Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 110)

Chapter 8 Navigating and Using Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas 109
II
About Timecode Overlays and Sync Color Coding
In the Viewer, timecode overlays display the source timecode for each clip item. In
the Canvas, timecode overlays provide a powerful way to see the sync relationship
between clip items stacked in multiple tracks. You can see the source timecode track
of each clip item in each track at the current playhead position.
Timecode overlays, like other overlays, don’t appear during playback; you’ll only see
overlays when playback is paused. You can turn timecode overlays on and off
independently in the Viewer and the Canvas.
Timecode overlays are useful in a variety of situations:
 When matching video clips with audio clips that were recorded on separate devices
but with identical timecode, you can use timecode overlays to make sure that both
clips are numerically in sync.
 When you’re searching for a range of media that a client has requested by timecode
numbers, timecode overlays can help you quickly find what you’re looking for.
 If you’re performing complex trimming operations, being able to see the timecode as
you move the playhead in the Timeline can help you figure out the durations and
offsets you need to trim with.
 Timecode overlays can also help you spot-check your sequence when you’re
preparing for EDL (Edit Decision List) output.
Viewing Timecode Overlays
Timecode overlay display is overridden by the Show Overlays command in the View
menu. If you turn on timecode overlays and then turn off Show Overlays (so there is no
checkmark next to it in the View menu), this also turns off the timecode overlays.
To view timecode overlays:
1 Make the Viewer, Canvas, or Timeline active, depending on where you want to see the
timecode overlays.
Note: Overlays in the Viewer can be set independently from those in the Canvas.
2 Choose View > Show Overlays, so there’s a checkmark next to it.
3 Do one of the following:
 Choose View > Show Timecode Overlays.
 Press Option-Z.