When Final Cut Pro X was launched, there was no place for the FxScript plugin architecture that featured in FCP7. CHV Plugins has just released Text FX V2.0.0, a completely redesigned pack of text effects for Final Cut Pro X and Motion 5.
FxScript, the built-in effects language for FCP7 was great for plugin writers who wanted to develop their own products. When Final Cut Pro X came along, it of course meant the end for FxScript and plugin writers had to use the much more complicated Xcode method or build templates in Motion.
CHV Plugins has a large library of FXScript plugins and although they have been quiet over the last year, their products are being converted from FxScript to run on FCPX. This new pack has been coded and will therefore run in Motion as well as FCPX.
Text Fx Version 2.0.0 is a $75 collection of text effects that range from vertical & horizontal credit rolls, sub titles and even letter emitters.
- Credits FX
- Sub-Title FX
- Letter Emitter FX
- Bezier Text Pro FX
- Highlight Text Pro FX
- Lissajous Text Pro FX
- Spiral Text Pro FX
- Scaling Text Pro FX
- Typewriter Pro FX
Yes we had to Google Lissajous too.
Normally we would post a video of the plugin in action, but we couldn't find one on the CHV Plugins site. Hopefully one will get posted soon and we will add it to the article.
What the plugin does have is a very comprehensive 129 page PDF that explains each parameter within each plugin. Although the screengrabs look slightly old fashioned, it does show that the set of plugins have a tremendous range of adjustable effects.
Whilst some of the text effects might be easily reproducible in Motion and also some of the examples look a bit cheesy, we think that this pack might just have the most sophisticated credit roll for FCPX out there. Alas, it looks like there is no free trial for users to give it a test drive.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
