solution involves using the Synchronize Clips option and the V key to switch to the bottom video track.

The managers also insist that it's possible to share projects and media through the File menu, and organize media by using the keyword tagging system, since dragging a clip to a folder effectively applies a new keyword. Likewise, turning off the "Copy files to Final Cut Events folder" option under Import should allow people to keep video clips in original locations. Regarding the absence of a Reconnect Media command when media is offline, the managers defend it by saying the program uses clip identifiers to automatically reconnect when a drive reappears, even if the files have moved or a drive has been renamed.

A more serious issue is Pro X's "trackless" design, which makes it impossible to assign audio tracks. Apple is promising to restore the feature, and is in the meantime recommending Automatic Duck Pro Export 5 to create and manage tracks in the case of people exporting to Pro Tools; the third-party software also enables AAF and OMF export, which should be more widespread once Apple publishes XML programming guidelines. EDL support is however being abandoned, as is importing old Final Cut files, and output to tape is only possible through tape-deck boards and control programs.

External monitor support requires a Mac Pro with a video output card to connect a TV display. Apple suggests that card companies will soon offer Pro X drivers; at the moment AJA has beta software, and Apple is cooperating with Black Magic on a release for the latter's hardware.

by MacNN Staff