At a quick glance, you might not think this 10.1 update to Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve colour grading application a big deal. Look again as the support of FCPX XML 10.1 means much more interoperability.
The news keeps on getting better, not only has Resolve more than filled the shoes of Apple's Color, it is starting to provide a whole wardrobe of extra grading features for Final Cut Pro X editors. Remember, Resolve Lite is free!
The new update brings Resolve up to version 10.1 (Is it us or are we finding all the 10 based version numbers difficult to remember?). Headline news for us is the 10.1 XML format import which features midway down the press release. It also fixes the problem that many editors were reporting with imports of XML into the previous version.
'Also featured in DaVinci Resolve 10.1 are XML import enhancements for both FCP X 10.1 and FCP 7 customers. Compound clips from FCP X 10.1 with separate A/V elements are now split into individual clips and imported FCP 7 XML’s include font properties and timeline markers as well as being able to bring across sizing, cropping and composition parameters. Now shot reframing adjustments made during Final Cut Pro editing will translate even more accurately into the DaVinci Resolve timeline.'
This is going to be of great help to editors who reframe large sensor media such as RED or 4K in a smaller timeline.
In the long, long list of features we have also spotted that the update brings support for Sony F55 Raw and XAVC and Sony F5 XAVC. This should please editors who have been editing in XAVC with FCPX since 10.0.8 as they can now grade in Resolve.
Here's the rest of the Press Release. Please let us know if the update has fixed or broken new things!
The new DaVinci Resolve 10.1 update adds innovative editing features that includes allowing users to preview and align multiple camera takes while editing, so they can quickly switch between takes to show their clients shot options live from the timeline. Editors can now copy individual clips in the editing timeline with a simple drag and drop, making it easier to use the same footage in different parts of the edit.
The enhanced editing tools also include support for trimming frame based clips such as DNG and DPX that reduces time in transferring clips for even faster workflows, as well as Rich Text title support which allows every character’s size, position and color to be adjusted individually directly from the Edit page.
Customers with the full software license of DaVinci Resolve will get enhanced 3D stereoscopic tools including a full stereoscopic multi track editing timeline, enhanced convergence adjustments and automatic alignment.
“We are really excited to be adding even more advanced editing features so quickly after the release of DaVinci Resolve 10” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Resolve 10 has been a massive update with over 50 new features including temporal processing, Open FX Plug-ins and powerful onset tools. The additional editing tools we are releasing today give customers more precise control over their projects from within the DaVinci Resolve timeline and improves integration with popular editing and visual effects software so that customers get the best workflow possible.
For the full software license version, the stereoscopic 3D functionally of v9 is also included with the addition of being able to sync the left and right eye in the media pool automatically. This means the edit timeline for stereo projects is now a single rather than two timelines and stereoscopic 3D timelines can now be edited. The convergence control is now on a separate line in the keyframe timeline to make it easier to manage convergence keyframes."
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
