To X or not to X?
Final Cut Pro 7 or Final Cut Pro X, that is the question. Which should you use?
*Note: Apple skipped 8 and
9, and chose the Roman numeral X in place of 10.
In June, Apple launched Final Cut Pro X to extremely mixed reviews. The reviews are so mixed that it can be hard to tell who is right and who is wrong.
The unbiased truth is that Final Cut Pro X is a completely new program, and that was the intention. The interface, tools, and even terminology is different in X than it was in 7.
For experienced users who have come up with Final Cut and gotten to know it well, X doesn’t feel like the next logical progression in the life of the software. The work flow and interface is different enough that experienced users will feel like frustrated newbies, especially if they are working to a deadline and hoping to find their favourite tools where they have always been.
With these users, X is an unpopular reinvention of what they have gotten used to.
However, there are great new tools and lots of great ideas packed into Final Cut Pro X. Even the disappointed users will find aspects of X that they really like.
For new users, or those who are just now learning Final Cut Pro, X is a solid place to start. Despite the grumblings of experienced users, X offers almost everything previous versions of FCP did, and in a more user-friendly interface.
One strength turned weakness of Final Cut Pro has always been that there are often 3 or 4 completely different ways of achieving the same goal or turning on tools. This can be nice, but it is more often than not confusing for new users.
Final Cut Pro X reduces the level of control in favour of a simpler system of working.
The short answer:
For now, Final Cut Pro X is recommended for new editors who intend to continue working in the FCP environment. Although strikingly different from previous versions of FCP, X is still a great NLE editor.
Experienced users should probably stick with FCP 7. Although it also has its flaws, it is capable of much more than the initial offering of X. You will probably miss the viewer window, the high level of control for filters and motion, the defined timeline tracks, and more if you make the move to X at this stage.
That said, the switch is inevitable if you intend to continue working in FCP. Whether you hate it or love it, one day you’ll have to start using X (or maybe XI or XII) if you want to remain up to date with the newest tools.
For these people, I recommend finding the time to dabble in X, or work in X for short projects where the same level of control isn’t necessary.