White Line is Red in Final Cut Pro? 3 QUICK Solutions

In Final Cut Pro, a red dragline on a clip or range indicates that it's been marked as rejected. This visual cue helps you quickly identify and separate the clips you don't want to use in your project. To mark a clip as rejected, select it and press the Delete key or choose Mark > Reject. By default, rejected clips are hidden, but you can view them by selecting All Clips from the Filter pop-up menu. If you change your mind about a clip, you can unmark it by selecting it and choosing Mark > Unrate. The red dragline is not an indicator of a problem with your project or clip, but a handy feature to streamline your editing process.

September 30, 2023
White Line is Red in Final Cut Pro? 3 QUICK Solutions
"Video editors relying on templates lack genuine skill and creativity."

What do you think? Submit your opinion to see what others have to say!

"It's Like Video Editing On Steroids!"
- Sebastian Navarro, FreeVisuals Editor
Endorsed by Adobe, Motion Array is the ULTIMATE tool for creating high-quality videos! Browse 15M+ assets for Premiere Pro, After Effects, FCPX & DaVinci!

Why is Dragline Red in Final Cut Pro?

If you've been using Final Cut Pro for a while, you might have noticed that sometimes the dragline turns red. This can be a bit puzzling, especially if you're still getting the hang of the software.

In Final Cut Pro, lines appear on clips and ranges in the browser to help you see at a glance if they're marked as favorite or rejected, have keywords applied, or are being used in the current project. The color of the line indicates the type of marker.

A red line indicates that you've marked a clip as rejected. This is a handy feature that allows you to quickly identify and separate the clips you don't want to use in your project. It's a simple yet effective way to organize your clips and streamline your editing process.

How to Mark a Clip as Rejected

Marking a clip as rejected is a straightforward process. Simply select the clip or range in the browser that you want to reject. Then, press the Delete key or choose Mark > Reject (or press the shortcut key 'R'). The clip or range is marked as rejected, and a red line appears across the top of the clip or range in the browser. If you're unsure about how to select clips, you might find this guide on how to cut in Final Cut Pro useful.

How to View Rejected Clips

By default, rejected clips are hidden in the browser. However, you can choose to view them if you want. To do this, click the Filter pop-up menu in the top-right corner of the browser and choose All Clips. All clips, including those marked as rejected, appear in the browser. Rejected clips are dimmed and have a red line across the top. If you're having trouble finding the Filter pop-up menu, this guide on how to undo in Final Cut Pro might help.

How to Unmark a Rejected Clip

Changed your mind about a clip? No problem. You can easily unmark a rejected clip. To do this, select the rejected clip or range in the browser. Then, choose Mark > Unrate (or press the shortcut key 'U'). The red line disappears from the clip or range in the browser, and the clip is no longer marked as rejected.

Red Dragline: A Sign of an Issue?

Now, you might be wondering if a red dragline indicates a problem with your project. The answer is no. The red dragline is simply a visual cue that helps you identify rejected clips. It doesn't mean there's an issue with your project, the clip itself or two clips if they're joined.

However, if you're experiencing issues with Final Cut Pro, such as unexpected behavior or performance problems, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take. These include restarting your Mac, disconnecting external devices, checking the Final Cut Pro documentation, updating Final Cut Pro, verifying the installation of Pro Video Formats, checking media and device compatibility, and resetting Final Cut Pro preferences.