On April 9, Apple will release an upgrade to Final Cut Pro X, its professional video editing software. Version 10.4.1 introduces Apple’s ProRes RAW format and advanced closed captioning tools that allow video editors to view, edit and deliver captions from right within the app.
ProRes RAW is a new format from Apple that, per the company offers the quality and workflow advantages of RAW with the of ProRes. With ProRes RAW, editors can import, edit and grade footage with RAW data from the camera sensor, providing flexibility when adjusting highlights and shadows, which should come in handy for HDR workflows.
With performance optimized for macOS, editors can play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW files on MacBook Pro and iMac systems in real time without rendering. Apple says ProRes RAW files are even smaller than ProRes 4444 files, allowing editors to make better use of storage while providing an excellent format for archiving.
Final Cut Pro editors can work natively with ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ files created by Atomos recorders. The format will be available as a free update for owners of Atomos Sumo 19 and Shogun Inferno devices. The format will also be available as part of a forthcoming upgrade package to users of the DJI Inspire 2 drone and Zenmuse X7 Super 35mm camera system designed for aerial cinematography.
As mentioned, Final Cut Pro now includes powerful closed captioning tools for professional filmmakers, YouTubers, and students looking to add captions to their projects without the need for third-party software or services. Users can import closed caption files directly into their project or create them from scratch.
Captions appear in the viewer during playback and can be attached to video or audio clips in the timeline, so they automatically move with the clips to which they’re connected. An all-new captions inspector allows users to adjust caption text, color, alignment, location and more.
Users can even create captions in multiple languages within the same timeline and share captioned videos to YouTube and Vimeo. In the share window, a new Roles tab displays titles, video and audio roles in a single consolidated interface, so users can configure roles and closed captions when sharing.
Apple is also adding complementary new features to Final Cut Pro companion apps, Motion and Compressor. Motion 5.4.1 and ProRes RAW enable motion graphics artists to take full advantage of RAW image quality when designing graphics and effects. Compressor 4.4.1 gains support for closed captioning with controls to view, adjust and deliver captions as part of a batch or iTunes Store package.
Final Cut Pro 10.4.1 will be available on April 9 as a free update for existing users, and for $299.99 for new users on the Mac App Store. Motion 5.4.1 and Compressor 4.4.1 will also be available on April 9 as free updates for existing users, and for $49.99 each for new users on the Mac App Store. Education customers can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for $199.99. For more info, go to apple.com/final-cut-pro.
