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Playing back two projects side by side is a helpful way to visually compare them. Final Cut Pro includes a comparison viewer that allows an editor to compare frames to other frames but isn’t suited for playback.
One way to compare two or more projects side by side is to utilize compound clips. First select all of the clips in the first project using Command-A (Edit-Select All). Then group those clips into a compound clip with Option-G (File-New-Compound Clip). Repeat the steps for the second project to create a second compound clip. By grouping all clips in both projects into compound clips they can be added to a new project.
Create a new project using Command-N (File-New-Project). Add the two compound clips to the new project, one as the primary storyline and the connected to it. Use the transform tool or the inspector to scale down and position both clips. Take a look at the video for more detail.
To compare Project A to Project B, follow these steps:
Open Project A
Command-A to select all clips
Option-G to create a new compound clip
Repeat steps 1-3 for Project B
Create and open a new project (Command-N)
Add the two compound clips to the project (Project A clip and Project B clips)
Use the Transform tool (Shift-T) or the video inspector to adjust the scale and position of the clips
Learn Final Cut Pro, the professional video editing software developed by Apple and make video editing a breeze! This comprehensive course provides an overview of the fundamentals so you’ll be editing with Final Cut Pro in no time. Structured into 10 chapters, Jared takes the learner step-by-step through the process with topics such as basic editing, transitions, titles, effects, color correction and how to share projects when finished. Click a category below to learn today and start making beautiful videos with ease using Final Cut Pro!
Thank you for taking the time to watch this series! I believe in the power of knowledge and the importance of sharing it with others. Many have asked for a way to express their gratitude and support by making a donation. Your contribution will help me continue a mission of creating accessible and impactful training resources for people around the world. Whether it’s a small contribution or a larger gift, every dollar counts and brings me closer to our shared goal. Make a contribution below or to @FinalCutProHelp on a number of other platforms to show your support. Together, let’s make the world a more knowledgeable and empowered place! Thank you for considering a donation.
If you’re a student of video editing, chances are you’ve heard of Final Cut Pro. It’s one of the most popular and powerful software programs for creating high-quality videos quickly. And now, with the addition of this Adjustment Layer Template, you can take your video editing to the next level. Below we’ll walk you through how to download and use this template!
Please verify you have an updated backup before proceeding.
Download the Adjustment Layer template
The template was created with Motion 5.4 and is designed to work with Final Cut Pro X version 10.4 or later. To get started, add the Adjustment Layer above to your cart and then check out to download it. Once downloaded, it should appear in your downloads folder as “@FinalCutProHelp Adjustment Layer (FCP 10.4)”.
Install the template by moving the @FinalCutProHelp folder into the following path: /Users/[your home folder]/Movies/Motion Templates.localized/Titles.localized/@FinalCutProHelp/Adjustment Layer (FCP 10.4)
Once the template is downloaded, open up a Finder window and navigate to where it downloaded to locate the @FinalCutProHelp folder. Move the @FinalCutProHelp folder to the Titles folder listed above.
Note that the .localized part of the name is usually hidden. To verify the Titles folder is localized, right-click (Control-Click) on the Titles folder and select Get Info. Under the Name & Extensions section, if it’s not there already add .localized to the end of the name so it reads “Titles.localized”. Once done close down get info window by clicking on red circle in top left corner. While here, preform the same steps on the Motion Templates folder to verify it includes the .localized extension.
Use the template in Final Cut Pro
Now open up Final Cut Pro X and locate our Adjustment Layer template within the Titles browser. Navigate there from the Window Menu by selecting Go To – Titles and Generators (Option-Command-1). From here simply click into the @FinalCutProHelp folder and drag the Adjustment Layer above any clip on the timeline. The purple line, which normally indicates a title, represents the Adjustment Layer. Drag and drop any effects onto it or apply changes from the Inspector (Command-4). Most changes applied to the Adjustment Layer will then impact the clips below it. We recommend experimenting with different combinations in a test project before committing to using the Adjustment Layer in an actual project you’re working on. You can also duplicate a project to test with and then copy and paste the Adjustment Layer into the main project. Congratulations – You have just successfully used our Final Cut Pro Adjustment Layer Template!
With the steps above anyone can now quickly download, install, and begin using the adjustment layer template for Final Cut Pro X version 10.4 or later! This will give users access to an additional way of applying effects to multiple clips inside FCPX – no more having to search around internet trying find alternative solutions…so what are you waiting for? Download & Install the template to try it out. Watch the videos and if you have additional questions reach out on social media @FinalCutProHelp.
• The template was created with Motion 5.4 and is designed to work with Final Cut Pro X version 10.4 or later. For older versions of Final Cut Pro please download this version of the Adjustment Layer, designed to work with Final Cut Pro 10.1.4.
• The Motion Templates, Effects, Generators, Titles, and Transitions folders need to be localized. To verify they are, right-click (Control-Click) on those folders and select Get Info. In the Name & Extensions slot, if it’s not there, add .localized to the end of the name.
Want to make the template yourself? Create an Adjustment Layer from scratch using Motion.
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As the number of clips imported into Final Cut grows so does the usefulness of the Libraries sidebar. Clips are imported into events and those events are stored inside a library. Those clips contain metadata and features like keywords, ratings, roles, among others empower editors to add their own. That metadata is then used to create various collections based on keywords or other criteria. However, the number of collections can quickly skyrocket making it difficult to navigate the Libraries sidebar.
To solve this problem, Final Cut utilizes folders to store multiple collections. To create a new folder, select an Event and go to File-New-Folder. If the Folder button is grayed out make, return to the libraries sidebar and select an Event. Folders can be created inside events or other folders.
Use the keyboard shortcut Shift-Command-N to create a new folder. This shortcut works regardless of which area of Final Cut is active but only if an event or other folder is selected in the browser. After pressing Shift-Command-N the new Untitled folder is created with the Untitled text selected. Without clicking, type in the name of the folder and press return to set the name. Please take the time to add a proper name to the folder as it will help you stay organized.
Try it! Use Shift-Command-K multiple times to create a bunch of new keyword collections. Then use Shift-Command-N to create a folder and move the keyword collections into that folder. Take it a step further by creating more folders to build a hierarchy. After you’re finished if you want to delete a folder, select it and use the Command-Delete shortcut to remove it. It’s important to note that any collections inside the folder are also deleted.
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Interacting with Final Cut Pro using keyboard shortcuts is one of the easiest ways to speed up a workflow. The single window design of Final Cut is actually broken up into areas that allow shortcuts to preform different tasks based on the active area. Clicking an area such as the timeline or browser makes that are active. A thin blue line displayed at the top of an area indicates it’s active.
Try it! In Final Cut, click on a clip in the browser and notice the thin blue line at the top. Press the space bar and that clip plays back in the viewer. Click on the timeline and notice the blue bar changes to the top of the timeline. Press the space bar and this time playback of the project starts. Instead of clicking back to the browser, press the tab key to switch the active area and press the space bar to begin playback of a source clip.
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The process of shooting and editing video can be simple. Press record to capture clips, import and organize them into a timeline, then share it with an audience. This is great for a first timer creating content but you are likely reading this to continue growing as an editor. Learning the art of color correction makes your videos stand out from the rest. Professional Colorists spend a lifetime perfecting the skill but sometimes we settle for a quicker option.
Match Color is the feature included with Final Cut that applies a color adjustment to clips based on a reference image in an attempt to make the clips look similar. To begin, skim through footage in the timeline or browser and locate a frame with the desired color. This frame is the reference that will be used later. Mark the frame by pressing M to add a marker.
Next, select the clip or clips that need to be color corrected to match that reference. Press Option-Command-M to open Match Color in the viewer. Return to the marker from earlier and skim across it. Notice the frame shown on the left side of the viewer is the reference. Click to select the frame which generates a preview of the color correction on the right. Don’t like the correction generated by the initial reference frame? Click another frame to preview a different adjustment and repeat as needed. When satisfied click the Apple Match button in the lower right. The Match Color video effect is added to the selection.
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Final Cut Pro is expertly designed to enable a wide range of editing tools at any given time without cluttering the interface. However, there are times additional controls make a desired edit possible. With a clip or edit point on the primary storyline selected, use Control-E to show the precision editor. Adjust the position of each clip and transition around an edit point. Use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to navigate between edits. Use Control-E a second time to close the precision editor.
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Manipulate the playback speed of a clip to create slow-motion using the Final Cut Pro Retime Editor. Select a clip and use the shortcut Command-R to display the Retime Editor. A bar with a percentage is display across the top of the clip to indicate the playback speed. A clip playing back at normal speed is 100% and green. Click the drop down menu to select a preset slow or fast speed or set a different number using custom. Slow-motion changes to orange and purple for faster than realtime playback. Checkout the Modify-Retime menu for additional options.
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Multicam editing with Final Cut Pro empowers editors by combining multiple clips into a single synced multicam clip. Edit the multicam clip by adding it to a project. The clip displays the active angle. Use keyboard shortcuts to change to the previous or next video angle. With playhead or skimmer on a multicam clip, press Shift-Command-Right Arrow to select the next video angle or Shift-Command-Left Arrow to select the previous video angle.
Note that this only changes the video angle and leaves the audio angle set.
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Press M to add markers for assisting with navigation, syncing clips, taking notes, and more. The color of the marker indicates type which include blue standard markers, red to-do items, green completed to-do items, and orange chapter markers. After adding a marker press M a second time to edit or delete the marker. Delete a marker at the playhead or skimmer location with the shortcut Control-M.
M | Add Marker | Add a marker at the skimmer or playhead location while editing with Final Cut Pro using this shortcut. Press the M key a second time to add notes or change the marker type
Option-M | Add Marker and Modify | From adding information to creating a reminder, markers are a fantastic Final Cut Pro tool. Press the M key twice or use this shortcut to add a marker and edit the marker’s text
