Automatic Duck has published a trio of new software releases supporting Apple's Final Cut editing tool. The first is ProDate DV, a plug-in supporting both Final Cut Pro and Express. The software scans DV media for timestamps, allowing date and time information to be imposed on-screen. It costs $39.
Sorenson has launched Squeeze 6, an upgraded version of its video encoding tool. The program is aimed at professionals, and allows users to specify various audio and video controls such as compression, normalization and noise reduction. New to the code is a substantially faster encoding speed, as much as five times better when using H.264 or On2 VP6.
CoreMelt has launched an update to its plug-ins for programs such as Final Cut Studio and After Effects. CoreMelt 2.23 offers five additional plug-ins, for instance allowing "fluid and flowing" graphic elements, shaded backgrounds, and the simpler creation of smooth glass, rough glass or water reflections. The two remaining plug-ins handle strobe transitions and adding CoreMelt masks and frames to a layer.
FCP World has announced new Blu-ray templates for the latest version of Final Cut Studio. The company's plug-in delivers 60 background templates, on top of the original five that come with FCS. All of them can be used for both Blu-ray and AVCHD discs; each is fully animated and looping, with room for customization in the form of personalized logos and titles.
Apple has released a Pro Applications Update for Final Cut Studio, along with a new Server Diagnostics utility. The Final Cut Studio download is primarily a maintenance update, with improvements to overall stability and compatibility. The revision includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Soundtrack Pro 3.0.1, Color 1.5.1 and Compressor 3.5.1.
Noise Industries has introduced several new plug-ins that have been added to the FxFactory suite for Final Cut Pro, Motion, Final Cut Express and Adobe After Effects. nVeil is a tool developed by Storek Studio for creating motion and still graphics. Users can build animations by filtering source imagery through vector graphics art based on the SVG format.
Digieffects has released Aged Film, a new video effects plug-in for post-production suites that recreates the style of damaged filmstock. Customizable effects include dust, grain, scratches, frame jitter and color. Presets cover a variety of scenarios, including 8mm film, old home videos and shaky projectors. All effects are rendered at 16bpc.
Noise Industries has announced a new LiveToon plug-in, from its development partner DVShade, designed to increase the visual effects capabilities for Final Cut, Motion and After Effects. The latest plug-in is geared for creating and editing professional-looking cartoon, graphic novel, or sketch effects that can be added to footage. It includes over 10 integrated presets and provides a series of parameters such as posterization, saturation and cartoon edge lines.
Reg Giant has released a new video effects plug-in, Magic Bullet Mojo. The software recreates the look used in many Hollywood blockbusters, warming the color temperature of skin, while simultaneously cooling it for shadows and backgrounds. A central slider adjusts both elements in unison.
Blackmagic has announced several product updates, to both its video hardware and the supporting software. Within the first group is the DeckLink Studio 2, an upgraded capture card which now has 10-bit HDMI capture and playback. The company is also introducing the HDLink Pro DP, a DisplayPort version of an existing HDTV monitoring converter. The new DeckLink is selling for $695, while the alternate HDLink Pro model is $495.
SmartSound has announced that v5.1 of its Sonicfire Pro plug-in, for Final Cut Pro, should now properly support Final Cut Pro 7. The plug-in scrutinizes markers in Final Cut, and automatically judges the amount of music needed to fill in stretches of time. Users can then hunt through SmartSound tracks, and select pieces to insert according to duration and other criteria.
Dashwood has produced a new video effects plug-in, Stereo3D Toolbox, based on Noise Industries' FxFactory platform. The software converts footage from After Effects, Motion or Final Cut into stereoscopic 3D. Possible output formats include side-by-side, over/under, checkerboard, interlace and anaglyph; controls adjust for the requirements of each one, tweaking details such X-, Y- and Z-axis convergence, or zoom levels for each eye.
Boris FX has released Continuum Motion Tracker, which includes four specialized filters for gathering and utilizing motion data from video. The Corner Pin filter allows users to map media to a specific area on a moving object. Match Move locks the movement of one image clip to another, and includes functions such as tumble, spin, and rotate, as well as lighting and light wrap compositing.
Boris FX has released its latest Final Cut plug-in package, Motion Tracker. The tools are geared for video editing effects involving movement. The included Corner Pin module allows users to add graphics and pin them to moving objects in the video. Match Move works in a similar manner by locking onto movement, while adding the ability to integrate a second image clip.
Intelligent Assistance has launched Sequence Clip Reporter, a tool for creating music or video reports formatted as Excel spreadsheets. It is intended for video editors and producers, who may need the reports for completed documentary programs. It supports XML formats exported from Final Cut Pro, and leaves the resulting spreadsheets open to editing.
Boris FX has announced that its entire product line is being updated to support the Apple's new Final Cut Studio 3. The collection consists of various effects and filters, for both Final Cut Pro and Motion. The Boris Continuum Complete (BCC) 6.0.4 FxPlug, a compilation of video filters including Cartoon Look, Pencil Sketch and Charcoal Sketch, is a free upgrade for BCC 6.x owners. People with older versions of BCC FxPlug can upgrade to the most recent version for $300.
CrumplePop has released Reflector, a collection of reflection effects for video projects in Final Cut Pro. The plug-in set consists of 26 different effects, applied to clips by dragging and dropping items into the timeline. Users can control the amount and angle of reflections, the speed of fly-over, and side scroll.
In parallel with upgraded Final Cut and Logic suites, Apple has released a v5.0 update for ProKit. The software provides an underlying framework for Apple's professional-level programs, including not just Final Cut and Logic but all related apps, such as Motion and Soundtrack. The Aperture photo workflow tool is also impacted.
Apple has released a long-anticipated upgrade to Final Cut Studio, its video editing and production suite. At the center is Final Cut Pro 7, which expands ProRes codecs to support a wider number of workflows, and implements real-time collaboration through iChat Theater. Quicker export options allow for conversion to DVD, Blu-ray and other formats; some other interface changes include redesigned speed tools, simpler alpha transitions, and better markers.
Apple has released a minor update to its flagship video editing suite, Final Cut Pro. The v6.0.6 patch addresses problems with real-time playback on early 2009 models of the Mac Pro and Xserve. Specifically, the hardware and software should now be better at handling complex sequences and/or formats which consume a lot of bandwidth. The update is a 19.15MB download, and requires Mac OS X 10.5.5.
Boris FX has released a beta version of its video and film effects software, Boris Continuum Complete 6 AVX. The plug-in is used to add a host of approximately 200 filters to a variety of video editing programs, such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects, while still preserving After Effects keyframes. Notable additions to the beta include 15 new filters, along with the ability to restore and enhance images or generate 3D text animations.
Apple has been recruiting the help of professional video editors, asking them to test out major updates to the Final Cut line of software, say sources. The biggest of these is Final Cut Studio 3.0, incorporating Motion and Final Cut Pro among other production utilities. The suite is allegedly codenamed "Sideways," and currently in the middle of beta testing, as well as compatibility checks with Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
Boris FX has released the first completed version of Boris Continuum Complete 6, an FxPlug add-on for Motion, Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express. The software introduces over 200 filters to Apple's software, with live previews of dozens of preset transitions, glows, and color and film-style effects. The initial release of the plug-in features over a dozen new FxPlug shaders, presented in a redesigned effects browser window.
SUGARfx has released two new plug-ins, SUGARfx H.U.D., and SUGARfx Radial Wave. Each plug-in extends the visual-effects capabilities of Adobe After Effects CS3/CS4, Apple Final Cut Studio and Final Cut Express. The H.U.D. plug-in layers the original footage to appear as though the viewer is looking through different pieces of technology, such as an old camera or binoculars.
GeeThree has begun shipping its PhotoMotion, Producer and Fusion Factory plug-ins for Final Cut. PhotoMotion provides pan, zoom and slide show effects, with a dedicated user interface and a variety of adjustable settings. Users can import high resolution images without previously editing the files for size or aspect ratio. The plug-in allows duration changes or transition additions without needing to re-key.
KB Covers has introduced its KB Keyboards, a new line of application keyboards based on Apple’s aluminum designs. The series displays shortcut keys for Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Media Composer. A special Midnight Keyboard utilizes black keys, and is meant to resemble the new MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards. With the exception of the Midnight model, each keyboard combines icons and colors to help users find shortcuts.
Noise Industries has announced updates for three FxFactory-based plug-ins, intended for use in After Effects CS3 and CS4 along with Final Cut Studio and Express. EasyLooks 2.5 simplifies color grading, with options including diffusion and brightness adjustments. The update implements a faster rendering pipeline, as well as a vignette effect, new overlay controls and a three-way color corrector.
Boris FX has released a public beta of Boris Continuum Complete 6 FxPlug, a plug-in for Motion, Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express. The code introduces over 200 filters to the Apple software, divided into categories such as color, glows, transitions and simulated film effects. Filters can be previewed in real-time, separately or in combination.
Vision Effects has released Twixtor Express as an FxPlug for Final Cut Express. The plug-in enables users to speed up or slow down image sequences while maintaining quality. In order to do so, Twixtor synthesizes unique new frames by wrapping and interpolating frames of the original sequence, using technology that calculates the motion for each individual pixel.
Apple is indeed on the verge of releasing a new version of Final Cut Studio, new sources are said to corroborate. Although some sources have suggested than an updated Final Cut Studio suite could be announced on March 24th, people "familiar with the company's plans" are said to indicate that Apple is timing a release around the National Association of Broadcasters expo, scheduled for late April. Apple and some other major companies are not attending NAB, but the event is known for bringing major video-related product unveilings.
Apple continues to have special plans for March 24th, a German website claims. Although rumors had pointed to an update of Mac desktops on that date, Apple surprised analysts and the public by releasing the systems on March 3rd instead. Some form of announcement is believed to remain scheduled for the 24th however, specifically relating to the company's professional video software.
Noise Industries, in collaboration with Yanobox, has announced a new visual effects plug-in, Motype FxPack. Users working with After Effects CS3, Final Cut Express, or Final Cut Studio can implement Motype to create text or title animations. A Motion Mixer function allows the motion of the characters to be defined by geometric transformations or other properties, and random characters and symbols can be added as needed.
Divergent Media has announced ClipWrap for the Mac, an m2t batch converter for creating QuickTime HDV files. With most Hi-Def cameras recording in m2t transport streams, and few video applications capable of handling m2t, ClipWrap attempts to bridge the gap, converting the streams to QuickTime movies. The software is a rewrapping tool, moving video and audio streams to a QuickTime container. In theory this avoids generational loss through re-encoding, and saves hours of encode time.
JVC this morning unveiled three new HD Everio cameras that all offer something new to camcorders. The HD30 and HD40 (shown) are the first camcorders to capture HD in either AVCHD (H.264) or MPEG-2 format and give users the choice of format based on their editing environment; users can either record in the more efficient AVC format or else pick the larger but more widespread MPEG-2 format for easier editing on some computers.
Video plug-in maker Digieffects has announced two new plug-in series, Natural Forces and Simulate. The former will launch with "Vapor," which replicates fog, haze, clouds and smoke, and "Aqua," which imitates other forms of weather as well as various water effects. The Simulate plug-ins are more direct, adding lighting in the case of "Illuma," and namesake filters in the case of "Camera."
Globalstor Data Corporation today unveiled the ExtremeStor-DI REDe drive array, an addition to its popular line of storage servers designed specifically to offer complete compatibility for RED Digital Video footage. The RAID system is capable of streaming 2K format video at a full 24 frames-per-second across Fibre Channel, to use with a video editing system such as Apple's Final Cut Studio 2. Pricing for the ExtremeStor-DI REDe was not available.
Digieffects has begun shipping Damage, a new set of plugins for video and film post production professionals. Damage is a collection of four effects designed for post production professionals who want to create an extensive variety of digital and/or analog defects, errors and artifacts in their footage. It supports Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Autodesk Combustion and Boris RED.
Red Giant Software has launched Primatte Keyer 4, the latest edition of a program that extracts keys from backgrounds for the sake of movie production. It is compatible with DV and HDV video, and can fix issues such as uneven lighting, compression artifacts and problematic shadows. Though earlier versions only supported Avid and After Effects, version 4 now supports Apple's Motion and Final Cut Pro, and can operate directly from the timeline using 32-bit processing.
When Blu-Ray and HD DVD were first discussed, Apple said it would commit to Blu-Ray, but was allegedly waiting for a winner to be proclaimed in the next-generation format war. Robert Cringely, a writer for PBS wonders what Apple is waiting for, since Toshiba recently announced that HD DVD was to be no more. Cringely theorizes that Apple could be waiting to add official Blu-Ray support into its professional apps, like Final Cut Studio 2.
Digital Heaven has announced the release of DH_Subtitle 2.0, an upgrade to the popular subtitle generator plug-in for Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro. The tool allows users to create professional style subtitles with boxes behind the text. The new version adds text tracking and leading controls plus a new outline style option. It automatically creates the box according to the text entered and also ensures the last line of text is always in the same vertical position, no matter how many lines of text a subtitle may contain. With version 2.0 there is a new outline style which puts a line around the text to increase legibility. Also new in this version are controls for text tracking and leading.
Glue Tools today announced that it will release Cineon/DPX Pro for Final Cut 3.0 at NAB 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The latest release of Cineon/DPX for Final Cut Pro includes Cineon and DPX Sequence Presets along with a full Cineon or DPX Codec, completely eliminating the need to render sequences in Final Cut Pro's timeline. "No More Red Render Bar!" the company states. "Your imagery can be directly loaded into Final Cut Pro or Compressor, without needing to be compressed into an intermediate codec or movie format." The company is already accepting pre-orders for Cineon/DPX for Final Cut 3.0 at $400 per license. The update requires Final Cut Studio 2 and QuickTime 7.3.1. Upgrades for customers who purchasd Cineon/DPX Pro for Final Cut 2.5 after February 1st will receive a free upgraede to 3.0 when the software is made available at NAB.
In brief: We've posted a review of the text editor Jedit X, a Motion templates repository site has been updated, the Toronto OS X integrators meeting has been announced, Great White Software has acquired RBLibrary, and a Final Cut Pro UK Seminar Tour will soon take place ... We've posted a review of Jedit X, a multi featured word processor and text editor designed to create, modify, and open text and RTF (Rich Text Format) documents. The tool can also be used to script and create source code. Jedit X has been around for 11 years and is the most popular text editor in Japan, so you will see a number of Japanese features in the menus. It can save documents as RTF, HTML, Text, Word, and Word XML Documents and shines in its ability to work with other Mac programs.
Telestream has announced availability of new products and features that expand the company's Final Cut support for Thomson Grass Valley disk-based cameras and media servers. The new Flip4Mac Infinity Component imports media from Thomson Grass Valley Infinity Series Digital Media Camcorders and REV PRO drives directly into Final Cut Pro editing systems. The company also announced new HD support for its existing Flip4Mac K2|Profile Component which enables file transfer between Thomson Grass Valley K2 and Profile professional media server systems and Final Cut Pro for editing. The new Flip4Mac Infinity Component imports MPEG-2 HD and DV25 SD media directly from Thomson Grass Valley REV PRO drives without transcoding the media file. The component produces a .mov file that is placed directly into the Final Cut project bin ready for editing. Users can import and browse REV PRO drives.
Telestream has announced an Image Server Component for Final Cut Pro, which provides IMX (MPEG-2) file compatibility and direct file transfer between 360 Systems' MAXX servers, and Apple's Final Cut Pro editing systems. The component imports MPEG-2 IMX 30/40/50 M/bit standard definition video, uncompressed audio, and metadata from the MAXX server directly into the Final Cut Pro project bin for editing. It also exports the MPEG project from Final Cut Pro for Ethernet file transfer back to MAXX servers.
