You may have a project that requires many of the same type of graphics (ie title cards, lower thirds, etc).  You could create them in Final Cut Pro, layering text and graphic elements, but if you’re got the know-how Motion is typically a much better way to go.

We’ve seen many editors create a new Motion file for each of the graphics they need in their project.   For large projects that can mean a ton of title card and lower third files.

Well, if you’re using Final Cut Studio 2 there’s a much better alternative than creating all of these unique files.  Create ONE template file and import it as a Master Template in Final Cut Pro. Not only will this cut down on the number of files you’re working with (simpler is often better) but it also will save time.  Master Templates can be edited WITHIN FInal Cut Pro and so you won’t have to keep jumping back and forth between applications.

Here’s the how to do it…

1.  Create a motion file with text.

2.  Save it (it’s good to typically save these files as ______Template.motn  ie “LowerThirdTemplate.motn”

3.  Import the file into Final Cut Pro — From the Menu Bar choose Sequence>Add Master Template

4.  The template will now appear in the Master Templates bin in the Browser (under the Effects tab), as well as in the Effects>Master Templates dropdown from the menu bar.

5.  Once in Final Cut Pro the text can be edited through the Controls tab in the Viewer.

The only downside to using Master Templates is you aren’t able to change the position of the text (unless the background of the original file was an Alpha channel).  However, if you’re doing lower thirds and you want them all to be consistent you shouldn’t need to change the text position anyway.  This is one feature, added to the most recent version of FCP, that can really help automate some tedious graphics creation!