Carving photoshop images for fcp7
 

Images always import square. Let’s say I want to pass a round still image over a video image in FCP. How do I carve it ~ prep it ~ in Photoshop? A transparent layer, if they have one?

You need to erase whatever isn't the round bit you want showing, in order to make it transparent in Photoshop. Then you have to save it as a file that supports transparency, like PNG or PSD. PSD files import as sequences if I remember correctly, with each layer being its own video track.

Thanks for responding, Ed, but you're dealing with embarrassing inexperience here.
If you can bear it, please lead me thru the steps in the menus -- " to erase whatever isn't the round bit... in order to make it transparent (in Photoshop)." . Would be much obliged.

Depending on the file type, you might have to first unlock the background layer. Do this by double clicking on it in the layer palette. A confirmation window will come up, click OK. This will let you erase pars of the layer to make it transparent.
Next use either the eraser tool or the magic wand tool (both in the tool palette, E and W shortcut keys). To use the magic wand tool, click to select the parts around the subject (it's based on color), then push the delete key. You can hold shift while clicking multiple areas to add to the selection. Otherwise the selection will be cleared and the new area will be selected.
To save it, go to File > Save As, and change the file type to PNG. Make sure you have transparency enabled.