@stonebat - +1 about the color correction interface. Pucks suck. There are plug-ins that ease the pain, but Apple needs to redo it and provide better API's for plug-in developers, since all they get now is horizontal sliders. But I love the non-layer interface. I hate those training videos where they say, "It's just like Photoshop, it has layers." That whole Adobe way is a major time sink. After all, in FCPX you can stack corrections in the inspector, which approximates the layer thing. I tried color corrections in AE and I had to view a training video before I could do the simplest thing. Even the trainer commented that it seems you could just drag and drop the correction to your clip, but you can't. First you have to create a new layer and apply the correction to it. I like separate control of RGB and the gamma curve. But underneath, each interface is simply changing a number somewhere in code, a number limited by the clip's codec. Apple is apparently doing quite well now after several free upgrades. You can tell because there are hundreds of plug-ins. If FCPX were not doing well, the ecosystem would suffer, and it appears to be healthy. I got into this game right before FCPX came out, and I tried all the editors - Vegas was almost OK, but it only runs on Windows, which breaks the deal for me. When I tried FCPX, it became clear that the developers thought about this from the point of view of someone who had never used an NLE before, like me. Simple, straightforward, no wasted motion. It has a database built in, as well. No need to fire up Filemaker and export XML to know what you have.

I really like the color board too. It's actually a pretty intuitive interface. The scopes in FCPX are beautiful.

Apologies if this has been posted somewhere on here already, but I found these tutorials to be SUPER HELPFUL for the most part (I don't agree with him on using the global exposure adjustment for setting focus exposure) http://www.colorgradingcentral.com/final-cut-pro-x-color-grading-table-of-contents

UPDATED!

Final Cut Pro X version 10.0.8

This update improves overall stability, performance, and compatibility. Updates include:

• Support for Sony XAVC codec up to 4K resolution

• Option to display ProRes Log C files from ARRI ALEXA cameras with standard Rec. 709 color and contrast levels

• Resolves an issue where some third-party effects generated green frames during render

• Resolves performance issues that could occur with certain titles and effects

• Time reversed clips render in the background

• Ability to use key commands to adjust Clip Appearance settings in the timeline

• Ability to view reel number metadata located in the timecode track of video files

• Mono audio files in a surround project export with correct volume levels

• Drop zones no longer reset to the first frame of video after application restart

• Fixes a performance issue which resulted from selecting multiple ranges on a single clip

• Fixes an issue where the Play Around function did not work properly on certain clips when viewed through external video devices

http://www.apple.com/uk/finalcutpro/whats-new/

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4589

Motion 5.0.7

This update improves overall stability, performance, and compatibility. Updates include:

• Resolves an issue where some third-party effects generated green frames during render

• Fixes a stability issue when splitting layers in the timeline

• Fixes an issue where launching a plug-in with a check box could require multiple clicks

• Fixes a stability issue with CoreMelt plug-ins

• This update is recommended for all users of Motion. For more information visit www.apple.com/finalcutpro/motion.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4591

Compressor 4 version 4.0.7

This update improves overall stability, performance, and compatibility. Updates include:

• Removes 1 GB file size limit for uploads to Vimeo

• Fixes a stability issue when playing back certain MPEG-2 files

• Fixes a stability issue in Qmaster when processing multiple jobs

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4590

More Updates!

ProApps QuickTime Codecs v1.0.2

This update adds the following video codecs for use by QuickTime-based applications:

• Apple Intermediate Codec

• Apple ProRes

• AVC-Intra

• DVCPRO HD

• HDV

• XDCAM HD / EX / HD422

• MPEG IMX

• Uncompressed 4:2:2

• XAVC

This update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4.

http://www.macupdate.com/download/39040/ProAppsQTCodecs1.0.2.dmg

FINALLY!

Now we get to be 10.0.8 crash test dummies. If it wasn't for the green frames I wouldn't risk it.

@squig Now we get to be 10.0.8 crash test dummies. If it wasn't for the green frames I wouldn't risk it.

I've just been cutting for the past couple of days on a project using the new 10.0.8, and I have to say, this version of FCPX is much less crashy than all previous versions. There were times I did something that has felt like causing a crash in the past, but it just kept on going like a champ. I see no downside to upgrading at this stage.

@shian agreed. i tried it for a few minutes. if the color grading was more useful, i could see some application for it. otherwise, it doesn't really save me any time.

@5thwall,

Excellent article!!! So many great tips and methods. I've just started finding the courage to use FCPX on pro projects and am beginning to see the potential of roles and compounding. As I change my perspective I'm starting to feel more comfortable with the new paradigm. Thanks for a clear and informative piece!!

@ahbleza @Conundrum Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

Just wrote a "little" blog post about a workaround for dealing with multi-channel audio and subroles in FCP X. http://www.garbershop.com/?p=391

@B3Guy Not great at the moment using just FCPXML. However, if you use X2Pro to make an AAF, it's close to perfect. X2Pro has one li'l bug right now regarding subroles and multiclips (you have to send all clip components out to the AAF even if they are turned off in the timeline). X2Pro works fine with regular clips or synchronized clips.

With X2Pro and subroles, I was able to turn the unorganized file below... into the organized one.

So the rumor mill on Twitter is suggesting there's a major FCPX update coming this week that will be a total rewrite from the ground up. Does anyone know if there have been more substantial reports of this anywhere? I can just imagine the protests if Apple decides to do another complete overhaul with zero input from the users, especially those who have adopted FCPX rather than jump ship for another NLE.