Final Cut Pro for Mac 12.3
Final Cut Pro for Mac 12.0
Final Cut Pro for Mac 11.2
Final Cut Pro for Mac 11.1
Final Cut Pro for Mac 11.0
Modifying this control will update this page automatically

Edit Magnetic Masks in Final Cut Pro for Mac

In Final Cut Pro, you can make detailed adjustments to the area of a Magnetic Mask using tools in the viewer. You can also use the Magnetic Mask editor in the timeline to view, navigate, or delete reference frames indicating points in the clip where the mask was edited.

Edit a Magnetic Mask selection with control points or the brush tool

  1. Add the clip you want to mask to the Final Cut Pro timeline.

  2. Add the Magnetic Mask effect or add a Magnetic Mask to a video effect.

  3. Position the playhead at a point within the clip that shows the area you want to mask.

  4. To show the Magnetic Mask controls in the viewer, open the Video inspector, then click the mask’s name in the Magnetic Mask section.

  5. To refine the mask area, do any of the following:

    • Add to the mask area with a control point: Click the Add button , then click an area in the viewer to add it to the mask.

    • Subtract from the mask area with a control point: Click the Remove button , then click an area in the viewer to remove it from the mask.

      Tip: To switch between eyedroppers or brushes temporarily, press and hold the Option key. When you release the Option key, the tool reverts to the previously active eyedropper or brush.

    • Use the brush to add or remove mask areas: Click the Add brush  or the Remove brush , then brush across an area to add or remove it. Drag the slider to adjust the brush size.

      Tip: To see the size of the brush tool while you resize it, hold down the Shift key and drag in the viewer.

    • Show or hide the dashed outline around the mask selection: Click the Mask Contour button .

    • Reset all control points and brushstrokes for the current frame: Click the Reset button .

    The viewer showing a Magnetic Mask applied to a person in the foreground and green and red control points for adding and removing mask areas. At the top left are buttons for selecting a brush tool and a slider for adjusting the brush size. The Remove brush is selected.

When you add control points or brushstrokes, reference frames are created. To navigate between reference frames, click the left arrow or the right arrow. To view reference frames in the timeline, see Edit Magnetic Masks in the timeline, below.

Edit Magnetic Masks in the timeline

When you add a Magnetic Mask to a clip, the Magnetic Mask editor appears above the clip in the timeline. The Magnetic Mask editor shows rendered analysis ranges and any reference frames containing control points and edits with the brush tool.

The Magnetic Mask editor above a clip in the timeline, showing analysis ranges. Reference frames are indicated by yellow dots and brush tool edits indicated by white dots.

In Final Cut Pro, do any of the following:

  • Show or hide the Magnetic Mask editor: Select a clip in the timeline that has a Magnetic Mask applied, then choose Clip > Show Magnetic Mask Editor or choose Clip > Hide Magnetic Mask Editor (or press Control-Option-Command-M). You can also Control-click a timeline clip and choose Show Magnetic Mask Editor or Hide Magnetic Mask Editor.

  • Choose the mask to display in the Magnetic Mask editor: Select a timeline clip that has multiple Magnetic Masks, then click the down arrow to the right of the mask name and choose the mask to display. You can also select the mask in the Video inspector.

  • Delete reference frames and analysis ranges from the timeline: Drag to select a range in the Magnetic Mask editor, then click Delete.

  • Duplicate a Magnetic Mask: Select a timeline clip that has a Magnetic Mask applied, copy it, then paste the clip to another part of the timeline. You can also make a copy of the clip by cutting it in two. Any other method of copying removes the Magnetic Mask.

Delete unused Magnetic Mask files

If you’re doing extensive work with the Magnetic Mask on high-resolution media, the analysis files may use a significant amount of storage. You can remove unused Magnetic Mask files.

  1. In the Libraries sidebar in Final Cut Pro, select a library containing projects with Magnetic Masks.

  2. Choose File > Delete Generated Library Files.

  3. In the window that appears, select Delete Unused Magnetic Mask Files, then click OK.

  4. Do one of the following:

Tips for refining your Magnetic Mask

In Final Cut Pro, do any of the following:

  • Use the Feather slider in the Video inspector to soften the edges of a Magnetic Mask. Positive feathering values soften the mask from its edge outward. Negative feathering values soften the mask from its edge inward. Feathering the edge of a mask can make the masked object blend better with the background.

  • To view the mask as a black-and-white alpha channel image, see View Magnetic Masks and Ways to view masks.

  • To learn about how masks can interact, see Combine multiple effect masks.

Download this guide: PDF

Morty Proxy This is a proxified and sanitized view of the page, visit original site.
Helpful?
Character limit: 250
Maximum character limit is 250.
Thanks for your feedback.
Morty Proxy This is a proxified and sanitized view of the page, visit original site.