Where Does Motion Store Templates and Libraries?
Motion keeps templates in Movies Motion Templates on Mac, with custom library objects, autosave vault and retiming cache nearby.
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Motion spreads its data across Movies, Library and Containers with Apple docs for each. Templates nest by type in Movies with project and preview files inside. Custom objects take the support tree as molo files. Autosave and retiming cache fill Containers.
In-Library Final Cut storage complicates moves by consolidating Motion content inside libraries. Set storage before copying between machines. Third-party plugins register outside fixed paths per vendor installers.
Where Motion stores this, by platform
~/Movies/Motion Templates
Template trees by type with category and theme nesting, each holding project plus preview and media folders. Share by mirroring the structure on target machines. In-Library variants need consolidating first.
~/Library/Application Support/Motion/Library
Custom molo objects with favorites example plus autosave vault and retiming cache under Containers. Third-party plugins register per vendor without fixed paths.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Motion templates?
Copy ~/Movies/Motion Templates with its Effects, Generators, Titles, Transitions and Compositions trees. Each template nests by type, category and theme with project plus preview files. In-Library Final Cut storage needs consolidating first.
Where are Motion custom objects?
Find .molo files under Application Support Motion Library with favorites as an example child. Third-party FxPlug versions register through the plugin system rather than fixed folders. Autosave vaults sit separately in Containers or Movies.
Where is the Motion retiming cache?
Check the Containers retiming cache default with in-folder and custom alternatives in settings. Optical Flow caching fills that tree fast. Point it alongside source media or custom spots when disks run thin.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.