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8 Jul 2011 By ABradney-George

Editing Tools In Apple Final Cut Pro X

8 Jul

An Overview Of The Revolutionary Editing Tools In Apple Final Cut Pro X And How They Can Be Used To Get The Most Out Of This Software.

While there have been a slew of mixed reviews from professionals who have tested out Apple's latest version of Final Cut Pro, it is definitely worth considering the editing features of this software before making a decision on how it stands up against the competition. Apple claims Final Cut Pro X has been "rebuilt from the ground up to meet the needs of today’s creative editors" and now offers even more editing tools than before.

Final Cut Pro X is designed with the aim to break away from restrictions commonly found in timeline tracks of more traditional editing software by offering an editing interface that encourages experimentation and still maintains speed and precision in the process. Here we look at some of the individual features to see what they can actually offer people looking at new video editing software.

Magnetic Editing Timelines

While more traditional video editing software will have a range of tracks for audio and video clips, Final Cut Pro X has moved beyond that method with it's Magnetic Timeline. Designed for more visual simplicity, while still remaining a powerful professional tool, the Magnetic Timeline has potential to be an exceptionally fluid, flexible way to edit.

Tutorials on editing with this feature are already popping up everywhere, like Mac Pro Video's overview with developer Michael Wohl, which shows how you can assemble shots with ease as clips “magnetically” close up to eliminate unwanted black gaps in the timeline.

There is also a feature for interactive animations to show demonstrate what is happening in the timeline as you work, so you can easily try out new ideas. While the magnetic timeline is one of the most controversial features of Final Cut Pro X and the foundation for a lot of the new features, professionals like Chris Kenney are approaching it as a new and different way of editing, exploring it with level-headed curiosity

Clip Connections In Final Cut Pro X

When placing clips, sound effects and music in the timeline it is important to be able to create connections between each one so that there are no gaps in the project. As part of the overhaul of traditional timeline tracks in video editing software, Final Cut Pro has developed the Clip Connection feature to automatically connect clips when you drag a secondary element onto to the timeline.

This feature is particularly useful for fast assembly projects because it allows you to get a better idea of how the final product may look, then make precise changes as needed. The visual connections also make it easier to leave a project for a while before coming back to it or passing it on to another editor, who could then make use of these connections to reshape the project and finalise the project.

Compounding Clips In Final Cut Pro X

Using the visual elements of editing software as a guide can get confusing when there are a lot of smaller clips that make up a segment or scene. Apple's answer to this problem is compounding clips to reduce timeline clutter or reuse sections in other projects. Additional changes to a compound clip can also be made at any time so that every part of the project is as sharp as possible.

Final Cut Pro X's Auditions Feature

At times it can be difficult to decide which take of a particular scene is right for the project, especially if there are only minute differences between each one. The Auditions feature allows you to gather alternative shots in a single location on the timeline then move through them in context to see which one is the right fit.

This feature can also be used for multiple versions of a project, making it great for cross-platform productions, like a television show that also features a web series.

With these different editing features in mind, it is clear to see that Final Cut Pro X is definitely changing the way nonlinear editing can be performed. It could take a lot of time to adapt to this process, and not everyone will like it, but it is definitely another option that stands out from the rest.