Myslnik
Level 1 (4 points)
Video

Q: How to make custom overlay guides for FCP X?

Hi,

 

I'm trying to make a simple FCP X effect plugin that would overlay a custom set of guides (1 px wide horizontal and vertical lines) over video clips in FCP X. I have no problem publishing the effect to FCP X but I can't figure out how to make the guides stay fixed while I change the position of the video clip underneath.

 

How do I make my overlay guides effect stay in place?

 

Please help.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Apr 16, 2016 5:31 PM

by fox_m,Solvedanswer
fox_m fox_m
Level 5 (5,552 points)
Video
A:

You can't use the Transform controls in FCPX - those will move everything. To move only your video source under a stationary grid, publish the Transform > Position parameters for the Effect Source layer. You could also make an OnScreen Control to move the video layer (or use it for the grid layer). If you need help with that, let me know.

Posted on Apr 18, 2016 10:32 AM

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Myslnik

Q: How to make custom overlay guides for FCP X?

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  • by fox_m,

    fox_m fox_m Apr 17, 2016 11:10 PM in response to Myslnik
    Level 5 (5,552 points)
    Video
    Apr 17, 2016 11:10 PM in response to Myslnik

    Do the guides have to be an effect? It would be much easier to create a Title or Generator to use as guides.

  • by Myslnik,

    Myslnik Myslnik Apr 18, 2016 2:26 AM in response to fox_m
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Apr 18, 2016 2:26 AM in response to fox_m

    Well, what I basically need is a set of guides that I can quickly switch on and off to adjust my video clip to. The way I do this now is that I have a connected clip with the overlay guides above my timeline (my main story line) but that's a not very practical solution (as other connected clips tend to get inserted above the overlay clip and I constantly have to move them down.)

     

    As I understand both Titles and Generators can't be applied to a video clip – i.e. I would have to use them as a connected clip as well, which beats the purpose.

  • by BenB,

    BenB BenB Apr 18, 2016 8:41 AM in response to Myslnik
    Level 6 (10,041 points)
    Audio
    Apr 18, 2016 8:41 AM in response to Myslnik

    YYou could create It as an Effect easily. You'd rig the opacity to a check box; checked 100% opacity, unchecked 0% opacity. 

  • by Myslnik,

    Myslnik Myslnik Apr 18, 2016 9:04 AM in response to BenB
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Apr 18, 2016 9:04 AM in response to BenB

    I know I can make an effect out of my lines, BenB – but how do I keep them from moving if I move my video clip?

  • by fox_m,Solvedanswer

    fox_m fox_m Apr 18, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Myslnik
    Level 5 (5,552 points)
    Video
    Apr 18, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Myslnik

    You can't use the Transform controls in FCPX - those will move everything. To move only your video source under a stationary grid, publish the Transform > Position parameters for the Effect Source layer. You could also make an OnScreen Control to move the video layer (or use it for the grid layer). If you need help with that, let me know.

  • by Myslnik,

    Myslnik Myslnik Apr 18, 2016 10:33 AM in response to fox_m
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Apr 18, 2016 10:33 AM in response to fox_m

    Thanks fox_m – I'll look into that.

  • by Myslnik,

    Myslnik Myslnik Apr 18, 2016 12:22 PM in response to fox_m
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Video
    Apr 18, 2016 12:22 PM in response to fox_m

    It worked liked you said! Thank you. The only downside is that there are now two Transform controls (one default one and one assigned to my effect) but that's not a big problem. I'm happy this worked.