Need Help! Squished PSD Files in Final Cut at DVinfo.net

Jamie Baughman · July 22nd, 2011, 11:31 PM

Hi there folks,

I'm doing a project now and for the first time I'm using photoshop to create graphics. I usually use Live Type but have been asked by a client to use PSD. I've uploaded a psd file and it looks like I'm using an incorrect aspect ration or something in my psd file setup. Any ideas? I also brought up the sequence settings in hopes that someone could recommend the proper settings in photoshop.

Thanks

Bill Davis · July 22nd, 2011, 11:38 PM

Do a web search on "non-square pixels" and read up.

That should help you get the aspect ratio correct when importing from square to non-square pixel environments.

Jamie Baughman · July 23rd, 2011, 09:56 AM

Thanks Bill,

Should have known! Something strange though...not sure if you can shed any light.

Here's what's happening now.

1) Create psd with pixel aspect ratio
2) Create psd
3) import into final cut
4) All good so far
5) Since the content varies little from slide to slide, I "save as" in psd and create a new slide
6) Insert that slide into final cut and I'm back to squished.

Any thoughts?

Bill Davis · July 31st, 2011, 03:52 PM

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.

I don't do my graphics in PshP unless I'm forced by client work flows.

Nothing at all against the Photoshop, it's rich reputation is well-deserved, it's just gotten too big, cumbersome, and EXPENSIVE for me to keep up with - and most of my graphics come from art directors who are the Photoshop "pros" in the content chain I normally work with.

I typically use OmniGraffle or GraphicsConverter for the graphics manipulation I require, since they're both VERY robust, well supported programs (if much, much less "feature rich") at a small FRACTION of the cost of the big Adobe program and "suites."

If I see "pixel squishing" on the import of anything, I just stretch to compensate (typically in GC) and go about my work. The ratios are readily available on the net.

Simple as that.

Paul E. Coleman · August 7th, 2011, 09:16 AM

Check both the PS > "Save As" settings, maybe something's changed there on export. And sometimes FCP resizes things to fit your sequence. Once in the sequence, open the clip in the viewer and check that the: motion tab > distort > Aspect Ratio settings haven't magically changed.

If you have the liberty of starting from scratch, and you didn't already... use a preset template in PS for Film video that matches your sequence settings: square pixels, 0.9 sized pixels, etc.

July 22nd, 2011, 11:31 PM	#1
Jamie Baughman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 180	Need Help! Squished PSD Files in Final Cut Hi there folks, I'm doing a project now and for the first time I'm using photoshop to create graphics. I usually use Live Type but have been asked by a client to use PSD. I've uploaded a psd file and it looks like I'm using an incorrect aspect ration or something in my psd file setup. Any ideas? I also brought up the sequence settings in hopes that someone could recommend the proper settings in photoshop. Thanks __________________ Jamie Baughman

July 22nd, 2011, 11:38 PM	#2
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: Need Help! Squished PSD Files in Final Cut Do a web search on "non-square pixels" and read up. That should help you get the aspect ratio correct when importing from square to non-square pixel environments. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

July 23rd, 2011, 09:56 AM	#3
Jamie Baughman Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 180	Re: Need Help! Squished PSD Files in Final Cut Thanks Bill, Should have known! Something strange though...not sure if you can shed any light. Here's what's happening now. 1) Create psd with pixel aspect ratio 2) Create psd 3) import into final cut 4) All good so far 5) Since the content varies little from slide to slide, I "save as" in psd and create a new slide 6) Insert that slide into final cut and I'm back to squished. Any thoughts? __________________ Jamie Baughman

July 31st, 2011, 03:52 PM	#4
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	Re: Need Help! Squished PSD Files in Final Cut Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I don't do my graphics in PshP unless I'm forced by client work flows. Nothing at all against the Photoshop, it's rich reputation is well-deserved, it's just gotten too big, cumbersome, and EXPENSIVE for me to keep up with - and most of my graphics come from art directors who are the Photoshop "pros" in the content chain I normally work with. I typically use OmniGraffle or GraphicsConverter for the graphics manipulation I require, since they're both VERY robust, well supported programs (if much, much less "feature rich") at a small FRACTION of the cost of the big Adobe program and "suites." If I see "pixel squishing" on the import of anything, I just stretch to compensate (typically in GC) and go about my work. The ratios are readily available on the net. Simple as that. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

August 7th, 2011, 09:16 AM	#5
Paul E. Coleman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 42º 12' N, 72º 32' W Posts: 88	Re: Need Help! Squished PSD Files in Final Cut Check both the PS > "Save As" settings, maybe something's changed there on export. And sometimes FCP resizes things to fit your sequence. Once in the sequence, open the clip in the viewer and check that the: motion tab > distort > Aspect Ratio settings haven't magically changed. If you have the liberty of starting from scratch, and you didn't already... use a preset template in PS for Film video that matches your sequence settings: square pixels, 0.9 sized pixels, etc.