Final Cut Pro X Free Download for Mac: A Dramatic Rewrite of Video Editing

Apple's Final Cut Pro is not a stranger to resources. However, the frustration that editors face when using it on a Mac Pro with 16GB of RAM and eight cores, only to discover that FCP can only address 4GB of memory and only a few operations support multithreaded operations, is quite understandable.

In recent years, computers have become much faster, with multithreaded cores and GPUs capable of generating lifelike 3D graphics at 120+ frames per second at resolutions double that of even 1080p video. The Canon 5D Mark II, which was once considered a consumer-grade camera, is now commonly used on $1 million sets.

As the world of video editing evolves, even professional editors acknowledge the need for change. The cost of productions has dropped significantly in recent years, and FCS 3, which included Final Cut Pro 7, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, and Compressor 3.5, has not been updated since Apple released its venerable Final Cut Studio 3 suite of applications three years ago.

Although Final Cut Pro X is a 1.0 product that still needs some development, it lays the groundwork for versions 2.0 and 3.0 to be more compelling and usable. For amateur video editors, iMovie remains the best balance of features, ease of use, and price. However, those looking to upgrade from iMovie will find a lot more features in Final Cut Pro X, but with some caveats.

Final Cut Pro X's bold philosophy of video editing may take some getting used to, but it promises blazing performance and a future where tapes are as outdated as wax cylinders. Although it borrows some interface elements from iMovie that may disappoint seasoned professionals, it also loses many key features necessary in the professional world, such as XML export.

The bottom line is that Final Cut Pro X is a dramatic rewrite of Apple's mature and well-developed video editing software. It includes support for project compatibility, media stems/audio channeling, full-screen view toggle for Lion users, and GPU acceleration, making it an exciting new option for those looking to upgrade their video editing capabilities.

Final cut pro x free download mac