TOPIC:

I've been successfully using the default Lower 3rd Text template called "Information Bar" for online tutorials for quite some time now. In the majority of cases, it's fine for what I need.

I just ran into a situation where I'd like to be able to take the "bar" and change the opacity (or density) closer to 100%, but this parameter is not published by default. I don't have Motion 5 nor do I have any plans to pick it up anytime soon as I just don't have time to spend on the learning curve and overall, I don't have a need for it (except for this instance). I'm guessing it's a simple tweak to add and then publish the parameter.

Would someone mind doing this for me that has Motion 5? I'd be happy to trade a favor or even pay? It's not a big deal as I can live with it the way it is now, but it would be helpful.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

You're all set:

Download Information Bar Fill Lower Third

-paul.

Very nice and useful, however it appears that on line one,
you can change the font but not the type style as you still can
in line 2. If you go back to the original, you can change the style
on both lines.

After tinkering with this for a bit, it will let you change the type
style in line one only after rendering and clicking off and then
coming back on. No big deal once you understand, although
line two lets you change it at the same time. Have quad core
Mac Pro. Results could be different with other machines. Any way, many thanks for the corrected version.

it appears that on line one,
you can change the font but not the type style as you still can
in line 2

Looks like a strange wee bug, you don't need to render to get round it. If you change the font for line 1 the style gets greyed out, as you pointed out. If you select the line 1 title in the viewer it opens the standard "Text" inspector, where you can change it.

But that isn't entirely necessary. If you don't change it, once you go back to the "Title" inspector the option isn't greyed out any more.

I see the erratic behavior as well. Maybe I'll build the entire Title from scratch and see if anything changes.

-paul.

Built this out from scratch with a few enhancements. Should have it ready in about an hour or so ...

-paul.

The new version is up. Here are the Controls:



You can control Global Fade In/Out, Bar Opacity, and Bar Roundness. The Bar Left Indent setting moves the left edge of the bar to the right by a few pixels to compensate for left edge roundness.

Keep in mind the new version that I posted will overwrite the previously installed version. Also - there is still some odd behavior regarding the availability of the text style setting for the top line. As far as I can see it's not that big of a deal ...

Download

-paul.

Paul,

That's really great, thanks for your help on this. If you have any interest in learning harmonica let me know and I'll be happy to set you up with a free membership to my website.

I downloaded it, but I forgot to mention in the original post that I'm still running 10.0.4 (next year I'll upgrade FCPX and many other things when I have some time). Hopefully, that won't be an issue.

You said,

"Keep in mind the new version that I posted will overwrite the previously installed version. Also - there is still some odd behavior regarding the availability of the text style setting for the top line. As far as I can see it's not that big of a deal ..."

I only use one line anyway with basic Verdana, so if the bottom line works better, I can just use that. In case this version doesn't work in 10.0.4, but still re-writes over the old one, would it be possible to save it out of Motion with a different name so I can load it into the Motion Templates folder as a 3rd party alternative? This would also keep it from being written over (I'm guessing) with the next FCP X update?

Thanks again,
Dave

Dave,

You're welcome and Happy New Year ...

You can retain the original by simply renaming it.:

Close FCPX ...

Go into ~/Movies/Motion Templates/Titles/Custom Lower Thirds/Information Bar Fill ...

You will see "Information Bar Fill.moti." That's the project file. Copy it and store it away - just in case. Then rename it (the project file). Also rename the Information Bar Fill folder. Relaunch FCPX. Now the old version and the new version will coexist in the Custom Lower Thirds Category.

Keep in mind you'll need to remove/re-apply it to any existing timeline implementations. That's about it. Let mew know how it goes ...

-paul.

Paul,

I did as you suggested, but it's not working in my version of 10.0.4. It comes up with the FCPX red screen and yellow caution sign when I try to apply. Unless I missed something, it will likely work in 10.0.7 when I get a chance to upgrade.

Thanks again and Happy New Year,
Dave

Most effects created these days (in Motion 5.0.6) should work in versions of Final Cut Pro X as old as 10.0.3.

If you haven't updated Final Cut, newer effects will not load by default - it checks to see the version of Motion that created the effect.

However, if you edit the start of the Motion template, there is a good chance it will work in 10.0.4.

10.0.6 and 10.0.7 compatible .moef, .motr, .motn and .moti files start with the following text:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE ozxmlscene>
<ozml version="5.5">

<displayversion>5.0.5</displayversion>

Apple has confirmed that the file format for Motion templates hasn’t changed since the introduction of Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3.

Use a text editing application such as TextEdit to change the start of the files so that Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3-10.0.5 and Motion 5.0.2-5.0.4 will open them:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE ozxmlscene>
<ozml version="5.2">

<displayversion>5.0.2</displayversion>

Note that if the Motion template uses a FxPlug installed plug-in that isn’t compatible with the old version of Final Cut Pro you are using, then the template won’t work.

[I wrote about this on my blog in December 2012 ]

@Alex4D

Alex,

Really nice quick fix of about 20 seconds. It works now just fine. Until I get caught up with work, I won't be able to upgrade FCPX or even the OS, so this should hold me until I do.

Thanks,
Dave

Paul,

With Alex's help I am now able to get it working in my version of 10.0.4. I like your extra additions of being able to control the Global Fade in and out, the Bar Left Indent, and the Bar Roundness.

The only thing that I found missing from the default version is the "Bar Vertical Position" parameter. If it's possible to get that back, that would be great. I use it all the time because the classes I'm putting it on top change from class to class and sometimes the lower 3rd just works better a bit higher or lower.

Thanks again,
Dave

Hi, Dave.

Looks like you don'y have the latest release ...

Have a look on my site:

www.produceNewMedia.com

In fact the link supplied in this thread should point to the latest version ...

-paul.

Paul,

I just downloaded and installed the newest version. At first I didn't see it, but it looks like you call the parameter "Global Y Position" which was similar to the "Bar Vertical Position".

My problem is typically not that I want to raise the text higher, but that I want to lower it all the way down to the bottom of the frame. The Global Y Position slider at zero (all the way to the left) is not all the way at the bottom. Did I miss something or is that as low as it will go?

(Sorry to be an ungrateful pest, but the opacity and bottom position are the two big issues for me.)

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

Ok - I'll take care of it as soon as I can ... no problem.

-paul.

Dave,

Ok, all set:

The slider moves the Bar and the Text cumulatively to the very bottom of the frame. Of course you can move the text independent of the bar by clicking and dragging. Remember you will need to remove any previous implementations in your project timelines/storylines and reapply after updating. And again - running the installer will overwrite your previous version.

Use the same download link ...

-paul.

Paul,

The only problem was that the turn around time for your update must have been at least 20 minutes. It's a good thing I decided not to hold my breath. Kidding of course. Great job! As far as I'm concerned, your version should now be THE Apple default version.

I have an edit for a half hour class I will try to crank out tonight or tomorrow at the latest. When done, I'll put a screen shot up here in this thread of the final result so you can see why your version is so helpful in what I do. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I will posted this in my private Members Area as soon as the edit is done. If you'd like to see the final video, I'll be happy to give you access.

Thanks,
Dave

Cool, Dave. Happy to help.

And yeah - would love to check out final video ...

-paul.