Subtitles with Transparent background layer problem

Hey everyone,

Would like to ask if someone would have any information as how to do this:

I am having to create Japanese subtitles with a transparent layer behind (same as here: www.avid.com/JP/avid-tv/Artist-Mix-and-ProTools ). I have created the template in Motion 5 (I am able to save it so I find it in FCPX), but can't figure out how to make this transparent layer thing happen, so that it automatically knows how to fill each subtitle etc.

Is it possible to do this?

Anyone with any hints as how I should try make this work?

I been googling plenty but no luck with any info so far.

PS. In case this is n00bing it, just so you know I am not experienced with FCPX but FCP7 and not with Motion 5 but with After Effects... :whistle:


Thanks a mil, in advance

Don't worry, the method to achieve what you want isn't obvious!

1. Make a clone of the 'Type Text Here' layer (Object menu)

2. Apply the 'Border > Simple Border' filter to the clone.

3. Select the Clone Layer, choose the Filters tab of the inspector. In the Simple Border filter controls set the Width of the border to 1000.

4. Move the Clone Layer behind the Type Text Here layer. You now have a black rectangle that changes size depending on the amount of text you have.

5. In the Properties tab of the Clone Layer, set the opacity of the black area behind your type. You can publish the clone's opacity to control how transparent the background in Final Cut Pro.

@Alex4D

You'll also need to link the position parameters of the clone layer to the text layer to keep them together in FCPX.

True, NocoDave,

I suppose you could clone a grouped 'Type Text Here' layer instead:

0. Make a Group out of the 'Type Text Here' layer (Object Menu)

1. Make a clone of the new Group that encloses the 'Type Text Here' layer (Object menu)

2. Apply the 'Border > Simple Border' filter to the clone.

3. Select the Clone Layer, choose the Filters tab of the inspector. In the Simple Border filter controls set the Width of the border to 1000.

4. Move the Clone Layer behind the Group containing the Type Text Here layer. You now have a black rectangle that changes size depending on the amount of text you have.

5. In the Properties tab of the Clone Layer, set the opacity of the black area behind your type. You can publish the clone's opacity to control how transparent the background in Final Cut Pro.

@Alex4D

That, unexpectedly to be honest, works perfectly Alex. It saves anyone with limited knowledge from using parameter behaviours too.

Thanks so much Alex and Dave!

I will try it out today and get back at you here.

Most helpful, really gotta say I love this forum and happy I found it! Look forward to learning more about FCP X and Motion 5 as well. Got beyond the hating FCP X part (even though I still hate it a little bit).. RIP FCP7!

alex4D wrote: True, NocoDave,

I suppose you could clone a grouped 'Type Text Here' layer instead:

0. Make a Group out of the 'Type Text Here' layer (Object Menu)

1. Make a clone of the new Group that encloses the 'Type Text Here' layer (Object menu)

2. Apply the 'Border > Simple Border' filter to the clone.

3. Select the Clone Layer, choose the Filters tab of the inspector. In the Simple Border filter controls set the Width of the border to 1000.

4. Move the Clone Layer behind the Group containing the Type Text Here layer. You now have a black rectangle that changes size depending on the amount of text you have.

5. In the Properties tab of the Clone Layer, set the opacity of the black area behind your type. You can publish the clone's opacity to control how transparent the background in Final Cut Pro.

@Alex4D

Things seem to get more complicated than I thought.

So I am able to do this, and it works. However, within my workflow it doesn't work.

This is my workflow:

1. Finish the Subtitle Template (or whatever it's called) in Motion 5 and save it.
2. Make a New Project and just drag one instance of this Subtitle Template onto it.
3. Export XML.
4. Using XTI, open the exported XML containing the Subtitle Style etc, then import in a .SRT file that contains all the timings and Japanese text. Export out a new .XML file ready for FCP X.
5. Import in the new XML file (containing all the text and correct timings).
6. Drag & drop the finished video under the subtitles.

Basically, the border is not showing in this case. Is it to do with XML not being able to handle these properties, but only the simple Text Properties etc?

Thanks for any help again guys!

BUMP

Just checking if anyone had more info on this, haven't been able to figure it out still.

I guess the prob is that the XML does not save the details regarding the transparent layer, or? Shame if it's so... As it seems to clearly save the font / font size, etc.

Perhaps you need to trick Final Cut Pro to realise the text is different. In the new video with multiple subtitles with no backgrounds, if you use Final Cut to add a space character to a subtitle does the correct background appear?

@Alex4D

alex4D wrote: Perhaps you need to trick Final Cut Pro to realise the text is different. In the new video with multiple subtitles with no backgrounds, if you use Final Cut to add a space character to a subtitle does the correct background appear?

@Alex4D

Hey again Alex, thanks for trying to help me.

Unfortunately the answer is no... Tried drag'n'dropping the Title on top also, doesn't work either way... No background layer is showing.

Quite irritating, as if I drag the same title onto the timeline, I can see "Type Text Here" with the perfect transparent white layer behind.

This is proving to be way more difficult to do than I thought originally...

Right now it's looking like either I do subtitle timings manually (without Aegisub), which will take absolutely ages... especially since I don't speak or understand Japanese..... or then I have to drop the idea about having the transparent background. In which case it would be easy choice.. no transparent background.

Any further help most appreciated!

Never figured this out in the end... but decided instead to include a static transparent black layer across the bottom of the picture where the subtitles sit & have the font white.. it doesn't need to be "intelligent" I suppose.

Thanks for trying to help anyways!!

/thread over