Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 Plus HD review

The new features for those editing in two dimensions aren’t as impressive. Effects masks allow effects to be applied to a subsection of the frame – a useful technique that’s rarely found in consumer video-editing software. However, while various mask shapes are supplied, the only way to generate custom shapes is by designing greyscale bitmaps in image-editing software. Built-in curve-based masks would make this feature far more useful.

Also new is Intelligent Mouse mode, Magix’s name for ripple editing, whereby moving a clip shuffles all subsequent clips on the timeline along to make space or close the gap. It’s an odd implementation, though, working when clips are moved but not when they’re inserted, deleted or adjusted in length.

Magix also claims that the software is up to 90% faster, citing 14 improvements for quicker imports, smoother previews and faster rendering. However, as with version 16, preview performance was inconsistent. Sometimes the preview window would play smoothly but at other times the same section would stutter badly.

Movie Edit Pro is an essential purchase for anyone with a 3D camera who can’t afford the much more expensive Sony Vegas Pro. With many more 3D cameras due later this year, it’s great to see Magix catering for them so well. As a general-purpose editor, it’s not short of powerful features but it can’t compete with the classy, streamlined elegance of Sony Movie Studio Platinum. Unless you need 3D we recommend sticking with Sony’s editor.