How to INSTALL PLUGINS in Final Cut Pro - UPDATED for FCPX 10.4

How to INSTALL PLUGINS in Final Cut Pro - UPDATED for FCPX 10.4

Learn to install custom Titles, Generators, Effects and Transitions in Final Cut Pro 10.4. We’ll take a look at installing custom plugins in FCPX 10.4, both by using the provided installer file if available, and performing a manual install if necessary

Final Cut Pro comes pre-loaded with a great variety of built in Titles, Generators, Effects and Transitions to use in your next project. But, even with all these goods available to use, there is a number of features missing. Fortunately, custom plugins allow you to add these features, or effects to Final Cut Pro, for a more custom and streamlined workflow.

There are two ways of installing Final Cut Pro plugins, depending on the plugin developer has provided. The first install method is an automatic install, used if the plugin comes as a DMG file containing an installer. The second, slightly more complicated method, is a manual install, and is used if the plugin comes as a ZIP file containing a Motion Template. Check out the video below for a complete walkthrough of both of the install methods.

🔹 Automatic Install Method🔹

If you download a plugin as a DMG file containing the installer, the install method is very simple. First, quit Final Cut Pro. Next, double click on the DMG file to open a provided disk image, and accept the license agreement if necessary. A window containing the installer package, and sometimes install instructions will open up.

From here, read the provided instructions, and double click the installer package to begin installation. Follow the on screen instructions, and the new template or plugin will be installed in the proper destination.

🔹Manual Install Method🔹

If your downloaded plugin comes as a ZIP file, containing a Motion Template, the install method is slightly more complicated. First, you have to ensure you have the necessary root folders, with proper formatting to house the templates. Open your computer’s home folder (SHIFT + COMMAND + H), and navigate to the Movies folder. If you see a Motion Templates folder inside your Movies folder, carry onto the next step. If you don’t have a Motion Templates folder, simply create a new folder and name it Motion Templates. Spelling and capitalization is very important, so make sure your folder is named “Motion Templates”. Next, right click on your new folder, and select Get Info. In the Info inspector, add a .localized extension to your folder name and hit Enter. Just like the name, this extension is also very important.

Inside the Motion Templates folder, you need four folders, named Titles, Effects, Generators, and Transitions. All these folders must have exactly these names, and you must add a .localized extension to each folder.

To install your downloaded Motion Template, double click on the ZIP file to unzip it, and drag and drop the plugin folder into one of the four folders in Motion Templates. Make sure to read the info page on the plugin website for directions on the proper destination folder. Sometimes the obvious destination, ie. Transitions folder for Transitions, is not the right place to house your plugin folder. If your transition is built as a Title template, it has to be stored in the titles folder, or it will not function properly in FCPX. This is the most common cause of plugin issue in FCPX. The info page of your plugin should clearly state where the plugin is to be housed.

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[mymindmagnified]

i always come back to this video whenever i forget how to do this! straight to the point and really easy to understand!

[austinlupercio]

couldn't explain it any simpler than this! thank you

[dandionne]

Finally, simple explanation that works for 10.4. Thank you

[blackprezmusic]

this just saved me. for some reason I did not have the ".localized" on the folders. Thats why it was never showing up in my plug ins. thanks!

[rockchocula]

Fantastic video and solution to a very 'un apple' type of problem. Great work Serge!

[TBD.]

Another ACE have Bret's Outliner plugin and I'm glad you recommended it in one of your videos that's the reason why I purchased it money well invested.
Thank you Serge.

[rodthewad]

Mate, you're a legend! I've been trying to install Ryan's 'Smooth Transitions' plug-ins without success. Low and behold, it's the same set at the end of your vid. I followed your advice and sure enough it's been sitting in titles all along. New sub here now!

[AnaGabrielaTrujillo]

Thanks for the After 3 hours of doing other stuff, with yours finally worked.👌🏻

[Kiran.Morjaria]

This was really helpful, like everyone else I was missing the .localized!

[geekcrossing]

Rare to find tutorial videos this good. Thanks!

[letsrememberthis]

Well done! Thanks you so much. I'm currently trouble-shooting a FCPX project, and an Apple advisor had leed me through the removal of some third-party plug-ins. Unfortunately they were off the line before I could ask how to put them back IN! Your tutorial was perfect.

[jimhart]

Thank you Serge! Great video. I was going nuts!

[adarshkumar]

Thank you so much I stress for hours trying to fix my plugins Rare to find tutorial videos this good. Thanks!

[MafiBeelove]

Thank you so much for this video. I spent two days trying to figure out how this works!!

[BoeyBear]

Simply explained and to the point - very helpful indeed. Thank you! 💛

[garudasomanna]

Thanks for this lovely tutorial. I am deeply impressed with the superb control you have over the video and audio you have displayed in bringing out this video! Great stuff. Stay blessed by blessing others! Have a nice day:)

[ComputerClan]

Thanks for reminding me about the “.localized” part. No wonder it wasn’t working earlier, haha.

[jossha]

yo thank you! just bought a new Mac and was having trouble making my old plugins work! blessings!

[XricheeX]

THANKYOU MUCH IT FINNNNALLLYYY WORKED AFTER 3 HOURS. I did everything correct instead of looking in the description of the product where it said to install in titles even though its an effect,

[hayleybedits]

Bless you! I needed so many plugins for a work project and now I have them :)