Ok, after rendering the clip, I now have the audio! Thank you again.

Thanks. Have used the first suggestion in the past and was worried that too much was lost in the conversion. Will look into the other two suggestions.

Help! Someone tell me what software to get for 3D modeling!!!
 

Hi,

I've just bought a g5 with FCP HD and all that comes with it. For some reason, I assumed it came bundled with some type of 3D object creation and mapping software. (Well, really it does, but you have to know programming to do that in LiveType). I need to be able to create simple objects like jigsaw puzzle pieces and map them with with video footage and the like. I fiddled with Graphic Coverter, but don't think it will do quite that.

Can someone suggest a good 3D graphics package that doesn't get me into Lord of the Rings type effects? Things like motion are 2 grand etc. !!!!! Right now all I need is basic object creation and mapping that I can import into FCP HD. Not sure if After FX does this (don't have it). I figured there has to be something out there under $500 bucks. I'd like to be able to do impressive 3D stuff for like industrial videos and news broadcast looking stuff. I figured that Motion would do these things . . . but unfortunately I need something this week. If common programs like Photoshop can do this, please let me know, and perhaps a bit on how to do it.

Thanks!

Will do, thanks!

For cheap 3D I suggest you check out Cinema4D. Alot of motion graphics folk use this for their 3D work and then combine it with programs like After Effects.

If you are doing puzzle pieces that need to explode outward or combine to create a complete image, there is a plug-in that comes with After Effects (pro) called Shatter that will do what you want.

My 3D program of choice (for now) is LightWave from NewTek.

Motion - when it is released from Apple - will not do 3D, rather it is a cheap compositing program that only costs $299, not 2K.

As a last resort, you could always hire a freelancer to do the work for you.

Cheers

Maybe it's more involved than you want, but I have been using Strata 3d on the Mac ever since 1995 or thereabouts, it's one of the oldest ones out there. Cost is a little more than what you want though, about $700. However you can download a free trial version that is fully functional for 30 days, so maybe that's a way to get your project done for nothing? http://shop.strata.com

you can also take a peep at this very basic package... 3D Invigorator.

xml exporting
 

I exported a project as xml on my G5 and would like to import it to my G4. Do I just transfer the xml file or are there other folders to transfer as well, like clips.

Don't overlook Cararra Studio ( http://www.eovia.com ). This is a nice full-featured 3d animation and modeling studio with good all-around performance and features. It also runs on both MAC and PC platforms. Not "real expensive" for what you get.

live MPEG-2 encoding
 

Soon I will be working on a project that requires numerous 1 hour sessions to be taped to miniDV, burned to DVD, and recorded to VHS. The intention is to use one continuous shot without cuts or further editing (of course, we'll see how this goes). Generally, this process will include many stages - record to miniDV, capture to computer, encode to MPEG-2, burn DVD, record VHS. I would like to make this production as efficient as possible by accomplishing as many tasks at one time as I can.

At this point, I plan to record to miniDV (camcorder), capture to iMovie (firewire), and maybe even VHS (analog out), all at once. That would knock out a lot of time, leaving only the MPEG-2 encoding stage and DVD burning. If possible, I'd like to incorporate the encoding stage into the initial record/capture. My plan would be to use a live/realtime MPEG-2 encoder (firewire or analog out) that would replace the need for iMovie. Unfortunately, I don't know much about live MPEG-2 capture and encoding or if it is even worth using for this production.

Are there any low-cost (< $500), software or hardware based applications available?
Is there a better, more efficient way of accomplishing this? maybe with a stand-alone dvd recorder?

FCP4: Cross Dissolves and Audio
 

In FCP4, how do you set cross dissolve to a "default" time setting, so i don't have to keep changing the time i want?
(I've been using 00:00:00;15, i belive, nice and quick)

Also, in Audio Mixer, how can you change all the audio of all (or most) of your clips so you can lower or raise them to a desired level, without have to do it clip, by clip?

Inserting clip w/ FCP
 

What's the easiest option for sandwiching a clip between two clips on the timeline without overwriting the clips?

Nevermind, I already figured it out - FCP beginner here...

Open the Dissolve folder in the Video Transitions folder.
Copy the Cross Dissolve transition to the Favorites folder.
Open the Favorites folder.
Change the name of the cross dissolve copy to something you like.
Double click on the Length value and change the length of the transition to :15.
Put the cursor over the name of your new 15 frame cross dissolve.
Hold down the control key as you click on the name.
Select "Set Default Transition" from the popup.

help me please
 

Ok heres the deal.
I just shot a 50th birthday party on a gl2 and an xl1s. Now i am going to capture the tapes to my powerbook (final cut pro hd). so i am trying to capture from my gl2 to my computer, but when i go under the capture mode on final cut and it seems to capture fine for about 5 seconds, then it just stops, and on the lcd on the gl2 i get a pause triangle logo in the corner, it looks like the logo you get in the top right corner when you pause your tape in vcr mode, but it is reversed with the pause logo then the triangle. anyways if anyone can help me so that i can capture the tape that would be great, thank you.

alex

Do your tapes have time code breaks or did you reuse them? Try capturing after changing your preferences to not stop on TC breaks.

what FCP are you using?

lets us know what you figured out please, because thats all this forum about!

rendering
we should write poems about it
its the most powerful computerprograms can do
actually its the only work they do
without you
you do the rest

advise

don't render too fast
you have more time to do....

Whats the biggest external disk at the moment available?

Oh I just dragged the clip from the viewer to the canvas, and when you hold down the mouse it gives you options to insert it. It will insert the clip where the playhead is placed in the timeline, so I had the playhead between the two clips that I wanted to place my clip between.

I think it's still 1TB. One Terabyte.

http://www.jigsaw24.com/proddesc.asp?ITEM=X325AGA

But you can get it cheaper,

Jake

I am using final cut pro hd. thanks for the help so far, ill give it a try.

I'm using the 400 GB model. It's great to have the capability of simultaneous capture on my PowerBook - DV in on FW400 and out to the Big Disk on FW800.

The unit is still new to me, but functioning well so far.

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Hanlon : Open the Dissolve folder in the Video Transitions folder.
Copy the Cross Dissolve transition to the Favorites folder.
Open the Favorites folder.
Change the name of the cross dissolve copy to something you like.
Double click on the Length value and change the length of the transition to :15.
Put the cursor over the name of your new 15 frame cross dissolve.
Hold down the control key as you click on the name.
Select "Set Default Transition" from the popup. -->>>
I do it, but i can't get it to "stick".
When i got back and check it, it says 1 second again.

Hmmmm. I tried the steps I listed before I responded.

When setting the length of the cross dissolve copy you put in the Favorites folder (step 5 in my list), make sure you click on the value in the Length column in the Browser window and set the new length (15 frames in this case). Double clicking on the transition and altering the length in the Viewer doesn't work.

When you say you can't get it to stick, which "it" do you mean?

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Hanlon : Hmmmm. I tried the steps I listed before I responded.

When setting the length of the cross dissolve copy you put in the Favorites folder (step 5 in my list), make sure you click on the value in the Length column in the Browser window and set the new length (15 frames in this case). Double clicking on the transition and altering the length in the Viewer doesn't work.

When you say you can't get it to stick, which "it" do you mean? -->>>
I did it another way. I did a dissolve in the timeline, then changed it's duration, i right clicked and hit copy, then i just pasted it in the favorites folder, and set it to default favorites, works now.

slowing down video - not very good results
 

I'm trying to slow down a background effects clip exporting from Livetype. If anyone out there has Livetype installed and wants to see the clip, its "Canopy" under the Medley category of the Textures section.

Anyway, I want to use this as a background to some title effects for a wedding video, but the clip is too fast for me. I've tried slowing it down in LiveType and again in Final Cut Pro (with and without Frame Blending). None of these has worked very well. They all produce s stuttering video. It plays black slower, but not as smooth.

Does anyone know of a better way to slow down these clips? I've heard that Final Cut doesnt do a great job of it... maybe there is a (free, hopefully) third party filter that will do it?

What are you using to view the effects?

im not sure if this is what you mean, but I'm viewing the final effect in final cut pro as well as on a 14" tv

It doesnt look right on the computer or the TV...

If the results are unacceptable after rendering and viewing the final output from tape on TV then you may need to purchase a plugin. I use Joe's Filters for my slow motion work. Joe Maller is a member here and occasionally drops in.

I should have known I'd end up having to buy a plugin... slowing down a clip is such a simple idea, im not sure why Final Cut can't do it right.

However, Joe's Time Blender filter looks really cool. I'll download the trial version and see if it's worth buying.

Thanks for the link

POLL: Avid Xpress OR FCP
 

What are you using and why?

I'm an Avid guy and I am considering building an FCP suite for on-line work.

Xpress Pro is a superb offline tool, but I don't see Avid opening it up for SD on-line. Mojo and one stream of 1:1 does not cut it.

I am just curious as to your opinions on the two software packages.

Take a look at all the companies and major names that are moving over to FCP.

Cold Mountain, Scrubs, Smallville... I can't think of all the companies and major editors but on Apple's site they have all sorts of stories and stuff.

I used AVID years ago and played with it again not too long ago and really feel that FCP is a better product and that Apple is really more interested in getting a great piece of software out there rather then protecting it's install base.

Would AVID let you upgrade from ANY previous version to the latest and greatest? (buy an old, unregistered, copy of 1.2 and upgrade that to 4.5 HD for only $399.00)

I don't have specifics for my choice right off the top of my head but I chose FCP over AVID and if you look at how they've supported the product, how Apple has bought products like SHAKE and other post production packages you can see that they are really looking to do great things with it.

Here's another option, although a bit pricey http://www.revisionfx.com/rstwixtor.htm

Hi Alex,

I might be able to help, certain devices need certain settings as per http://images.apple.com/finalcutpro/pdf/FinalCutProHD_4.5_Qualified_20040804.pdf or http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs.html

For the GL2 go to Audio Video Settings and switch your device control preset to "FireWire Basic"

Also, if you are using an external FireWire hard drive, try plugging the camera directly into the Mac instead of into the FireWire HD.

Cheers,

Many software updates for download
 

PLenty of new updates

Mac OS 10.3.5 here 88MB

Pro Application Support 2.1 here 2.6MB

Compressor 1.2.1 is available via Software Update

DVD Studio Pro 3.0.1 here 6MB

iSync 1.5 here 6MB

Java Update 1.4.2 Update 1 here 26MB

Do Not update in the middle of a project if at all possible. More update may be available after updating Pro Application Support and running Software Update. I advise repairing permissions before and after any updates. I also advise downloading the updates rather than installing via the internet over Software Update. Read VersionTracker and MacFixIt to read any possible conflicts if you're unsure of updating.

General Error (34)????
 

Ok, i've been using FCP 4.5 and been editing along nice.. every now and then when i try and use a clip and input it onto the timeline, it gives me that error.. no problem cuz when i just slide along diff video levels, it lets me sooner or later import it into the timeline.. now here's the big one.. i've been editing on low quality and now i'm changing it all to high res in order to render.. cept when i render.. it renders for like 10 secs, quits and then gives me this stupid General Error (34) msg... HALP! wtf does it mean??? it's never done it before.. why now?? pls help!

p.s ok this is where it get's weird.. so i rendered everything else like just clip by clip basically, but there's a part in my timeline at about the 30 second mark where even tho there's no clip, the previous clip that was there STILL PLAYS!! it's like.. there's nothing on the timeline (and i've checked up and down everywhere) and yet a clip plays!! argh!! driving me nuts!

and yes i've trashed all the preferences and all that stuff and i still get this stupid msg and that weird ghost clip!

hey ken, yeps i saw that and i did everything suggested but that didn't work either...hence why i posted again... it's the ghost clip that get's me.. so weird... well what i finally did was i copied and pasted everything into a new sequence and that seemed to work.. a bit of a go around way of solving things but one use what what can get... has anyone ever encountered this type of problem before tho? and if so, why the error? thanx in advance