Create templates that automatically conform to the Final Cut Pro color space

If you’re creating an effect, transition, title, or generator that includes both SDR and HDR elements—or you plan to work in multiple color spaces in Final Cut Pro for Mac—use Automatic color processing to create a template that automatically conforms to the Final Cut Pro color space.

For example, when a template is applied to the timeline in an SDR Final Cut Pro project, the template renders in SDR and any HDR elements in the template (such as video from a newer iPhone) are tone mapped to SDR. When a template is applied to the timeline in an HDR HLG Final Cut Pro project, the template renders in HDR, and any SDR elements (such as shapes or text created in Motion) are inverse tone mapped to HLG.

Additionally, use Automatic color processing while building templates to:

Easily integrate SDR elements (such as text, shapes, particles, or other objects created in Motion) with HDR media in the same template project, using intelligent tone mapping to match your SDR or HDR color space.
Quickly preview a template in different SDR and HDR color spaces using the View > Render Color Space pull-down menu.
Adjust the brightness levels of SDR images and elements to match the brightness levels of HDR media using the HDR White Level slider.
Publish the HDR White Level slider to adjust the brightness of SDR images and elements once the effect, transition, generator, or title is added to the Final Cut Pro timeline in an HDR HLG or HDR PQ project. This lets you better match the brightness of SDR elements in the template with HDR media in the Final Cut Pro project.

Set the color processing for a new template project

In Motion, choose File > New from Project Browser (or press Option-Command-N).
In the Project Browser, click the type of template you want to create (Final Cut Effect, Final Cut Generator, Final Cut Transition, or Final Cut Title).
In the right column, click the Preset pop-up menu, then choose Custom.
Click the Color Processing pop-up menu, then choose Automatic.
Set any other custom properties (resolution, projection type, aspect ratio, frame rate, and so on).
See Project Properties Inspector controls.
Click Open.
A new, untitled Motion template project opens set to Automatic Color Processing (and the custom properties you specified).

Set the color processing for an existing template project

In the Layers list of the Motion template, select the Project object (or press Command-J).
In the Properties Inspector, click the Color Processing pop-up menu, choose Automatic, then click OK.
Note: Once set to Automatic, the project’s working color space is determined by the Render Color Space setting (in the View pull-down menu).

Publish the HDR White Level slider in a template

You can publish an HDR White Level slider to give editors control over adjusting the brightness of SDR elements—images or clips, or objects created in Motion (such as text, shapes, or replicators)—in an HDR HLG or HDR PQ Final Cut Pro project.

Note: In general, the HDR White Level slider has no effect on HDR media. However, when you apply templates including certain filters to HDR media, the image or clip may be affected by the HDR White Level slider. See About filters and color processing.

In the Layers list of the Motion template, select the Project object (or press Command-J).
In the Properties Inspector, click the Color Processing pop-up menu, choose Automatic, then click OK.
In the Properties Inspector, do one of the following:
- Control-click HDR White Level, then choose Publish from the shortcut menu.
- Move the pointer to the right of the HDR White Level slider, click the Animation pop-up menu (the down arrow), then choose Publish.
Save the template.
Once the template is applied to the Final Cut Pro timeline, the HDR White Level slider is available in the effect, transition, title, or generator inspector.

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Motion User Guide

Create templates that automatically conform to the Final Cut Pro color space

Set the color processing for a new template project

Set the color processing for an existing template project

Publish the HDR White Level slider in a template