Developer Digital Heaven has released two new freeware plugins usable with Final Cut Pro X as well as Motion 5. DH_GridX generates a grid with up to 30 horizontal and vertical divisions, intended for aligning visual elements. Grids support different line colors and widths, custom area sizes, and independently-set divisions.
The second plugin, DH_WideSafeX, creates 4:3, 14:9 and 16:9 action and title safe areas in 16:9 projects. Digital Heaven remarks that while FCPX will display standard safe areas, these don’t show markings for 16:9 video reformatted to 4:3 or 14:9, which may be important for broadcast. The software supports NTSC and PAL, and HD resolutions up to the 4K level.
DH_GridX and DH_WideSafeX can be downloaded through the Digital Heaven website. A registration with the site is required. The company has also made the original DH_WideSafe free. Meant for FCP 4 through 7, the plugin previously cost $29.
