Add and remove video effects in Final Cut Pro for iPad

You can add video effects to clips in the timeline from either the browser or the inspector.

Note: Many of the video effects that come with a Final Cut Pro for iPad subscription require downloading before you can use them.

Browse video effects

In Final Cut Pro for iPad, open a project.
In the timeline, tap a clip, then drag the playhead over it (to see its image in the viewer).
Tap in the toolbar, tap Effects at the top of the browser, then tap Video (if it’s not already selected).
Swipe up or down in the browser to see thumbnails of video effects grouped according to category (Color, Blur, Masks and Keying, and Stylize, for example).
To preview a video effect, tap an effect thumbnail in the browser.
The effect is shown in the viewer.
Note: Some effects, such as Hue/Saturation and Green Screen Keyer, may not show a preview in the viewer because they require initial adjustments after they’re applied to a clip. See Adjust video effects.
To cancel the preview, tap the effect thumbnail in the browser again.

Apply a video effect from the browser

The easiest way to apply a video effect to a clip is to add it from the browser.

In Final Cut Pro for iPad, open a project.
In the timeline, drag the playhead over the clip (to see its image in the viewer).
Tap in the toolbar, tap Effects at the top of the browser, then tap Video (if it’s not already selected).
Do one of the following:
- Drag an effect thumbnail from the browser to the clip in the timeline, and when the clip becomes highlighted, release your finger.
- Tap the clip in the timeline to select it, tap an effect thumbnail in the browser, tap Apply under the browser, then tap the thumbnail again to deselect it.

The effect is applied to the clip, and the result appears in the viewer. If you don’t see any change to the image in the viewer, you may have to modify the effect settings first. See Adjust video effects.

Apply a video effect from the inspector

You can also add video effects from the inspector. Although not all of the effects in the browser are available in the inspector, the most commonly used ones are.

In Final Cut Pro for iPad, open a project.
In the timeline, tap the clip you want to modify, then drag the playhead over the clip (to see its image in the viewer).
Tap Inspect in the lower-left corner of the screen, then tap at the top of the inspector.
Tap in the inspector, tap an effects category (Masks and Keying, Color Adjustments, Blur, Distort, or Stylize), then tap an effect name in the list.

Remove a video effect

In Final Cut Pro for iPad, open a project.
In the timeline, tap a clip that has an applied video effect.
Tap Inspect in the lower-left corner of the screen, then tap at the top of the inspector.
Do one of the following:
- Swipe left over the effect name, then tap .
- Touch and hold the effect name, then tap Delete.

Disable a video effect

You can temporarily disable an applied effect to quickly see the clip without the effect.

In Final Cut Pro for iPad, open a project.
In the timeline, tap a clip that has an applied video effect.
Tap Inspect in the lower-left corner of the screen, then tap at the top of the inspector.
Do one of the following:
- Swipe left over the effect name, then tap . (To reenable the effect, swipe left over the effect name, then tap .)
- Touch and hold the effect name, then tap Disable. (To reenable the effect, touch and hold its name, then tap Enable.)
- Tap the effect name, then tap Disable. (To reenable the effect, tap Enable.) When you’re finished, tap at the top of the inspector.

To modify an applied effect’s settings, see Adjust video effects.

Helpful?

Final Cut Pro User Guide for iPad