Apple’s de facto pro video editing suite, Final Cut Pro X, earns new tricks and performance enhancements in its latest update. Optimised for the new 2017 iMac Pro, FCP X can now 360-degree VR video, and full-resolution 8K video, for the first time ever on a Mac.
360-degree VR video support is also extended to FCP companion apps—Motion and Compressor.
FCP X now lets pro editors create VR content, with the ability to import, edit and deliver 360-degree video and view the project in real-time through a connect HTC VIVE headset with SteamVR.
Editors can add 360-degree titles in 2D or 3D, apply blurs, glows and other effects a well as use visual controls to straighten horizons or remove camera rigs from equirectangular videos. Standard photos and videos can also be added to VR projects.
360-degree videos can then be shared directly to popular websites including YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo.
The update also brings powerful colour grading tools with a unique colour wheel feature built-in to adjust hue, saturation and brightness.
For finer adjustment, editors can use colour curves with multiple control points to target specific colour ranges, as well as eye droppers to let you sample specific colours and apply manual white balance.
For cinematic and custom looks, you can now apply custom lookup tables (LUTs) from popular grading apps like DaVinci Resolve and websites namely PremiumBeat, ColorGraing Central, and more.
The new FCP update also adds support from the most popular HDR formats. Editors can output video to HDR monitors using I/O devices from AJA and Blackmagic with brightness levels up to 10,000 nits.
Other features in FCP 10.4:
– Easily import iMovie projects from iPhone and iPad into Final Cut Pro for advanced editing, audio work, motion graphics and colour grading.
– HEVC and HEIF support for importing and editing high efficiency video and photo formats from Apple devices.
– Updated audio effects plug-ins from Logic Pro X with redesigned, resizable interfaces.
– Faster, higher quality optical flow analysis built on Metal, Apple’s advanced graphics technology.
This should be a welcome update for the 2 million strong Final Cut Pro user base, with features that will put it at least on par with its biggest rival, Adobe Premiere Pro.
Pricing and availability
Final Cut Pro X (10.4) is available as a free update for existing users, and MYR1,299.90 as a download from the Mac App Store for new users.
Meanwhile, Motion 5.4 and Compressor 4.4 are also available as a free update for existing users.
Motion and Compressor can be purchased from the Mac App Store for MYR199.90 each.
Education users can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for MYR899.90.
For more info, head over to apple.com/final-cut-pro.
