Why does the "Keyer" in FCP not have a mask feature?

One quick way:

Duplicate the clip that contains the subject by holding down the option key while clicking on the clip in the timeline, holding down the mouse button and drag upwards. Release the mouse button.

You should now have two identical clips, one on top of each other, in sync sitting on the timeline.

On the clip you just created (the top clip) remove the keyer effect.

Apply the Draw Mask effect to that clip and draw a mask around the area you want to maintain.

This will cover the area of unwanted keying in the clip below it.

MtD

This might help:

https://fcpxtemplates.com/?sdm_process_download=1&download_id=26315

The effect is called Color Fill. Here's an example:

And this is what I got when I dropped the Keyer on it (last shape mask added still showing):

Here's the effect parameters. It starts off with the Mix at 0 so you can layout masks (and/or use the color mask while you can still see the target) otherwise, the effect will just fill the frame with a solid color. You can add in the color as soon as you lay down the first mask.

Notice the color choice: it's picked from the "best blue" in the background. I used the left side shape masks to cover the weakest region. The 3rd and last shape mask was after the color mask selection to cover the black strip along the top (that was left).

Color selection is an "art form" and takes practice. Notice the softness is at 0. This is a preferred level for "tough isolations" like this one. You can hold down the shift key and make multiple *additive* selections. If you need to start over, release the shift key and make a "first click" — you can also undo in reverse order with command-z. Also notice from the top image that the dark shadows were not included in the mask... that's probably pushing the color mask selection a little too far. (In this case, you can actually ADD **another** Color Fill effect, use the Color Mask and mask ONLY the darker range.) Here's an example of using 2 Color Fills:

This is a rather "solid" blue screen for the keyer.

For the Keyer, you only have to get "close". You have to be careful not to "catch" the blue light on the subject by the Color Fill effect. However, if you need to, you can add additional shape masks over the subject with the blend set to subtract.

The more you can rely on the color mask for the fill, the less you have to worry about "animating" the shape masks.

Oh — and you don't have to duplicate the clip, use compound clips, or use draw masks, etc. You work right in the clip you need to key.

HTH...

*You can click and drag a color mask selection, but I don't recommend it for this kind of work. It's better to "choose your levels" of selection using the shift key and single clicks. It takes practice to learn — but you'll pick it up quickly. You can add about 16 levels of color shade (or so...) but it's best to keep as few "point selections" as possible. Also — spend time learning the HSL alternate method. It's a lot more powerful and capable of better refinement than the 3D (but the learning curve is much longer!)

As a heads up — Effect Masks are available for **every** Effect EXCEPT the following:

Keyer

Luma Keyer

and ALL Masks that come with Final Cut Pro (in the Masks category).

Effect Masks were always available for Color Board effects. They were added to all the other effects (except those mentioned) somewhere around FCP 10.2.

I believe this just means you can use it in FCP, but are not allowed to edit it or look into the details in Motion.

This thread at fcp.co may be enlightening about this subject:

https://fcp.co/forum/4-final-cut-pro-x-fcpx/34936-locked-motion-templates

Dolmetscher wrote:

The only way I know how to get an "Effect" into FCP is through Motion. Can you simply import an effect into FCP?

Motion is used to create these effects, but is not necessary for installing them.

Effects created in Motion can even be used in FCP on Macs where Motion not installed.

All you have to do is place them in the appropriate location so FCP can "see" them.

For effects, that is

~/Movies/Motion Templates/Effects

where ~ denotes your home folder.

Under Effects, you have "category" folders. The name of a category is used to group effects together in the FCP effects browser.

Inside a category, you place your effects. This is the same for transitions, titles and generators.

For example, here is where a transition called "Asym Dissolve", in a category called "Lichinho", would be: