FCP X effect doesn't work is it because Yosemite or FCP X 10.1.3

Hi guys,

I'm having a bit of problem. Last week I found out that my basic effects (black white, negative, sepia, tint, etc) & 3rd party plugin (tonegrade crumplepop) is not working.

When I'm skimming the effect or just drag drop the effect on the media at the timeline, it doesn't change anything, although the plugins appear on the inspector.

I wonder why is this happening, is it because yosemite or because Fcp x 10.1.3?

Thanks guys.

Mac Pro // Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5 3.7 GHz // 12 GB // AMD FirePro D300 2048 MB // WD Thunderbolt //

Hi Alfred,

All effects and filters that come with FCP X seem to work fine both in 10.1.3 and under Yosemite. If they don't work for you the first thing I would do is to delete your FCP X preferences. That this is very easy to do in 10.1.3.

If these are third-party effects you need to check the website of the developer to see if the plugins haven't been updated. You always need to run the latest versions of every plugin you use.

- Ronny

Hi Ronny,

I already did trash the preference via opt+cmd and via 3rd party apps (digital rebellion) still nothing happen. Even I uninstall FCPX and install it again, nothing happen.

Thanks for the help

Just to test what may be causing the problem:

Create a new admin user account, open FCP X using this account and see if the effects work. If they do this means you have a corrupt user account.

Test this and post back. If you have a corrupt user account this can be fixed in a few different ways.

- Ronny

You are right Ronny. I create new user account and everything looks normal.

So What should I do next?

It's ok Ronny.

I just google it. I found this www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-rebuild-a-user-account-in-os-x/

And it works like a charm.

Thanks again for the help.

But still I wonder what make my user account corrupt? and what the connection on user account and fcp x features.

Hahaha, I was just going to send you exactly that same link

Glad it worked for you.

- Ronny

To answer your other question:

Installing a new OS over an older one can introduce preference conflicts with the older OS. Especially because preference .lock files in the old OS are not modified by the new OS when it is installed over the existing one.

In most cases wiping and rebuilding the user account can fix these issues. That fixed it in your case as well.

In the worst cases only wiping the system drive clean and doing a fresh install of the OS, the apps and all your user setting will solve the problem.

- Ronny

Ok, great info. Learn something new today. Thanks again for the help.

Ah yes, you also asked why this would affect FCP X.

The FCP X code taps deep into the operating system, that's why it can be so fast. The downside of this is that when your OS gets corrupted, e.g. due to a messed up user directory, this also will affect the performance of FCP X or it can lead to unexpected behavior like the one you have experienced. A lean and clean OS and user = a fast and good-working FCP X.

- Ronny

Oh maybe that's what happen to my old mac pro.

When I use the old mac pro, I used to having problem on any version of FCP X. I never try to fresh install it. I just keep installing every new OS over the old one and keep updating any FCP X. It got more and more slow everytime. Even just to skim video it's a daunting process.

That certainly is possible. The more years you work on a system without cleaning up the system drive the more problems you are liable to get. Erasing the system drive and a free install of the OS sometimes can do wonders to an older computer. Of course if the hardware technology is too outdated to work with modern 64-bit applications erasing and re-installing your system drive won't make the hardware any faster. But it always helps.

- Ronny

Great. Again thanks for the info.

Love your words "A lean and clean OS and user = a fast and good-working FCP X."

Hi Alfred,
I totally agree with Ronnie and always recommend a fresh install of new operating system instead of updates.
I also recommend that you do not use Migration Assistant when you set up new OS or new computer. Just set up as new, then manually move files you need. MA tends to move lots of old crud with it.
Apple sometimes changes underlying frameworks and just doing the updates can cause issues and corruption in user profiles, permissions, extended attributes, etc…
Using a program like Onyx for Mac can help by providing a GUI for routine maintenance scripts and fixing permissions. I try to remember to run all the routines prior to and after installing major software.
Link… www.titanium.free.fr
Hope this helps, Greg