Apple Releases a New Version of Final Cut Pro

After years of smaller updates, Apple has finally released the latest version of its video editing suite, Final Cut Pro, for MacOS and iPad devices. 

The previous version, FCP X, was released in 2011, meaning that video editors and studios have waited (or, more likely, moved on) for over a decade for a new version. The latest version (FCP 11 for MacOS and 12.1 for iPad) has various AI-integrated features designed to take advantage of Apple’s M-series chips. 

New features include Magnetic Mask, which allows users to isolate people and objects in video clips, and Transcribe to Captions, which automatically generates closed captions using a large language model(LLM). 

Among the more novel features of the new version is its support and integration of Apple’s Vision Pro headset: FCP 11 has a new “spatial video” setting to edit and create 3d and VR-based footage using said device. It’s difficult to say if this is an attempt to breathe life into its (thus far) underperforming product or if it’s a sign of a deeper investment into the VR market. 

The iPad version introduces Enhance Light and Color, which provides AI-supported color, contrast, brightness adjustments, and a Live Drawing feature to allow users to add stylized animations to their videos.

While the software introduces several new features, Final Cut Pro still lacks text-based editing and in-depth color correction tools offered by Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro. That being said, it’s a significant upgrade that promises to help streamline several more time-intensive video editing and production tasks.

Final Cut Pro 11 is available to new users for $299 and is free for existing owners.

Wondering how to incorporate these new features? Trying to figure out which video editing software best suits your needs? Nodal can help! Contact us today.