Set the timecode start of a compound clip?

There does not seem to be a way to change the starting timecode of a compound clip in the FCP interface, but

I found a workaround that may be helpful:

1) Select the compound clip in the browser, and do File->Export XML

2) Open the xml file (*) in a text editor (I used TextMate, but you can use BBEdit, or any that you prefer),

and change this line (should be near the top, in this case it was line 7):

<sequence format="r2" duration="70300/2500s" tcStart="0s" tcFormat="NDF" audioLayout="stereo" audioRate="48k">

to put in the desired timecode, eg:

<sequence format="r2" duration="70300/2500s" tcStart="11s" tcFormat="NDF" audioLayout="stereo" audioRate="48k">

Save the file

3) Import the XML file you just edited.

You will be asked if you want to replace the existing clip, or keep both.

I suggest keeping both, until you make sure it all works.

(*) If you choose version 1.9 of the xml, this is directly an fcpxml file; if you choose version 1.10, it is a bundle, the file extension is .fcpxmld and you have to Show Package Contents, and edit the Info.fcpxml inside the package.

I have a Timecode "Tool" effect, but it only works accurately on whole frame rate projects. I do not support obsolete frame rates. You can set the starting timecode to anything you like (entry is just like the playhead clock). You can choose any of the available frame rates regardless of project frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50, 60, 90 and 100) and it will accurately provide the frames (that "would be" if that was your project setting) along with the current time (HH:MM:SS — the built in TC generator doesn't do that). You can customize the background and there's an OSC to position it. It supports Project TC, Clip TC, and Frame Count — all at once or pick which you want to show. You can add it to a text object/adjustment layer and stretch it out for varying lengths of time (up to 12 hours). It's made entirely in Motion so upgrades to FCPX and Apple processors should not be an issue.

If you're using a whole frame rate project and you'd be interested, let me know. You've already "Solved" this thread so I'm not going to post it until I know better.

I believe you can change the TC of a Compound Clip by simply creating a new CC containing that Clip. The interface allows you to change the TC to any new value. Does that make sense?

--

Claude

Are you using 29.97? I have a version I was working on that seems to be correct - if you project is less than a hour or so, then you shouldn't notice a difference.

Okay - cool...