Adding timecode to clips or projects is a great way to allow clients to review your projects and relate their comments to a specific time in the project. (This process is also called “timecode burn-in” – or “burning in timecode.”) This technique explains what you need to know.
Here’s where we are headed – the project timecode, plus identifier, is placed at the top of the frame with a translucent black background. (Thanks to Dr. Vint Cerf and Alcatel/Lucent for allowing me to use these clips.)
NOTE: The timecode generator in Final Cut Pro X displays project timecode. it does not display the source timecode of the clips in the project. Also, this generator can only be applied to Timeline clips, not clips in the Event Browser.
FCP X simplifies the process of displaying timecode. Here’s how:
1. In this example, I’m using just one clip. However, the process is the same, regardless of how many clips or layers are in your project.
2. The Timecode effect is a generator. So, click the Generator icon in the Toolbar (in this screen shot it is blue and under the cursor). FCP X ships with 26 generators.
3. While you could navigate to any generator using Categories, I find it easier to find things using the search box at the bottom. Type “timecode” to display the timecode generator. (You don’t really need to type the entire word, just enough to find the effect you are looking for.)
4. Drag the generator so it becomes a connected clip stretching from the beginning to the end of the project, or just a portion of the project, for which you want to display timecode. Be SURE it is on the highest layer.
5. This is the default setting of the timecode generator: hours:minutes:seconds:frames centered as a lower-third with a solid black background. You could stop here and export/share your project with your client and the timecode would be burned into the project video.
EXTRA CREDIT
However, let’s see how we can modify this effect further.
6. To add an identifier – say a project ID, or version number – open the Inspector (Command+4) and click the Generator tab at the top. Here you can format the text, or, in the Label text entry box, add a prefix to serve as a label for this project.
7. To change the position of the timecode, you need to use the Transform controls. The easiest way to do this is to make sure the Timecode clip is still selected, then click the Transform button in the lower-left corner of the Viewer.
8. Drag the timecode image where you want the numbers to appear in the frame. When you are happy with the location, click Done.
9. To change the opacity of the black background, click the Generator tab, again, and twirl down Background and adjust the Opacity slider. For backgrounds like this, I tend to prefer around 60% opacity.
REMOVING TIMECODE
Because this effect is a separate clip, you can remove the timecode burn-in easily in one of two ways:
1. Delete the generator clip in the Timeline. This permanently removes the effect.
2. Select the generator clip in the Timeline and type V. This makes the clip invisible, but allows you to type V again to redisplay it. This option is a good choice when you want to hide the timecode temporarily – for example, to edit the project – then redisplay the timecode – for example, to export another review version of the project.
When you have clients that need to review projects in progress, this is a great technique to keep everyone in sync.
30 Responses to FCP X: Adding Timecode to Clips
Newer Comments →-
Leo Hans says:
January 30, 2012 at 5:37 am
-
Yaz says:
March 17, 2012 at 3:33 pm
-
Ларри Джордан: Добавляем таймкод к клипам says:
April 3, 2012 at 6:13 am
-
Shari Dyer says:
April 10, 2012 at 4:29 pm
-
Larry Jordan says:
April 10, 2012 at 5:56 pm
-
Jenny says:
May 30, 2012 at 6:28 pm
-
Larry Jordan says:
May 30, 2012 at 10:28 pm
-
Shorty says:
August 18, 2012 at 9:40 am
-
Jacquie says:
March 12, 2013 at 10:27 pm
-
Fred Kovach says:
October 9, 2012 at 9:34 am
-
Fred Kovach says:
October 9, 2012 at 9:42 am
-
Regina says:
March 13, 2013 at 6:02 pm
-
Larry Jordan says:
March 14, 2013 at 9:37 am
-
greg says:
April 26, 2013 at 3:05 pm
-
Regina says:
March 14, 2013 at 10:31 am
-
greg says:
April 26, 2013 at 3:04 pm
-
Larry Jordan says:
April 26, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Newer Comments →Larry,
Let me share here with you my free TC-Reader plugin for FCPX:
http://finalcutargentina.blogspot.com/2011/07/timecode-reader-gratuito-para-fcpx.html
The installing instructions are in Spanish, but are the same as any other plugin for FCPX.
Regards
Leo Hans
Hi there,
Thanks for this. I’ve noticed with this effect that there’s a bit of a gitter on the timecode box containing the timecode. Whenever it goes from a digit ending in 0 to a digit ending in 1 (for ex: 10 to 11), the box gitters.
Any way around this?
[…] Источник: larryjordan.biz Share Tweet FCPX, Final Cut Pro X, timecode, Ларри Джордан […]
Hi Larry,
I imported footage from 3 cameras using audio The time codes are vastly different on each one of them. This is a multicam project of an Easter Service, and I have the multicam tracks synched and in place. But I need a corresponding synched timecode for all three tracks. I am using FCPX (trying really hard to like this NLE!), and don’t want to go into the editing without timecode synch. Do you have a solution – either some plugin you know of, or somehow using the timecode generator on the multicam timeline? Or do I have to start all over again?
Thanks,
Shari
Shari:
Unless I misunderstand your question, you don’t need matching timecode for a multicam edit in FCP X. As long as your clips are synced, and you say the are, then timecode is not necessary. FCP X will keep them in sync during your edit.
Larry
I want to build an EDL based on timecode from source clips. But I need to burn in the timecode on the source clips so I can transcribe and log. I absolutely cannot figure out a way to log the media in FCP X, nor I can I find a way to export the source clips with the timecode burned in. I do not want the timecode from the timeline unless I can change it to begin at the same timecode as the source. Is there any way to do this? I bought FCP X and Compressor today thinking that it would be a no brainer and am quickly regretting my purchase. Any help is kindly appreciated. Thank you!
Jenny:
FCP X does not support displaying or burning in source media timecode. Nor does it support exporting individual clips from a project.
If the clips exist as QuickTime files, you CAN do this using Compressor, by applying the Timecode filter as a compression setting.
Larry
As of 10.0.5 it doesn’t do that, no. It USED TO tho. God (or Ubillos) only knows why it’s broken and we can only hope for a fix. But you can open individual clips in their respective timelines and apply it there and then add them to your project. A humongoid PITA, but the only way at the moment.
Larry,
Thanks! I never needed to get Compressor to add time code, but it was the perfect answer to my need.
Jacquie
I have FCP 10.0.5. When I try to drag the timecode generator over to above my clip, it becomes a very thin sliver. I am not able to stretch it out, though I can move it. What am I doing wrong? When I first did this a month and a half ago, I had no problems. Now I can’t seem to do it no matter what I try.
Thanks,
Fred
Never mind. I found the answer. I had to zoom all the way in. For some reason, it was only like 10 or 20 frames long. Zooming all the way in allowed me to grab on to it and drag it out.
Thanks,
Fred
Larry, I’m a relative novice and am not sure if I can reset the time. I need the timecode generator to be at 0, 17 seconds into the clip. Is there a way to do this?
Regina:
You can’t have timecode be 00:00:00:00 in the middle of a clip, because the numbers before it would have to start with 23:59:xx:xx, which totally breaks all editing software.
Yes, timecode can be reset, but it needs to START with 00:00.00:00, or any number later than that.
Larry
Please do tell.. how?
Thanks Larry! I found a way to make it work (a little tedious, but it’s functional).
Hi Larry,
Can you let me know how to reset the time code at the beginning of the timeline so the window burn corresponds to the location of each clip in the original footage?
Greg:
The Timeline only has one timecode. This means that if you have three different clips, the Timeline timecode can only match one of them.
That being said, select File > Project Properties. The Project Library appears and the Inspector opens.
Click the Wrench icon in the lower right corner of the Inspector. This opens the Project Properties panel, where you can change the starting timecode of the Timeline to whatever timecode you want.
Larry