Black background showing with a lot of Transitions, especially Zooms in FCPX

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Black background showing with a lot of Transitions, especially Zooms in FCPX

I have a strange issue that I've noticed a lot recently with quite a few of my transitions I've installed, especially with zoom transitions which I didn't seem to have before.

Essentially, when I'm using transitions in between clips, I'm noticing a lot of them show the black background in between the transitions, especially with Zoom transitions. Where instead of going smoothly into the next clip, the 2nd clip appears incredibly zoomed out, with the black background showing before it snaps into place.

I thought maybe it was just a one-off, but it happens with nearly every Zoom transition I have installed, and when I watch the tutorials from the places I purchased these from, it's definitely not the intended outcome.

Is this a known issue? I haven't been able to find a similar question or solution to this so not sure but something's definitely not working correctly here.

I've added a screenshot below showing almost halfwaythrough the transition where the 2nd clip is completely scaled out and you see a lot of the black background as it transitions.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Nov 17, 2023 1:41 AM

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Answer 1

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imjustasher Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 18, 2023 9:11 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Ahh right, apologies. Yea, found it now but I'm looking for more of an actual zoom transition between clips. I had a reply from one of the brands I bought a transition pack from and turns out those are built for landscape only, I imagine that's the issue I'm having with the others too.

Thanks for the replies, I'll get hold of a vertical transition pack and see if I still have the same issues

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Answer 2

Nov 17, 2023 2:48 AM in response to imjustasher

The only Zoom transitions I have are the ones that come with FCP, no third party ones; I do not normally use any of them, but I just tried and they seem to work as expected.

Would it be possible to post a short screen recording to more clearly illustrate the problem you are seeing?

Also: deleting preferences can clear many different strange behaviors. Whenever things are not working correctly, it is worth a try. 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.

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Answer 3

Nov 17, 2023 4:00 AM in response to imjustasher

Thank you. The video does help (and you used the correct procedure, upload to vimeo, or youtube and post the link).

I see that you have two titles above these clips. Are they adjustment layers? This could be affecting things. Does it show the same problem without the titles?

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Answer 4

Nov 17, 2023 6:11 AM in response to imjustasher

Did you get to try the Zoom transition that is built-in?

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Nov 17, 2023 4:44 AM in response to imjustasher

It looks as if the transitions are not designed for vertical video.

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Answer 6

imjustasher Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2023 2:22 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for the reply.

I have quite a few different packs from different brands and not a single zoom transition works as intended, thing is most of them used to, and the packs stated that they were suitable for vertical use. I also previously had a problem with using a Motion Blur plugin as it would have a similar black background when the effect takes place, I'm using an M2 Macbook Pro which made me think there was an issue with fcpx.

I tried about 15-20 different zoom transitions last night and all the same problem

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Answer 7

imjustasher Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2023 3:49 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Appreciate the suggestion, I tried deleting preferences just now but its the same still, and I've tried with multiple transitions.

Sure, just done a screen recording to showcase where I've tried to add a zoom transition.

I couldn't see how to upload a screen recording here so have added it to Vimeo with this link:

https://vimeo.com/885612880?share=copy

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Answer 8

imjustasher Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2023 4:07 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Ahh cool, yep, 2 adjustment layers for my Rec709 conversion & the other for colour grading, I did try removing them and play it but the same issue occurred.

I did have this same black background showing with a Motion blur effect by Motionvfx in the past but no longer have that issue. It's mainly on a lot of transitions I own, I thought it could be a Motion related issue being that I'm on an Apple silicon chip but maybe I'm wrong

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Answer 9

imjustasher Author

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4 points

Nov 17, 2023 5:07 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks, yea I imagine that must be the issue, could've sworn I'd used them in the past without a problem but will have a hunt for some vertical ones instead and see if the issue persists.

Appreciate the responses!

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Answer 10

imjustasher Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 18, 2023 5:02 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I actually couldn't even see the built in zoom transition, but the other built in transitions work fine. I've got in touch with support for some of the packs I bought to see if its a known issue or if those specific packs just aren't built for vertical mode.

Will see what they say and update here when I've heard.

Thanks!

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Answer 11

Nov 17, 2023 1:43 AM in response to imjustasher

No idea which transitions you have, but just a wild speculation: maybe they were not done for a vertical aspect ratio?

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Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Nov 18, 2023 5:30 AM in response to imjustasher

It's in the Blur category, and it does work with vertical video. It might not be what you're looking for though.

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Black background showing with a lot of Transitions, especially Zooms in FCPX

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