FCPX Layers are merging into one another (serious glitch)

Question

Level 1

8 points

FCPX Layers are merging into one another (serious glitch)

I've had issues before with multiple layers of text and BG images not playing back properly/not rendering out properly, but nothing like this. I've tried all of my fixes that normally work like creating a brand new layer from scratch (instead of copying and pasting a text layer), disabling layers to try and isolate the "problem" layer, etc. This problem seems simple enough. I have a text layer, I want to re-order it in the timeline (project) to be on the bottom of the group of text above it, I click and drag it, but it won't "pop" the other layers up and let me drop it, it's merging it (only visually) with the layer above it. If I click and drag it again and move it out to the right, the layer it "merged" with is still there in all it's glory, it's not overwriting it or changing anything about the layer the way it would if I was using the position tool. I even added a .png logo file to see if it was just a text problem and...well....you can see how that went for yourself.

Is there a max layer ceiling to FCPX now? I only have 10 video layers and one audio layer running (rebuilding a power point pres in video form, glorious I know). I've had up to 20 video layers running before with no issues like this.

I am running FCPX version 10.6.4 on a 2021 M1 Pro Max with 32 gigs of ram running OS 12.3.1

I updated FCPX yesterday to try and fix this problem, I have restarted multiple times, shut down, deleted layers and recreated them....nothing seems to fix this.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.3

Posted on Aug 25, 2022 1:19 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

73,464 points

Aug 25, 2022 2:02 PM in response to videomaker87

Try deleting the application preferences.

To delete preferences, hold down command and option while starting FCP X and click Delete Preferences.

The application will start in a default state, and open an “Untitled” library.

Reopen the library you were working on, set the preferences the way you like them, and try again.

Reply

Answer 2

terryb

Level 4

3,394 points

Aug 26, 2022 9:39 AM in response to videomaker87

I had this behavior happen once. If I recall correctly I created a new library and a new project inside it, then selected everything in the broken project timeline and pasted into the new library's empty project timeline and the issue didn't appear again.

Reply

Answer 3

terryb

Level 4

3,394 points

Aug 26, 2022 2:15 PM in response to videomaker87

Great! Glad it worked. For some reason, copying into a new project sometimes clears subtle corruption. I've only ever had to do it once but I was happy it worked.

Reply

Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Aug 26, 2022 8:05 AM in response to videomaker87

I think this may be happening because you're not moving clips, but secondary storylines. You might have to break it apart to make this work as you expect.

Reply

Answer 5

videomaker87 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 26, 2022 1:28 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

First of all, I have never had this issue with secondary storylines before, they always behave like normal clips. Second of all, as soon as you add a transition to any layer it creates a secondary storyline (unless I am missing something, FCPX has behaved this way since it was created). Third, it is still doing it with a fresh text layer, no transitions (therefore no secondary storyline), AND was also glitching out with a .png file with no transitions, as shown in the original screenshot.

Also, if you look closely at that screenshot, you will see that a text layer is embedded into another text layer, that's why it says "Basic Title" on the far left, and is covering up part of the transition image/graphic on the right. Just like in the video I shared, if I were to click on that "basic title", and move it, it just moves it out of the way as if there was no layer behind it. I'm starting to think there is an issue with the "layer" one level up from the primary storyline. It seems like if I try to put anything there, this issue happens, but as you can see in the video, once you go up to the third layer things behave as normal. Although on export that third layer doesn't show up.......so that's a separate problem.

I would love Apple Corporate to weigh in here somehow, this issue CANNOT continue, I have to get this project completed and I'm tired if trying to hack my way through it. Any suggestions on how to get their attention?

Reply

Answer 6

videomaker87 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 26, 2022 8:00 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Great idea, but unfortunately it didn't work when I did it before, and it didn't do it when I just did it again. Attaching video to show how it's behaving in real time. https://youtu.be/6rlTz9WebMw

Reply