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Tip #1426: Create a Stand-Alone Still Frame

… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1426: Create a Stand-Alone Still Frame

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Stand-alone still frames are highly flexible separate pieces of media.

A still frame on the layer above the Primary Storyline.

Topic $TipTopic

One of the more helpful hidden features in Final Cut Pro is creating a stand-alone still frame. Most of the time, a hold frame (Shift + H) works fine.

But, when you need to create a separate piece of media that can be moved anywhere and trimmed to any length, still frames are the best choice. I use these constantly when I’m editing my webinars. Here’s how to create them.

NOTE: Be warned. Unlike a hold frame, still frames are separate media, meaning they are easy to move out of sync.

There are two options:

  1. Edit the still frame into the Primary Storyline, at the position of the playhead.
  2. Edit the still frame into a higher layer, at the position of the playhead.

To create a still frame and edit it into the Primary Storyline at the position of the playhead:

  • Put the playhead on the frame you want to freeze.
  • Type Option + F.
  • A still frame appears, with a duration equal to the still image duration set in Preferences > Editing > Still Image.

To create a still frame and edit it onto a higher layer at the position of the playhead:

  • Select the clip you want to create the still frame from.
  • Put the playhead on the frame you want to freeze.
  • Type Shift + F. This creates a match frame in the Browser.
  • Type Option + F. This edits the frame into position

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