plugin: video-editing updated: 2026-01-20

Apple Final Cut Pro XML (FCPXML)

Production-ready patterns for generating FCPXML projects compatible with Final Cut Pro 10.4+.

FCPXML Version Compatibility

FCP Version	FCPXML Version	Key Features
10.4+	1.8+	Compound clips, roles
10.5+	1.9	Enhanced color
10.6+	1.10	HDR support
10.7+	1.11	Object tracking

Recommendation: Use version 1.9 for broad compatibility.

Basic Project Structure

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE fcpxml>

<fcpxml version="1.9">
    <resources>
        <!-- Media references -->
        <format id="r1" name="FFVideoFormat1080p24"
                frameDuration="1/24s" width="1920" height="1080"/>

        <asset id="a1" name="clip1" src="file://{ABSOLUTE_PATH}/clip1.mov"
               start="0s" duration="120s" hasVideo="1" hasAudio="1">
            <media-rep kind="original-media" src="file://{ABSOLUTE_PATH}/clip1.mov"/>
        </asset>
    </resources>

    <library location="file://{USER_MOVIES}/MyLibrary.fcpbundle/">
        <event name="Event 2024-01-15">
            <project name="My Project">
                <sequence format="r1" duration="300s">
                    <spine>
                        <!-- Timeline clips go here -->
                    </spine>
                </sequence>
            </project>
        </event>
    </library>
</fcpxml>

Key Elements Reference

Format Definition

Define the timeline format (resolution, frame rate):

<!-- 1080p @ 24fps -->
<format id="r1" name="FFVideoFormat1080p24"
        frameDuration="1/24s" width="1920" height="1080"/>

<!-- 4K @ 30fps -->
<format id="r2" name="FFVideoFormat4KUHD30p"
        frameDuration="1001/30000s" width="3840" height="2160"/>

<!-- 1080p @ 29.97fps (NTSC) -->
<format id="r3" name="FFVideoFormat1080p2997"
        frameDuration="1001/30000s" width="1920" height="1080"/>

Asset De...