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Random Movement Generator for creating a better seamless Handheld effect in Final Cut Pro

In Final Cut Pro, there's an effect titled "Handheld" which is supposed to generate handheld random movement. The problem with this effect is that after a few seconds there's a super noticeable loop point where it snaps back to its original starting position and then repeats the same handheld movements again.


In Adobe After Effects, there's a "Wiggle" expression that generates random movement for a video layer. In Apple Motion, there's a Behavior that does the same thing. I don't have access to those software, and it would be very useful to add some natural movement to some shots that were shot on static tripods to be able to use the Scene Removal Mask for the scene.


  • Does anyone know where I can find a plugin for Final Cut Pro that can generate random movement (preferably with sliders for adjusting the speed and intensity) for creating a better seamless Handheld effect?
  • Or alternatively, can anyone with access to Motion create a Title or Effect Generator for Final Cut Pro that can generate random movement with sliders for adjusting the speed and intensity?


(Remember to not link anything since Apple doesn't allow links to third-party websites in this forum. Instead, write the name of the site and the title of the page if you want to recommend anything).

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Sep 19, 2024 4:09 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 22, 2024 10:08 AM

Thank you! (I think it's the rotation variation that "sells it").


I can't say how many hours specifically. There was the first attempt which had some new experimentation in it and the second version which pulled in some things I had done before. The time I put into it was probably divided equally between development and testing. I took out the auto-scaling feature, so that cut a lot out of the development time. Overall, I spent a couple of "days" on it (about 6 hours or so, tops — I've been having to deal with a lot of cleanup from Francine...:P).


How does my handheld effect compare to Dylan's Truly Handheld?


I really like your invisibility effect — I've been trying to "pull it off" in Motion for a drag'n'drop effect in FCP.


Whiz-geriatric? You and me both! I'm 70.

23 replies

Sep 27, 2024 2:33 PM in response to fox_m

Hello Mr. Fox, I'm back home now again. I wanted to try your Handheld plugin but I couldn't figure out how to install it. From what I remembered (and what Google told me) I should place the "SC Handheld Camera" folder in the ~/Movies/Motion Templates/Effects/ location. But when I do that and restart Final Cut Pro it doesn't show up in the Effects Browser. What am I doing wrong? :)

Sep 27, 2024 2:57 PM in response to FilipOfficial

It needs to be installed in


~/Movies/Motion Templates/Effects/<Category>/location


If you had to create Motion Templates and Effects folders, they need to have the extension .localized.


You can create a Category folder with any name you like that will help you remember where to find the (generally related) templates you put into it.


HTH

Random Movement Generator for creating a better seamless Handheld effect in Final Cut Pro

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