Masking 4k footage in FCPX... please HELP!

Hi everyone!

Normally when I use the mask tool, I drag it onto the footage and four nodes appear on the clip, one in each corner - and then I can move each corner to where I want it...

I've just shot some 4k footage using a Canon 1d-c and for some reason, when I drag the Mask onto the footage, the four nodes still appear but I can't move them around!

Does that make sense?

Any help would be massively appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Are you using the standard Mask effect from the FCPX Effects library?

- Ronny

thanks for the reply Ronny,

Yes I am using the standard mask...

Simon

Okay, the issue is not with the Mask effect. I have just tried it on some 4K (4096x2160) ProRes 422 video I have here and it works:



So we will have to look deeper into this.

Is your footage recorded in intraframe (All-I) or in interframe (IPB) M-JPEG?
Have you optimized the footage to ProRes?

- Ronny

I'm not sure...

In the camera, the 4k option just says MJPEG, it doesn't say All-I or IPM so I don't know... At least I think it does - I'll go and have a look now and let you know!

And no, I don't think I optimised it, I'm not even sure what that means

Thanks!!

One thing you can try:

Select a clip in your Event Browser.
Choose File > Transcode Media.
In the window that opens put a checkmark next to "Create optimized media", then click OK.
Wait a moment while FCPX converts the file to ProRes.
Then drag the clip onto your Project Timeline and add the Mask effect to it.
Check if the handles work now.

- Ronny

I really thought that was gonna work!

But it didn't!

I could try downloading some sample 4k footage and seeing if that works then we know if its the footage I shot or FCPX..?

Yep we can rule out the format now. Please try the effect on any other kind of 4K footage if you can. Or just drop one of FCPX generators onto your 4K timeline and add the Mask effect to it.

If the effect still does not work on different footage or a generator next thing you should is to try trashing your FCPX preferences. If you are not familiar with this, download Preference Manager from Digital Rebellion (free) to do it for you: www.digitalrebellion.com/prefman/

Renewing FCPX preferences usually solves unexpected behavior like this.

- Ronny

Hi again!

So I downloaded the preference manager and trashed my preferences but it didn't help!

I couldn't find any 4k footage to download but the Mask effect didn't work on a generator on my timeline...

Hi Simon,

Yes that's really weird. So it must have something to do with that particular effect after all. I could send you my effect to replace yours and see if that works, but I think a simple re-install of FCPX will be much faster.

But maybe better: you might try using a different matte effect instead. Here's a link to a free 8-point matte effect for FCPX: www.rippletraining.com/using-the-8-point...final-cut-pro-x.html

When the page opens just click the link on the page to install the effect. The installation takes about 10 seconds, and you will find a detailed explanation on how the effect works on that same page. It works very much like the Mask effect you have. I use this one all the time, it's excellent. Try it to see if it solves your problem.

- Ronny

Hi Ronny!

I downloaded the custom effect as you suggested and it works perfectly! Even better than before as now I have 8 handles to play with!

Thank you so much! You really are a life saver!!