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151Final Cut Pro User Guide
Add still images in Final Cut Pro
In Final Cut Pro, you can add and edit a variety of still-image formats in your projects,
including photos and graphics files.
Add a still image to the timeline
You can add still images to your Final Cut Pro project using the Libraries sidebar, the
Photos and Audio sidebar, or the Finder.
In Final Cut Pro, do any of the following:
• Add a still image using the Libraries sidebar: Import the still image into an event, select
the event in the Libraries sidebar, then select all or part of the still-image clip in the
browser and drag it to the timeline. For information about importing media, see Intro to
importing media in Final Cut Pro.
Note: After a still image is imported, it functions like any other clip in Final Cut Pro. You
can use any of the techniques described in this chapter to add still-image clips to the
timeline.
• Add a still image using the Photos and Audio sidebar: Open the Photos and Audio
sidebar, select a still image in the browser, and drag it directly into the timeline.
• Add a still image from the Finder: Select a still-image file in the Finder, then drag it
directly into the timeline.
The default initial duration for still images is 4 seconds, but you can change this setting in
the Editing pane
of Final Cut Pro preferences.
There’s no limit on the duration of a still-image clip. To adjust the duration of a still-image
clip in the timeline, use any of the trimming techniques described in this chapter (see Intro
to trimming in Final Cut Pro). To adjust the duration of multiple still-image clips at once,
select the clips, then choose Modify > Change Duration (or press Control-D).
Edit layered graphics files
You can edit layered graphics files, such as Adobe Photoshop (PSD) files, created with
another image editing app.
1. Import the layered graphics files into Final Cut Pro.
For information about importing media, see Intro to importing media in Final Cut Pro.
Important: If the layered graphics file has a transparent background, make sure your
project’s rendering format is set to Apple ProRes 4444 to preserve the transparency
when rendering. See
Modify a project’s settings in Final Cut Pro.
2. In the browser or the timeline, select the layered graphics image.