Top 3 Wish-list for FCPX

As 3 AM Friday morning is a very inconvenient time for me here in Berlin for the Final Cut Pro Virtual User Group www.hazu.io/pixelcorps/fcvug-2 i decided to ask them my question via mail.

Here is what i asked them:


What is your top three wish list for FCPX that the Apple Developers should work on to make Final Cut Pro X (even) better?

I´d like to take the chance to ask the forum the same question.

I´ll start with my answer.

After editing about ten feature length Tv-movies and a lot of Episodes of a Tv-series for german Television with FCPX, i´ve got a list of feature requests which i sent to Apple.

So here is my top three:

1. Better timeline management:

User customizable colors for the different roles and subroles
For better visual clarity within large projects in the timeline it would be great to have user customizable colors for the different roles and subroles in the timeline.
Even better would be an additional defined horizontal space in the timeline for clips belonging to a certain role.

Perfectly described by Marcus Moore:
disproportionatepictures.blogspot.ca/2014/05/roles.html


2. Audio Mixing with live key framing:

Key framing audio on the fly during playback would be such a time saver. Mixing of role/subrole busses?
The Touch for the colorboard is a perfect example how it could work. ( I hope for an easy trackpad or ipad solution)

3. Finalize project option

to prepare for XML export. It should flatten all auditions, Multicam etc. Or even better: XML export setting that only recognizes data from the active angles or auditions and omits all containers like: compounds, synchronized clips, audition, multi cams etc.

as a hobbyist, with a tiny set-up (=single screen), I do have a small wish .. and just one:

1) Save-able/switch-able (key combo) Screen Layouts.

ok, perhaps my work-flow isn't organized enough, (=doin' this, doin' that) - but I waste a lot of time to rearrange different, preferred 'windows' sizes for different tasks such as tagging, editing, color-correcting, audio-edit etc etc. - Some simple ctrl-shift-1/2/3 would be nice (occupied?) ...

btw: The 'Pre Release'-threads from honorable board member 'Disproportionate Pictures' are 'stuffed' with wish(list)s .........

In addition to the ones already mentioned I would like to automatically assign roles to a keyword collection. Meaning anything that gets assigned a keyword gfx gets assigned the role title.

I have a simple one.
Copy/paste TC.

If I can do it it should be a snip of fingers for Apple (cause I can do it).

- Andreas

Here's a couple of must one:

1. Searchable custom metadata fields

2. Robust improved pre-edit tools within FCPX. (Despite its limited function, using 'Open in timeline' in event browser filling the gap for quick audio clean up, effects etc.) Maybe 'delete rejects' as an option?

3. Roles, Roles, Roles...

Thanks for starting this thread...
_ Soran

1. Send to Motion true Round Tripping.

2. Color code-able timeline clips

3. True round tripping to Logic

thefcpxeditor wrote: 1. Send to Motion true Round Tripping.

2. Color code-able timeline clips

3. True round tripping to Logic

1 & 3 definitely!

thefcpxeditor wrote: 1. Send to Motion true Round Tripping.

2. Color code-able timeline clips

3. True round tripping to Logic

All 3 of these for sure. Plus the ability to capture from camera without timecode.

1. Common Storefront for Effects/Generators/Transitions/Titles

I would love to see apple come up with a common store front/easy install window for buying new effects, or installing/disabling effects you purchased. Since there are TONS of websites that are making effects and there is no common method to install them/attain them, I wold love to see Apple come up with a store front. Something like the Mac App Store, but for FCPX Effects/Plugins. Not a separate app, but built and available within FCPX. This could allow the user to quickly buy a new item that they might need, read comments on plugins available, and easily disable/activate pre-purchased plugins. I know plugin designers might not accept this solution, but it would be an easy way to keep things organized.

2. FCPX Libraries have the option to contain 3rd -Party Effects/Plugins/Transitions/Titles/Fonts/etc.

So I know this is unlikely, but I would love to see something like this if 1. is not an option. Right now, Libraries contain everything I need to work on a project form an asset standpoint, but if I move my library to another computer, it's a nightmare if I don't have the same plugins/effects/titles/fonts. To allow FCPX to bundle these files into the library would make moving libraries around and using multiple computers easier. I know this causes the problem of plugins being installed on more than one machine/activation, but it would make life easier for the editor!

3. Color Correction Advancments

I realize the Color Board has its advantages, and I do use it, but for those of us that want more control, give us more Color options! I'd even stand for some Color Correction effects added to the effects panel. Things like 3 Wheel, 8 PT Mask, Compare Modes, etc. I love HyColour Pro and I'd love to see Apple add some more Pro Color Correction features back into FCPX.

1 - Dupe Detection in the timeline.

2 - Roles based timeline organisation for audio

3 - A function where it plays from one clip to the next in the browser (so favourites can be played back to back like a selects roll for example)

1) Basic tracking (a la TrackX)
2) Role based audio mixer
3) Native particle-generator

All fantastic suggestions.

1. Customizable User Interface
2. Better handling of clips in the timeline especially Secondary Timelines
3. A better Viewer. I'd like a viewer that has it's own mini timeline like the import window.

1. Colour coding of clips/roles on time line with option of selecting/applying changes to all colours/roles with one click.
2. All timeline fx off/on switch.
3. opacity fade handles on all video clips.