Get Creative with FCPX: Top 10 Free Plugin Essentials

Top 10 Free Plugins You Should Know for Final Cut Pro X

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

“How do I get plugins for Final Cut Pro X?”

Let’s explain to you first that each plugin for an application expands its capability. Thus, we are here to discuss awesome FCPX plugins. You probably know already that Final Cut Pro X is on plugins if you wish to do some cool stuff over there. For instance, Final Cut Pro plugins can improve color grading or add some cool effects into the video as the editor itself doesn’t contain many tools to do efficient work.

So, let’s dive deep into the article and know the best free Final Cut Pro plugins as follows!

In case your plugins not working, you may want to see How to Fix Plugins Not Working in Final Cut Pro X?

Part 1: Top 10 Free Plugins for Final Cut Pro X

As we all know, Final Cut Pro X or Final Cut Pro is an incredible motion graphics or video editing platform by Apple Inc., based upon the usage of extra plugins. And, the best Final Cut Pro plugins are available for free, as discussed below.

1 Alex 4D

Let’s keep the Alex 4D as one of the top free Final Cut Pro plugins that will offer you some cool tools, including Feature Overlays, cropping tools, and so on. It is an ideal plugin if you are more in overlay film production. The Switch Channel is one of their noticeable functions, and the transition effect simulates analog TV channels.

2 Stupid Raisins

You should once check out Stupid Raisins to experience the top and free Final Cut Pro Plugins. However, the site also offers some premium plugins worth considering. The Stupid Raisins provides three sample packs, including the Template Pop, Sign Pop, and Panel Pop. The Template Pop offers animated titles, Sign Pop offers animated icons, and Panel Pop offers custom Final Cut Pro X transitions.

3 Color Finale 2.0

Want to improve color grading? Check out this free Color Finale 2.0 Final Cut Pro X plugin. The plugin offers a whole new preset of color grading tools to make your video look genuinely cinematic. You can make the retro look, add emulations, or use integrated masks to apply color grading at different parts into your video. Click the Free Trial tab to enjoy this free plugin.

4 Movie Pop

The Movie Pop is there to recreate title sequences of footage in a more efficient manner. Thus, you can easily choose some of your favorite movie clips and add them as title sequences with this plugin’s help. However, this free plugin is only significant for adding title sequences and doesn’t contain other tools. Well, you can easily create movie titles like Harry Potter, Assassin’s Creed, and Star Wars with this free Final Cut Pro plugin.

5 Adjustment Layers

The Adjustment Layers is among other best free FCPX plugins. It is the must-have plugin if you use the feature of adjustment layers as in Photoshop or After Effects. It attempts to experience this feature with the help of a title generator. With this plugin, you can change the position, scale, and tons of other effects in your footage.

6 mLut

mLut is also a great tool for color grading essentials. However, this awesome plugin is for free use by Motion VFX with features that are especially accessible for beginners. So, you can easily download LUT files with this plugin and use them further in your video projects. And, the results will come out as cinematic color grading without any hassle.

7 Neat Video’s Noise Removal

Neat Video’s Noise Removal plugin will remove those unwanted film grains and image noise from the footage. This free Final Cut Pro plugin effectively removes the color aberrations and noise from the footage.

8 mCamRig

The Automatic Camera Animation plugin, i.e., mCamRig, is another excellent FCPX plugin. This plugin eliminates the difficult keyframing concept that you have to follow to adjust different camera angles and movements. On the other hand, the use of a plugin helps add these movements to an intuitive workflow.

9 Shutterstock

You can add Shutterstock’s plugin to use royalty-free videos and images from the platform. Using a plugin facilitates the user to automate adding images via a simple drag and drop feature. Thus, it’s highly ideal if you want to go for automation.

10 mVertical Video Adjustment

Have you taken any vertical shots? If yes, you can use them in your video footage without including that blank space. You can even select up to three backgrounds with the plugin, namely the mirror, scale, and copy. Also, it is super convenient to adjust the size of footage and other background parameters.

Not enough? Ok, maybe you should try Filmora, a popular editor for beginners as well as pros. You can always find up-to-date effects you want! Click to have a try.

Part 2: How to Add Plugins to Final Cut Pro X

The first step for installing any plugin is to get out of Final Cut Pro X if you have it open. You can refer to the steps below to install various kinds of Final Cut Pro X plugins.

Step 1: Download the Plugin

Go to your favorite site of plugins and search for tools. Here, we are referring to download the transition tools. Click the Add to Cart tab as shown in the image below.

You will get its download in the form of a zip folder, which you have to unzip for sure.

Here, we have downloaded two transitions contained within one folder.

Step 2: Copy and Paste the Plugin

Now, you need to copy the plugin by right-clicking the entire folder, as shown below.

Afterward, find the Final Cut Pro X in Applications folder from the Finder tab. Right-click the Final Cut Pro X and hit the Show Package Content option.

Then go to Contents > Plugins > Media Providers > Motion Effects.fxp > Contents > Resources > Templates > Transitions.

Paste the item in the Transition folder as shown below.

Finally, there is one last step you need to do with the original files of the transition plugin.

Hit the first transition from the folder that you have just pasted. And, rename the white file that is the actual transition plugin with extension .motr. You are required to do the same thing with other transitions’ folders.

Step 3: Find Your Transitions Plugin in Final Cut Pro X

Now, open the Final Cut Pro X and head to the Transitions folder. Here, you can see your installed plugin - SRG Luma Fade in both black and white transitions.

You’re good to go now with your installed plugin and enjoy unique transitions.

Conclusion

Thus, these were the steps of plugin installation and top 10 free Final Cut Pro X plugins with their respective uses. Let us know your favorite plugin and read an astonishing fact about that plugin from us!

See more free luts for FCPX here.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

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