Hi everyone. Ever have this problem? Sometimes when I'm editing a project with several layers of video (like ads with images, graphics, and text all at the same time) and I want to fade to black, it's not easy. If you add fades to each layer, they never seem to fade at the same time.

I figured out a workaround, by adding a black shape over all other layers, and then keyframing the opacity to make the black shape fade in and cover everything else up. It worked well, but was a bit of a hassle.

So I created a motion project to make it easier. Check it out. Because it's a video layer, it's actually a generator rather than a transition. To use it, unzip the file and put it in your generator folder. When you want to use it, just add it above all the other layers. If you want the fade out to go faster or slower, just grab the edge of the generator clip and make it longer or shorter.

Not only will this let you fade all the layers in your project, but I've included a color picker so you can easily make it fade to white, red, or some other color. Hope you like it! Let me know what you think!

Dan

You can also put them all in a Compound Clip (not always the best solution). But I like this solution you made for all those times (most of them) when CCs are not practical. Very cool, very handy, very practical! Good job, buddy!

I don't see a link to the Generator...

I uploaded the file and attached it several times. It appeared in the preview, but I don't see it in my post. Am I doing something wrong? I know I'm a newbie, but I tried to figure it out. Help?

In the meantime, maybe you can download from my Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz8m3iAylxeecFB...WGs/view?usp=sharing

For those who have an 'Adjustment Layer' (e.g. from alex4D) in their arsenal, same :
add AL to your project, apply Dissolve to that 'title' => fades out anything beneath it …

I just tested putting a fade on an Adjustment Layer, and that did not effect the clips below it in any way. Adjustment layers won't effect opacity.

Well - Alex' Adjustment Layer does:

• AL attached to some clip
• keyframe#1 100% opacity
• keyframe#2, 4secs later, 0% opacity
• => nice fade ...

and does work with a staple of clips and the AL on top
(no screengrab ata hand actually)

hmmm?

"apply Dissolve to that 'title' => fades out anything beneath it …"

Nope, a transition doesn't.

Keyframing the opacity works, yes, on any old Adjustment Layer, not just Alexes. All it is, is a Title Template with the text block removed. So keyframing works, a cross fade Transition doesn't.

Thus, a generator that needs no keyframing would a be much, much faster workflow.

BenB wrote:
OP mentioned a fade-to-black, no transition.
Anyhow...

Coach, you're, right, Coach, this is a roger, Coach!
scnr, just saw a docu about Kubrik's Full Metal Jacket, was in the mood for a silly "Sir, yes, Sir!" reply ....

You, Karsten mention applying a transition. As I quoted. Which doesn't work.

Yeah, I read about adjustment layers, and that is a interesting workaround too. One advantage my generator has is you can change colors of the fade easily. Another is the opacity keyframes are set, so you don't have to do that every time.

Have any of you downloaded my generator from the Google Drive link I posted? Does that work?

Dan

Yes - downloaded and it does work.
Thanks!

I like it. A quick, easy solution.

Cool. Glad you like it. This is such a cool feature of Motion/FCPX! It's almost like an open source program with the ease of creating effects and sharing them with others. I want to do more, especially very functional ones like this. Crazy effects like the other one I made (a generator to make a character see stars) is fun in very specific (and rare) situations. But there are others that I can imagine being useful much more often.

I'd like to try a color mask that you can motion track in FCPX, for example, but I don't see where that is possible.

I might also try a smoke transition, where smoke gradually fills the screen until it covers everything else up. Has anyone else ever tried that?

"I'd like to try a color mask that you can motion track in FCPX"

Then you need to check out the TrackX / SliceX / DriveX suite from Coremelt.

Danjocross wrote:
DL and works - I like the color option!

btw: google.drive gives some 'alert' it wasn't able to scan for virusses, due to file size ... hu? small files get controlled, the big ones not? … strrrange. good to have a Mac

I mark an IN and (for me) move ten frames (back from the beginning or back from the end) then go Generators > Solids > Custom (looks black) and hit Q to connect.

Control-V on the ten frame black clip sitting above everything and click the box to the right of Compositing: Opacity to expand it. You'll see a handle just like the handle to fade the audio section of a clip. Instead, you'll be fading the opacity. Slide one side or the other depending on whether you want to fade in or fade out.

I go this tip from Steve Martin on a MacBreak Studio episode. I think he called it 'Mother of all Fades' or something along that line.

Yes, Don, that's what I used to do too. That's a lot of steps though, which is why I made this little generator. You just add it and adjust its length. No fussing with opacity or keyframes.