A new plugin from Digital Anarchy for removing flicker, X2Pro from Marquis gets an update, as does Library Manager from Arctic Whiteness. We do a quick roundup of FCPX news.
If you have ever had flicker in a timelapse sequence, you'll know it can be hard to get rid of to achieve a perfectly smooth result. Digital Anarchy has released Flicker Free, which as the name suggests removes not only flicker from time-lapse sequences, but many other troublesome variable light situations.
It works by analysing the the footage and then smoothing out the luminance over multiple frames to give the video a constant brightness.
"We're extremely excited about Flicker Free."said Jim Tierney, President of Digital Anarchy. "We've already seen it used on some high profile broadcasts to deal with flicker problems from slow motion cameras, as well as LED lights. I think users will be pretty impressed when they see how effective it is on their footage."
Flicker Free fixes problems on many types of video footage:
- Time lapse suffers from variation in exposures
- Archival footage flickers because of old cameras or lights
- Slow Motion (or High Speed) Video can be affected by the flickering of electric lights
- LED lights, TVs, and computer monitors cause flickering when out of sync with the camera
The plugin (which will also work in After Effects, Premiere Pro, FCP7 as well as FCPX) is normally priced at $149, but is reduced down to $99 until March 31st.
X2Pro needs no introduction, it's the best way to get audio from Final Cut Pro X into DAWs such as Pro Tools for sweetening. A new updated version is now available.
“The latest version of X2Pro now supports OS X 10.9 Mavericks and FCP X 10.1,” confirms Simon Fearn, product manager, Marquis Broadcast. “In addition we have removed the need for user to define media locations and made further improvements to memory usage.”
X2Pro Version 2.2 is only available on the Mac App Store at £99.99/$149.99. X2ProLE is a lower cost version for those who do not need audio files referenced, media trimmed, or close control of the conversion of Roles.
One thing that again sparked our interest here was the ability of X2Pro to trim media. If they could only do that with video, then they would have a killer application for media managing. We will suggest it to them again!
Finally, the guys at Arctic Whiteness have been very busy since the launch of their application Library Manager. Not only has this application been amazing successful, the developers have taken onboard a lot of the feedback since it was first available and have now released version 1.5. Although the price has gone up to just under $10, it is still a 'no brainer' for anybody who uses FCPX.
We are super pleased that they took us up on our idea of cataloging libraries on disks that are not currently attached.
Here are the new features:
- FCLM now memorises the libraries that it’s seen so that it can list them even if they are currently offline or absent. This allows users to use FCLM as a cataloging system to keep track of which libraries are on which volume, even when the disks aren’t connected.
- Individual folders can now be added to the list of sources on the left by dragging or clicking the + button. This will be particularly useful to those working in a group environment who wish to see only the libraries in their own directory on an XSAN, for example.
- Sources that are not indexed by Spotlight can now be manually scanned for libraries.
- The sources on the left can now be sorted manually or removed from the list.
- It’s now possible to clean Shared Media files and Optical Flow (Stablization) data files. These columns can be displayed via the View Menu if required.
- FCLM can now display and edit the Finder Comments for each library (the same comments that can be seen when choosing “Get Info” in the Finder).
- Full screen mode is now supported.
There are also some minor tweaks:
- The first window that the user sees is no longer in French on an English system (oops!)
- Option to show a Source in the Finder (via the context menu)
- Option to force a manual re-scan of an Spotlight indexed volume.
- Sources can now be unmounted directly from FCLM (via the context menu)
- Command-clicking the source checkboxes will check/uncheck all the sources at once (like in iCal etc.)
- An extra alert is given when deleting Optimized media files to warn the user that these files are slow to recreate and are thus best deleted at the end of the project.
- An extra alert is given when deleting Optical Flow files to warn the user that these are slow to recreate.
- A display issue when the system was set up to ‘always display scrollbars’ has been fixed.
- Visual feedback is now given when dragging folders or libraries to the FCLM window.
- When deleting the Render files waveforms and thumbnails are no longer deleted. These are small files, however they are slow to recreate, so this improves the experience when reopening the project in Final Cut.
- FCLM used to display some older backup libraries. This has been fixed.
- Various performance enhancements and bug fixes.
If you haven't seen Library Manager before, take a look at their mini tutorial.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
