Creating a Generator for Final Cut Pro X
Use the Final Cut Generator template to create a custom generator for use in Final Cut Pro X. A generator template is similar to a standard Motion project. However, when saved, it is exported to the Generators Browser in Final Cut Pro.
Like any content added to a Final Cut Pro project, a generator template can be composited over a clip in the Final Cut Pro Timeline, or added to the main Timeline. The duration of the generator in Final Cut Pro is determined by its duration when created and saved in Motion.
For detailed information on the Project Browser, see The Project Browser. For information on working with generators in Final Cut Pro X, see Final Cut Pro X Help.
In Motion, choose File > New From Project Browser (or press Command-Option-N).
The Project Browser appears.
In the Project Browser, click Final Cut Generator, then choose a project size from the Preset pop-up menu.
Important: Be sure to create the template at the highest resolution you will use in your Final Cut Pro project.
Click Open (or press Return).
If the correct preset is already chosen, you can double-click Final Cut Generator in the Project Browser.
A new, untitled project opens. The project contains no placeholders.
Build the project as you would any other Motion project, using shapes, text, behaviors, camera animation, and so on.
Note: You can also add drop zones to create additional effects, such as a picture-in-picture effect. Drop zones allow Final Cut Pro X users to place media into designated regions of the applied effect. For more information about adding drop zones to a Motion project, see Drop Zones.
To allow Final Cut Pro users to modify specific parameters, choose Publish from the Animation pop-up menu of each parameter you want to make accessible.
Publishing a parameter makes its user interface control (the slider, checkbox, or dial) available in the Final Cut Pro Inspector when the custom effect is applied to a clip. Published parameters can be adjusted and keyframed in Final Cut Pro. For more information, see Publishing Parameters in Templates.
Note: If you have many parameters that you want to control with a single control, you can rig the parameters to a slider, pop-up menu, or checkbox. When the rig controls are published with a template, the slider, pop-up menu, or checkbox becomes available in the Final Cut Pro X project. For more information, see Using Rigs.
Choose File > Save, then do the following:
In the save dialog, enter a name for the template.
If you don’t specify a name, the template appears in the Final Cut Pro Generators Browser as “New Template.”
Choose a category from the Category pop-up menu.
You can also create a custom category. Categories appear in the Motion Project Browser and the Final Cut Pro Effects Browser.
If needed, choose a theme from the Theme pop-up menu.
You can also create themes. Themes appear in the Motion Project Browser and the Final Cut Pro Themes Browser. A theme is a metadata tag that helps categorize templates. For more information on Motion Project Browser themes and categories, see The Project Browser.
To retain unused media in the project (media or audio in the Media list that is not used in the template), select “Include unused media.”
If you want a preview movie to appear in the Motion Project Browser, select Save Preview Movie.
Click Publish.
The template and remaining media are saved and exported to the Final Cut Pro Generators Browser.