Can FCP X import 16 bit still images?

Or do You need to convert to 8 bit to work nicely within project. Just curious.

Hi Jonathan,

16-bit stills work just fine in FCP X.

Here's a 16-bit TIFF from an EOS1DS on the FCP X timeline:



And here's the same still with recovered highlights and shadows using the built-in color correction:



Layered graphics must always be created with 8-bit depth. Layered graphics created with 16-bit depth will be flattened during the import.

- Ronny

Thanks Ronny. That was really helpful!!!!

JL

BTW exporting a PSD still from FCPX will give you a 16bit image.

Thanks tpayotn.

That's interesting. I wonder why it would export to a bit rate higher than the original. I don't think video is 16 bit unless I'm missing something.

Internally, as far as I understand it, FCPX isn't 8 bit or even 16bit but floating point "liner light." 16bit is just the highest current output format.

I can confirm that FCPX does export layered PSDs as 16-bit. The original was created in Pixelmator as 8-bit.