# startTime(forEffect:) Provides the start time for the effect. ``` func startTime(forEffect startTime: UnsafeMutablePointer!) ``` ## Parameters `startTime` The start time of the effect, expressed in `CMTime`. ## Discussion In Motion, this is the time the effect starts relative to timeline time, but in Final Cut Pro this is the time the effect starts relative to the input object’s native start time. For example, if an object’s head is trimmed by 2 seconds and the effect starts at the head of the template, then `-startTimeForEffect:` will return 2 seconds. This value changes when the user retimes the clip in Final Cut Pro, so a 200-percent increase in speed halves the start time to 1 second. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)