Andy Byrne, Co-Founder & CEO of Clari – Interview Series

Andy Byrne brings more than two decades of experience in sales, marketing, business development, and management to his position as CEO of Clari. Prior to Clari, he was part of the founding executive team at Clearwell Systems – Gartner’s highest-ranking e-discovery company – which he helped…

The Real Danger of Language Models: AI-Powered Scams

Imagine this: You’re at work, laser-focused on a tight deadline, when you receive a call from what seems to be your mother’s phone number. The voice on the other end is unmistakably hers, calm and loving, but with an unusual hint of urgency. She tells you…

MHRA pilots ‘AI Airlock’ to accelerate healthcare adoption

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced the selection of five healthcare technologies for its ‘AI Airlock’ scheme. AI Airlock aims to refine the process of regulating AI-driven medical devices and help fast-track their safe introduction to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)…

A new catalyst can turn methane into something useful

Although it is less abundant than carbon dioxide, methane gas contributes disproportionately to global warming because it traps more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, due to its molecular structure.

MIT chemical engineers have now designed a new catalyst that can convert methane into useful polymers, which could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“What to do with methane has been a longstanding problem,” says Michael Strano, the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT and the senior author of the study. “It’s a source of carbon, and we want to keep it out of the atmosphere but also turn it into something useful.”

The new catalyst works at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, which could make it easier and more economical to deploy at sites of methane production, such as power plants and cattle barns.

Daniel Lundberg PhD ’24 and MIT postdoc Jimin Kim are the lead authors of the study, which appears today in Nature Catalysis. Former postdoc Yu-Ming Tu and postdoc Cody Ritt also authors of the paper.

Capturing methane

Methane is produced by bacteria known as methanogens, which are often highly concentrated in landfills, swamps, and other sites of decaying biomass. Agriculture is a major source of methane, and methane gas is also generated as a byproduct of transporting, storing, and burning natural gas. Overall, it is believed to account for about 15 percent of global temperature increases.

At the molecular level, methane is made of a single carbon atom bound to four hydrogen atoms. In theory, this molecule should be a good building block for making useful products such as polymers. However, converting methane to other compounds has proven difficult because getting it to react with other molecules usually requires high temperature and high pressures.

To achieve methane conversion without that input of energy, the MIT team designed a hybrid catalyst with two components: a zeolite and a naturally occurring enzyme. Zeolites are abundant, inexpensive clay-like minerals, and previous work has found that they can be used to catalyze the conversion of methane to carbon dioxide.

In this study, the researchers used a zeolite called iron-modified aluminum silicate, paired with an enzyme called alcohol oxidase. Bacteria, fungi, and plants use this enzyme to oxidize alcohols.

This hybrid catalyst performs a two-step reaction in which zeolite converts methane to methanol, and then the enzyme converts methanol to formaldehyde. That reaction also generates hydrogen peroxide, which is fed back into the zeolite to provide a source of oxygen for the conversion of methane to methanol.

This series of reactions can occur at room temperature and doesn’t require high pressure. The catalyst particles are suspended in water, which can absorb methane from the surrounding air. For future applications, the researchers envision that it could be painted onto surfaces.

“Other systems operate at high temperature and high pressure, and they use hydrogen peroxide, which is an expensive chemical, to drive the methane oxidation. But our enzyme produces hydrogen peroxide from oxygen, so I think our system could be very cost-effective and scalable,” Kim says.

Creating a system that incorporates both enzymes and artificial catalysts is a “smart strategy,” says Damien Debecker, a professor at the Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences at the University of Louvain, Belgium.

“Combining these two families of catalysts is challenging, as they tend to operate in rather distinct operation conditions. By unlocking this constraint and mastering the art of chemo-enzymatic cooperation, hybrid catalysis becomes key-enabling: It opens new perspectives to run complex reaction systems in an intensified way,” says Debecker, who was not involved in the research.

Building polymers

Once formaldehyde is produced, the researchers showed they could use that molecule to generate polymers by adding urea, a nitrogen-containing molecule found in urine. This resin-like polymer, known as urea-formaldehyde, is now used in particle board, textiles and other products.

The researchers envision that this catalyst could be incorporated into pipes used to transport natural gas. Within those pipes, the catalyst could generate a polymer that could act as a sealant to heal cracks in the pipes, which are a common source of methane leakage. The catalyst could also be applied as a film to coat surfaces that are exposed to methane gas, producing polymers that could be collected for use in manufacturing, the researchers say.

Strano’s lab is now working on catalysts that could be used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and combine it with nitrate to produce urea. That urea could then be mixed with the formaldehyde produced by the zeolite-enzyme catalyst to produce urea-formaldehyde.

The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

3 Questions: Community policing in the Global South

The concept of community policing gained wide acclaim in the U.S. when crime dropped drastically during the 1990s. In Chicago, Boston, and elsewhere, police departments established programs to build more local relationships, to better enhance community security. But how well does community policing work in other places? A new multicountry experiment co-led by MIT political scientist Fotini Christia found, perhaps surprisingly, that the policy had no impact in several countries across the Global South, from Africa to South America and Asia.

The results are detailed in a new edited volume, “Crime, Insecurity, and Community Policing: Experiments on Building Trust,” published this week by Cambridge University Press. The editors are Christia, the Ford International Professor of the Social Sciences in MIT’s Department of Political Science, director of the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, and director of the MIT Sociotechnical Systems Research Center; Graeme Blair of the University of California at Los Angeles; and Jeremy M. Weinstein of Stanford University. MIT News talked to Christia about the project.

Q: What is community policing, and how and where did you study it?

A: The general idea is that community policing, actually connecting the police and the community they are serving in direct ways, is very effective. Many of us have celebrated community policing, and we typically think of the 1990s Chicago and Boston experiences, where community policing was implemented and seen as wildly successful in reducing crime rates, gang violence, and homicide. This model has been broadly exported across the world, even though we don’t have much evidence that it works in contexts that have different resource capacities and institutional footprints.

Our study aims to understand if the hype around community policing is justified by measuring the effects of such policies globally, through field experiments, in six different settings in the Global South. In the same way that MIT’s J-PAL develops field experiments about an array of development interventions, we created programs, in cooperation with local governments, about policing. We studied if it works and how, across very diverse settings, including Uganda and Liberia in Africa, Colombia and Brazil in Latin America, and the Philippines and Pakistan in Asia.

The study, and book, is the result of collaborations with many police agencies. We also highlight how one can work with the police to understand and refine police practices and think very intentionally about all the ethical considerations around such collaborations. The researchers designed the interventions alongside six teams of academics who conducted the experiments, so the book also reflects an interesting experiment in how to put together a collaboration like this.

Q: What did you find?

A: What was fascinating was that we found that locally designed community policing interventions did not generate greater trust or cooperation between citizens and the police, and did not reduce crime in the six regions of the Global South where we carried out our research.

We looked at an array of different measures to evaluate the impact, such as changes in crime victimization, perceptions of police, as well as crime reporting, among others, and did not see any reductions in crime, whether measured in administrative data or in victimization surveys.

The null effects were not driven by concerns of police noncompliance with the intervention, crime displacement, or any heterogeneity in effects across sites, including individual experiences with the police.

Sometimes there is a bias against publishing so-called null results. But because we could show that it wasn’t due to methodological concerns, and because we were able to explain how such changes in resource-constrained environments would have to be preceded by structural reforms, the finding has been received as particularly compelling.

Q: Why did community policing not have an impact in these countries?

A: We felt that it was important to analyze why it doesn’t work. In the book, we highlight three challenges. One involves capacity issues: This is the developing world, and there are low-resource issues to begin with, in terms of the programs police can implement.

The second challenge is the principal-agent problem, the fact that the incentives of the police may not align in this case. For example, a station commander and supervisors may not appreciate the importance of adopting community policing, and line officers might not comply. Agency problems within the police are complex when it comes to mechanisms of accountability, and this may undermine the effectiveness of community policing.

A third challenge we highlight is the fact that, to the communities they serve, the police might not seem separate from the actual government. So, it may not be clear if police are seen as independent institutions acting in the best interest of the citizens.

We faced a lot of pushback when we were first presenting our results. The potential benefits of community policing is a story that resonates with many of us; it’s a narrative suggesting that connecting the police to a community has a significant and substantively positive effect. But the outcome didn’t come as a surprise to people from the Global South. They felt the lack of resources, and potential problems about autonomy and nonalignment, were real. 

A new way to create realistic 3D shapes using generative AI

Creating realistic 3D models for applications like virtual reality, filmmaking, and engineering design can be a cumbersome process requiring lots of manual trial and error.

While generative artificial intelligence models for images can streamline artistic processes by enabling creators to produce lifelike 2D images from text prompts, these models are not designed to generate 3D shapes. To bridge the gap, a recently developed technique called Score Distillation leverages 2D image generation models to create 3D shapes, but its output often ends up blurry or cartoonish.

MIT researchers explored the relationships and differences between the algorithms used to generate 2D images and 3D shapes, identifying the root cause of lower-quality 3D models. From there, they crafted a simple fix to Score Distillation, which enables the generation of sharp, high-quality 3D shapes that are closer in quality to the best model-generated 2D images.
 

A rotating robotic bee in color; as a 3D model; and silhouette.
    
Rotating strawberry
These examples show two different 3D rotating objects: a robotic bee and a strawberry. Researchers used text-based generative AI and their new technique to create the 3D objects.

Image: Courtesy of the researchers; MIT News

Some other methods try to fix this problem by retraining or fine-tuning the generative AI model, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

By contrast, the MIT researchers’ technique achieves 3D shape quality on par with or better than these approaches without additional training or complex postprocessing.

Moreover, by identifying the cause of the problem, the researchers have improved mathematical understanding of Score Distillation and related techniques, enabling future work to further improve performance.

“Now we know where we should be heading, which allows us to find more efficient solutions that are faster and higher-quality,” says Artem Lukoianov, an electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate student who is lead author of a paper on this technique. “In the long run, our work can help facilitate the process to be a co-pilot for designers, making it easier to create more realistic 3D shapes.”

Lukoianov’s co-authors are Haitz Sáez de Ocáriz Borde, a graduate student at Oxford University; Kristjan Greenewald, a research scientist in the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab; Vitor Campagnolo Guizilini, a scientist at the Toyota Research Institute; Timur Bagautdinov, a research scientist at Meta; and senior authors Vincent Sitzmann, an assistant professor of EECS at MIT who leads the Scene Representation Group in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Justin Solomon, an associate professor of EECS and leader of the CSAIL Geometric Data Processing Group. The research will be presented at the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems.

From 2D images to 3D shapes

Diffusion models, such as DALL-E, are a type of generative AI model that can produce lifelike images from random noise. To train these models, researchers add noise to images and then teach the model to reverse the process and remove the noise. The models use this learned “denoising” process to create images based on a user’s text prompts.

But diffusion models underperform at directly generating realistic 3D shapes because there are not enough 3D data to train them. To get around this problem, researchers developed a technique called Score Distillation Sampling (SDS) in 2022 that uses a pretrained diffusion model to combine 2D images into a 3D representation.

The technique involves starting with a random 3D representation, rendering a 2D view of a desired object from a random camera angle, adding noise to that image, denoising it with a diffusion model, then optimizing the random 3D representation so it matches the denoised image. These steps are repeated until the desired 3D object is generated.

However, 3D shapes produced this way tend to look blurry or oversaturated.

“This has been a bottleneck for a while. We know the underlying model is capable of doing better, but people didn’t know why this is happening with 3D shapes,” Lukoianov says.

The MIT researchers explored the steps of SDS and identified a mismatch between a formula that forms a key part of the process and its counterpart in 2D diffusion models. The formula tells the model how to update the random representation by adding and removing noise, one step at a time, to make it look more like the desired image.

Since part of this formula involves an equation that is too complex to be solved efficiently, SDS replaces it with randomly sampled noise at each step. The MIT researchers found that this noise leads to blurry or cartoonish 3D shapes.

An approximate answer

Instead of trying to solve this cumbersome formula precisely, the researchers tested approximation techniques until they identified the best one. Rather than randomly sampling the noise term, their approximation technique infers the missing term from the current 3D shape rendering.

“By doing this, as the analysis in the paper predicts, it generates 3D shapes that look sharp and realistic,” he says.

In addition, the researchers increased the resolution of the image rendering and adjusted some model parameters to further boost 3D shape quality.

In the end, they were able to use an off-the-shelf, pretrained image diffusion model to create smooth, realistic-looking 3D shapes without the need for costly retraining. The 3D objects are similarly sharp to those produced using other methods that rely on ad hoc solutions.

“Trying to blindly experiment with different parameters, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but you don’t know why. We know this is the equation we need to solve. Now, this allows us to think of more efficient ways to solve it,” he says.

Because their method relies on a pretrained diffusion model, it inherits the biases and shortcomings of that model, making it prone to hallucinations and other failures. Improving the underlying diffusion model would enhance their process.

In addition to studying the formula to see how they could solve it more effectively, the researchers are interested in exploring how these insights could improve image editing techniques.

This work is funded, in part, by the Toyota Research Institute, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency, the U.S. Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, the Amazon Science Hub, IBM, the U.S. Army Research Office, the CSAIL Future of Data program, the Wistron Corporation, and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Laboratory.

60+ Best Free Final Cut Pro Templates & Presets for Video Editors – Speckyboy

Final Cut Pro is a popular video editing application for macOS for creating high-quality video content. One of the many features that makes Final Cut Pro so popular is the ability to use pre-designed presets and templates.

As powerful as Final Cut Pro is, there is no denying that video editing can be a long, and at times, tedious process. Still, with the right preset or template, you can significantly cut your video editing time while improving the overall quality of your video projects.

The presets and templates can include everything from color grading and visual effects to titles and transitions, making creating a polished and professional video much easier and quicker.

We’ve rounded up the best free presets and templates for Final Cut Pro that you can download and use in your own projects. Check them out below and add them to your video library today.

You might also like our collection of free Apple Motion templates.

Titles Templates for Final Cut Pro

These professionally designed title templates will add a professional touch to your videos and help refine the typography of your storytelling.

Galaxy Battles Title Template for Final Cut Pro

Transport viewers to a galaxy far away with this intergalactic title sequence. Science fiction fans will appreciate the futuristic fonts and warp-speed animations. Use it to make an immediate impact with your videos.

Galaxy Battles Title Template for Final Cut Pro

Digital Text Animations for Final Cut

Give your title a high-tech feel with these glitch-effect animations. Choose from 16 effects ranging from pixelated blurs to characters that break apart. This is a rare animation that feels both retro and futuristic.

Digital Text Animations for Final Cut

Lyrics Video Creator for Final Cut

Lyric videos are an effective way to share music without the expense of a big-budget production. This template makes it easy to create and customize a stylish feature presentation. Independent artists will want to check this one out.

Lyrics Video Creator for Final Cut

Wedding Titles for Final Cut Pro X

This template provides four beautifully designed wedding-themed title panels for your Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Pro X videos. They are fully customizable and available in all popular resolutions.

Wedding Titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Modern Big Titles

This template saves time and money. It includes 30 different title screens for Final Cut Pro and Apple Motion 5. You can easily customize and use them to produce videos in any resolution.

Modern Big Titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Watch in HD FCPX Template

Thanks to this template, you can tell your viewers that they are watching videos in high definition. They invite viewers to watch in HD, state that the videos are in HD, and even denote that your videos are in 4K resolution.

Watch in HD free final cut pro fcpx preset template

7 Final Cut Pro X Titles

This template pack includes both titles and lower thirds for your Final Cut Pro X. With seven different animated titles to choose from, you will find the perfect version for your next video project.

titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Creative Titles for FCPX

These creative title templates are fully customizable and great for social media campaigns or in-house video use. No plugins are required, and they can be viewed up to 4K resolution.

Creative Titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Template Pop FCPX Title Templates

This template is ideal for any Final Cut Pro X video project. It offers 24 high-quality title cards that are easy to customize and impressive to watch in action.

60+ Best Free Final Cut Pro Templates & Presets for Video Editors – Speckyboy

Manifesto Titles for Final Cut Pro

This free template simplifies adding and customizing text. Quickly add high-quality scrolling text for endings, lower thirds, or block text to your next Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro project.

Manifesto Titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Lyric Titles for FCPX

Thanks to these titles, you can easily create a lyric-style titles for your videos. It is perfect for music videos or if you want to add something extra to your logo opener.

Lyric Titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Movie Pop Titles for Final Cut Pro X

Quickly generate titles that resemble your cinematic favorites, such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, or even Assassin’s Creed. This plugin makes it easy to create impactful titles.

Movie Pop Titles free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Transition Packs for Final Cut Pro

From smooth crossfades to dynamic wipes, these presets will add style to your videos. Improve your editing with these free Final Cut Pro transition presets, and ensure your videos flow seamlessly from scene to scene.

Parks & Re-Creation Split-Screen Transitions for FCP

Like the title scene in a similarly named TV show, Parks & Re-Creation is a fun and quirky transition. Showcase multiple videos at once using this clever montage. It’s also easy to customize with multiple drop zones.

Parks & Re-Creation Split-Screen Transitions for FCP

Shatter Transitions for Final Cut Pro

Bring a bit of chaos to your video transitions with this shatter effect. The presentation breaks apart and quickly falls off the screen. It’s an excellent option for action scenes that will keep viewers engaged.

Shatter Transitions for Final Cut Pro

Simple & Modern Final Cut Pro Transitions

Here’s a collection of fun and modern transitions for Final Cut Pro. It features clean, rounded shapes that can travel in multiple directions. A tutorial is included to help you customize the transition to fit your needs.

Simple & Modern Final Cut Pro Transitions

Ink Transition FCPX Templates

These ink transitions add a beautiful touch to any video. The animation is silky smooth and reveals your next scene in style. It’s a professional-grade effect that’s easy to use in your projects.

Ink Transition FCPX Templates

Replicator Transitions for FCPX

Get your videos into shape with this set of replicator transitions. Choose from 14 options that feature geometric shapes. They’re pleasing to the eye and appropriate for all types of videos.

Replicator Transitions for FCPX

Before & After Transitions for Final Cut Pro

Before and after transitions are a handy addition to your video editing toolbox. Use them to show off your products and services. Everything from home renovations to cosmetics can benefit from this set.

Before & After Transitions for Final Cut Pro

Ink Transitions

With this free resource, you can create your own special transitions. Learn a valuable technique, and then you can add the free transitions to any of your Final Cut Pro video projects.

Ink Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Toolkit and Transitions

This transition toolkit gives you all the power to create incredible videos quickly, saving you time and money on your next Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Pro X video.

Toolkit and Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

8 FCPX Transitions

This resource has eight wonderfully created transitions for Final Cut Pro. With these transitions, add a touch of panache and pizzazz to your next video project.

Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

FCPX Zoom Transitions

This set of 50 fully customizable transitions for Final Cut Pro X will save you time and money. They’re easy to use, ready for all resolutions, and will integrate well with your titles.

Zoom Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Flashback Transition

Use this transition to easily incorporate a flashback effect, reminiscent of the old Scooby-Doo cartoons. This creative touch adds a unique flair to your Final Cut Pro video projects.

Flashback Transition free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Glitch Transitions

Using a glitch transition in your video editing has never been easier. This pack includes 90 glitch transitions in 4k resolution. The glitches are easy to use and customizable.

Glitch Transitions final cut pro fcpx preset template

Channel Switch Transition

Do you need to give your video an analog film feel? This is the perfect free resource for you. Recreate the experience of flipping through an old analog television set to add a vintage touch to your Final Cut videos.

Channel Switch Transition free final cut pro fcpx preset template

10 Clean FCPX Transitions

This free resource includes ten clean, easy-to-use transitions for your Final Cut Pro video projects. The transitions are customizable and available in all major resolutions.

10 Clean Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

10 Flat Transitions for Final Cut Pro

This pack offers transitions that add a colorful and modern look to your Final Cut Pro videos. The transitions are smooth and vibrant, with adjustable durations, and are available in all major resolutions.

10 Flat Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

13 Final Cut Pro Transitions

Here are 13 different transitions for your Final Cut Pro video projects. Each transition is customizable and suitable for both personal and commercial use.

13 Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Animated Elements for Final Cut Pro

Improve your videos with smooth transitions, engaging text animations, and powerful visual effects. These free animated presets will help you create professional-quality videos that leave a great impression.

50 Animated Gradient Backgrounds for Final Cut Pro

This preset pack includes 50 color gradients you can use on any Final Cut Pro project. They will be perfect for use as backgrounds, layouts, film burns, or even light leaks.

50 Animated Gradient Backgrounds free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Brightly Animations Explainer Toolkit for Final Cut Pro X

This toolkit for Final Cut Pro and Apple Motion will save you time and energy on your next animated project. You can quickly create, customize, and animate characters to create explainer or educational videos.

Brightly Animations Explainer Toolkit free final cut pro fcpx preset template

50 Animated Icons for Final Cut Pro X

This kit of 50 animated icons is perfect for any Final Cut Pro project. Each icon is fully customizable and easy to use, ensuring your projects have a high-quality, professional look and feel.

50 Animated Icons free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Timecode for Final Cut Pro X

This plugin provides a fully customizable timecode that can be moved beyond the borders of your Final Cut Pro project. It shows everyone involved where the video is on the timeline, whether they’re watching on a second screen or during the editing process.

Timecode free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Splash Animated Elements for Final Cut Pro X

Save time using these hand-drawn, animated splash graphics in your next prject. You can quickly customize colors, add a glowing effect, pixelate them, or even do both for your next Final Cut Pro video.

Splash Animated Elements free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Instagram Stories Template for FCPX

With this plugin, you can quickly create and edit Instagram Story videos. You can change the duration, color, position, fonts, and font sizes. This plugin also has a built-in in-out animation and is available in all popular resolutions.

Instagram Stories free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Text Message Template for FCPX

This plugin allows you to add flavor to your next Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Pro X video. Built to emulate popular social media platforms, it will make your videos come to life with animated text messages, comments, notifications, and more.

Text Message free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Special Effect Templates for Final Cut Pro

Unleash your creativity with these free special effects presets for Final Cut Pro. From exciting particle effects to stunning color grading, these presets will help to transform your footage into something exceptional.

Strobe & Stutter Effect for Final Cut Pro

Enhance the action in your videos with a strobe or stutter effect. The package contains four effects that can be dialed to different frame rates. This ensures a smoother result and a better viewing experience.

Strobe & Stutter Effect for Final Cut Pro

Outline Effect for Final Cut Pro

This effect adds an outline to any video or image with transparency. Customize the look by tweaking the color and thickness of the outline. It’s a fun way to draw attention to objects in your presentation.

Outline Effect for Final Cut Pro

Pan and Zoom Effect

This resource offers a powerful way to execute pan and zooms in your Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro projects. Key features include support for all popular formats and animation syncing.

Pan and Zoom Effect free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Slice Transitions for Final Cut Pro

This resource offers professional-looking sliced transitions, sound effects, and a specialized slice animation for logo reveals.

Slice Transitions free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Feature Overlay Effects

This plugin adds an overlay to your Final Cut Pro projects that works best in collaboration with feature-length films. This plugin adds a header, label, and two different timers for ease of use.

Feature Overlay Effects free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Space Wipes Final Cut Pro Effect

This fantastic free resource is perfect for Star Wars fans. You will have complete control of these transitions. Use the circular or side transition and make your videos one with the force.

Space Wipes free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Binocular & Scope Final Cut Pro Effect

This free effect simulates the view through various binoculars and firearm scopes. From close-ups to night vision, this resource will give your Final Cut Pro videos a cinematic touch.

Binocular Scope free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Fade In & Fade Out Final Cut Pro Effect

This free plugin redefines fade-in and fade-out transitions. Instead of using bulky blocks, it streamlines and customizes the transition as a simple dropped-in effect.

Fade In Fade Out free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Timecode Effects

This free plugin is perfect for collaborative work. It allows you to mark videos with a timestamp and a foot and frame counter. You can customize the frame rates, start and stop frames, and the counter’s color and size.

Timecode Effects free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Logo Reveal Templates for Final Cut Pro

These templates will help show off your logo in a way viewers will remember. Use them in the introduction, ending, or as a transitional piece.

Shape Logo Reveals for Final Cut Pro

The shape logo effects in this template will dress up your brand. The animations are smart and smooth – and viewers will take notice. The template includes two animation types and three shapes.

Shape Logo Reveals for Final Cut Pro

Intro Templates for Final Cut Pro

Create an attention-grabbing intro using one of these easy-to-customize templates. You’ll find unique ways to tell your story and set a tone for the rest of your video project.

Retro VHS Glitch Intro Template for Final Cut Pro

Use this template to bring a retro feel to your videos. The effects are glitchy and uncannily accurate – but with a modern touch. Nostalgic viewers may go running to the attic to fetch their old VCR.

Retro VHS Glitch Intro Template for Final Cut Pro

Newspaper Intro Template FCPX

Announce your news with a classic touch. Your text and images will fit nicely into this newspaper introduction. The presentation is fun, easy to read, and will entertain viewers of all ages.

Newspaper Intro Template FCPX

Slideshow Templates for Final Cut Pro

Slideshow templates let you share multiple photos or videos within a short presentation. The result is an attractive segment that you can use to define your message.

Smooth Letter Slideshow Final Cut Pro Template

Level up your fashion and lifestyle videos with this incredible slideshow template. You’ll find slick transitions, bold colors, and outstanding typography. Best of all, these elements can be changed to match your brand.

Smooth Letter Slideshow Final Cut Pro Template

Bold Slideshow Template for Final Cut

Here’s a professional slideshow template that makes your images and videos look their best. It comes with fun background shapes and transitions to keep viewers engaged. There’s also space to enhance the experience with custom text.

Bold Slideshow Template for Final Cut

Colorful & Creative Web Promotion Slideshow for FCPX

Use this template to create an action-packed promotional video for your business. It’s designed for multi-purpose use and includes plenty of customization options. There are a lot of possibilities here.

Colorful & Creative Web Promotion Slideshow for FCPX

Fashion Type Photo Presentation Final Cut Pro Template

Show off your new product line using this fashion-inspired slideshow template. It looks great and includes aspect ratios for different platforms. You’ll find versions for 4k, mobile devices, and social media platforms.

Fashion Type Photo Presentation Final Cut Pro Template

Sound Effects for Final Cut Pro

Improve the audio experience of your videos with these free sound effect presets for Final Cut Pro. From atmospheric ambiance to impactful explosions, these presets will add depth and realism to your videos.

10 Pro Audio Final Cut Pro Presets

This free resource includes ten powerful audio effects for Final Cut Pro X. Apply the right audio effect to your video project exactly when needed.

10 Pro Audio free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Color & Light Effect Templates for Final Cut Pro

Improve your videos with rich hues, smooth gradients, and dynamic lighting effects. From vibrant color grading to dynamic light flares, these free presets will transform your footage into something exceptional.

Andy’s Gradient Filter for Final Cut Pro

Ditch expensive camera filters to get the color look you need with this free resource. The filter works with Final Cut Pro x, Apple Motion 5, and Adobe Premiere Pro, and makes it easy to get a high-quality aesthetic for all your video projects.

Andy's Gradient Filter free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Opener Templates for Final Cut Pro

These dynamic opener templates for Final Cut Pro will set the tone of your video, capturing the audience’s attention from the start.

Light Leak Opener for Final Cut Pro

Light leak effects are great for adding dynamic flair to your videos. It’s fast-paced, colorful, and modern. This template is the perfect way to grab a viewer’s attention from the opening scene.

Light Leak Opener for Final Cut Pro

Paper Effect Opener FCPX Template

Tear up the screen with this beautifully textured paper effect opener for Final Cut Pro. It features a realistic torn-edge look with bold movement. It’s a unique way to open your presentation with personality.

Paper Effect Opener FCPX Template

Stomp Typography Opener for Final Cut Pro

Bold typography is the calling card for this opening sequence. Combine text with your images and videos to convey a strong message. The effect may be simple, but the result is a video you can’t take your eyes off.

Stomp Typography Opener for Final Cut Pro

Basic & Modern Openers FCPX Templates

Let your creativity flow with this set of 10 opener templates. There are a variety of professional effects to choose from. Each includes a unique reveal effect and smooth animations. A great way to make a strong first impression.

Basic & Modern Openers FCPX Templates

Sport Action Opener Template for Final Cut Pro

This sports action opener is sure to fire up the fans. It features bold typography and unforgettable transitions. It’s a great fit for sports teams, journalists, podcasters, and personal trainers. Use it anywhere people are in motion.

Sport Action Opener Template for Final Cut Pro

Cinematic Opener for Final Cut

This template offers a modern and colorful way to open all your videos. It is perfect for opening title sequences in feature films.

Cinematic Opener free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Rhythmic Final Cut Pro X Opener Template

This rhythmic opener template would be a wonderful addition to your Final Cut Pro X toolbox. It allows you to quickly and easily edit text, color, position, and fonts. It is compatible with 720p or 1080p resolutions.

Rhythmic Opener Template free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Lower Thirds Templates for Final Cut Pro

These lower thirds Final Cut Pro templates blend information and style. Perfect for adding context or highlighting details.

Social Media Lower Thirds FCPX Plugin

Promote your social media accounts with this lower-thirds template. It includes the most popular platforms and uses colorful graphics to draw attention. It’s an easy way to get more likes and followers.

Social Media Lower Thirds FCPX Plugin

Modern 4k Final Cut Lower Thirds

Add colorful effects to your lower-thirds content. You’ll find modern typography combined with interesting shapes and movement. The transitions are top-notch and are sure to impress viewers. Use it to make any production look professional.

Modern 4k Final Cut Lower Thirds

Extensive Lower Thirds Templates for Final Cut Pro X

There are so many possibilities with this lower-thirds template. The options are fast-paced, colorful, and attention-getting. With so many styles to choose from, this suite is one that you’ll use on multiple projects.

Extensive Lower Thirds Templates for Final Cut Pro X

Clean Lower Third Final Cut Pro X Template

Try this template if you want easy-to-use and customizable lower thirds in 1080p for your Final Cut Pro X projects. You can edit the animation and change the duration for each lower third as needed.

Clean Lower Third free final cut pro fcpx preset template

Simple Lower Thirds Template for FCPX

This Final Cut Pro X template provides a simple lower thirds that is quick and easy to use and customize. Adjust the duration, add animation, and use it with up to 4k resolution.

Simple Lower Thirds free final cut pro fcpx preset template

How To Install Final Cut Pro Presets

Here are the steps to install templates, presets, and plugins in Final Cut Pro:

  1. Unzip the downloaded preset folder. Double-click it, and the folder will be unzipped.
  2. Next, select all the presets in the folder and then copy them by pressing Command+C.
  3. Open up Finder and hold down the Option key. Then, go to Go > Library. Once inside the Library folder, go to Application Support > ProApps > Effects Presets.
  4. Paste the preset files into the Effects Presets folder by clicking Command+V.
  5. The last step is to restart Final Cut Pro so you can view and use your newly installed presets.

Final Cut Pro Template FAQs

  • What is Final Cut Pro?

    Final Cut Pro is a video editing application developed by Apple. It’s used for editing and creating professional video content.

  • Why Use Templates in Final Cut Pro?

    Templates make editing faster and easier. They give you a ready-made layout or effect, so you don’t have to start from scratch. This is helpful, especially if you’re short on time or new to video editing.

  • Are These Templates Really Free?

    Yes, the templates are free. You can download and use them without paying anything. Just check their usage rules, as some might have certain conditions.

  • Can Beginners Use These Templates?

    These templates are great for beginners. They’re designed to be easy to use, which helps you learn more about video editing.

  • How Customizable Are These Templates?

    They’re pretty flexible. You can tweak colors, text, and audio to match your project’s style. Each template varies, but generally, there’s a lot you can change to make it your own.

  • Do I Need Final Cut Pro to Use These Templates?

    Yes, you need Final Cut Pro. It’s available for Mac users and can be purchased from the Apple Store. Sometimes, there are free trials available if you want to try it first.
  • Can I Use These Templates for Commercial Projects?

    Many templates are okay for both personal and commercial use. But always read the specific terms for each template, as there might be different rules or restrictions.

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From refugee to MIT graduate student

Mlen-Too Wesley has faded memories of his early childhood in Liberia, but the sharpest one has shaped his life.

Wesley was 4 years old when he and his family boarded a military airplane to flee the West African nation. At the time, the country was embroiled in a 14-year civil war that killed approximately 200,000 people, displaced about 750,000, and starved countless more. When Wesley’s grandmother told him he would enjoy a meal during his flight, Wesley knew his fortune had changed. Yet, his first instinct was to offer his food to the people he left behind.

“I made a decision right then to come back,” Wesley says. “Even as I grew older and spent more time in the United States, I knew I wanted to contribute to Liberia’s future.”

Today, the 38-year-old is committed to empowering Liberians through economic growth. Wesley looked to the MITx MicroMasters program in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP) to achieve that goal. He examined issues such as micro-lending, state capture, and investment in health care in courses such as Foundations of Development Policy, Good Economics for Hard Times, and The Challenges of Global Poverty. Through case studies and research, Wesley discovered that economic incentives can encourage desired behaviors, curb corruption, and empower people.

“I couldn’t connect the dots”

Liberia is marred by corruption. According to Transparency International’s Corruptions Perception Index for 2023, Liberia scored 25 out of 100, with zero signifying the highest level of corruption. Yet, Wesley grew tired of textbooks and undergraduate professors saying that the status of Liberia and other African nations could be blamed entirely on corruption. Even worse, these sources gave Wesley the impression that nothing could be done to improve his native country. The sentiment frustrated him, he says.

“It struck me as flippant to attribute the challenges faced by billions of people to backward behaviors,” says Wesley. “There are several forces, internal and external, that have contributed to Liberia’s condition. If we really examine them, explore why things happened, and define the change we want, we can plot a way forward to a more prosperous future.”  

Driven to examine the economic, political, and social dynamics shaping his homeland and to fulfill his childhood promise, Wesley moved back to Africa in 2013. Over the next 10 years, he merged his interests in entrepreneurship, software development, and economics to better Liberia. He designed a forestry management platform that preserves Liberia’s natural resources, built an online queue for government hospitals to triage patients more effectively, and engineered data visualization tools to support renewable energy initiatives. Yet, to create the impact Wesley wanted, he needed to do more than collect data. He had to analyze and act on it in meaningful ways.

“I couldn’t connect the dots on why things are the way they are,” Wesley says.

“It wasn’t just an academic experience for me”

Wesley knew he needed to dive deeper into data science, and looked to the MicroMasters in DEDP program to help him connect the dots. Established in 2017 by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and MIT Open Learning, the MicroMasters in DEDP program is based on the Nobel Prize-winning work of MIT faculty members Esther Duflo, the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, and Abhijit Banerjee, the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics. Duflo and Banerjee’s research provided an entirely new approach to designing, implementing, and evaluating antipoverty initiatives throughout the world.

The MicroMasters in DEDP program provided the framework Wesley had sought nearly 20 years ago as an undergraduate student. He learned about novel economic incentives that stymied corruption and promoted education.

“It wasn’t just an academic experience for me,” Wesley says. “The classes gave me the tools and the frameworks to analyze my own personal experiences.”

Wesley initially stumbled with the quantitative coursework. Having a demanding career, taking extension courses at another university, and being several years removed from college calculus courses took a toll on him. He had to retake some classes, especially Data Analysis for Social Scientists, several times before he could pass the proctored exam. His persistence paid off. Wesley earned his MicroMasters in DEDP credential in June 2023 and was also admitted into the MIT DEDP master’s program.

“The class twisted my brain in so many different ways,” Wesley says. “The fourth time taking Data Analysis, I began to understand it. I appreciate that MIT did not care that I did poorly on my first try. They cared that over time I understood the material.”

The program’s rigorous mathematics and statistics classes sparked in Wesley a passion for artificial intelligence, especially machine learning and natural language processing. Both provide more powerful ways to extract and interpret data, and Wesley has a special interest in mining qualitative sources for information. He plans to use these tools to compare national development plans over time and among different countries to determine if policymakers are recycling the same words and goals.

Once Wesley earns his master’s degree, he plans to return to Liberia and focus on international development. In the future, he hopes to lead a data-focused organization committed to improving the lives of people in Liberia and the United States.

“Thanks to MIT, I have the knowledge and tools to tackle real-world challenges that traditional economic models often overlook,” Wesley says.