The new iLife 08 is here!
iMovie
Since it's introduction in 1999 iMovie has been pivotal in Apple's Education success. In this time the basic editing process has not changed, until this release. Apple describe iMovie as having a
"Central Library organised by Events, you can quickly locate the Event you're looking for and browse the clips inside each Event. View in real time or quickly skim through a clip to find a favorite scene".
iMovie now shares organisational characteristics of iTunes and iPhoto. This is very impressive. It provides almost instant access to all your video clips though the process of "skimming". It allows you to dynamically scrub the cursor over a thumbnail and see all of its content. There is also a "marking" mode that allows you to select as you skim. This makes fast work of selecting clips. It is a great tactile experience and those users that simply want a few scenes of video uploaded seamlessly to YouTube will not be disappointed.
However, for experienced teachers who work on longer projects, the loss of a traditional timeline will be a challenge. You can still add music, voiceovers, and still images, but the control of levels and frame accurate positioning is basic. It is possible open an iMovie project in Garageband and adjust the volume levels. There are fewer transitions and text options, no special effects and no slow motion, which for many teachers is a crucial tool. The Ken Burns tool is simplified and easier to use but the degree of zoom for a start or end point seems to be less dynamic.
The new version of iMovie opens up the possibility of using some DVD and hard disk based video cameras, which can only be a good thing. The traditional mini DV tape-based cameras are still compatible, but there is more choice in terms of viable new DVD and hard disk based video cameras.
To check what video cameras now work with iMovie try the following –
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306171#4
Apple have continued to make iMovie 06 available for those that prefer the old school interface and tools.
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html
GarageBand
The last update introduced the podcasting tools and they have had a big impact on teachers. This time though the emphasis is back on making music.
"Magic GarageBand" offers the opportunity to audition players that jam loops on a virtual stage in different genres. This could form an interesting way to explore music genres and the mashup concept (mixing two or more songs from different genres together). It is fun and easy to manage. For young producers, there is the introduction of "Multi-take recording" which offers a more Logic Pro approach to over dubbing. The record button will allow you to keep playing until you are happy with the "take". You can then select the best take and delete the rest. On the MIDI side, the ability to record additional notes to a midi recording has been added which makes experimentation a lot more fluid.
In addition there is the ability to label sections as intro's, verse, chorus etc and then move these whole sections without having to highlight every track. This again improves the creative workflow. The ability to automate effects on the timeline will also have classroom mixers and producers very busy – this function brings GarageBand closer to both Soundtrack and Logic. Another helpful touch is the new Visual EQ this allows users to see very quickly where the frequencies are in the track and adjust them.
Finally, a new Voices Jam Pack Pack with over 1,500 Apple Loops featuring professional soloists and choirs in multiple genres and styles. It also provides more than 20 software instruments, including voices, choral ensembles, and amazing drum kits built on the human voice and body.
Highlights from iPhoto, iDVD and iWeb
The "events" concept is introduced is also introduced into iPhoto. This is a form of "smart" organisation. It replaces the outmoded "film roll" idea in the earlier versions. The clever technology here though is the ability to skim (like iMovie) through all the photos in an Event. The skimming is done by, dragging the cursor over the "Event" image. All the other images then appear under the cursor. It is fast and effective. New editing tools, such as the rule of thirds grid that appears with the cropping tool is a joy to use! As are the enhanced colour correction tools. These will help teachers in the classroom.
For educators the improvements in iWeb mean that widgets can be inserted – Google maps etc. IDVD brings better performance and pro quality rendering as well as new themes. The introduction of dynamic lines will also make layouts for complex DVD's easier.
