5

Objects in the Canvas shrink and separate in an exploded view so you can see them all.
Moving the pointer over an object reveals its Layers list name.
Note: You cannot Command-drag nonimage objects (shapes, Motion projects, particles,
etc.) to the Canvas.
3 Drop the object onto its target.
The object replaces its target, and the Canvas view returns to normal.
Creating Templates
In addition to using and customizing templates that ship with Motion, you can build new
templates. Template files contain everything that ordinary projects do, including media
layers, text objects, shapes, generators, behaviors, and filters, in any combination.
You can create custom templates for commonly used shots that you regularly create. For
example, if you make titles for a news program, you can create templates for the opening
title, interstitial graphics, bumpers, and other repetitious shots.
Templates are standard Motion projects that are saved in a special way.
To save a Motion project as a template
1 Choose File > Publish Template.
A save dialog appears.
2 Enter a name for the template and choose a category from the Category pop-up menu.
The template is organized in the Project Browser under the category you assign. Create
a custom category by choosing New Category from the menu.
3 Choose New Theme from the Theme pop-up menu, enter a descriptive name in the New
Theme dialog, then click Create.
4 If you want the template project to retain media in the Media list that isn’t present in the
composition, select “Include unused media.”
5 If you want a preview of the template to appear in the Project Browser, select Save Preview
Movie.
Note: If you want to add the template to a Final Cut Pro project, select the “Publish as
Final Cut Generator” checkbox. For more information, see Creating Templates for
Final Cut Pro X.
6 Click Publish.
The template is saved in the /Users/username/Movies/Motion Templates/Compositions
folder on your computer.
Note: If you selected the “Publish as Final Cut Generator” checkbox, the template is saved
in the /Users/username/Movies/Motion Templates/Generators. For more information, see
Creating Templates for Final Cut Pro X.
253Chapter 6 Creating and Managing Projects