Applescript Final Cut Pro Project

So I have a huge challenge facing me...I know it's possible, I just do not know how exactly.


I have to make a standard final cut project every so often (background music and an intro title and pictures or videos without sound).


So the steps that I would like to accomplish by running the script are:


  1. Open a Library in Final Cut Pro called "Weekly Videos".
  2. Create a new project with a title created from a dialog box option that you manually input.
  3. Add a song from a folder in Downloads called "Video Background Songs". It would be nice to choose the song using a dialog box.
  4. Put a limiter (from the audio effects) on the song and turn it down to -6.
  5. (This part may be more complex) I have a folder with subfolders which contain photos from each week to add to each weekly video. I would like a dialog box menu to appear asking me which sub folder to choose (or sub folders using CMD and click) and for Final Cut to add the pictures/videos into the timeline on top of the song (the song could also be added under the pictures/videos after that isn't an issue).
  6. Add a title at the beginning of the video (before the song and videos/photos begin) using the same title we gave the project in step 2.
  7. The chances are that the song will be longer than the media. In which case it would be good to cut the song when the photos or videos have ended (if there is a way that we can fade the audio in and out that would be amazing but if not that's ok too).
  8. Then export the video in 1080p format to the usual place.


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me this is possible.


It would be a real life saver!


Also would this be possible to have the script to work for iMovie too in a separate script??


Best wishes,


David


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 17, 2021 2:50 AM

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6 replies

Dec 17, 2021 10:53 AM in response to DMLaMiranda1990

I don't use FCP but in the interests of science I downloaded the free 90-day trial. (Link to UK version.)


Someone who uses FCP may have a better answer, but as far as I can see from its scripting dictionary, most of its object properties are read-only (r/o):



I fear this means that you can't make any significant changes to an FCP project with AppleScript - all you can do is read the properties of an existing one. I may be wrong, but I don't think what you're asking for is possible.


Cheers,


H

Dec 17, 2021 11:11 AM in response to DMLaMiranda1990

While also not a FCP user, I took a look at this too and, honestly, I'm disappointed with the level of AppleScript support with this app.


iMovie seems even worse. At least with FCP, AppleScript can query the current movie, but iMovie doesn't even seem to let you do that.


It seems like the only remaining path would be UI scripting, which I think would be a nightmare with these complex apps.

Dec 21, 2021 6:24 AM in response to Camelot

Hello to everyone who has replied so far.


So far using various clicking and keystrokes I have been able to open final cut pro, open a new project and insert a title and change the text in said title.


My biggest challenge is the following:


I need then to open Finder.

Open downloads.

Open a file called "WeeklyMedia"

Select all the files in that folder.

Copy them.

Open final cut again

Paste them.

Is there anyone who can help me with this section of coding?

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Applescript Final Cut Pro Project

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