Fcpx slow rendering , and slow plugins

Question

Level 1

5 points

Fcpx slow rendering , and slow plugins

I have a 2017 MacBook Pro with a external SSD That I use to edit. All the storage locations media, cache, backups got to a folder in the external ssd. Except for the motion content. Don’t know if this is a good way to run the program. I am open to any advice on this. Main problem is rendering speeds are slow when I use plugins. I purchased a bundle from pixel films, and every time I try to preview the effect my MacBook freezes for a little. And if I try to add it it takes forever. Am I doing something wrong do I just have a weak computer ? Any way I can improve this?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 1, 2020 5:15 PM

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Answer 1

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Jun 1, 2020 10:34 PM in response to Ricky925

Your machine is not that powerful but it should do the job.

Can you try using a similar type stock FCP X effect or whatever to replace the Pixels Film Plugin as a comparison.

Maybe your limited graphics card is also a factor.

Al

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Answer 2

Jun 2, 2020 12:52 AM in response to Ricky925

Are you running an external hard drive for your footage and is it a fast enough one and plenty of free space? If not, is there plenty of room on your main/startup drive? I know when my disk space gets low, my FCPX on my 2014 MBP gets sluggish, especially with plugins and third party ones.

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Answer 3

Jun 2, 2020 8:31 AM in response to Ricky925

This particular plugin maker has a, shall we say, less than stellar reputation in this community.

I'd normally tell you to contact the developer, but the word on this forum is that their user support is virtually nonexistant.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Jun 1, 2020 5:17 PM in response to Ricky925

Some plugins are really badly made hacks of other plugins.

Which MBP? How much RAM? How much graphics capabilities?

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Answer 5

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Jun 1, 2020 11:46 PM in response to Ricky925

I have no experience with those plugins.

Contacting them would be a good idea for suggestions.

Knowing the Clip and FCP X Project properties you are working with would be a place to start troubleshooting in any case.

Can you provide some details please?

Al

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Answer 6

Ricky925 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2020 6:14 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

8gb of ram

Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 1536 mb

processor: 2.3 ghz dual core intel i5

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Answer 7

Ricky925 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 2, 2020 8:28 AM in response to BoyOnTheBike

the external ssd holds all my footage and it is rated at 500mbs and it’s storage capacity is 500gb only 2gb is used. Internal is is at 128gb and I only have 68gb left on internal. Seems to me that I have a decent amount of free space on both.

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Answer 8

Ricky925 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2020 6:14 PM in response to Ricky925

I got it back in 2017 with base options

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Answer 9

Ricky925 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2020 10:38 PM in response to Alchroma

The stock Final Cut Pro effects and transitions work perfect, only the plugins are really laggy and some times freeze I noticed it’s the transitions that pan that tend to be very choppy.

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