Final Cut Pro X
Master working with layers in Final Cut
How to use layered Photoshop images to craft custom graphics for your video projects
Developer
Apple Inc
Time needed 15
Difficulty
Download available
A common component of any documentary is a lower third caption that introduces various ‘talking head’ subjects. Final Cut Pro X’s Titles sidebar has a ‘Lower Thirds’ category that offers 72 animated graphics with a customisable name and description text field. But by relying this collection of presets you run the risk of making your programme look similar to the work of other Final Cut users. Fortunately, you can create custom lower third graphics in Photoshop. Final Cut Pro recognises the layered nature of a Photoshop document so you can combine and animate multiple layers in the timeline. Final Cut also recognises a Photoshop layer’s transparency settings, so you can mix your custom lower third graphic with video footage in creative ways.