Apple FINAL CUT EXPRESS HD User Manual

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Apple FINAL CUT EXPRESS HD User Manual

Final Cut Express HD

User Manual

K Apple Computer, Inc.

© 2006 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Use of the “keyboard” Apple logo (Option-Shift-K) for commercial purposes without the prior written consent of Apple may constitute trademark infringement and unfair competition in violation of federal and state laws.

Apple, the Apple logo, DVD Studio Pro, Final Cut, Final Cut Pro, FireWire, iDVD, iMovie, Mac, Macintosh,

Mac OS, PowerBook, Power Mac, QuickTime, Soundtrack, TrueType, and Xsan are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Cinema Tools, Finder, LiveType, and Pixlet are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

AppleCare is a service mark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Adobe, After Effects, Photoshop, and PostScript are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Helvetica is a registered trademark of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, available from Linotype Library GmbH.

OpenGL is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Production stills from the films “Koffee House Mayhem” and “A Sus Ordenes” provided courtesy of Refuge Films. “Koffee House Mayhem” © 2005 Jean-Paul Bonjour;

“A Sus Ordenes” © 2005 Eric Escobar. http://www.refugefilms.com

Contents

Preface

25

Final Cut Express HD Documentation and Resources

 

25

Getting Started

 

25

Onscreen Help

 

26

Apple Websites

Part I

 

An Introduction to Final Cut Express HD

Chapter 1

29

About the Post-Production Workflow

 

29

The Industry Workflow

 

30

The Post-Production Workflow

Chapter 2

35

Video Formats and Timecode

 

35

About Nonlinear and Nondestructive Editing

 

36

Video Formats Compatible With Final Cut Express HD

 

36

Audio Formats Compatible With Final Cut Express HD

 

36

Video Format Basics

Chapter 3

39

Understanding Projects, Clips, and Sequences

 

39

The Building Blocks of Projects

 

43

Working With Projects

 

47

About the Connection Between Clips and Media Files

 

49

Filenaming Considerations

Part II

 

Learning About the Final Cut Express HD Interface

Chapter 4

55

Overview of the Final Cut Express HD Interface

 

55

Basics of Working in the Final Cut Express HD Interface

 

57

Using Keyboard Shortcuts, Buttons, and Shortcut Menus

 

59

Customizing the Interface

 

63

Undoing and Redoing Changes

 

64

Entering Timecode for Navigation Purposes

3

Chapter 5

65

Browser Basics

 

65

How You Use the Browser

 

66

Learning About the Browser

 

67

Working in the Browser

 

69

Using Columns in the Browser

 

70

Customizing the Browser Display

Chapter 6

79

Viewer Basics

 

79

How You Can Use the Viewer

 

80

Opening a Clip in the Viewer

 

82

Learning About the Viewer

 

83

Tabs in the Viewer

 

84

Transport (or Playback) Controls

 

85

Playhead Controls

 

87

Marking Controls

 

88

Zoom and View Pop-Up Menus

 

90

Recent Clips and Generator Pop-Up Menus

Chapter 7

91

Canvas Basics

 

91

How You Use the Canvas

 

92

Opening, Selecting, and Closing Sequences in the Canvas

 

93

Learning About the Canvas

 

94

Editing Controls in the Canvas

 

95

Transport (or Playback) Controls

 

96

Playhead Controls

 

98

Marking Controls

 

99

Zoom and View Pop-Up Menus

Chapter 8

101

Navigating and Using Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas

 

101

Navigating in the Viewer and Canvas

 

108

Working With Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas

Chapter 9

111

Timeline Basics

 

111

How You Use the Timeline

 

113

Opening and Closing Sequences in the Timeline

 

114

Learning About the Timeline

 

123

Changing Timeline Display Options

 

127

Navigating in the Timeline

 

128

Zooming and Scrolling in the Timeline

4

Contents

 

 

Chapter 10

135

Customizing the Interface

 

135

Changing Browser and Timeline Text Size

 

135

Moving and Resizing Final Cut Express HD Windows

 

137

Using Screen Layouts

 

139

Working With Shortcut Buttons and Button Bars

Part III

 

Setting Up Your Editing System

Chapter 11

145

Connecting Your Equipment

 

145

Connecting Your Camcorder

 

146

Connecting an External Video Monitor and Audio Speakers

 

146

Opening Final Cut Express HD and Choosing Your Initial Settings

 

150

What Is FireWire?

 

151

What Is Device Control?

Chapter 12

153

Determining Your Hard Disk Storage Options

 

153

Working With Scratch Disks and Hard Disk Drives

 

153

Data Rates and Storage Devices

 

154

Determining How Much Space You Need

 

156

Choosing a Hard Disk

 

157

Types of Hard Disk Drives

Chapter 13

161

External Video Monitoring

 

161

Using an External Video Monitor While You Edit

 

162

Connecting DV/FireWire Devices to an External Monitor

 

163

Using Digital Cinema Desktop Preview

 

167

About the Display Quality of External Video

 

167

Troubleshooting External Video Monitoring Problems

Part IV

 

Capturing and Importing

Chapter 14

171

Capturing Your Footage to Disk

 

171

Overview of the Capturing Process

 

172

Overview of the Capture Window

 

174

Transport Controls

 

174

Jog and Shuttle Controls

 

175

Marking Controls

 

175

Capture Tab

 

178

Capture Buttons

 

178

Preparing to Capture

 

178

Organizing and Labeling Your Tapes

 

179

Logging Your Tapes

Contents

5

 

 

180 Choosing a Filenaming Scheme

180Determining How Much Disk Space You Need

181Capturing Individual Clips in the Capture Window

185Using Capture Now

187Adding Markers to Clips in the Capture Window

188Marker Controls in the Capture Window

188Setting Markers

189Recapturing Clips

189Using Capture Project

191About the Additional Items Found Dialog

192Finding Your Media Files After Capture

192Where Are Captured Media Files Stored?

193Consolidating Media Files to One Folder

194Modifying a Media File’s Reel Name Property

195Avoiding Duplicate Timecode Numbers on a Single Tape

196Logging Tapes with Duplicate Timecode Numbers

196Avoiding Multiple Occurrences of the Same Timecode Number on a Single Tape

Chapter 15

199

Importing Media Files Into Your Project

 

199

What File Formats Can Be Imported?

 

200

Importing Media Files

 

203

About Importing Video Files

 

204

About Importing Audio Files

Chapter 16

207

Working With HDV

 

207

About HDV

 

208

HDV Formats Supported by Final Cut Express HD

 

208

About MPEG-2 Compression

 

210

HDV Apple Intermediate Codec Editing Workflow

 

210

Connecting an HDV Device to Your Computer

 

211

Choosing an Easy Setup

 

211

Capturing HDV Video to the Apple Intermediate Codec

 

212

Editing Video Using the Apple Intermediate Codec

 

213

Outputting HDV to Tape or Exporting to a QuickTime Movie

 

214

HDV Format Specifications

6

Contents

 

 

Part V

 

Organizing Footage and Preparing to Edit

Chapter 17

219

Organizing Footage in the Browser

 

219

Using Bins to Organize Your Clips

 

220

Creating New Bins

 

221

Opening Bins in the Browser

 

222

Opening Bins in a Separate Window or Tab

 

225

Moving Items Between Bins

 

227

Sorting Items in the Browser Using Column Headings

 

228

Searching for Clips in the Browser

 

228

About Search Options

 

231

Searching for Items in the Browser

 

233

Manipulating Items in the Find Results Window

Chapter 18

235

Using Markers

 

235

Learning About Markers

 

238

Working With Markers

Chapter 19

251

Creating Subclips

 

251

Learning About Subclips

 

254

Manually Breaking Large Clips Into Subclips

 

257

Automatically Creating Subclips Using DV Start/Stop Detection

Part VI

 

Rough Editing

Chapter 20

261

Working With Projects, Clips, and Sequences

 

262

Working With Projects

 

262

Working With Multiple Projects in the Browser

 

262

Choosing Whether the Last Previously Opened Project Opens on Launch

 

262

Viewing and Changing the Properties of a Project

 

263

Backing Up and Restoring Projects

 

265

Learning About the Different Types of Clips

 

265

Types of Clips

 

266

Sequences as Clips

 

266

Viewing and Changing the Properties of a Clip

 

267

Changing Clip Properties in the Browser

 

268

Viewing and Changing Clip Properties in the Item Properties Window

 

269

Changing the Properties of Affiliate Clips

 

270

Creating and Working With Sequences

 

270

Creating and Deleting Sequences

 

271

Opening and Closing Sequences

 

272

Duplicating a Sequence

Contents

7

 

 

272Copying a Sequence Into Another Project

273Nesting a Sequence

273 Basic Sequence and Timeline Settings

Chapter 21

275

The Fundamentals of Adding Clips to a Sequence

 

275

Creating a Rough Edit

 

275

Basic Steps Involved in a Rough Edit

 

276

How Clips Appear in the Timeline

 

278

Undoing and Redoing Actions

 

278

Overview of Ways to Add Clips to a Sequence

 

278

Methods for Adding Clips to Sequences

 

280

Determining What Parts of Clips You Want in Your Sequence

 

280

Preparing a Sequence Order in the Browser

 

281

Sorting to Create a Sequence Order

 

281

Visually Storyboarding in the Browser

Chapter 22

283

Setting Edit Points for Clips and Sequences

 

283

About In and Out Points

 

284

Learning About the Out Point Inclusive Rule

 

285

Things to Keep in Mind When Setting an Out Point

 

286

Setting Clip In and Out Points in the Viewer

 

288

Specifying an Edit Point Using Timecode

 

289

Setting In and Out Points to Include a Whole Clip

 

289

Reviewing Your Edit Points

 

290

Setting Sequence In and Out Points in the Canvas or Timeline

 

291

Options for Setting Sequence In and Out Points

 

296

Setting Sequence In and Out Points

 

297

Setting In and Out Points to Match a Clip or Gap

 

298

Setting In and Out Points Based on a Selection in the Timeline

 

300

Navigating to In and Out Points

 

301

Moving In and Out Points

 

303

Clearing In and Out Points

Chapter 23

305

Working With Tracks in the Timeline

 

305

Adding and Deleting Tracks

 

306

Adding Tracks

 

308

Deleting Tracks

 

309

Specifying Destination Tracks in the Timeline

 

309

Understanding Source and Destination Controls

 

310

Setting Destination Tracks

 

311

Changing Source and Destination Control Connections

 

311

Disconnecting Source and Destination Controls

 

313

Resetting Destination Tracks to the Default State

8

Contents

 

 

314Locking Tracks to Prevent Edits or Changes

315Disabling Tracks to Hide Content During Playback

316Customizing Track Display in the Timeline

316 Resizing Timeline Tracks

318 Creating a Static Region in the Timeline

Chapter 24

321

Drag-to-Timeline Editing

 

321

Overview of the Drag-to-Timeline Editing Process

 

322

Dragging Clips to the Timeline

 

323

Doing Simple Insert and Overwrite Edits in the Timeline

 

326

Automatically Adding Tracks to Your Sequence While Dragging

Chapter 25

329

Three-Point Editing

 

329

Understanding Three-Point Editing

 

329

Overview of the Three-Point Editing Process

 

330

Different Ways to Do Three-Point Editing

 

332

About Edit Types in the Edit Overlay

 

333

Performing the Different Types of Edits

 

333

Performing an Insert Edit

 

335

Performing an Insert With Transition Edit

 

336

Performing an Overwrite Edit

 

338

Performing an Overwrite With Transition Edit

 

339

Performing a Replace Edit

 

346

Superimposing Clips

 

348

Three-Point Editing Examples

 

348

Example: Editing a Specific Clip Into Your Sequence

 

350

Example: Editing a Clip Into a Gap in Your Sequence

 

352

Example: Backtiming a Clip Into Your Sequence

 

353

Example: Editing a Clip With No Specified In or Out Points Into Your Sequence

Chapter 26

355

Finding and Selecting Content in the Timeline

 

355

Understanding What’s Currently Selected

 

356

Identifying Selections in the Timeline

 

357

How Selections Are Prioritized in the Timeline

 

357

Direct Methods for Selecting Content in a Sequence

 

358

An Introduction to the Selection Tools

 

360

Selecting Clips

 

363

Selecting a Range of Timeline Content

 

364

Selecting All Clip Items on a Track

 

365

Selecting All Items on All Tracks Forward or Backward

 

367

Selecting or Deselecting All Clips in a Sequence

Contents

9

 

 

 

367

Finding and Selecting Based on Search Criteria

 

369

Selecting a Vertical Range Between In and Out Points

 

370

Using Auto Select to Specify Tracks for Selections

Chapter 27

373

Arranging Clips in the Timeline

 

373

Snapping to Points in the Timeline

 

375

Moving Items Within the Timeline

 

375

Moving by Dragging

 

376

Moving Clips Numerically

 

378

Performing Shuffle Edits

 

380

Copying and Pasting Clips in the Timeline

 

380

Copying Clips by Option-Dragging

 

382

Copying, Cutting, and Pasting Clips in the Timeline

 

385

Deleting Clips From a Sequence

 

385

Deleting With a Lift Edit (Leaving a Gap)

 

386

Deleting With a Ripple Edit (Leaving No Gap)

 

387

Finding and Closing Gaps

Chapter 28

391

Cutting Clips and Adjusting Durations

 

391

Performing Basic Cut Edits

 

395

Changing the Duration of Clips in the Timeline

 

396

Opening Sequence Clips in the Viewer to Change Durations

Chapter 29

397

Linking and Editing Video and Audio in Sync

 

397

Linked Sync Relationships Between Video and Audio Clips

 

398

When Linked Clips Are Moved Out of Sync

 

401

Understanding Sync Relationships Between Multiple Linked Audio Items

 

402

Linking and Unlinking Video and Audio Clip Items in the Timeline

 

402

Linking Video and Audio Clip Items

 

404

Unlinking Video and Audio Clip Items

 

405

Selecting Individual Clip Items While They Are Linked

 

406

Getting Clip Items Back in Sync

 

406

Moving a Clip Into Sync

 

408

Slipping a Clip Item Into Sync

 

409

Moving or Slipping All Clip Items Into Sync at Once

 

411

Establishing a Different Sync Relationship Between Linked Clip Items

 

411

Marking a Clip as In Sync

 

413

Learning About Linking Behavior in Audio Channel Pairs

10

Contents

 

 

Chapter 30

415

Split Edits

 

415

Learning About Split Edits

 

416

How Split Edits Look in the Viewer and Canvas

 

417

Setting Up Split Edit Points in the Viewer

 

418

Setting Up a Split Edit While Playing a Clip

 

419

Modifying and Clearing Split Edits

 

421

Split Edit Examples

Chapter 31

425

Audio Editing Basics

 

425

The Goals of Audio Editing

 

427

Using Waveform Displays to Help You Edit Audio

 

428

Learning About the Audio Controls in the Viewer

 

431

Editing Audio in the Viewer

 

431

Opening Audio Clips in the Viewer

 

432

Viewing Audio Tracks in the Viewer

 

432

Zooming In or Out of the Waveform Display Area

 

434

Scrolling Through a Zoomed-In Audio Clip

 

435

Using the J, K, and L Keys to Hear Subtle Details

 

435

Turning Off the Audio Scrubbing Sounds

 

435

About Setting Edit Points for Audio

 

436

Dragging an Audio Clip to the Canvas, Browser, or Timeline

 

436

Trimming Audio Clips in the Viewer

 

438

Editing Audio in the Timeline

 

438

Timeline Audio Display Options

 

440

Zooming In and Out of Waveforms in the Timeline

 

441

Moving Audio Items From One Track to Another at the Same Frame

 

442

Using Audio Transitions to Smooth Audible Changes

 

442

Creating or Separating Stereo Pairs

 

444

Working With Audio at the Subframe Level

 

444

Subframe Synchronization of Audio and Video

 

446

Examples of Ways to Easily Edit Audio

 

446

Example: Replacing Unwanted Audio With Room Tone

 

449

Example: Fixing Awkward Audio Cuts in the Timeline

Part VII

 

Fine-Tuning Your Edit

Chapter 32

453

Performing Slip, Slide, Ripple, and Roll Edits

 

453

About Trimming With Slip, Slide, Ripple, and Roll Tools

 

453

Sliding Clips in the Timeline

 

455

Performing Slide Edits by Dragging

 

456

Performing Precise Slide Edits Numerically

 

457

Slipping Clips in the Timeline

Contents

11

 

 

 

458

Performing a Slip Edit Using the Slip Tool

 

459

Performing Precise Slip Edits Numerically

 

461

Using the Ripple Tool to Trim an Edit Without Leaving a Gap

 

462

Performing Ripple Edits

 

466

About Ripple Edits and Sync Relationships of Clip Items on Other Tracks

 

468

Doing Ripple Edits on Multiple Tracks at Once

 

468

Asymmetrical Trimming With the Ripple Tool

 

470

Using the Roll Tool to Change Where a Cut Occurs

 

471

Rolling the Position of an Edit Between Two Clips

Chapter 33

477

Learning About Trimming Clips

 

477

What Is Trimming?

 

479

Controls That Affect Trim Edits

 

480

Selecting Edits and Clips to Trim

 

481

Tools for Selecting Edit Points

 

482

Selecting Single Edit Points

 

482

Selecting Multiple Edit Points

 

483

Trimming Clip In and Out Points

 

483

Trimming With the Selection Tool

 

485

Extending and Shortening Clips in the Timeline

 

486

Trimming Clips in the Viewer

 

487

Precision Editing Using Timecode

 

491

Understanding Alert Messages When Trimming

Chapter 34

493

Trimming Clips Using the Trim Edit Window

 

493

Learning About the Trim Edit Window

 

495

Opening and Closing the Trim Edit Window

 

496

Controls in the Trim Edit Window

 

500

Using the Trim Edit Window

 

501

Playing Incoming and Outgoing Clips in the Trim Edit Window

 

501

Dynamic Trimming

 

501

Trimming an Edit in the Trim Edit Window

 

504

Reviewing and Playing Back Your Edits in the Trim Edit Window

 

504

Slipping a Clip in the Trim Edit Window

 

505

Listening to Audio While Trimming

Chapter 35

507

Adding Transitions

 

507

Learning About Transitions

 

508

Common Types of Transitions

 

509

Using Transitions in Your Sequences

 

509

How Transitions Appear in the Timeline

 

510

Having Handles at Edit Points

 

510

Aligning a Transition in the Timeline

12

Contents

 

 

511 Adding Transitions

511Adding Transitions With Clips You Add to the Timeline

512Quickly Adding the Default Transition to Clips in Your Sequence

513Adding Transitions to Clips in Your Sequence

515Moving, Copying, and Deleting Transitions

516Moving a Transition to Another Edit Point

516Copying and Pasting Transitions

517Deleting Transitions

517 Modifying Transitions in the Timeline

517 Changing the Duration of a Transition in the Timeline

519Changing the Alignment of a Transition in the Timeline

519Changing an Edit Point After Adding a Transition

520Replacing Transitions

520 Video Transitions That Come With Final Cut Express HD

524 Using After Effects Transitions

Chapter 36

525

Refining Transitions Using the Transition Editor

 

525

Using the Transition Editor

 

532

Applying a Modified Transition Directly to a Sequence in the Timeline

 

532

Trimming Transitions and the Surrounding Clips

 

536

Previewing and Rendering Transitions

Chapter 37

539

Sequence to Sequence Editing

 

539

Methods for Editing Clips From One Sequence to Another

 

540

Opening More Than One Sequence at a Time

 

540

Copying Clips From One Sequence to Another

 

544

Nesting Sequences

 

547

Editing the Content of One Sequence Into Another Without Nesting It

Chapter 38

551

Matching Frames

 

551

Working With Sequence Clips in the Viewer

 

552

Opening a Sequence Clip in the Viewer

 

553

Switching Between the Viewer, Canvas, and Timeline

 

553

Using the Viewer to Adjust Sequence Clip In and Out Points

 

554

Using the Viewer to Adjust Motion and Filter Parameters

 

554

Matching Frames Between Sequence and Master Clips

 

555

Matching a Frame in the Canvas to Its Master Clip

 

555

Matching a Frame in the Canvas to Its Media File

 

556

Matching a Frame in the Viewer to a Sequence Clip in the Canvas or Timeline

Contents

13

 

 

Chapter 39

557

Working With Timecode

 

557

About Timecode in Final Cut Express HD

 

557

Displaying Timecode Affected by Speed Changes

 

558

Clip Time Versus Source Time

 

558

Changing Global Timecode Display Options

Part VIII

 

Audio Mixing

Chapter 40

561

Overview of Audio Mixing

 

561

Audio Finishing Features in Final Cut Express HD

 

562

Overview of Audio Sweetening in Final Cut Express HD

 

565

Making the Final Mix

Chapter 41

567

Setting Up Audio Equipment

 

567

Choosing External Audio Monitoring Components

 

568

Choosing an Audio Interface

 

569

Choosing Speakers and an Amplifier for Monitoring

 

570

Setting Up a Proper Audio Monitoring Environment

 

572

Audio Cables, Connectors, and Signal Levels

 

572

About Balanced Audio Signals

 

574

Microphone, Instrument, and Line Level

 

574

Audio Connectors

 

576

Configuring External Audio Monitors

 

576

Connecting Speakers to Your Editing System

 

577

Setting Monitoring Levels and Muting System Sound Effects

Chapter 42

579

Audio Fundamentals

 

579

What Is Sound?

 

580

Fundamentals of a Sound Wave

 

581

Frequency Spectrum of Sounds

 

582

Measuring Sound Intensity

 

584

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

 

584

Headroom and Distortion

 

585

Dynamic Range

 

586

Stereo Audio

 

588

Digital Audio

 

589

Sample Rate

 

590

Bit Depth

14

Contents

 

 

Chapter 43

593

Audio Levels, Meters, and Output Channels

 

593

About Audio Meters

 

593

Average and Peak Audio Levels

 

594

Average Versus Peak Audio Meters

 

595

Analog Versus Digital Meters

 

596

About Audio Meters in Final Cut Express HD

 

597

Avoiding Audio Clipping

 

598

Setting Proper Audio Levels

 

598

Setting Levels for Capture

 

598

What Reference Level Should You Use for Mixing?

 

600

Outputting Bars and Tone at the Head of Your Tape

 

600

Stereo Versus Dual Mono Audio

Chapter 44

601

Mixing Audio in the Timeline and Viewer

 

601

Adjusting Audio Levels in the Timeline

 

605

Changing Audio Levels in the Viewer

 

607

Panning Audio in the Timeline and Viewer

 

607

Panning Audio in the Timeline

 

608

Changing the Pan of Audio in the Viewer

 

608

Changing Pan for an Entire Clip

 

609

Copying, Pasting, and Removing Audio Attributes

 

610

Adjusting Clip Levels and Pan Using Keyframes

 

610

Tools for Adjusting Keyframes

 

611

Creating, Modifying, and Deleting Keyframes in the Viewer

Chapter 45

623

Using the Voice Over Tool

 

623

About the Voice Over Tool

 

624

Setting Up Your Computer to Record Voiceover

 

627

Controls in the Voice Over Tool

 

631

Defining the Recording Duration and Destination Track

 

636

Recording a Voiceover

Chapter 46

639

Using Audio Filters

 

639

About Audio Filters

 

640

Overview of Audio Filters

 

640

Equalization (EQ) Filters

 

642

Compression

 

643

Expansion

 

644

Noise Reduction Filters

 

645

Echo and Reverb Filters

Contents

15

 

 

 

647

Working With Audio Filters

 

648

Applying Filters to an Audio Clip

 

650

Modifying and Removing Filters

 

651

Making Real-Time Audio Filter Adjustments

Chapter 47

653

Tips for Better Audio

 

653

Learning to Describe Sound Accurately

 

654

Efficiently Using the Frequency Spectrum

 

654

Tips for Cutting Dialogue

 

658

Tips for Cutting Music

 

660

Organizing Your Tracks

Part IX

 

Effects

Chapter 48

663

Video Filters

 

663

Different Ways to Use Filters

 

664

Applying a Filter to a Clip

 

666

Applying Multiple Filters to Clips

 

667

Viewing and Adjusting a Filter’s Parameters

 

673

Displaying Filter Bars in the Timeline

 

673

Enabling and Rearranging Filters

 

674

Copying and Pasting a Clip’s Filters

 

675

Removing Filters From Clips

 

676

Video Filters Available in Final Cut Express HD

Chapter 49

689

Changing Motion Parameters

 

689

Creating Motion Effects in the Viewer

 

690

Adjusting Parameters in the Motion Tab

 

695

Using Cartesian Geometry to Position Clips

 

697

Examples Using Motion Settings

 

707

Creating Motion Effects in the Canvas

 

707

Choosing a Wireframe Mode

 

708

Manipulating Images in the Canvas

 

709

Zooming In to the Canvas

 

710

Using Wireframe Handles to Transform, Scale, and Rotate

Chapter 50

719

Adjusting Parameters for Keyframed Effects

 

719

Animating Motion Effects Using Keyframes

 

720

How Keyframing Works

 

721

Determining the Number of Keyframes to Use

 

722

Keyframing Tools in Final Cut Express HD

 

723

Setting Keyframes

 

724

Adjusting and Deleting Keyframes

16

Contents

 

 

725 Moving Between Keyframes

731Adjusting All Opacity Keyframes of a Clip

731Smoothing Keyframes With Bezier Handles

732Understanding Bezier Handles and Curves

734Smoothing Keyframes

735Creating Keyframed Motion Paths in the Canvas

735What Are Motion Paths?

736Creating Motion Paths

737Adding, Moving, and Deleting Keyframes in Motion Paths

738Creating Curved Motion Paths Using Bezier Handles

740Controlling Speed Along a Motion Path

743Moving an Entire Motion Path in the Canvas

Chapter 51

745

Reusing Effect and Motion Parameters

 

745

Copying and Pasting Specific Clip Attributes

 

746

About the Paste Attributes Dialog

 

747

Copying and Pasting Clip Attributes

 

748

Removing Attributes From a Clip

 

749

Applying Filters Across Multiple Tracks at Once

Chapter 52

751

Changing Clip Speed

 

751

Speed Basics

 

752

How Changing Speed Affects a Clip’s Duration

 

752

Performing a Fit to Fill Edit

 

755

Speed Settings

 

755

Frame Blending and Reverse Speed

 

757

Making Speed Changes

Chapter 53

759

Working With Still Images and Photographs

 

759

Using Still Images and Graphics in Your Sequences

 

760

Creating Freeze Frame Stills From a Video Clip

 

761

Considerations Before Creating and Importing Stills

 

769

Changing the Duration of Still Images

Chapter 54

775

Compositing and Layering

 

775

Introduction to Compositing and Layering

 

776

Methods of Compositing

 

776

Different Ways to Layer Clips in the Timeline

 

777

Adjusting Opacity Levels of Clips

 

780

Working With Composite Modes

 

780

How Composite Modes Affect Images

 

781

Applying Composite Modes to Clips

 

782

Composite Modes in Final Cut Express HD

 

792

Using Travel Mattes to Hide or Reveal Parts of a Clip

Contents

17

 

 

 

794

Working With Layered Photoshop Files

 

794

What Happens When You Import a Multilayered Photoshop File

 

796

Using Video and Graphics Clips With Alpha Channels

 

797

Types of Alpha Channels Recognized in Final Cut Express HD

 

798

Working With Clips That Have Alpha Channels

 

799

Importing Clips With Alpha Channels

 

799

Changing a Clip’s Alpha Channel Type

 

801

Changing Canvas and Viewer Background Colors

 

802

Temporarily Excluding Clips From Playback or Output

 

803

Temporarily Disabling a Single Clip

 

804

Soloing Clips in Multitrack Sequences

Chapter 55

805

Keying, Mattes, and Masks

 

805

Ways to Layer and Isolate Elements in Clips

 

805

What Are Mattes and How Can You Use Them?

 

806

What Is Keying and How Can You Use It?

 

807

What Are Masks and How Are They Used?

 

808

Using Keying to Isolate Foreground Elements

 

808

Shooting Footage That Keys Well

 

810

Overview of Compositing Using the Chroma Keyer Filter

 

813

Working With the Chroma Keyer Filter

 

822

Using Mattes to Add or Modify Alpha Channels

 

822

Matte Filters Available in Final Cut Express HD

 

824

Using Masks to Replace or Modify Alpha Channels

 

824

Mask Filters Available in Final Cut Express HD

Chapter 56

827

Color Correcting Clips

 

827

What Is Color Correction?

 

828

Why Color Correct Your Footage?

 

829

Color Correction Starts During Your Shoot

 

830

Measuring and Evaluating Video

 

830

Luma (Luminance)

 

831

Chrominance (Chroma)

 

832

Whites

 

832

Illegal Broadcast Levels

 

833

The Color Correction Process

 

835

Looking at the Picture

 

836

Using the Color Corrector Filter

 

837

The Color Corrector Filter

 

837

General Controls

 

837

Color Balance Controls

 

838

The Color Corrector Filter Controls

 

844

Hue Matching Controls in the Color Corrector

18

Contents

 

 

Chapter 57

849

Using Built-in Generated Clips

 

849

What Is a Generator Clip?

 

850

Different Ways to Use Generators in Your Sequence

 

851

Graphical Video and Audio Generators Available in Final Cut Express HD

 

853

Creating and Adding Generated Clips to Sequences

Chapter 58

855

Creating Titles

 

855

How You Can Use Titles in Your Project

 

856

Installing and Choosing Fonts

 

856

Making Sure Titles Fit on TV Screens

 

857

Text Generators Available in Final Cut Express HD

 

858

Creating and Adding a Title Clip

 

862

Other Options for Creating and Adding Titles

Part X

 

Real Time and Rendering

Chapter 59

865

Using RT Extreme

 

865

Introduction to Real-Time Processing Using RT Extreme

 

866

How Many Effects Can Be Played in Real Time?

 

870

Available Real-Time Effects

 

871

Display Quality and Accuracy of RT Extreme

 

871

Using Real-Time Controls in Final Cut Express HD

 

872

About Render Status Bars

 

873

Identifying Which Effects Can Be Processed in Real Time

 

873

Setting Real-Time Playback Options

 

876

Real-Time Audio Mixing in Final Cut Express HD

 

876

Improving Real Time Audio Performance

Chapter 60

877

Rendering

 

877

What Is Rendering?

 

878

Reasons for Rendering

 

879

Render Indicators in Final Cut Express HD

 

879

About Render Status Bars in the Timeline

 

882

About Item-Level Render Bars

 

883

The Rendering Process

 

883

Rendering Effects in Sequences

 

885

Commands for Rendering Effects

 

887

Rendering One or More Sequences

 

888

Rendering Part of a Sequence

 

889

Rendering Audio Items in a Sequence

 

889

Using the Mixdown Command

 

890

Temporarily Disabling Rendering

Contents

19

 

 

 

891

Auto-Rendering While You Are Away From Your Computer

 

892

Changing Settings in the Render Control Tab

 

893

Preserving Render Files

 

894

Tips for Avoiding Unnecessary Rendering

 

895

Reducing Render Time

Part XI

 

Project Management and Settings

Chapter 61

899

Media Management

 

899

What Is Media Management?

 

900

Reasons to Manage your Media

 

901

What You Need to Know to Manage Your Media

 

901

Media Management Steps in Final Cut Express HD

 

902

Strategies for Media Management

Chapter 62

903

Backing Up and Restoring Projects

 

903

Backing Up and Restoring Projects

 

903

Using the Revert Project Command

 

904

Using the Autosave Feature

 

906

Restoring Autosaved Projects

 

907

Opening a Project File After Your Computer Is Unexpectedly Powered Off

 

907

Archiving Completed Projects

 

908

Creating an Archive of a Finished Project

 

909

Updating Projects From Previous Versions of Final Cut Express HD

Chapter 63

911

Elements of a Final Cut Express HD Project

 

911

About Clips, Media Files, and Sequences

 

915

About Icons and Project Elements in the Browser

 

916

Clip Properties

Chapter 64

921

Working With Master and Affiliate Clips

 

921

Using Master and Affiliate Clips

 

922

How Master Clips Connect to Media Files

 

922

Identifying Master Clips

 

923

Creating Master and Affiliate Clips

 

925

Breaking the Relationship Between an Affiliated Clip and Its Master

 

926

Independent Clips

 

928

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Modify Master-Affiliate Relationships

 

929

Finding a Clip’s Master Clip

 

929

Master-Affiliate Relationships With Subclips and Freeze Frames

20

Contents

 

 

 

930

Master-Affiliate Clip Properties

 

930

Master Clip Properties

 

931

Affiliate Clip Properties

 

931

Media File Properties

Chapter 65

933

Reconnecting Clips and Offline Media

 

933

About the Connections Between Clips and Media Files

 

934

How the Connection Between Clips and Media Files Can Be Broken

 

935

Reconnecting Clips to Media Files

 

942

When Final Cut Express HD Reconnects Your Clips

Chapter 66

945

Choosing Settings and Preferences

 

945

Changing User Preferences

 

946

General Tab

 

950

Editing Tab

 

951

Timeline Options Tab

 

952

Render Control Tab

 

952

Locating and Trashing the Preferences File

 

952

Changing System Settings

 

953

Scratch Disks Tab

 

953

Search Folders Tab

 

955

Memory & Cache Tab

 

956

Playback Control Tab

 

957

External Editors Tab

Part XII

 

Output

Chapter 67

961

Preparing to Output to Tape

 

961

Output Requirements

 

962

How to Output to Tape in Final Cut Express HD

 

963

Setting Up Your Editing System to Output to Tape

Chapter 68

965

Printing To Video and Output From the Timeline

 

965

Different Ways You Can Output Video From the Timeline

 

966

Printing to Video

 

966

Automatically Recording With Print to Video

 

966

Using the Print to Video Command

 

968

Recording From the Timeline

 

970

Outputting to VHS Tape

Contents

21

 

 

Chapter 69

971

Exporting Sequences for DVD

 

971

The DVD Creation Process

 

974

Adding Chapter and Compression Markers to Your Sequence

 

977

Exporting QuickTime Movies for iDVD

Chapter 70

979

Learning About QuickTime

 

979

What Is QuickTime?

 

980

The QuickTime Suite of Software Applications

 

980

QuickTime for Media Authoring

 

980

The QuickTime Movie File Format

 

983

How Final Cut Express HD Uses QuickTime for Import, Export, and Capture

 

984

Formats Supported by QuickTime

 

989

How Do You Export the Files You Need?

Chapter 71

991

Exporting QuickTime Movies

 

991

About the Export QuickTime Movie Command

 

992

Choosing the Type of QuickTime Movie to Export

 

993

Exporting a QuickTime Movie File

Chapter 72

995

Exporting QuickTime-Compatible Files

 

995

About the Export Using QuickTime Conversion Command

 

996

Types of QuickTime-Compatible File Formats

 

997

Exporting a QuickTime Movie File for Web Distribution

 

1005

Exporting a DV Stream

 

1007

Exporting an AVI File

Chapter 73

1009

Exporting Still Images and Image Sequences

 

1009

Determining the Image Format for Still Image Export

 

1010

Exporting a Single Still Image

 

1012

Exporting Image Sequences

Chapter 74

1015

Exporting Audio for Mixing in Other Applications

 

1015

Ways You Can Finish Your Audio

 

1016

Organizing Your Audio Clips for Multi-Track Export

 

1017

Exporting Audio Tracks to Individual Audio Files

 

1018

Preparing to Export Audio Tracks as Audio Files

 

1021

Exporting Audio Tracks as Individual Audio Files

22

Contents

 

 

Part XIII

 

Appendixes

Appendix A

1025

Video Formats

 

1025

Characteristics of Video Formats

 

1026

Storage Medium

 

1026

Tape Size, Cassette Shape, and Tape Coating

 

1027

Video Standards

 

1028

Type of Video Signal

 

1030

Aspect Ratio of the Video Frame

 

1031

Frame Dimensions, Number of Lines, and Resolution

 

1033

Pixel Aspect Ratio

 

1034

Frame Rate

 

1035

Scanning Method

 

1037

Color Recording Method

 

1037

Video Sampling Rate and Color Sampling Ratio

 

1040

Video Compression

 

1042

Types of Video Signals and Connectors

 

1042

Composite

 

1043

S-Video

 

1043

Component YUV (Y´CBCR) and Component RGB

 

1044

FireWire (Also Called IEEE 1394a or i.LINK)

 

1044

FireWire 800 (Also Called IEEE 1394b)

 

1044

SCART

 

1045

A Brief History of Film, Television, and Audio Formats

Appendix B

1047

Frame Rate and Timecode

 

1047

What Is Frame Rate?

 

1048

Understanding Flicker and Perceived Frame Rate

 

1049

Frame Rate Limits: How Many Frames per Second Is Best?

 

1050

Choosing a Frame Rate

 

1052

What Is Timecode?

 

1052

About Drop Frame and Non-Drop Frame Timecode

 

1055

Timecode on Tape

 

1056

Comparison of Various Timecode Formats

Appendix C

1059

Working With Anamorphic 16:9 Media

 

1059

About Anamorphic 16:9 Media

 

1063

Recording Anamorphic Video

 

1064

Capturing Anamorphic Media

 

1064

Viewing and Editing Anamorphic Media

 

1066

Rendering Items That Contain Anamorphic Media

 

1067

Exporting Anamorphic Video to a QuickTime Movie

Contents

23

 

 

Appendix D

1069

Solving Common Problems

 

1069

Resources for Solving Problems

 

1070

Solutions to Common Problems

 

1075

Contacting AppleCare Support

Glossary

1077

 

Index

1107

 

24

Contents

 

 

Final Cut Express HD

Documentation and Resources

Preface

You can use Final Cut Express HD to create movies of any budget, style, and format. Final Cut Express HD comes with both printed and onscreen documentation to help you learn how.

This preface provides information on the documentation available for Final Cut Express HD, as well as information about Final Cut Express HD resources on the web.

Final Cut Express HD comes with several types of documentation to help you learn more about movie editing and how to use the application:

ÂFinal Cut Express HD Getting Started

ÂFinal Cut Express HD onscreen help

Getting Started

The Final Cut Express HD Getting Started book provides an overview of the application and explains the basics of editing in Final Cut Express HD. If you are new to

Final Cut Express HD and want to start using the application right away, read this book first.

Onscreen Help

Onscreen help (available in the Help menu) provides easy access to information while you’re working in Final Cut Express HD. An onscreen version of the Final Cut Express HD User Manual is available here, along with other documents in PDF format and links

to websites.

To access onscreen help:

m In Final Cut Express HD, choose an option from the Help menu.

25

Onscreen User Manual

The Final Cut Express HD User Manual provides comprehensive information about the application.

To access the onscreen user manual:

m In Final Cut Express HD, choose Help > Final Cut Express HD User Manual.

Information About New Features

For information about features that have been added or enhanced since the last version of Final Cut Express HD, you can read the New Features section of the onscreen help.

To access the New Features document:

m In Final Cut Express HD, choose Help > New Features.

Apple Websites

There are a variety of discussion boards, forums, and educational resources related to

Final Cut Express HD on the web.

Final Cut Express HD Websites

The following websites provide general information, updates, and support information about Final Cut Express HD, as well as the latest news, resources, and training materials.

For information about Final Cut Express HD, go to:

 http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress

To get more information on third-party resources, such as third-party tools, resources, and user groups, go to:

 http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/resources.html

For information on the Apple Pro Training Program, go to:

 http://www.apple.com/software/pro/training

To provide comments and feedback to Apple about Final Cut Express HD, go to:

 http://www.apple.com/feedback/finalcutexpress.html

Apple Service and Support Website

The Apple Service and Support website provides software updates and answers to the most frequently asked questions for all Apple products, including Final Cut Express HD. You’ll also have access to product specifications, reference documentation, and Apple and third-party product technical articles:

 http://www.apple.com/support

26

Preface Final Cut Express HD Documentation and Resources

 

 

Part I: An Introduction to Final Cut Express HD

I

 

Find out how Final Cut Express HD fits into the moviemaking

 

process and learn about fundamental concepts of digital video

 

editing and the basic elements of a Final Cut Express HD project.

Chapter 1

About the Post-Production Workflow

Chapter 2

Video Formats and Timecode

Chapter 3

Understanding Projects, Clips, and Sequences

About the Post-Production

1

Workflow

No matter what your project, Final Cut Express HD is the cornerstone of your post-production workflow.

This chapter covers the following:

ÂThe Industry Workflow (p. 29)

ÂThe Post-Production Workflow (p. 30)

The Industry Workflow

Before you start editing, it’s helpful to consider how post-production fits into the overall moviemaking workflow. Even though no two movie projects follow exactly the same steps, there is a common workflow that almost every project adheres to. From conception to completion, the basic steps to complete a film or video project are described below.

Step 1: Scripting

Scripting is where the movie is conceived and written.

Step 2: Preproduction

This is where budgeting, casting, location scouting, equipment and format selection, and storyboarding take place.

Step 3: Production

Production is where you create your footage, capturing performances using video or film cameras, as well as audio recorders. Lighting, cinematography, acting, and directing all come together to create the elements used to tell your story or deliver your message. For practical reasons, scenes are usually shot out of order, which means they have to be properly arranged during editing.

29

Step 4: Post-Production

Post-production is where you organize and assemble your production footage, putting scenes in proper order, selecting the best takes, and eliminating unnecessary elements. Production sound is synchronized (with the picture), edited, sometimes rerecorded, and mixed. Music is composed and added. Footage is color-corrected and special effects are created. The final movie is output to tape, film, or some other high-quality media format.

Step 5: Distribution

Distribution is when you release a movie for viewing. This may involve theater screenings, video and DVD releases, festival submissions, or web delivery.

The Post-Production Workflow

The post-production phase begins with the raw source footage and ends with a completed movie, ready for making distribution copies. As technology evolves, postproduction continues to proliferate into an increasing variety of jobs and tasks. Where there was once a single editor who was responsible for the majority of the postproduction process, there may now be a whole special effects team, an audio department, a colorist (responsible for color correction), and a number of assistant editors keeping track of all the footage. Final Cut Express HD is at the heart of the postproduction pipeline, allowing you to organize and assemble media from multiple sources into a finished product.

30

Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Express HD

 

 

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