Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 1199)

Important: Final Cut Pro composite modes work in conjunction with a clip’s Opacity
parameter. The composite mode you select determines how the color values of one clip
interact with those in the clip beneath it. Additional changes made to a clip’s opacity can
lighten or intensify this effect.
Normal composite mode,
with the opacity of the
top clip at 50 percent
Applying Composite Modes to Clips
Applying different composite modes to layered clips in a sequence is easy. The main
thing to remember is that composite modes affect the interaction between one layered
clip and whichever clip is underneath it in the sequence. Clips that are above a layered
clip using a composite mode are unaffected.
To apply a composite mode to a clip in your sequence
1 With two layered clips edited into your sequence, select the topmost clip in the Timeline.
2 Choose Modify > Composite Mode, then choose a composite mode.
See “Composite Modes in Final Cut Pro” for information on the different modes.
3 Move the playhead over these two clips to see the interaction between the two clips in
the Canvas.
In this example, the
Screen composite mode
is on the upper of two
clips; the opacity of both
clips is 100 percent.
You can quickly view or change a clip’s composite mode while working in the Timeline.
This provides a fast alternative to choosing a different composite mode from the Modify
menu.
1199 Chapter 71 Compositing and Layering