How to Modify Final Cut Pro X Transitions

Brian recently wrote about problems he was having with transitions in Final Cut. As we talked, I realized that his problems could probably be fixed by editing the transitions in Motion.

So, as a general example, let me show you how this works.

NOTE: This process is the same for all FCP X Transitions, Generators and Titles. Some Apple effects can also be modified. Generally, though, 3rd-party effects are locked and not modifiable.

GET STARTED

Here, I’ve applied the Flip transition to two clips. Except… it would look better if it had a background and the flipping motion was in a different direction.

So, let’s tweak.

Control-click the Flip effect in the Transition Browser and choose Open a copy in Motion.

This opens a copy of the effect in Motion. Why a copy? Because we can’t modify the original effect from Apple, but we CAN modify copies.

BACKGROUND

Let’s start by adding a background.

NOTE: If all you want to do is make the background transparent, so that you could add your own background in FCP X, simply uncheck the Background group, then jump to the end of this tutorial to learn how to save it.

In our case, we want to replace the black color solid of the current background with something more interesting.

• Make sure the Background group is checked on
• Delete the Color Solid layer
• From Library > Content > Backgrounds, add the background of your choice by dragging it into the Background group. (In this example, I’m using Ethereal.)

• In the Viewer, grab a blue corner dot and expand the background so it fills the frame.
• Select the Background group in the Layers panel and apply Behavior > Basic Motion > Grow/Shrink.

NOTE: When dealing with backgrounds, it is often easier to apply effects to the containing group than the background element itself because many animated backgrounds are multi-component particle systems.

• Using the HUD, stretch the Grow/Shrink settings so that the image stretches vertically. Unlike video, backgrounds can be stretched in all kinds of weird ways.

NOTE: You will need to increase the Zoom slider. The goal with this effect is to make sure that in the brief time the background is visible it is obviously moving.

• However, like many Apple backgrounds, it is way too bright. Select the Background group and apply Filters > Color > Levels.
• Drag the bottom white slider to the left to darken the image… a lot. There’s no “right” answer, just drag this until the background has “presence,” but doesn’t overpower the foreground clips.

MODIFY THE TRANSITION

There is an almost unlimited number of things we could do to the transition itself. As I was practicing for this tutorial, I created a 75 step animation. That would, perhaps, be a bit excessive for this tutorial.

So, let’s try something simpler – rather than have it rotate around the Y-axis, we’ll have it rotate around the X-axis. However, you are free to play as much as you want. Since this is a copy, nothing you do to this will affect the original effect.

• To start, uncheck Ramp Y. This turns off the existing rotation.
• Select Ramp X in the Layers panel.

• Go to Inspector > Behaviors > Ramp X, Control-click the downward-pointing arrow to the right of End Value and choose Remove from Widget Direction. This is the control that is published to Final Cut which allows us to change the direction of the Flip from the FCP X Inspector.

• Set the End Value for Ramp X to 180°. The transition now rotates on the X-axis.

However, as it does so, the second image ends up upside-down. Sigh.

• To fix this, twirl down Transition B, select Flop in the Layers panel, then choose Vertical from Inspector > Filters > Flop.

Play the transition and see the results of your work.

SAVE THE NEW TRANSITION

If you simply choose File > Save, you’ll save this copy of the original transition back into Final Cut. However, I prefer more control.

Choose File > Save As.

This displays a screen allowing you to give this effect a more meaningful name and, more importantly, decide what Transition category to save it in. I’ve created a category for all my custom effects, which I call “Larry” because it is an easy name to remember. At least for me.

NOTE: You can name categories anything the macOS will support.

I generally don’t check the bottom two check boxes.

Now, when you go back to Final Cut, Transitions > Larry is updated with the transition you just created.

Apply it to your project and you are done!

NOTE: Once created, these custom effects will appear in the Transition Browser for all future projects.

BONUS

As I was practicing, I used keyframes for both rotation and position and had these images flying all around the frame. If you know Motion effects, any effect can all be applied to these two clips.

Give yourself permission to play. The best way to learn Motion is to say: “Hmmm… I wonder what happens if I do… this?” I’ve discovered all kinds of cool effects that way. Some of which I even want to show to others.

EXTRA CREDIT

All custom effects are stored in [ User Home Directory ] > Movies > Motion Templates. In my example, transitions are stored in the Transitions folder inside Motion Templates.

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