We have heard more and more about CatDV being able to transfer Final Cut Pro 7 sequences to FCPX, but we haven't seen it in action. Square Box Systems have just published an article to show you how it's done.
It's the biggest moan about FCPX, the fact that you cannot import projects from earlier versions. This problem was recently compounded by Automatic Duck's waddle away from Apple and into the Adobe pool.
This leaves the asset management tool CatDV written by British company Square Box Systems. Square Box have gone ahead and published their FCP7 to FCPX workflow on their website. This is going to be of huge interest to editors, post houses and production companies who have got years of archived FCP projects tucked away. These days archive = money.
There are some limitations to the transfer:
Currently, because of differences in how FCP 7 and FCP X describe clips and handle timelines, there are some limitations as to what data you can transfer over to Final Cut Pro X:
- A basic "cuts only" sequence is moved across. Although timing is preserved, titles, transitions and other special effects or filters, including detailed handling of certain multi-channel audio files, are not supported and may need to be reapplied.
- Most regular clips that come from a single .mov or .mp4 movie file, as well as subclips, simple stills and audio clips, are copied across. Complex clips such as multiclips, sequences within sequences, P2 mxf files, or image sequences are not fully supported in most cases.
- Clip name, media path, timecode, log notes, and markers are copied across, but other metadata (such as reel number, description, label, angle, marker category, and CatDV user-defined fields) is not supported in the .fcpxml file format at this time.
It might only be cuts only at this moment, but this is a start in the right direction of removing the arguments for not embracing FCPX.
CatDV retails for $395 and can be purchased & downloaded from the Square Box website. There is a free trial too but we don't know if this has the format interchange features built in.
If you try it then please let us know how you get on.
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!
