OSCs continued — Regaining control in the presence of Text

One of the first things I wanted to learn when Final Cut Pro X was released was how to make templates that utilized OnScreen Controls. Some have said I "pioneered" the method. Apple did that, but they didn't tell anybody how (and there is still no "official" documentation). My earliest "experiments" were in the first weeks of FCPX' release... and apparently, still continue.

One of the early experiments that came back to haunt me was called Flexi-Arrow, a Title that had a large arrow (B-spline path) that could be shaped with OnScreen Controls and also had the Title Text on the path of that arrow. When it was originally created (FCPX 10.0.3), it was possible to have that text on the arrow path and still have access in the Viewer to the critical shaping onscreen controls for the arrow.

With FCPX 10.0.6, things changed. Text objects in the viewer took complete precedence over any selectable onscreen controls. Text was on top (period). That lead to this tutorial:

FlexiArrow Tutorial (and dealing with text and OSCs in a post fcxp10.0.6 world)

[You don't have to watch it - just note the title...]

I have often said that FCPX is the *most* Mac-like application Apple has ever produced. There has, however been this one haunting omission. In most Mac apps, there is usually a way to dig down through "layers" like this — usually holding down the option or command key would allow for a user to select an object underneath another top level object. Think of windows in the Finder — holding down the command key allows you to select a window behind any other and move it without bringing it to the front. Well, this Mac-like trait does not exist in FCPX.

I have recently started designing effects for titles (WHA?). Things users can add on to a single title to create a more enhanced visual graphic... in layers... literally. Effect "pieces" that you add as much as you want. I design all these things for me (originally) — it's how I think. I want an arrow and a circle or a rectangle and I'll add an arrow effect and a shape effect, and maybe a couple of other accent effects (colorizing or whatever) to fill out the title for one instance, then change things up for another instance with fewer or more pieces. Doing so is great — no extra added Titles ("adjustment layers") or Generators in the storyline — just nice neat single title instances showing in the storyline with layers of stuff added. Very uncluttered.

And with just this one little problem: Text takes precedence. From a UI standpoint, you might be able to see how this is actually a big problem.

I recently thought of what I considered a clever workaround. I discovered that if I turned off the Face parameter (the blue checkmark in the Text inspector) that I had complete access to all onscreen controls... and a rectangle marker of where the text bounds are for the now invisible text. And, if I duplicated the title, I could have the text turned on in the duplicate while I worked with the onscreen controls in the "master" title. Once finished: delete the duplicate and turn the Face parameter back on. This works famously — but it's still a clumsy workaround... and more work than I generally care to do.

Well, here I am nearly eight years later, and I have finally solved this predicament! I find myself wondering how I can feel so elated and like such an idiot at the same time... (not your problem.)

—A little bit of re-education—

FCPX has tools! [Shortcut keys in parentheses.] The (A) Select tool which is the tool you usually are using in the Viewer when you deal with things in the Viewer. A (B) Blade tool for cutting clips. A (T) Trim tool for shortening clips. A (R) Range Tool for selecting portions of a clip. A (P) Position tool for positioning clips. A (Z) Zoom Tool for zooming in on the timeline OR the Viewer. And an (H) Hand Tool for doing "handsy" things. (We're deep into "duh" territory here.)

All these tools work in the Viewer too (shortcuts included — which helps immensely — who knew?), and therein lies this User Tip:

When working with OSCs in the viewer with Text objects: the A (select) tool allows you to select and position the text object (even without having available published parameters for the text). The Z tool will zoom in and out of the canvas (not useful for this tip). ANY OTHER TOOL will give ALL OSCs PRECEDENCE over any text in the same object (title/generator/effect/transition) in the Viewer. Using A and R seem to be convenient enough to toggle back and forth between controlling the text and OSCs.

HTH

Sorry for the long-windedness…