NLE Mac / Final Cut questions from 2003

Ken Tanaka · February 13th, 2003, 05:37 PM

Steve,
I've only tried this maneuver once and only with a short clip, so I'm not an expert on it. (It didn't really look that good, at least on my clip.)

But I think you may have to work within a primary sequence and not a nested sequence. That is, put a clip onto V1, apply d.i. to, say, the upper field. Then drop the same clip directly onto V2 and apply the d.i. to it's opposite field. Nested sequences are referentially linked. Perhaps make a scratch copy of your original sequence for the experiment.

Clayton Farr · February 13th, 2003, 05:53 PM

Hi Steve,

Good news, there is a very simple fix/missing step: option-double click the nested sequence within the timeline to open it in the viewer as a clip (and to modify filter properties.)

HTH,
Clayton

Matt Stahley · February 13th, 2003, 06:25 PM

Steve
you should look into the Joes filters plugin set for FCP. it has a field blending filter which will give u the same effect but only one video track is needed no need to stack 2 tracks and deinterlace each one plus its a faster render as well and i pesonally think it looks better . Why not just shoot in frame mode on the canons and save rendering time????

Vic Owen · February 13th, 2003, 07:51 PM

That should do it -- I'll take a look when I get back to the editing lab.

Probably a silly question, but I'm presuming that you had SAM turned-on for capture? It doesn't work after the fact.

Vic Owen · February 13th, 2003, 07:58 PM

Not on that, but OS-10.2.4 is out. Now, who is going to be the first one to screw-up their current project? (Ken...?)

Adrian Seah · February 13th, 2003, 08:13 PM

yep, I always leave it on... I've even changed the default to 'sync adjust for movies over 4 mins'... doesn't seem to have any effect though... very weird indeed.

Brian Pink · February 13th, 2003, 08:42 PM

i updated! but i haven't loaded my current project. if i have problems, i will report back. too wrapped up in the new survivor season at the moment! :D

Ken Tanaka · February 13th, 2003, 08:58 PM

I've only heard a few rumors (integrated 24p, more emphasis on RT) but nothing really authoritative. Jeff D. has probably heard a few tidbits. I expect it will be introduced at NAB or perhaps a bit earlier. Apple is an amazingly, and admirably, tight-lipped operation.

Jeff Donald · February 13th, 2003, 10:36 PM

FCP 4 was originally due in late December or January. The release has been pushed back until NAB or maybe the week before. The big rumor is Real Time Effects. By real time, I mean, effects will play from the timeline with no rendering. This will probably not work with many older machines. In fact, it may require Dual Processor 1gigs or better. But still just rumors. Enhancements for 24p(a) are a given. FCP should be able to use AE plug-ins again.

I've installed 10.2.4 and have run several old FCP 3.0.4 projects and all seems well. probably too early to say for sure. I quickly visited Apples FCP discussions and no one was complaining.

I've noticed an overall speed increase in my system (but I'm running an older machine, Dual 450). It has improved some printing problems I had. I'm going to try some different captures with my XL1 this weekend and see if there are any problems. I mention this because the FireWire drivers in Jaguar have not been as robust as prior versions of OS X or OS 9.x.x FireWire improvements are specifically mentioned in this update.

Bill Markel · February 14th, 2003, 07:52 AM

Hello all,

Does anyone know where the stock motion
menu graphics and audio clips reside on the
hard drive in iDVD 2? The audio clips are WAY
too loud, and I was thinking of importing the file
into FCP, adjusting to the audio levels of my
project and then dropping the file back into the
DVD project.

I would compose and record my own menu
music, but since I moved, I haven't gotten the
studio set up yet.

I'm using 10.2 and FCP 3.0.4.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

Simon Plissi · February 14th, 2003, 10:24 AM

- Right/Control Click on iDVD and select Show Package Contents
- Open Contents folder then Resources
- Right/Control Click on a theme file (.theme file) and select Show Package Contents
- Open Contents folder then Resources
- Aiff file inside

Bill Markel · February 14th, 2003, 10:31 AM

Simon,

Thanks!! That's exactly what I was looking for.

Bill

Linc Kesler · February 14th, 2003, 08:41 PM

I'm sure this question has been dealt with before, but I didn't turn up an answer in a quick search. I've exported a single frame, as per the FCP3 manual instructions, but the result, rendered as 720 x480, looks a bit squashed. Am I right in thinking that the 4:3 aspect ratio of the original would be duplicated by 720 x 540, and is that the reason for the squashed look? If so, why is the export done this way, and is there anything I can do to correct it? If I import the still into iDVD, for instance, it comes in letterboxed, having been now reset into a 4:3 frame. Of course, there's always the possibility I'm just doing it all wrong . . .

Thanks for any help,
Linc Kesler

Jeff Donald · February 16th, 2003, 08:23 AM

How you treat your FCP still file depends on what your final destination is and what you need to do to the file (adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness etc.) and what software you're using. The problem comes from some programs or formats using rectangular pixels vs. other using square pixels. Do you have Photoshop? If not get it. It is the standard for image manipulation and all tutorials are based on using Photoshop.

You basically need to resize the image (remember, Photoshop and computers use square pixels) to eliminate the stretched look. The image needs to be changed to 720 pixels wide by 534 pixels high, resolution 72 dpi. The basic multiplier works out to be around 1.11 (480 x 1.11) or .9 for the reverse (534 x .9). Photoshop allows you to resize it exactly the way you want (Image>Image size>change dimensions). You will need to uncheck Constrain Proportions then set to show pixels. Input your adjustments and make sure the dpi is 72.

Rob Lohman · February 16th, 2003, 03:02 PM

Some more information etc. can be found in this thread and this one.

February 13th, 2003, 05:37 PM	#136
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Steve, I've only tried this maneuver once and only with a short clip, so I'm not an expert on it. (It didn't really look that good, at least on my clip.) But I think you may have to work within a primary sequence and not a nested sequence. That is, put a clip onto V1, apply d.i. to, say, the upper field. Then drop the same clip directly onto V2 and apply the d.i. to it's opposite field. Nested sequences are referentially linked. Perhaps make a scratch copy of your original sequence for the experiment. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 13th, 2003, 07:51 PM	#139
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	That should do it -- I'll take a look when I get back to the editing lab. Probably a silly question, but I'm presuming that you had SAM turned-on for capture? It doesn't work after the fact. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

February 13th, 2003, 07:58 PM	#140
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	Not on that, but OS-10.2.4 is out. Now, who is going to be the first one to screw-up their current project? (Ken...?) __________________ -- Vic Owen --

February 13th, 2003, 08:42 PM	#142
Brian Pink Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	i updated! but i haven't loaded my current project. if i have problems, i will report back. too wrapped up in the new survivor season at the moment! :D __________________ This is the way the world ends.

February 13th, 2003, 08:58 PM	#143
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I've only heard a few rumors (integrated 24p, more emphasis on RT) but nothing really authoritative. Jeff D. has probably heard a few tidbits. I expect it will be introduced at NAB or perhaps a bit earlier. Apple is an amazingly, and admirably, tight-lipped operation. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 13th, 2003, 05:53 PM	#137
Clayton Farr Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 94	Hi Steve, Good news, there is a very simple fix/missing step: option-double click the nested sequence within the timeline to open it in the viewer as a clip (and to modify filter properties.) HTH, Clayton

February 13th, 2003, 06:25 PM	#138
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	Steve you should look into the Joes filters plugin set for FCP. it has a field blending filter which will give u the same effect but only one video track is needed no need to stack 2 tracks and deinterlace each one plus its a faster render as well and i pesonally think it looks better . Why not just shoot in frame mode on the canons and save rendering time????

February 13th, 2003, 08:13 PM	#141
Adrian Seah Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 87	yep, I always leave it on... I've even changed the default to 'sync adjust for movies over 4 mins'... doesn't seem to have any effect though... very weird indeed.

February 13th, 2003, 10:36 PM	#144
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	FCP 4 was originally due in late December or January. The release has been pushed back until NAB or maybe the week before. The big rumor is Real Time Effects. By real time, I mean, effects will play from the timeline with no rendering. This will probably not work with many older machines. In fact, it may require Dual Processor 1gigs or better. But still just rumors. Enhancements for 24p(a) are a given. FCP should be able to use AE plug-ins again. I've installed 10.2.4 and have run several old FCP 3.0.4 projects and all seems well. probably too early to say for sure. I quickly visited Apples FCP discussions and no one was complaining. I've noticed an overall speed increase in my system (but I'm running an older machine, Dual 450). It has improved some printing problems I had. I'm going to try some different captures with my XL1 this weekend and see if there are any problems. I mention this because the FireWire drivers in Jaguar have not been as robust as prior versions of OS X or OS 9.x.x FireWire improvements are specifically mentioned in this update. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 14th, 2003, 07:52 AM	#145
Bill Markel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sicklerville, NJ Posts: 59	iDVD 2 Question Hello all, Does anyone know where the stock motion menu graphics and audio clips reside on the hard drive in iDVD 2? The audio clips are WAY too loud, and I was thinking of importing the file into FCP, adjusting to the audio levels of my project and then dropping the file back into the DVD project. I would compose and record my own menu music, but since I moved, I haven't gotten the studio set up yet. I'm using 10.2 and FCP 3.0.4. Thanks in advance, Bill

February 14th, 2003, 10:24 AM	#146
Simon Plissi Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 105	- Right/Control Click on iDVD and select Show Package Contents - Open Contents folder then Resources - Right/Control Click on a theme file (.theme file) and select Show Package Contents - Open Contents folder then Resources - Aiff file inside

February 14th, 2003, 10:31 AM	#147
Bill Markel Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sicklerville, NJ Posts: 59	Simon, Thanks!! That's exactly what I was looking for. Bill

February 14th, 2003, 08:41 PM	#148
Linc Kesler Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 65	exporting a frame as a still I'm sure this question has been dealt with before, but I didn't turn up an answer in a quick search. I've exported a single frame, as per the FCP3 manual instructions, but the result, rendered as 720 x480, looks a bit squashed. Am I right in thinking that the 4:3 aspect ratio of the original would be duplicated by 720 x 540, and is that the reason for the squashed look? If so, why is the export done this way, and is there anything I can do to correct it? If I import the still into iDVD, for instance, it comes in letterboxed, having been now reset into a 4:3 frame. Of course, there's always the possibility I'm just doing it all wrong . . . Thanks for any help, Linc Kesler

February 16th, 2003, 08:23 AM	#149
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	How you treat your FCP still file depends on what your final destination is and what you need to do to the file (adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness etc.) and what software you're using. The problem comes from some programs or formats using rectangular pixels vs. other using square pixels. Do you have Photoshop? If not get it. It is the standard for image manipulation and all tutorials are based on using Photoshop. You basically need to resize the image (remember, Photoshop and computers use square pixels) to eliminate the stretched look. The image needs to be changed to 720 pixels wide by 534 pixels high, resolution 72 dpi. The basic multiplier works out to be around 1.11 (480 x 1.11) or .9 for the reverse (534 x .9). Photoshop allows you to resize it exactly the way you want (Image>Image size>change dimensions). You will need to uncheck Constrain Proportions then set to show pixels. Input your adjustments and make sure the dpi is 72. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 16th, 2003, 03:02 PM	#150
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Some more information etc. can be found in this thread and this one. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors