Final Cut Pro is powerful editing software capable of handling even the most complex video projects. However, compared to programs like Premiere Pro, the titles, transitions, and various control panels might feel limiting. Luckily, there are a wealth of native Final Cut Pro plugins that you can download and install to expand your editing capabilities. Today, Motion Array will walk you through some available plugins, and how to install and use them.
Summary
What is a native Final Cut Pro plugin?
You can download Final Cut Pro plugins for most functions, including titles, color effects, transitions, and generators. Native plugins are brilliant because they work in the same way as built-in effects and monitors directly from within the program. By using plugins, you can expand your editing capabilities and enjoy more advanced titles and transition animations.
Part 1: Top 17 Final Cut Pro plugins for editors
There are many Final Cut Pro plugins available online to download. The best part is some of them are free, so you can try them out at no cost. Here are Motion Array’s favorite Final Cut Pro templates and plugins to help you get the most out of the software and improve your editing.
1. Final Cut Pro Plugins and Templates
Motion Array offers hundreds of Final Cut Pro templates and plugins. The range of plugins features everything you want, including transitions, effects, titles, and more. You get access to it all with just one subscription, too! You can check out the full range below.
Download Final Cut Pro Plugins Now
2. Free mVertigo
Easily create cool dolly zoom effects or visual distortions in your videos with this fantastic plugin by MotionVFX. With 4 different options, you can adjust the settings with the on-screen controls and unlock automatic vertigo animations.
3. Free XEffects Matrix Plugin
If you want to create the iconic digital green cascading character effect from The Matrix trilogy, you could do it from scratch. Or grab this Final Cut Pro plugin and save a lot of time and effort! Enter your main title text and adjust its color, density, speed, and position. The plugin will build the characters automatically.
Download Free XEffects Matrix Plugin Now
4. Free Motion Blur Plugin
The Motion Blur plugin by Final Cut Pro plugin guru Ryan Nangle is a simple template plugin that adds motion blur to a video. This plugin is ideal for adding an extra layer of realistic or cinematic blurry motion to subjects in your shots. Not only does this look good as an effect, but it can also help merge footage realistically.
Download Free Motion Blur Plugin Now
5. Free mVertical
If you’ve ever shot an awesome clip on your smartphone and hated yourself for shooting it vertically, this Final Cut Pro plugin will save the day. mVertical allows you to easily add clip-referenced backgrounds to vertical footage. It works with any video of any size and has a range of background settings, including adding tints, opacity, and blur.
6. Free XEffects Video Conference
This pack of 3 plugins for 4-, 9-, and 16-way splits emulates an online video chat or meeting. It’s a great drag-and-drop option that you add directly to your media. The plugin will do the rest.
Download Free XEffects Video Conference Now
7. Free DataPop
Stupid Raisins offers a range of free and paid Final Cut Pro plugins, but DataPop might be their most handy. The plugin gives you 4 animated charts: Pie, Ring, Bar horizontal, and Bar vertical. Drag and drop them to the timeline as you would any title, fill in the chart settings, and the plugin will create an animated version of your chart. You also have complete control over the titles, tags, colors, and background. This is excellent for more academic and professional video editing and presentations.
8. Track X
Track X is a useful plugin that offers tracking functionality you might otherwise need to rely on After Effects or Motion to produce. The cost-effective pack gives you 6 ways to track objects in your shot. This lets you follow motion with text or graphics, and even replace green screens and objects with movement.
9. Loudness Meter
Youlean’s Loudness Meter identifies the loudest parts of audio tracks and brings them within broadcast and streaming limits. This Final Cut Pro plugin prevents loss of quality or ineligibility for platforms due to their varying regulations and legal standards. The Loudness Meter may not be the fanciest plugin on this list, but it’s a valuable tool to have.
Download Free Loudness Meter Now
10. 360 Degrees
If you’re working with spherical video, you need this plugin. The 360 Degrees pack contains 26 Final Cut Pro X plugins, 3 of which are free. The effects can be used to highlight, blur, enlarge, or stylize parts of your spherical video footage to help draw the viewer’s attention. You’re also able to add titles or overlay other spherical videos, which can be replicated around the sphere.
11. Skin Smoother 2
The Skin Smoother 2 by FCP Effects does what its name suggests. Like popular social media photo apps such as Facetune, this plugin allows you to smooth out your subject’s face (but with much more precision.) The intuitive controls allow you to select specific skin areas and fine-tune the blur without affecting other facial features.
12. Noise Removal
This amazing noise-removal plugin from Neat Video makes grainy footage a thing of the past. Every editor has shot footage in low light with a visible grain. Sometimes, it just can’t be helped! Rather than tossing those shots to the cutting-room floor, the Noise Removal Final Cut Pro plugin lets you build a grain profile for your video and fine-tune the removal.
13. mFilmLook
mFilmLook is a color correction and grading tool with over 60 cinematic presets. Behind each one is a range of customizable settings which, combined with Final Cut Pro’s color functions, gives you ultimate control over color grading. This Final Cut Pro template and plugin is a must-have if you’re editing narrative films or music videos.
14. Ghosting Effect Plugin
If you want to jazz up timelapse video clips, the free Ghosting Effect plugin is what you need. This Final Cut Pro plugin ‘ghosts’ frames of your stock footage across the clip to create a stylish, blurring effect on any movement.
Download Ghosting Effect Plugin Now
15. 3D Perspective Plugin 2
You may expect to need After Effects or Apple Motion to create a 3D perspective animation for an in-screen clip or graphic. Fortunately, the 3D Perspective plugin for Final Cut Pro X makes animating your clips — with or without keyframes — fun and straightforward. The plugin comes with a range of settings, including ease options and gradient blurring.
Download 3D Perspective Plugin 2 Now
16. Safe Guides
Safe Guides is another not-so-glamorous plugin, but it’s 100% free and you’ll definitely use it. As the name suggests, the Safe Guides plugin gives you a range of options for on-screen grids and guidelines. These are useful for the ‘rule of three’ when editing. Use this Final Cut Pro plugin to ensure text and graphics are fully on-screen or that elements are aligned correctly.
Part 2: How to use plugins for Final Cut Pro
There are lots of Final Cut Pro plugins available, and it’s easy to get lost in all the exciting potential. Luckily, you can build your collection as you’d like. Once you’ve found a plugin you want, you’ll need to install it before you can get to editing. You’ll first need to close your Final Cut Pro project to do this. This ensures no corruption or errors occur during installation.
Step 1: Install your plugin
Most plugins and Final Cut Pro templates will come with installation instructions. However, here’s a quick guide to getting started if they don’t:
- Open up two Finder windows. In the first, go to your Downloads folder and open the .zip file you downloaded.
- Go to your Applications folder in the second Finder window and find Final Cut Pro.
- Right-click on the Final Cut Pro icon and select Show Package Contents.
- Click on the following folders in order: Contents > Plugins > Media Providers > MotionEffect.fxp > Contents > Resources > Templates.
- You now have 4 folders to choose from — namely, Generators, Titles, Effects, and Transitions.
- Click on the folder that matches the plugin you’ve downloaded. For example, if it’s a title plugin, choose Titles.
- Go to your first Finder window and copy (Cmd + C) the plugin file.
- Go to the second Finder window and paste (Cmd + V) the effect into the new folder.
You can see this in action in the video below.
Step 2: Edit with your plugin
Since you’ve added the plugin file to the correct folder, your plugin should appear in the matching panel within Final Cut Pro.
- Launch Final Cut Pro and open or set up your Project.
- Go to the panel associated with the folder you added the plugin to.
- Find Effect, Title, Transition, or Generator using the search bar.
- Drag and drop to your timeline or clip, like any other Final Cut Pro effect.
- Select the effect settings in the timeline and go to the Effects Control panel to change them.
Again, this video will help if you’re struggling.
So, that’s Motion Array’s guide to Final Cut Pro plugins. Some options we’ve discussed allow you to create fresh looks for your videos, while others will boost your technical proficiency. Whatever you use your Final Cut Pro plugins for, you’ll impress your audience with your new skills.
