Intelligent Assistance have launched their import translator, Project X27. It does exactly what it says on the tin by allowing the conversion of Final Cut Pro X projects into Final Cut Pro 7 sequences.
Philip Hodgetts and his team have been working hard with FCPXML, the new version of an Extensible Markup Language that FCPX supports. They have released Project X27 a $49 translator that takes the FCPXML and converts it into an XML that can be imported into FCP7 and other applications that support that format.
Already working with Final Cut projects:
- Titles at the start and end;
- a mixture of primary storyline and connected clips;
- a mix of active and inactive clips;
- large numbers of J and L cuts;
- to-do markers and regular markers;
- spot audio effects; and
- cross-dissolve transitions.
All transfer without problem. Unfinished to-do markers appear as red markers, completed to-do markers as Green markers, and the blue Final Cut Pro X markers as blue markers in Final Cut Pro 7.
There is a published PDF help document which gives a longer list of what does and what doesn't translate from one version to another.
This is great news for people wishing to either colour correct or post produce their sound once editing in FCPX has been completed. It will also avoid some of the lengthy workarounds that we have published recently. Not too sure if handles will be available in audio apps.
Philip also publishes an answer to the question about an FCP7 to FCPX translator:
"Before you start sending emails asking why we didn't do the opposite, since that's what everyone really wants, let me explain. Back in my initial briefing for Final Cut Pro X, I asked about the transfer and got the distinct impression that someone was already working on it (perhaps even Apple, it was vague). We're a small software developer and can't run the risk of spending considerable development effort to discover that a better funded competitor will come out with a similar product and kill our sales. So we chose to focus on a tool that adds value with less risk of competition."
Interesting.
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!
