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Useful Tools for Editors: Project X27

By Scott Simmons   /   Oct 24, 2011
Project X27 In the ongoing saga of Final Cut Pro X comes one of the first third-party tools based on the newly released FCPX XML format. XML came to FCPX in the version 10.0.1 update just a month ago. Project X27 is a $50 translation tool that comes from Intelligent Assistance. The company is no stranger to XML and has produced many helpful workflow tools for Final Cut Pro 7 (as well as Premiere Pro). Project X27 moves Final Cut Pro X timelines into Final Cut Pro 7. You might ask why someone would want to move an edit to FCP7. The short answer is there are a lot of places you can move a full project, or parts of a project, once it is in FCP7. For example, you can import FCP7 XMLs into Adobe Premiere Pro … and that means an easy link to After Effects from there. The tool’s operation is simple: export an FCPX XML, run it through Project X27 and you get the FCP7 compliant XML. A decent number of things are translated in the process:
  • Titles at the start and end;
  • a mixture of primary storyline and connected clips;
  • a mix of active and inactive clips;
  • large numbers of J and L cuts;
  • to-do markers and regular markers;
  • spot audio effects; and
  • cross-dissolve transitions.
There’s a full list of what works and what doesn’t work, as well as known issues in the Project X27 pdf help. Regardless of one’s opinion of FCPX, XML for FCPX has ushered in tools like this and workflows that help bring FCPX into a more professional world. All you have to do is Export an XML from FCPX, open it in Project X27, and you’re offered this option:           There’s a before-and-after timeline translation example on the Project X27 website, but here’s an example I tried myself:

My Final Cut Pro X sequence

 

The FCP7 sequence after the Project X27 conversion

That’s not the most complex edit but it looks spot on. If you’re wondering why this conversion doesn’t go the other way, from FCP7 to FCPX, then read what Intelligent Assistance has to say about that particular question at the bottom of this blog post. I’m sure there is a Final Cut Pro 7 to Final Cut Pro X translation tool in the works, and we’ll try that one out too when it ships.    

12 Comments

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  • jean Roman

    FCP X is a RIDICULOUS work~around to what professional editors are customed to working with

    why bother????? with X at all
    when I can edit perfectly well in FCP 7 or Adobe Premiere Pro

    ix nay X nay

  • Peter Tours

    With all due respect, why use X at all, if you need to go to 7. I guess the best use for the product might be “fixing a bad haircut”.

  • dtvancouver

    I think the point here is that not everyone has a choice of whether they are on X (working on a client’s system, moving a project between systems, working with a provided file). This seems like a great solution which will provide a lot of flexibility in working with projects from X when you need to use a real working platform – FCP X, Premiere Pro or other. Well done!

  • R. Bruce Perry

    As Final Cut continues to lose its base of professional editors, the “work arounds” continue to be released. Kinda like building a house on bamboo poles. You get enough of em and the house stands. But for how long. Apple made the worst decision in corporate history with FCPX. Avid and Adobe are extremely thankful. I’m glad I started off with Avid. My return will be painless. FCPX is the end of the proverbial line for Final Cut editors. The new generation of youtubers can have it.
    Thanks for the memories Steve

  • Christian

    Nobody did point a gun to you head and said “Use FCPX”.

    I don’t like whiner editors who talk to much without arguments.

    Didin’t like FCPX? Neither Am I.

    But its very easy to resolve this problem: DONT USE IT.

    Still working with FCP 7

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  • http://www.ffake.com Paul Golden

    If Apple won’t make it, then hats off to Intelligent Assistance. Why whine about the “pro” qualities of FCP X when people are making tools that help you work more professionally. For example, I cut in X and my client would like a backup in 7. This does that. Nobody bitched about FCP7 not having an After Effects built-in translator. Automatic Duck made one and the people who needed to go back and forth were happy.

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