What is a Generator in Final Cut Pro

Generators are video and graphic elements built into Final Cut Pro. 

Generators can be used full screen or scaled for frame sizes like standard definition up to 4K. 

Our YouTube guy Reggie shows you 5 generators and how they are used in Final Cut Pro. 

360° 

360° generator is used in 360° projects to avoid seams, unwanted distortions and other imagery. They are also used to complement the depth, lighting, and shading of 3D text in a standard project.

Here’s how to use the 360° generator in Final Cut Pro!

1. Open the Generators button in Final Cut Pro.
2. Click the Generators button in the top-left corner of the Final Cut Pro window
3. Select the 360° category below Generators in the sidebar and drag it to your timeline. 
4. Customize color, gradients and parameters.
5. All done!

Backgrounds 

Animated full-screen backgrounds are used for creating intro, extro and infographics.

Here’s how to use backgrounds in Final Cut Pro!

1. Go to the top-left corner of the Final Cut Pro window.
2. Select and click the Titles and Generators button.
3. You can choose to browse all categories or a single category in the Generator’s browser. Then, double-click the background of your choice. 
4. Use your playhead to drag the background onto your timeline.
5. Go to your general inspector.
6. Choose your parameters like particle, speed, or scale.
7. Get creative!

Elements

They come in a variety of specialty shapes for solving specific issues and are also useful for creating countdowns and timers. Stars, circles and squares are also in the mix.

Here’s how to use elements in Final Cut Pro!

1. Click on Counting.
2. Go to your Published Parameters.
3. Choose your category from the pop-up menu.
4. Select Number, Currency, Percent, Scientific, Spell Out, Binary or Hexadecimal.
5. Choose the speed and duration of your clip.
6. Remember, combine speed and duration with starting and ending numbers.
7. If you choose to count UP, your Start number must be lower than the End. If you choose to count DOWN, the End number must be lower than the Start.
8. All done!

Solids

You’d probably think that Solids are lame but they can be used creatively. 

For example, Custom creates a full-screen solid color of the shade you like – just include the red, green and blue values and you’re good to go. What’s more awesome? They can be keyframed to change over time.

Select various shades of gray on the Grey Scale. You can do this in 10% increments.

There are seven shades offered in Pastel and you can spice things up by adding effects from the Effects Browser. You can add noise, pixelate the shade, create a vignette or even tweak opacity using the Video Inspector.

Textures

This is Reggie’s personal favorite to bring texts or visuals to life. 

Textures come in Fabric, Gradient, Grunge, Industrial, Metal, Natural, Paper, Pinstripes, Retro, Stars, Stone and Wood.

Here’s how to use Textures in Final Cut Pro!

1. Choose your Texture type.
2. Select Tint color and amount.
3. All done! 

You can do amazing stuff using generators. You just have to play with it and let your

creativity shine.

Let me know if you need any help or have any questions.

Happy editing!

Dylan