November 17, 2025

Last week, Apple updated Compressor to version 4.11.1.

I've used it extensively over the last few days running on macOS 15.7.2 with no problems.

Thinking of upgrades, I just upgraded my laptop to macOS Tahoe (26.1). The upgrade took 40 minutes, plus a little additional time setting up the system, but less than an hour. No problems, yet.

What immediately struck me, aside from the new look of the interface, was that everything worked the same. Yes, there are new features, but nothing that prevented me from getting back to work immediately, then learning the new features as I have time.

Last week's webinar, "Essential Editing Workflow for Final Cut Pro 11," was great fun! I covered every major element in Final Cut, using more than 60 demos! This is the detailed FCP workflow overview I've wanted for a while.

Because this title now exists, I made changes to my Final Cut Pro bundles in both my store and library. I removed three older files and replaced them with this new Workflow and a detailed session on multicam editing. PLUS, I reduced the price and added a 25% off coupon!

• If you purchased the older FCP Bundle, you don't need to re-purchase it. You only need two files: Essential Editing and Multicam Editing. Use Coupon Code SAVE_25 to save 25% on either title.

If you haven't purchased the FCP Bundle, now is a great time. It's fully updated for Final Cut 11. All links are below.

I have three highlights from last week's webinar.

The first covers what you need to know about working with media in Final Cut. A common support question that I get is how to work with media in Final Cut Pro. In this short video, I provide a background on where to store media, which formats to use, when to optimize media, and answer other media questions.

My second excerpt covers trimming. Trimming is where the real magic happens in editing. It adjusts where two clips touch. Generally, you can drag the edges of a clip to change where an edit occurs, but Final Cut provides a wide variety of other tools that make trimming faster and, most often, more accurate.

In this video, I demo how these work.

The third excerpt is a fun one - a fast way to configure 3D text, lighting and surfaces in Final Cut.

3D text is built-into Final Cut Pro. In fact, ANY text can become 3D text. It is easy to create and modify, with customizable lights and surfaces, as this short video illustrates.

While major operating system upgrades are notorious for breaking things, by the time a dot-one upgrade rolls out, bugs are pretty well stamped out and the OS is running smoothly.

Still, I'm reluctant to upgrade. Back when I was younger, I enjoyed exploring all the new features. If I could find a bug, so much the better. 

Now, though, I just want to get on with my work. New features are nice - the new AI-assisted masking controls are amazing, as is speech-to-text and automated captions. And I understand that "the market" always demands something new. But, well, my job is teaching and storytelling and all this new stuff just gets in the way.

So I wait. 

Then, when I finally upgrade, I'm always surprised by what's new and how generally helpful these new features can be. Granted, it will take a few months yet before Final Cut, Premiere and Resolve start to truly integrate the new stuff. Software developers can't really begin their work until the new OS is released and stable. Still, new versions of the OS mean new features are coming soon to our favorite apps.

This reminds of my son when he was five. We'd have something new for dinner and he'd say: "Even though I haven't tried it, I know I don't like it." Then, when we'd finally get him to take a taste, he realized he liked it. Surprise!

It's the same thing with me and new operating systems. I'm reluctant until I use it, then I like it. Go figure.

NOTE: I'm on the road to Los Angeles next week. So if you send me emails, it may take me a bit longer than usual to respond.

Until next Monday, stay healthy, stay hopeful, and edit well.

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» Why Does Timecode Sometimes Start at 1:00:00:00? (Tutorial)

   » A look back in history to the reason timecode exists.

» Working with Media in Apple Final Cut Pro 11 (Tutorial)

   » A background on media and how Final Cut handles it.

» Faster Ways to Trim Clips in Apple Final Cut Pro 11 (Tutorial)

   » Trimming is where the real magic happens in editing.

» How to Create 3D Text in Apple Final Cut Pro 11 (Tutorial)

   » ANY text can become 3D text. Here's how to create it.

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