New Nikon ZR and R3D-NE RAW video in Final Cut Pro

Can FinalCut handle the R3D-NE codec from the new Nikon ZR camera?


R3D RAW video can be edited in FCP, but this new type of R3D-NE still doesn't work. Will there be an update? Davinci can do it. I would stick with R3D-NE in FCP if there is an update planned?

iPhone 15, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 15, 2025 4:00 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 20, 2025 5:06 AM

Nikon R3D-NE works in FCP 11.2 -- provided you have the correct RED software installed. Without this, upon trying to import Nikon R3D-NE, a pop-up error says the current RED third-party plug-in is not compatible. So the error itself indicates the source of the problem.


This software (and updating it) has always been required to use R3D files in FCP:


https://www.red.com/download/red-apple-workflow-installer

13 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 20, 2025 5:06 AM in response to ronadair

Nikon R3D-NE works in FCP 11.2 -- provided you have the correct RED software installed. Without this, upon trying to import Nikon R3D-NE, a pop-up error says the current RED third-party plug-in is not compatible. So the error itself indicates the source of the problem.


This software (and updating it) has always been required to use R3D files in FCP:


https://www.red.com/download/red-apple-workflow-installer

Nov 13, 2025 1:07 PM in response to nikonzr

If you upload a sample file that exhibits the problem to a file-sharing site and post that link here, we can examine it on various machines. We also need to know the year, model, and config of your Mac, and version of macOS.


I downloaded several R3D-NE files from the NikonUSA web site, and they all work OK on my M1 Ultra Mac Studio running FCP 11.2 and Tahoe 26.1. I have other machines I could test it on, but there's no sense taking "pot shots" unless we know your platform specifics.

Dec 3, 2025 3:29 PM in response to JUser123

I have an M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 Pro, M4 Pro but not an M5. Your issue could be something unique about your machine, such as a third-party plugin or some nuance of the M5 itself. As Terry mentioned, it could be other conflicting software. That's why he asked for the etrecheck report.


Unlike a non-RAW codec, a RAW video file from a given camera model is unique. That's why I've asked others with R3D-NE material to upload test clips, but no one has responded yet. I've tested a few R3D-NE clips from the Nikon site, but that is not a comprehensive test.


If you can upload some short clips that demonstrate the problem, I'll test those on the machines I have. Use the below link.


If you can upload some of your FCP crash logs, I'll examine those. You can find those by running the MacOS Console app, selecting Crash Reports in the left sidebar, right-clicking on an FCP crash report, and picking "Reveal in Finder." It will have an .ips file extension. Send several of those to me at the below URL.


If at all possible, post the etrecheck report here on this thread. Use the "Additional Text" icon on the forum toolbar. Use only plain text, not RTF, DOC or anything else.


We don't work for Apple; we are just end users like yourself. However, some of us have lots of experience troubleshooting apps in the macOS environment.


https://we.tl/r-3b29S8Lzzl



Oct 19, 2025 4:39 PM in response to visualdemon

I, too, am VERY interested in being able to edit R3D-NE files directly in FCP. I've been shooting almost exclusively raw files on Z-Cams, and being able to ingest and manage the raw processing, color-correction, colorspace, luts etc on the unprocessed raw files directly in FCP is something I would have a really hard time giving up when I start shooting on the ZR. If I can't have native support in FCP, I may have to look at another NLE, and for me that would be a big bummer since I prefer FCP over Premier or Resolve (many times over).

Dec 3, 2025 1:59 PM in response to joema

I am still having the issue described above. I am using the Nikon ZR shooting R3D NE files. I am trying to get the R3D NE files in to FCP, but IF I can get them imported in to FCP, they show up without any images, only sound. They often crash my FCP as soon as they are even selected in the import screen. Especially if I select the file, don't import and just try and close out of FCP. I can get them in sometimes as long as I only select one R3D NE file and import. If I try and select another file from the folder later instead of the first, it freezes into perpetual spinning color wheel. Once I import, If I click on "Modify Raw Video Settings" to see if I can adjust the image settings... it freezes indefinitely. If I try and close out of FCP once I have any R3D NE files imported..freezes indefinitely. The crazy thing is, I can get the exact same files from the exact same SSD in to my friends FCP on a new MacBook Air M4 flawlessly. Same FCP version (11.2) same macOS and same Red Apple Workflow installer. I am not doing any transcoding. "create optimized media" and "create proxy media" are both unchecked. I have tried doing it from the SSD into a library on my Mac and leaving the files in place, and copying the files. And I have tried putting the flies on my Mac, unplugging the SSD and doing the import directly from my Mac HD, both with library media in place and making a copy.


Macbook Pro M5

Tahoe 26.1

FCP 11.2

Apple RED workflow installed v23.0.0 from 10/15/2025


I am dead in the water on my project until I can get it resolved. PLEASE HELP!



New Nikon ZR and R3D-NE RAW video in Final Cut Pro

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.