[stony74]

Hi,

I've searched the web intensely for info about the API for plugins (Filters / Transitions) for FCP / FCE. But even on Apple's Developer Pages I didn't find anything. There is only info for iMovie and Motion (FXPlug). Could anyone give me a starting point?

Thanks in advance!

[ism]

It's pretty easy for FCP/FCE.

Look here:
http://www.fxscriptreference.org/
http://joemaller.com/fcp/fxscript_reference.shtml
http://developer.apple.com/documenta...ngFXScript.pdf [PDF link]

Google for fxscript. A lot of people have written open fxscript plugins. So it is a good idea to download these and look at them:

http://www.mattias.nu/plugins/
http://www.pureandapplied.com.au/


What will you be writting your plugins in? The FXscript command thing that comes with FCP or a text editior? If a text editor use a proper one, not text edit. You'll likely have problems with getting textedit ones to show up (text encoding issue).

[stony74]

Thanks for the response! I already know about FXScript but would rather like to use ObjecitveC for the following reasons:

1. Copy protection (FXScript source is readable by anyone)
2. Performance / Flexibility (e.g. could use CoreImage)
3. I wouldn't have to buy FCP (expensive!) as testing would be possible with FCE.

There has to be a way to write plugins with ObjectiveC in a similar way as e.g. AudioUnits. I need to find documentation of this API.

[ism]

Ah, ok.

I would say most of the available FCP plugins are written in fxscript. I.e. Joe Maller's, Graeme Nattress's, CHV, CGM. They are copy protected because there is an option to do this when using the FXscript builder that comes with FCP.

The only plugins that are different are some of the Boris ones (Red, FX, Grafitti). They use a custom plug in Architecture. Since Boris Calligraphy is included somewhat in FCP I guess Boris have a very close relationship with Apple and are priveledged to API's others are not.

If you want to use Core Image stuff, I guess you will have to wait. I'd suggest the After Effects API, but as far as I know FCE doesn't support that, only FCP.

At this point there is no way to leverage Core Image functionaility in FCP. I'm sure this will come with the next version or so.

[stony74]

Thanks for clearing things up for me! I guess FxPlug will be incorporated into FCE/FCP in the near future? Maybe I should start modestly and write some iMovie plugins to get into this kind of programming...

[ism]

Originally Posted by stony74

Thanks for clearing things up for me! I guess FxPlug will be incorporated into FCE/FCP in the near future? Maybe I should start modestly and write some iMovie plugins to get into this kind of programming...

That's a good a guess as any. It's obviously the way they are heading. If you learn FxPlug it'll probably set you good for future releases of Apple Video Apps. Don't take my word though.

I've never looked into iMovie plugins. I notice the SDK is from 2003. I guess not much has changed over the releases of Imovie from a developers point of view? Is any Core Image/video filter/plugin recognised automatically by iMovie?

[stony74]

Good questions! Using CoreImage in iMove might not be as straight forward as I thought. I will have to look into this...

I'm currently looking into possibilities to get started as an independent software developer. I think adding capabilities to Apple's own software might be a good niche to start off. I'm also really interested in the possibilites of Final Cut Studio but the price is rather steep for me right now (850 Euros even after the educational discount...). Thanks for the info so far!

[ism]

I'm no developer, but adding functionality to existing Apple apps is a good idea. It's where a lot of the Shareware market is at.

I've noticed BKMS use Core Image in their iMovie plugins so it is possible.

I found this link: http://www.samkass.com/blog/C1936590049/index.html

It's some guy who develops in Quartz Composer. Seems iMovie recognises these files. Might be worth a look as he has source code available.