While Apple has received significant criticism for stripping out a number of features from its professional-level video production software in the transition to Final Cut Pro X, the company has said that it will be updating the new application on a regular basis, and has acknowledged that it is working on restoring some of the lost features.

One of those missing features is compatibility for XML projects, a popular open format that Apple had embraced in Final Cut Pro for several years before eliminating it in Final Cut Pro X. According to Philip Hodgetts, Apple has apparently stated that it is working on a replacement for the XML workflow, as well as the ability to import XML from older projects into Final Cut Pro X.

fcp x xml 1
That XML import support may in fact be coming relatively soon, as some digging by MacMagazine.com.br [Google translation] reveals that the XML importer is already present in Final Cut Pro X in some form, but has not been turned on.

fcp x xml 2
MacMagazine.com.br's source not only found references to an "importFinalCutXML" function within the code, but also was able to run the function to bring up an "Import XML" window that is unfortunately not yet functional.

Top Rated Comments

Sander Avatar
185 months ago
You got what they meant though, right? Don't be so pedantic - noone cares the exact terminology for headers and includes - these are VIDEO EDITORS, not nerds.

AriX offered the MacRumors bot a chance to fix the text. Exact terminology does matter in a written article, or I might as well post that Final Cut Pro X does offer multicam (oh I meant you can import from different kinds of cameras).

Cheers,
a proud nerd.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
K.B. Avatar
185 months ago
terminology be damned--- if this had been included in the release it would have quieted at least 10% of the outcry over FCPX.

I don't understand... were they working on a deadline for release? I sure never heard one and it didn't seem 'overdue' to me. Why not take another week and get this working?

Another needle in their ass because someone pulled the trigger too soon on releasing this product.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
insidegui Avatar
185 months ago
Update

I'm the guy who discovered all that stuff about XML inside FCPX.

AN UPDATE:

Unfortunately It seems like the methods I've found aren't for importing of old FCP7 XML files, but a new kind of XML called "AXEL", which stands for "Apple eXchange Editing Language". The original blog post about It has screenshots of this thing actually working: http://mcmgz.in/1wf

Two interesting factoids:
- The new interface is internally called "AquaPro"
- FCPX is ready for Lion and has some frameworks built in specially for the new feline

ANOTHER UPDATE:
I just wanted to let you know that I've also found some stuff in there about making the media browser and the video preview fullscreen, and It works just fine, even in Snow Leopard. I don't understand why Apple leave all that good stuff out even when It's perfectly functional, It seems like they want to keep It out of the first version just so they can come a few months later with a new release and make a lot of buzz about It.

There are two screenshots of the method calls found inside the code: http://migre.me/58z5A

When I called the method "toggleFullscreenOrganizer" I was running with two monitors and the media organizer went fullscreen on my secondary monitor. The same happend with "toggleFullscreenDisplayArea", but this time the video preview went fullscreen.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmcalpin Avatar
185 months ago
Ouch. Just having this in the shipping FCPX 1.0 product would have made the release A LOT smoother for Apple.

Not "smooth," by a longshot, but smoother. Apple's getting torn apart by its best friends (Pogue, Gruber, etc.) over this.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AriX Avatar
185 months ago
importFinalCutXML is a method, not a function. And you don't "run" a function, you call it. (Just nitpicking here, but what was written looks kinda weird to a programmer.)
Score: 0 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winston1236 Avatar
185 months ago
such a sloppy release
Score: -2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone eSIM Feature

Apple Hints at iPhone 17 Models Lacking SIM Card Slot in More Countries

Sunday August 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year. In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries...