Only part of Motion Generator showing up in FCP

Question

Only part of Motion Generator showing up in FCP

Hi there Everyone!

It's been awhile...let's see if I can describe my issue correctly. I made an extremely simple Motion Generator (no animation even...yet) of a keyboard and published it to FCP. Everything looks PERFECT in Motion...but in Final Cut all I can see is part of it. The numbers in the first two rows don't show at all. Yet when I hover over it in the Browser I can see the numbers are there. But the minute I take my hand off the mouse they disappear again. It's the craziest thing and I can't figure out why for the life of me!?

Anyone have any ideas? I'll post the screenshot from Final Cut and I'll open up one of the Groups (lots of layers) that don't show up in Final Cut. Thanks!

[Edited by Moderator]

Mac Studio, macOS 15.5

Posted on Oct 3, 2025 1:30 PM

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Answer 1

fox_m

Level 6

13,226 points

Oct 3, 2025 4:42 PM in response to Creator_needs_help

I don't know if this will work, but try turning off "Editable in FCP" for all the characters. Without seeing the entire layer layout, it's difficult to tell if there might be another issue.

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Answer 2

fox_m

Level 6

13,226 points

Oct 3, 2025 9:00 PM in response to Creator_needs_help

Another thing you can try is to group all the text letters used for the keys, then (K)Clone the group. If that doesn't work, export the key characters arrangement as a PNG and use that instead of the clone. I recommend saving a copy of the project *just* for the key characters arrangement, then you can delete those from your Generator.

Is anything you're working with 3D Text?

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Answer 3

Oct 10, 2025 7:18 PM in response to Creator_needs_help

Hey Fox...

I did the PNG and it works great. I didn't even know you could do that in Motion! I searched for it and found out how to do it. Every time I talk to you I learn at least 1 new thing I never knew before. I saw you mentioned to post the Generator. The one in Motion, before I cloned the layer or after?

If you are busy, it's all good. I really have what I wanted and I can continue with my project. While it didn't exactly give me any understanding about what happened, it works nonetheless. So, thank you for that! :)

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Answer 4

fox_m

Level 6

13,226 points

Oct 6, 2025 1:51 PM in response to Creator_needs_help

Take the clone layer and solo it — then export it as a transparent PNG. Duplicate the project, delete all the "keys" text layers and add the png to the project.

Also, post the generator — I'll take a look at it.

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Answer 5

BenB

Level 6

13,142 points

Oct 4, 2025 5:42 AM in response to Creator_needs_help

Could it be that section is only in a later part of the project in Motion, and doesn't start from the very beginning?

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Answer 6

fox_m

Level 6

13,226 points

Oct 10, 2025 8:38 PM in response to Creator_needs_help

Post the version before cloning the layer -- I'll "catch up" to your process once I have a look at it.

The truth is — I don't really know why using the PNG works better, but it was what I had to do to make a similar project work.

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Answer 7

Oct 3, 2025 6:35 PM in response to fox_m

Hi Fox :)

I did try that...no go. I also tried changing the font - idk just because. That did not help either. Please let me know what I can send you to help or if because there are so many layers it would just be easier for me to scrap this project and try again...

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Answer 8

Oct 6, 2025 1:39 PM in response to BenB

Hi BenB - That was a good idea, so I went in and checked. But it was all ok.

And Fox, I tried moving all the text (two ways-one with just the text that didn't show and again with all the text) into a new group and cloning it...didn't work. This is seriously such a mystery to me - that the bottom row is perfect and then that the top rows show when the mouse is hovered over the thumbnail in the browser, but not otherwise (in FCP). I haven't tried the PNG "hack" yet, but I'm certain that will definitely work. I need to move on so I won't bother you all for more troubleshooting. I'll just chalk it up to one of those "FCP things" 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have a paid membership for people I can go to for help, but honestly? None of them are as helpful (or as quick to respond!) as you guys are. As always let me just express my gratitude for always coming to my rescue. Thank you!!

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Answer 9

Oct 11, 2025 10:58 AM in response to fox_m

Well, I have to say it's oddly comforting that you had the same problem and this was the fix.

Here's the Motion Generator. Again, it was a super simple thing. That's why I was so surprised when it didn't work. I've done "harder" things than this and those worked great.

Whenever you have time Fox. Seriously, you gave me the fix and that's what I needed. So, if you don't have the time - it's all good. And I have to confess I'm not sure how to post the Motion Generator/Project here for you to look at anyways... :)

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Answer 10

Oct 3, 2025 9:33 PM in response to fox_m

Let me try all that tomorrow :) And no, none of the text is 3D.

Thanks Fox!

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