Apple updates video editing software, launches Final Cut 11 Pro with host of AI features

Apple unveils Final Cut Pro 11, enhancing video editing with AI-powered features and spatial video support for virtual reality.

In Short

• Final Cut Pro 11 introduces AI-powered tools like Magnetic Mask for quick object isolation
• New spatial video support allows creators to edit immersive VR content for Apple Vision Pro
• Final Cut Pro for iPad adds Live Drawing, haptic feedback, and enhanced color-grading features

Apple has introduced Final Cut Pro 11, a major update to its video editing software packed with intelligent new features powered by AI. This version adds tools like Magnetic Mask, which allows editors to quickly isolate people or objects without needing a green screen, and Transcribe to Captions, which automatically generates accurate closed captions from spoken audio. Final Cut Pro 11 also brings spatial video editing support for Apple Vision Pro, allowing creators to craft immersive experiences for virtual reality. Alongside updates to Final Cut on iPad, Final Cut Camera, and Logic Pro, Apple’s creative tools are now faster and more versatile than ever.

Here is what is new

The Magnetic Mask feature is designed to simplify how editors isolate objects or people in a video. Instead of needing a green screen or spending a lot of time tracing around objects, Magnetic Mask uses AI to recognise and separate people or items in a scene automatically. Editors can use this mask to tweak backgrounds, change colors, or apply effects to specific parts of the video with just a few clicks.

Transcribe to Captions is another game-changer, especially for creators who want to make their videos more accessible. This feature automatically generates captions from spoken audio right on the editing timeline, which saves time and ensures accuracy. With just a command, captions are generated using Apple's language processing technology, making it easy to reach a wider audience without extra work.

A big focus of this release is also spatial video support, which ties in with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. Now, Final Cut Pro 11 lets editors work with 3D video for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) content. This feature gives users the option to adjust depth in their projects and preview how they’ll look in a virtual space. It’s an exciting step for creators interested in immersive media, as Vision Pro offers a unique way to view and edit video in a life-like, panoramic format.

On the iPad, Final Cut Pro has also received updates tailored to the tablet experience. The new Live Drawing inks give users creative options, such as drawing with watercolor or fountain pen effects directly on videos. This makes it easy to add personal touches to projects. The iPad update also includes haptic feedback when trimming clips or navigating, adding a tactile element to the editing process that helps users keep precise control over their changes.

For those who film with iPhones, Final Cut Camera has a new upgrade too. It now supports 4K slow-motion recording at 120 frames per second on the iPhone 16 Pro, making cinematic, high-quality footage possible directly from your phone. It also allows editors to preview how footage will look with certain color adjustments, letting them experiment in real-time.

Music production software Logic Pro wasn’t left out either. The update includes a Quantec Room Simulator plug-in, which brings high-quality reverb effects to the app. This is especially useful for adding immersive sound environments to video projects, creating a richer audio experience.

The new Final Cut Pro 11 and updates to Logic Pro are available on the App Store today, making Apple’s creative suite more intuitive and powerful than ever.

How to get Final Cut Pro 11

Final Cut Pro 11 is not free. It is available for a one-time purchase of $299.99 on the Mac App Store, though new users can try it with a free 90-day trial. The iPad version of Final Cut Pro is subscription-based, costing $4.99 per month or $49 per year, with a one-month free trial for new users.Users can download Final Cut Pro 11 and the latest updates for Final Cut on iPad, Final Cut Camera, and Logic Pro starting today. The updates are available on the App Store for both new users and existing users as free updates, depending on the platform.