PSD Layers Don’t Show in FCP 6 – Pulling my hair out!

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Leland,
Being the PS files RGB is difficult for me to figure out why they do not open in FC.
You may try exporting the files as TIFF instead of PSD.
TIFF is a format for graphics interchange, while PSD is a native file format. Using TIFF is always more recommendable.
Cheers,
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Leland Parker]

I tried .tiff format (and 8-bit vs. 16 bit and .dv format). Still nothing! I told you I was running low on hair! Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Arnie Schlissel]

If you have a separate alpha channel, delete it.

If this .psd was made on a windows computer, open it in Photoshop and do “Save As” and overwrite it.

Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/

[Dennis Leppell]

My guess? The psd was likely created in windows. You need to open it on a mac, resave it, and then import THAT file into FCP.

[Leland Parker]

Thanks to all who have and will reply, but PLEASE read the original post carefully. PSD file was created on MacBook running Leopard.

[Neil Sadwelkar]

I’ve seen the exact same problem too. In general it happens with Windows created PSDs… hang on, I HAVE read your post carefully.

But I’ve noticed that of late its happening on Mac saved PSDs as well. In fact it happens even in Photoshop on the same system as FCP.

I had solved it some time ago, but can’t recall exactly how. As a hint, there’s something about ‘Maximise compatibility’ when saving in Photoshop. I think that has something to do with this.

There are two Apple support docs on this…
https://support.apple.com/kb/TS2703
https://support.apple.com/kb/TS2321

There are other threads on the Cow that refer to this (and other) such issues
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/200/881792
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/939238#939276

Although this is not a solution, I’ve completely switched to Pixelmator instead of Photoshop. Haven’t tested it lately, but Pixelmator Photoshop files seemed to behave in FCP as far as I remember.

———————————–
Neil Sadwelkar
neilsadwelkar.blogspot.com
twitter: fcpguru
FCP Editor, Edit systems consultant
Mumbai India

[Neil Sadwelkar]

One workaround if the number of layers isn’t too many is to make multiple copies of the Photoshop file and in each keep only one layer. Now save each as a TGA with alpha. Then import all into FCP and use them as layers.

Also, I just checked, Pixelmator made Photoshop files also import as one layer only (FCP 6.0.6)

So something seems broken with Photoshop and FCP. I don’t know about FCP 7, though.

———————————–
Neil Sadwelkar
neilsadwelkar.blogspot.com
twitter: fcpguru
FCP Editor, Edit systems consultant
Mumbai India

[Kevin Monahan]

Are they CMYK?

Kevin Monahan
http://www.fcpworld.com
Author – Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro

[Leland Parker]

First, thank you so much for your well informed post!

Regretfully, the posts on Apple’s site relate to things I’ve already checked (as stated in my post) I did use max-compatibility, and I am on a mac.

I did think about your work around (which is a great idea) but we’re looking at this being an on-going, 10-files-with-4-5-layers-each every week in-perpetuity… so I’m hoping there’s simpler solution.

What I think I’d like to do next is send the test file to someone else who has same spec machine as my editor.

[Rafael Amador]

Hi leland,
Are you working with FC 6.0.0?
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com