# :icon-play: Getting Started

There are two ways to use *Curves* in the timeline:

1. Animate a single clip by applying Curves as an effect.
2. Animate multiple clips by applying Curves to an adjustment clip.

### Animating a single clip

Before you can apply Curves to a clip, if the clip is smaller than the project
dimensions, you need to turn it into a **compound clip**.

!!! Compound Clips
Right click a clip, select "New Compound Clip", and give it any name.
!!!

<video autoplay loop muted playsinline>
   <source src="/static/usage/make_compound.mp4"/>
</video>
<p/>

This is because in Final Cut, plugins are forbidden from moving objects outside
of their original size. So if your clip is smaller than the project dimensions,
trying to use Curves to move it will result in the clip being cut off.

Since compound clips are always exactly the same size as the project, Curves
can move a compound clip to any position on the screen.

<div style="display: flex; gap: 20px;">
   <div style="text-align:center;">
      <video width="300px" autoplay loop muted playsinline>
         <source src="/static/usage/no.mp4"/>
      </video>
      <div><i>Regular Clip ❌</i></div>
   </div>

   <div style="text-align:center;">
      <video width="300px" autoplay loop muted playsinline>
         <source src="/static/usage/yes.mp4"/>
      </video>
      <div><i>Compound Clip ✅</i></div>
   </div>
</div>
<p/>

After making your clip a compound clip, drag the Curves effect from the effects
browser and apply it to your compound clip.

<video autoplay loop muted playsinline>
   <source src="/static/usage/apply_single.mp4"/>
</video>
<p/>

You can also combine multiple clips into one compound clip and animate that.
Select your clips, create a new compound clip, and apply Curves as an effect.

<video autoplay loop muted playsinline>
   <source src="/static/usage/many_compound.mp4"/>
</video>
<p/>

If your clip is the same size as your project (for example, a full-screen video
clip), you can apply Curves directly to it without first turning it into a
compound clip.

See more about compound clips in the [Final Cut Pro
Documentation](https://support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/intro-to-compound-clips-verbbd3496b/mac).

### Animating multiple clips at once

You can use an adjustment clip to apply the same Curves animation to multiple
clips at once without joining them into a compound clip. Since adjustment clips
are always the same size as the project, you don't need to convert individual
clips into compound clips when using an adjustment clip.

!!! Adjustment Clips
Add an Adjustment Clip with Edit -> Add Adjustment Clip.
!!!

<video autoplay loop muted playsinline>
   <source src="/static/usage/adjustment_clip.mp4"/>
</video>
<p/>

Adjustment clips require Final Cut Pro 11.1 or newer. See more about adjustment
clips in the [Final Cut Pro
Documentation](https://support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/add-adjustment-clips-verfda63436e/12.0/mac/15.6).