Final Cut Pro doesn’t have a built-in adjustment layer function, which can be tough for editors. Luckily, that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own. If you’re looking for a quick fix, you can also use a third-party plugin from Motion Array — and it’s free!
A Final Cut Pro adjustment layer plugin can save you the time and frustration of working with compound clips. It will also give you the ability to keyframe color grading and effects in ways not otherwise possible. If you’re ready to master Final Cut Pro adjustment layers, jump in.
Summary
What are Final Cut Pro adjustment layers?
An adjustment layer is just an empty layer or clip on the timeline. One easy way to visualize it is as a window to your footage. An adjustment layer is like glass — you can see your composition through it, but you only really notice it when you start applying effects or color grading in Final Cut Pro.
Final Cut Pro adjustment layers can be trimmed and extended in the same way you would with any other clip, and they can have numerous effects added to them. A key feature that makes adjustment layers so great to work with is that they encompass the clip below. You can have multiple clips, titles, and graphics underneath the same adjustment layer, and the effects applied to them will be visible on everything below them. This is especially useful when working with Final Cut Pro title effects.
All about Final Cut Pro plugins
Final Cut Pro plugins are extra tools you can add to the software. Other companies — not Apple — create them and these plugins help make Final Cut Pro do more things. Some add new special effects or ways to change colors in your videos. Others help improve the sound or create moving text. Plugins also make editing faster by automatically performing repeated tasks.
The good thing about plugins is that they let you get Final Cut Pro to work the way you want. If you make documentaries, you might use plugins that help clean up the sound. If you make ads, you might like plugins that add cool effects quickly. Now that you know more about how plugins can power up your Final Cut Pro experience, let’s look at adding an adjustment layer in Final Cut Pro with Motion Array’s free plugins.
How to add an adjustment layer in Final Cut Pro
There are two parts to working with adjustment layers in Final Cut Pro. The first is actually to create the layer, and there are 2 ways in which you can do this.
Create an adjustment layer in Motion
Final Cut Pro Motion, usually just called Motion, is a tool made by Apple that works closely with Final Cut Pro. It’s used to create moving graphics and animations for videos. With Motion, you can make things like text that moves across the screen, logos that animate, or special effects like snow falling.
While it’s more advanced than basic video editing, it’s easier to use than some other professional animation software. Editors use Motion to create custom graphics and animations that they can use in their Final Cut Pro projects, giving them more creative video options.
If you have Motion available, you can quickly make an adjustment layer for Final Cut Pro. Once the adjustment layer has been created, it will be available for all of your Final Cut Pro projects, so you won’t need to create a new one each time.
- Open Motion and select New Final Cut Title.
- Check the dimensions of the composition.
- Find the Text Layer and delete it (Backspace).
- Press Cmd+S and name the project Adjustment Layer. If you want, you can add a new category to make it easier to find. Hit Publish and you’re done. In Final Cut Pro, the adjustment layer will appear alongside your titles in the folder you saved them to earlier.
Download the Final Cut Pro adjustment layer plugin
If you don’t have Motion, don’t worry — Motion Array has you covered with this handy plugin, which is super easy to install.
- Download Motion Array’s free Final Cut Pro adjustment layer plugin.
- Locate Motion Templates > Titles > Adjustment > Adjustment Layer.
- In Final Cut Pro, go to Titles and search for Motion Array.
Working with Final Cut Pro adjustment layers
Now you’ve got your Final Cut Pro adjustment layer, you can jump straight into using it. There are many different uses for adjustment layers, and the more you use them, the more you’ll find. For now, why not try out an effortless and impressive effect? You can see it in action in the video. If you need to brush up on your Final Cut Pro editing skills first, this tutorial will help.
- Edit your footage and titles in your timeline.
- Go to your Titles panel, find your adjustment layer, and drag it to your timeline above your clips and titles.
- Select the adjustment layer and go to the Color panel. Increase the Saturation to create a bright and bold image.
- Go to the Effects panel and grab a glitch effect. Drag it to your adjustment layer. You can find some awesome free glitch effects here.
- Drag your playhead to the end of the sequence and create a keyframe for every value under the glitch effect. Also check the Scale setting. Adjust all of the settings to suit your final look.
- Move the playhead to where you want the effect to start.
- Create keyframes for all glitch values and set the effect to 0%. Add a Scale keyframe and set it to 100%.
Final Cut Pro adjustment layers are incredibly helpful tools with many uses. While they are great for quickly adding grading effects to sequences or marking up Timeline chapters, adjustment layers can also replace compound clips to create a smoother Final Cut Pro workflow.
Now you know how to use and create Final Cut Pro adjustment layers, why not create your own and see what you can make?
