Can I merge lower thirds and text clips???

[Tom Wolsky]

You could merge them by nesting the text elements into a sequence. I’d just leave it on two tracks. Yes, it’ll still maintain the alpha information.

[Paul01]

thanks for the quick answer. by nesting do ou mean creating a new sequence and merging from there? i am so confused. i am an assistant editor and was hoping to hand over clips that the editor could just cut into the sequence…

[Kevin Monahan]

You simply select the items you want to nest and type Option + C. They then collapes into a single unit and appear as a sequence inside your timeline and Browser. If you want to use these as a “template”, you’ll have to Duplicate the nest, then change the items inside the nest, such as new names, etc. Do not Copy/Paste them, duplicate them–or else ALL your nests change.

Personally, I build lower thirds using cropped color mattes and Title 3D–then nest them. I like to be able to have a drop shadow playing onto the color matte.

Hopefully, this makes sense to you. Otherwise, you might try reading up on nesting in the manual. I also wrote a book which explains it succinctly.

Kevin Monahan
Author – Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro
fcpworld.com

[Paul01]

thank you very much, i will try the cropped matte and text, it sounds better for what i am doing… i will defenitly look into your book too.