Compound clip only shows default background when title background is used

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Level 1

22 points

Compound clip only shows default background when title background is used

I've created a title in Motion. When I use the title in Final Cut Pro X, all is well until I make a compound clip. The compound clip in the timeline now shows the title's default background.

To reproduce the effect, create a new title project in Motion. Leave everything at the default settings, but enable the title background. Save the title. In FCPX, put the title on a clip in the timeline. Observe that the clip in the timeline is drawn as a film strip, showing the content of the clip. Now select the clip and the title, and turn it into a compound clip. Observe that in the timeline you can no longer see the content of the clip. Rather, the film strip shows the default title background.

Is there anything I can do to get the film strip to show the content on the compound clip?

FCPX 11.1.1

Motion 5.10

MacOS Sequoia 15.5

Posted on Aug 16, 2025 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

fox_m

Level 6

13,226 points

Aug 16, 2025 4:24 PM in response to Ron Pieket

It seems to me that this might be a "feature"... maybe it's just me, but I find it useful to be able to "see" which titles may be used inside a compound clip without having to go inside it.

You can look at the "filmstrip" in the storyline and see which titles have been applied (at least those that are "on top" in the "layers" setup.)

Shown: two titles over an image in a Compound Clip

The default background (if used) for Titles is very vague (a field with mountains in the background, as the one on the left in the image). However you can create custom thumbnails easily enough — just create a 16:9 image that represents your "brand" and drag'n'drop it on this (free) application:

https://fcpxtemplates.com/make-template-thumbnails/

Then drop the "large.png" and "small.png" images produced (they will be created in the same directory as the original artwork) into your Template's folder (accept to replace the originals). (Instructions on the download page.)

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