This release of Premiere Pro offers improved performance with new hardware-accelerated encoding and decoding, expanded and improved format support, and bug fixes.

• Hardware acceleration updates
• Performance updates
• New format support
• 8K H.264 export for VR support
• Codec and preset changes

For a list of issues fixed in this release, see Bugs fixed in July 2018 release of Premiere Pro (version 12.1.2). For a list of known issues in this release, see Known issues.

Hardware acceleration updates

Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC decoding on Mac

Hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC decoding is now supported on MacBook Pro and iMac Pro machines with Mac OS 10.13. Hardware decode acceleration is automatically selected as the default option (Preferences > Media > Enable hardware accelerated decoding) in PremierePro on Mac if the hardware supports it.

Windows Intel Hardware Encoding for MP4/HEVC

Hardware acceleration is now available on Windows 10 with 7^th Generation (or later) Intel® Core™ processors and Intel Graphics enabled.

If your hardware supports it, then Hardware Accelerated is enabled in the Performance menu of the Export Settings dialog box.

If your system hardware does not support it, the Performance menu switches automatically to Software Only.

Performance updates

• Performance improvements for decoding RED Camera Formats
  
• Performance improvements for decoding Sony RAW/X-OCN Camera Formats
  • Supported formats: F5/F55/F65/Venice RAW/X-OCN
  • Supported Platforms: Windows and Mac

New format support

Added support for the following new formats:

• Exporting 8K H.264 format
• Exporting XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:2 formats
• Panasonic Camera Metadata
• HTC Vive Pro

For more information, see Supported file formats.

8K H.264 export for VR support

You can now export VR sequences at resolutions up to 8k x 8k to H.264. This allows up to 16k x 9k output that is useful for playback in Virtual Reality and future generations of TVs. In the Export Settings dialog, you can choose Profile Levels 6, 6.1, 6.2, or Unrestricted.

Codec and preset changes

Added the following video codec options for export:

• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:2 100Mbps (available framerates: 23.976p/25p/29.97p)
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:2 140Mbps (available framerates: 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p)
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:2 200Mbps (available framerates: 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p)

Renamed the following existing codecs:

• XAVC QFHD Long GOP renamed to XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0

Added the following new presets:

• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:2 200Mbps 59.94p
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:2 140Mbps 59.94p

Renamed the following existing presets:

• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 23.976p renamed to XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0 23.976p
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 25p renamed to XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0 25p
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 29.97p renamed to XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0 29.97p
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 50p renamed to XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0 50p
• XAVC QFHD Long GOP 59.94p renamed to XAVC QFHD Long GOP 4:2:0 59.94p

Adobe Premiere Pro CC April 2018 (version 12.1.1) release

This release of Premiere Pro includes fixes for multiple bugs in Premiere Pro. For a list of issues fixed in this release, see Bugs fixed in April 2018 releases of Premiere Pro.

Adobe Premiere Pro CC April 2018 (version 12.1) release

Compare shots using Comparison View

You can now split the Program Monitor display to compare the look of two different clips or the look of a single clip. This feature allows you to compare a look before or after applying an effect.

You can use this Comparison View to match colors between two shots or adjust the intensity of an applied effect. Use the vertical or horizontal split to drag the splitter back and forth across the image to "onion skin" the differences.

Comparing two different shots sets you up for auto color matching.

For more information, see Using the Source Monitor and Program Monitor.

Match color across shots

With the click of a button, automatically match the color and light of two different shots in a sequence ensuring visual continuity throughout your sequence. Skin tones are preserved and matched using face detection, powered by Adobe Sensei. You can continue to adjust the settings even after the automatic match is performed.

For more information, see Color match shots.

Lumetri Color panel changes

The following options are introduced in the Lumetri Color panel:

• fx bypass option - to temporarily toggle an entire effect on and off
• Reset Effect - to reset all effects for a single shot

These options in the Lumetri Color panel enable you to easily perform these tasks directly within the Lumetri Color panel, without having to shift focus to the Effects Control panel.

For more information, see Color workflows.

Lumetri Color Custom LUT directory

You can now install custom LUT files and have them appear in the Lumetri Color panel.   To install a custom LUT file, first create one or more of the directories listed below, and then copy your custom LUT files to that folder.

Premiere Pro scans the folders at launch and loads LUT files from these directories. LUTs in the Creative directories appear in the Creative Looks dropdown, and LUTs in the Technical directories appear in the Input LUT dropdowns.

Auto-duck music

While working on a project, you can automatically generate a volume envelope to duck music behind dialogue, sound effects, or any other audio clip. This feature simplifies the process for achieving professional-sounding audio mixes.

For more information, see Auto-ducking.

Easily search for Motion Graphics templates across your local templates folder, Creative Cloud Libraries, and Adobe Stock

You can now browse for Motion Graphics templates easily using the Essential Graphics panel. You can search for templates that are available locally, in CC Libraries, and in Adobe Stock.

After finding the template you need, you can drag it into your sequence - regardless of where the template is stored. 

The redesigned Browse tab also supports hover scrub to preview animations, favoriting Motion Graphics templates, and keywording for quick, intuitive organization, and searching.

For more information, see Using Motion Graphics templates in Premiere Pro.

Create gradients for shapes using the Essential Graphics panel

You can now create gradients for shapes using the Essential Graphics panel.

Click a color swatch for a shape layer in the Essential Graphics panel. Then select a Solid, Linear Gradient, or Radial Gradient fill type from the Color Picker. Create and edit opacity stops, color stops, and midpoints in the Color Picker. You can also adjust the gradient angle and locations of color stops and midpoints directly from within the Program Monitor.

For more information, see Create motion graphics and titles with the Graphics workspace.

Replace clip workflow for Motion Graphics templates

Motion Graphics templates from After Effects that have been used in a Premiere Pro sequence can now be replaced with a new version of the template. 

To replace a graphic in your timeline with an updated version of the template, hold Alt/Option and drag the updated template onto the existing one in your sequence. You can choose to have the template updated everywhere it was used in the project or limit the change to one instance. Where possible, Premiere Pro preserves your customizations.

For more information, see Using Motion Graphics templates in Premiere Pro.

Toggle animation for graphics layers in the Essential Graphics panel

Learn to toggle animation on/off for motion graphics directly from the Essential Graphics panel in Premiere Pro.

Toggle animation for each transform property from directly within the Essential Graphics “Edit” tab. This feature enables you to create animated graphics quickly by enabling animation for specific properties of the layer you are currently working with.

For more information, see Using Motion Graphics templates in Premiere Pro.

Improved interface and new control types in Motion Graphics templates from After Effects

An improved interface and new controls make it easier to customize Motion Graphics templates, including adjusting the 2D position, rotation, and scale of elements.

For more information, see Using Motion Graphics templates in Premiere Pro.

Immersive Monitor support

Navigate 360 VR space with handset controls that let you rotate your view without moving your head as you craft and edit immersive content.

For information on setting up an immersive environment, see Immersive video in Premiere Pro.

Support for Windows Mixed Reality

Premiere Pro now supports the Windows Mixed Reality platform, expanding the range of available Head Mounted Display (HMD) options you can use.

Once the Windows Mixed Reality HMD is set up, you can view VR video in the Adobe Immersive Environment like a Rift or Vive.

In addition, you can control timeline playback using the Microsoft Motion Controllers.

The controllers behave similar to the HTC Vive controller. The touch disc is split in half and the top half is devoted to bringing up the Timeline and Navigator panels. The bottom half is devoted to playback control. To interact with Adobe Immersive Environment UI elements, such as the Timeline, use the trigger at the index finger.

For more information, see Immersive video in Premiere Pro.

Improved VR Plane to Sphere

Premiere Pro has improved the overall output quality of VR Plane to Sphere which supports smoother and sharper rendering of the edges of your graphics.

Enhanced support for Team Projects

Premiere Pro's support for Team Projects includes: 

• Improved tracking of online collaborators
• Better project management 
• Ability to view read-only versions of your project

Improved tracking of online collaborators

You can view a list of other collaborators of your Team Project with their online and offline status. For more information, see Collaborate with Team Projects.

Better project management

 You can manage your projects effectively by embedding linked team projects within a Team Project. You can also import a local Premiere Pro project as a shared project. For more information, see Create a Team Project. 

Ability to view read-only versions of your project

You can now open read-only historic versions of a Team Project to add assets to a current Team Project.

Improved Timecode panel

The Timecode Panel is now revamped to show new display options, such as In/Out, Duration, Absolute timecode, Remaining timecode, and Source timecode.

These display options enable you to track different timecode elements as you work. For example, you can reference external elements or certain timecodes while collaborating with others.

For more information, see View timecode in the Timecode panel.

Video Limiter

Premiere Pro now includes a new Video Limiter effect (in the Effects panel in the Color Correction section) that is effective for modern digital media formats, current broadcast, and professional post-production use. You can use it as a per shot effect while working with Lumetri Color. You can also add it as an output effect to limit the entire sequence on export.

For more information, see Video Limiter effect.

Copy and paste sequence markers

You can now copy and paste full fidelity sequence markers when moving one or multiple clips, maintaining the same spacing as from where copied.  All marker information such as color, notes, duration, marker type is preserved during copy and paste.

For more information, see Copy and paste sequence markers.

Hardware acceleration

Premiere Pro supports hardware-accelerated H.264 encoding on Windows 10 with 6^th Generation (or later) Intel® Core™ processors and Intel Graphics enabled, and hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC encoding on Mac OS 10.13 systems with supported hardware.

On supported systems, you can select Hardware Encoding in the Encoding Settings section of the Export Settings dialog. If the specified combination of Export Settings is not supported by the hardware, Premiere Pro falls back to Software Encoding.

For information on the systems required for hardware acceleration, see Export settings reference for Media Encoder.

File format support

Added support for:

• Importing Canon C200 camera formats
• Importing Sony Venice camera formats
• RED camera Image Processing Pipeline [IPP2]

For more information, see Supported file formats.

Dropped support for QuickTime 7 era formats and codecs

Adobe continuously aims to keep up with the most modern workflows and support formats and codecs broadly used across the professional film and video industry. As a result, future versions of Premiere Pro, starting with version 12.1, will no longer support legacy QuickTime 7 era formats and codecs.   Professional codecs typically found in QuickTime movie files, such as ProRes, DNxHD, and Animation, are not impacted by this change.  These codecs are supported natively in Premiere Pro.

To alert Premiere Pro users regarding this pending change, the most recent versions (12.0, 12.01) of Premiere Pro show a warning notification when you attempt to use a legacy QuickTime format or codec that will no longer be supported, starting with the 12.1 release.

For more information, see QuickTime 7 support has ended.

On-boarding help in Premiere Pro

You can now learn more about Premiere Pro using the tutorials within the app. You can access learn content from two places:

• The New project screen
• The Learn workspace

To view the Learn workspace, click Window > Learn. The Learn workspace is displayed with a list of tutorials that help you get started with Premiere Pro.

User voice community for Premiere Pro

Your inputs are valuable to us and help us shape the Premiere Pro product. You can now submit feature ideas and report bugs through the Premiere Pro User Voice site.

UserVoice works best when you file a single idea per submission, but feel free to file as many submissions as you’d like!

Known issues and fixed issues

For a list of the bugs fixed in this release of Premiere Pro, see Bugs fixed in April 2018 releases of Premiere Pro. For a list of known issues, see Known issues.