Motion Generator not properly working in FCPX

Hi Benjamin

I think you just need to add build in and build out markers to the project. The markers will prevent the timing distortion that happens when you adjust the generator duration in FCP. I'm not sure how you use the generator in FCP but from what you describe, you might just need 1 build in marker placed at the very last frame.

Learn about them here

https://support.apple.com/en-nz/guide/motion/motn141bc9de/mac

Edit - I see Luis already replied with this info too.

The duration you set in Motion is “relative”. Let me try to explain: say you make your generator be 10 seconds in Motion, and that you have something (a text, say) appear in the first 5 seconds; then you use it in FCP and drag it to last 20 seconds: then that text will appear for 10 seconds.

Now if you want something to last for a specific amount of time regardless of how long the whole generator is, you need to add specific markers in your Motion project. For example if you add a “build-in” marker 2 seconds into the project then the first section will always last for 2 seconds, no matter how much you extend the generator in FCP timeline.

I will look at your project later today, as I am not at my mac now.

As a quick addition: you can select the generator in FCP timeline, press control-D and type the duration you want, so it matches what you have in Motion. For example type 10. or 1000 and press enter for ten seconds.

It's not pure luck.

Your project is set to a fractional frame rate (29.97). Depending in which kind of project it is used in FCPX will determine how the template behaves with timing, and unless it is exactly the same frame rate, it won't work entirely as expected. Fractional frame rates screw everything up. Period. You can fix this aspect of your project without having to start all over again:

https://fcpxtemplates.com/how-to-fix-fractional-frame-rates-in-templates/

As Luis suggested, on the first frame of your project you should set a Build Out Mandatory marker (select the Project "layer" or click in the Layers List outside of any other object - or Deselect All) if you need to maintain the timing of the Motion animations. However, when using timing markers, if you change the length of your generator in the FCPX storyline, you will effectively change how the template starts and executes in FCPX. You will either cut into the animation (but it will finish out from that point) or it will create a pause frame until the timing can progress to the end. However, in general, this is how you want countdowns to behave.

No project created in Motion should be in a fractional frame rate. [IMO - they shouldn't even be offered... in Motion OR FCPX! (Or AE/Premiere, Resolve, etc. etc... in other words: anywhere, including cameras.)]