I'm new to FCPX. My timeline has several combinations of clips with grey accents above them. I cannot break them apart. I now know they are storylines...but I did not create these on purpose.
Does FCPX create these automatically and can I turn that off?? Undoing them just messes up the entire timeline.
Thank You
Mac Pro, macOS 10.13
"Storyline Mode" or Secondary Storyline is a rather nice feature. A compromise for no "tracks".
It is not difficult to work with. You can attach two or more clips into a secondary storyline (automatically created) by holding down the 'g' key as you move connected clips close together (you will see the gray bar appear over the "still" clip and a blue rectangle appear between the two connected clips). Releasing the mouse at that point will add the second clip to the first in the secondary storyline. You can create a secondary storyline from any connected clip by selecting it and typing Command-G. If you move the clip, it will break out of the secondary and it (the storyline) will disappear.
Not what you wanted? You can click and drag a clip straight up (hold down the shift key to assure that the clip doesn't move in time) to break it out of the secondary storyline. Had transitions? They will stay in place in the secondary storyline set of clips. You can apply a new connected clip and insert it into the transition by holding the g key down as you move it in place.
Removing all clips from a secondary storyline (select the clips themselves and drag straight up) and it simply goes away (provided no transitions are used). If transitions were present, they still exist in a secondary storyline which you can simply delete (select the gray bar), add new clips, or just leave it there - the transitions will do nothing if there are no clips to work on.
Once you build a secondary - everything within it moves together very much as if it were a connected compound clip, except you don't have to deal with extra "clips" in your event as you would with compound clips. It's every bit as flexible as the primary storyline.
If you're going to use transitions between connected clips, you're stuck with a secondary storyline. You cannot have transitions at that level (outside the primary storyline) without one.
"Storyline Mode" or Secondary Storyline is a rather nice feature. A compromise for no "tracks".
It is not difficult to work with. You can attach two or more clips into a secondary storyline (automatically created) by holding down the 'g' key as you move connected clips close together (you will see the gray bar appear over the "still" clip and a blue rectangle appear between the two connected clips). Releasing the mouse at that point will add the second clip to the first in the secondary storyline. You can create a secondary storyline from any connected clip by selecting it and typing Command-G. If you move the clip, it will break out of the secondary and it (the storyline) will disappear.
Not what you wanted? You can click and drag a clip straight up (hold down the shift key to assure that the clip doesn't move in time) to break it out of the secondary storyline. Had transitions? They will stay in place in the secondary storyline set of clips. You can apply a new connected clip and insert it into the transition by holding the g key down as you move it in place.
Removing all clips from a secondary storyline (select the clips themselves and drag straight up) and it simply goes away (provided no transitions are used). If transitions were present, they still exist in a secondary storyline which you can simply delete (select the gray bar), add new clips, or just leave it there - the transitions will do nothing if there are no clips to work on.
Once you build a secondary - everything within it moves together very much as if it were a connected compound clip, except you don't have to deal with extra "clips" in your event as you would with compound clips. It's every bit as flexible as the primary storyline.
If you're going to use transitions between connected clips, you're stuck with a secondary storyline. You cannot have transitions at that level (outside the primary storyline) without one.
Storylines may be created automatically if you add a transition to a connected clip, that is quite normal.
If you can post a screenshot of your timeline we can better understand what you are trying to achieve.
Since you are new to the application, I strongly recommend that you take some time to follow through the free course at izzyvideo. It will explain you a lot and help you learn the ropes much faster.
And, of course, always come back here when you need assistance.
When you break apart, the first clip in the series of connected clips is shortened. If you want to revert it to it's original state you have to lengthen back. How much depends on the duration of the clip. None of the clips change position.
If you remove the transitions the storyline still links the clips, which you may or may not want. You can then break apart without changing the duration of the first clip.
So that would mean any time I add a transition between two clips they become connected? Breaking them apart will then move them and any consecutive connected clips in the timeline? (That's what's been happening). For music video editors this is a nightmare.
Is there any way to turn this off?
Thanks - I've been taking many tutorials and have not run into this issue yet and unfortunately in a project right now so trying to learn as I go.
I appreciate the quick response.
So it would be better to delete all the transitions in the storyline, thus disabling the storyline in order to keep everything in tact.? This seems to be one of those automated "features" that drives seasoned editors like me crazy. I don't see the reason or advantage to this feature - or why it cannot be disabled.
Thanks Tom.
I fail to see why removing the transitions would move any of the clips - unless you created the transition without handles.
FCPX making automated clip storylines!
