5

Working with Markers in Templates
Markers are visual reference points you add to the Timeline to identify specific frames.
There are seven types of markers. The first type, known as Standard, is designed for use
in Motion and has no effect if saved in a Final Cut template. The Standard marker type
can be added to an object (an object marker) or to the overall project (a project marker).
The remaining marker types, known as template markers, are designed to control the
timing of templates in Final Cut Pro X. To apply a template marker, you must first apply
a standard project marker, then change the marker type in the Edit Marker dialog.
For more information on using working with markers in the Timeline, see Adding Markers.
When building a template, you typically don’t know the duration of the clips it will be
applied to in Final Cut Pro. Template markers let you control the timing of a template
after it is applied in Final Cut Pro by designating regions in the Timeline to be played,
ignored, or looped to match the duration of the target clip. You can also designate a
specific frame to be used as the template’s thumbnail in the Final Cut Pro Effects,
Transitions, or Titles Browser.
Template markers fall into four categories: Build In, Build Out, Loop, and Poster Frame. Build
In markers instruct Final Cut Pro to play an intro animation in specific instances. Build Out
markers instruct Final Cut Pro to play an outro animation in specific instances. Loop
markers indicate where the template should begin looping playback. Poster Frame markers
determine the frame of a template to be used as the thumbnail for the template in the
Final Cut Pro Effects, Transitions, or Titles Browser.
Build In markers designate the end point of an intro section of a template, and instruct
Final Cut Pro to play that section at the same speed as the original template (as created
in Motion), regardless of the duration of the clip in the Final Cut Pro Timeline. Build Out
markers designate the start of an outro section of a template, and instruct Final Cut Pro
to play that section at the same speed as the original template (as created in Motion),
regardless of the duration of the clip in the Final Cut Pro Timeline.
You can also specify a build-in or build-out section as optional. When you add the optional
Build In or Build Out marker, a corresponding checkbox is added to the Publishing pane
of the Project Inspector in Motion. When you apply a template to a project, the checkbox
also appears in the Final Cut Pro Inspector. Deselect the checkbox to disable the build-in
or build-out portion of the effect.
When you add Build In, Build Out, or Loop template markers to a Motion project, the
Timeline ruler displays a gold glow over the affected region.
554 Chapter 11 Creating Templates for Final Cut Pro X