Final Cut Pro X
User Guide
KKApple Inc.
Copyright © 2012 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
Your rights to the software are governed by the accompanying software license agreement. The owner or authorized user of a valid copy of Final Cut Pro software may reproduce this publication for the purpose of learning to use such software. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this publication or for providing paid for support services.
The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Use of the “keyboard” Apple logo (Shift-Option-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.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. Apple is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.
Note: Because Apple frequently releases new versions and updates to its system software, applications, and Internet sites, images shown in this manual may be slightly different from what you see on your screen.
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014 408-996-1010 www.apple.com
Apple, the Apple logo, Aperture, Apple TV, Final Cut,
Final Cut Pro, Finder, FireWire, GarageBand, iLife, iMovie, iPad, iPhone, iPhoto, iPod, iSight, iTunes, iWork, Keynote,
Logic, Mac, Mac OS, OS X, QuickTime, and Xsan are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Multi-Touch is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Adobe and Photoshop are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Intel, Intel Core, and Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corp. in the U.S. and other countries.
Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
The YouTube logo is a trademark of Google Inc.
Production stills from the film“Koffee House Mayhem” provided courtesy of Jean-Paul Bonjour.“Koffee House Mayhem”© 2004 Jean-Paul Bonjour. All rights reserved. http://www.jeanpaulbonjour.com
Audi R8 production stills: Closed course with drivers wearing safety equipment. Do not attempt on public roads; always obey local traffic laws. Audi trademarks are used with permission of Audi of America, Inc.
Other company and product names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance or use of these products.
019-2282/2012-01-31
13 Chapter 1: What’s new in Final Cut Pro?
13What’s new in Final Cut Pro 10.0.3?
14What’s new in Final Cut Pro 10.0.1?
15Chapter 2: Final Cut Pro basics
15What is Final Cut Pro?
16Final Cut Pro workflow overview
18 Final Cut Pro interface overview
21Media files and clips
22Events and projects
24 Chapter 3: Import media
24Importing overview
25If it’s your first import
25 Import from connected devices
25 Import from file-based devices
30 Import spanned clips
33Import from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
34Import from a digital still camera
35Import from tape-based devices
37If your device isn’t recognized
38Import from other applications
38Import from iMovie
39Import from iPhoto and Aperture
40Import from iTunes
40 Import from disks
40 Import from a hard disk
42 Access media on an archive or disk image
45Organize files while importing
46Import while recording
48About memory cards and cables
49Supported media formats
3
51 Chapter 4: Analyze media
51 Analyzing media overview
51 Video and still-image analysis options
53 Audio analysis options
53 Analyze your media
55 View analysis keywords on clips
57 Chapter 5: Organize your media
57Events and clips overview
58Organize Events
58Create a new Event
58Rename an Event
59Merge or split Events
60Copy or move clips between Events
60Copy or move Events
62Sort Events
63Delete clips or Events
64Organize clips
64View and sort clips
68Rename clips
70Rate clips as Favorite or Rejected
72Add keywords to clips
74Add or edit clip notes
76Organize clips by roles
76Find clips in the Event Browser
79Save searches as Smart Collections
81Organize Keyword and Smart Collections
82 Chapter 6: Play back and skim media
82Playback and skimming overview
83Play back media
85 Skim media
87Use the J, K, and L keys
88Play back media in a loop
88Play video full screen
89View playback on a second display
90View playback on an external video monitor
91Playback and background rendering
91 Play your projects on other devices
4 |
Contents |
|
|
92 Chapter 7: Create and manage projects
92 Create a new project
94 Preview and open a project
94 Modify a project’s name and properties
98 Organize projects in the Project Library
101Save projects
102Chapter 8: Edit your project
102Editing overview
102Select clips and ranges
102About selections and filmstrips
103Select one or more clips
105 Select a range
108Add and remove clips
108Adding clips overview
109Drag clips to the Timeline
110Append clips to your project
110Insert clips in your project
113Connect clips to add cutaway shots, titles, and synchronized sound effects
117Overwrite parts of your project
118Replace a clip in your project with another clip
121Add and edit still images
122Add clips using video-only or audio-only mode
123Remove clips from your project
124Solo, disable, and enable clips
126Find a Timeline clip’s source clip
126Arrange clips in the Timeline
134Cut and trim clips
134Trimming overview
134Cut clips with the Blade tool
138Extend or shorten a clip
145Make roll edits with the Trim tool
147Make slip edits with the Trim tool
151Make slide edits with the Trim tool
154Show detailed trimming feedback
155View and navigate
155Zoom and scroll in the Timeline
157Adjust Timeline settings
159Navigate within your project
161Navigate using timecode
162Use the Timeline Index to view, navigate, and search your project
Contents |
5 |
|
|
166Add and remove markers
166Markers overview
167Add and remove markers
168Edit and move markers
170Jump between markers
170Correct excessive shake and rolling shutter issues
172 Chapter 9: Add and adjust audio
172Audio overview
173Add audio
173Add music and sound
174Record audio
175Add and adjust audio effects
175Add audio effects
177Adjust audio effects
181Adjust audio effects using keyframes
192Adjust and enhance audio
192Adjust volume
194Enhance audio
197Fade audio in or out
201Pan audio
204Configure audio channels
205Match audio equalization settings
206Preserve pitch when retiming clips
206Audio tools and techniques
206View and correct audio levels
208About audio waveforms
208View audio waveforms at the audio sample level
210Ways to view audio clips
213Solo and mute audio clips
214Sync audio and video automatically
216Use roles to organize clips and export audio files
217 Chapter 10: Add transitions, titles, effects, and generators
217Transitions, titles, effects, and generators overview
218Add and adjust transitions
218Transitions overview
219How transitions are created
220Set the default duration for transitions
221Add transitions to your project
224 Delete transitions from your project
6 |
Contents |
|
|
224 Adjust transitions in the Timeline
227Adjust transitions in the Transition inspector and Viewer
228Adjust transitions with multiple images
229Create specialized versions of transitions in Motion
229Add and adjust titles
229Titles overview
230Add titles to your project
232Adjust titles
234Remove titles from your project
235Find and replace text in your project
236Adjust built-in effects
236Built-in effects overview
236Resize, move, and rotate clips
238Trim clips
240Crop clips
241Pan and zoom clips
243Skew a clip’s perspective
244Work with built-in effects
250Add and adjust clip effects
250Clip effects overview
251Add effects to your project
252Adjust effects in Final Cut Pro
255Change clip effect order
257Turn off or remove an effect from a clip
257Create specialized versions of the video effects in Motion
258Add generators
258Generators overview
259Use a placeholder
260Use a timecode counter
261Use a shape
262Use a background
263Create specialized versions of the generators in Motion
264Use onscreen controls
264Onscreen controls overview
264Show or hide onscreen controls
265Onscreen control examples
270Use the Video Animation Editor
270Video animation overview
271Adjust video effects using keyframes
281Adjust effect curves using fade handles or keyframe animation
Contents |
7 |
|
|
285 Chapter 11: Advanced editing
285Group clips with compound clips
285Compound clips overview
286Create and break apart compound clips
291Manage compound clips
294Add storylines
298Fine-tune edits with the Precision Editor
302Create split edits
308Make three-point edits
308Three-point editing overview
311Three-point edit examples
317Try out clips using auditions
317Auditions overview
318Create auditions to try out clips
320Add and remove clips in auditions
322Use auditions to try out clips in your project
326Retime clips to create speed effects
326Retiming clips overview
326Change clip speed
332Reverse or rewind clips
334Create instant replays
335Create freeze frames
336Reset retimed clips to play at normal speeds
336Edit with mixed-format media
339Use roles to manage clips
339Roles overview
340View and reassign roles
344Create custom roles and subroles
347View clips by role in the Timeline
350Use roles to export media stems
350Use XML to transfer projects and Events
351Edit with multicam clips
351Multicam editing overview
352Multicam editing workflow
354Import media for a multicam edit
354Assign camera names and multicam angles
355Create multicam clips in the Event Browser
361Cut and switch angles in the Angle Viewer
371Sync and adjust angles and clips in the Angle Editor
379Edit multicam clips in the Timeline and the Inspector
381Multicam editing tips and tricks
8 |
Contents |
|
|
382 Chapter 12: Keying and compositing
382 Keying
382Keying overview
383Use chroma keys
394Use luma keys
401Finalize the key
405Compositing
405Compositing overview
405Use alpha channels
407Use Compositing settings
409 Chapter 13: Color correction
409Color correction overview
410Analyze and balance color automatically
410Color balance overview
410Analyze a clip for color balance
412Balance a clip’s colors
412Match color between clips automatically
414Adjust color manually
414Manual color correction overview
414Color correct the whole image
417Target a specific color using a color mask
419Target specific areas using shape masks
422Add shape masks to a color mask
423Apply multiple color corrections
424Add a transition between color corrections
425Save and apply color correction presets
426Turn iMovie adjustments on or off
426Measure video levels
426Video scopes overview
427Use the video scopes
428Waveform Monitor display options
431Vectorscope display options
432Histogram display options
434 Chapter 14: Share your project
434 Sharing projects overview
436 Share with other applications
436Use the Media Browser to share your project with iLife and iWork
437Play your project in iTunes, on mobile devices, or with Apple TV
438Email your project
439Publish your project to Podcast Producer
Contents |
9 |
|
|
440 Burn your project to a disc or create a disk image 444 Share on the web
444Publish your project to YouTube
445Publish your project to Facebook
446Publish your project to Vimeo
447Publish your project to CNN iReport
448Export your project
448 Export your project as media files
454 Export an image from your project
454Export your project as an image sequence
455Export your project for web streaming
456Export your project using Compressor
459Status of shared projects
459Shared projects overview
461Visit and announce shared projects
462Remove shared projects
462About Share Monitor
463 Chapter 15: Manage media files
463Media management overview
464Where your media and project files are located
466Manage your media files
466View a clip’s information
467Relink clips to media files
473Transcode media files
476View background tasks
477Delete render files to free up disk space
478Manage your Events and project files
478Before you move or copy Events and projects
478Consolidate a project’s media files
479Back up projects, your Project Library, and Events
482Edit your project on a different computer
487Use SAN locations for Events and projects
488Create and manage camera archives
492Solutions to common media management issues
492Alert icons
494Common media management issues
10 |
Contents |
|
|
496 Chapter 16: Preferences and metadata
496Preferences and metadata overview
496Final Cut Pro preferences
496Change preference settings
497Editing preferences
498Playback preferences
500 Import preferences
502 Work with metadata
502 Display and change metadata
504 Modify metadata views
506 Batch rename clips
509 Chapter 17: Keyboard shortcuts and gestures
509 Keyboard shortcuts and Multi-Touch gestures overview
509 Keyboard shortcuts
526 Multi-Touch gestures
526 Customize keyboard shortcuts
526 View keyboard shortcuts in the Command Editor
530Modify keyboard shortcuts in the Command Editor
531Export and import command sets in the Command Editor
532Chapter 18: Glossary
Contents |
11 |
|
|
What’s new in Final Cut Pro? |
1 |
|
|
|
|
Final Cut Pro 10.0.3 includes major new features and enhancements, detailed below.
Multicam editing
You can now use multicam clips to edit footage from multicamera shoots or other synchronized footage in real time. Working with multicam clips in Final Cut Pro is a flexible and fluid process.While the active angle plays in the Viewer, you can also
view all angles playing simultaneously in the Angle Viewer and easily cut and switch between them. You can create multicam clips from diverse media sources and modify existing multicam clips during the editing process.
For more information, see “Multicam editing overview” on page 351.
A/V output
You can now connect your computer to an external video monitor for audio and video (A/V) output. In addition to showing you how video and audio look and sound on an
NTSC/PAL or HD broadcast monitor, this feature also allows you to test output with more sophisticated devices such as vectorscopes and waveform monitors.
A/V output is available only with OS X Lion v10.7.2 or later and requires compatible third-party video interface hardware and software. FireWire DV devices are not supported. For more information, contact the device manufacturer or go to the
Final Cut Pro X Resources webpage at http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/resources.
For more information, see “View playback on an external video monitor” on page 90.
Manual relinking of clips to media files
Now you can manually relink Event clips and project clips to media files. Manual relinking gives you more control over your post-production workflow.
For more information, see “Relink clips to media files” on page 467.
13
Other notable features
ÂÂ Layered graphics files, such as Adobe Photoshop (PSD) files, can now be edited so that each layer appears as a connected clip in the Timeline.
ÂÂ Advanced Keyer controls are now available.
ÂÂ Keyframing controls are improved in the Video and Audio Animation Editors.
Final Cut Pro 10.0.1 includes a number of new features, enhancements, and changes.
The most significant features are introduced below.
Roles
You can use the new roles metadata labels to organize clips in your Events and projects, control the appearance of the Timeline, and export separate video or audio files (also known as media stems) for broadcast delivery, audio mixing, or post-production. For example, you can export roles as media stems in a combined,
multitrack QuickTime file, or as separate audio or video files. During the export process you can assign mono, stereo, or surround output for your audio channels.
For more information, see “Roles overview” on page 339 and “Export your project as media files” on page 448.
Storage area network (SAN) locations
You can now add network volumes as storage locations for Events and projects. When you remove SAN locations in Final Cut Pro, other users on the network can work with the Events and projects stored on those locations.
For more information, see “Use SAN locations for Events and projects” on page 487.
XML export and import
Final Cut Pro now supports XML import and export so that you can transfer your project and Event information to and from systems and third-party applications that don’t recognize Final Cut Pro projects and Events.
For more information, see “Use XML to transfer projects and Events” on page 350.
14 |
Chapter 1 What’s new in Final Cut Pro? |
|
|
Final Cut Pro basics |
2 |
|
|
|
|
Final Cut Pro X is a revolutionary application for creating, editing, and producing the highest-quality video. Final Cut Pro combines high-performance digital editing and native support for virtually any video format with easy-to-use and time-saving features that let you focus on storytelling.
In Final Cut Pro, you can:
ÂÂ Edit everything from uncompressed standard-definition video to HDV, DVCPRO HD, and uncompressed high-definition video—as well as file-based formats such as AVC-Intra, AVCHD, and XDCAM HD.
ÂÂ Play back and skim resolution-independent media up to 4K resolution. You can also play your video full screen or on a second display.
ÂÂ Assemble clips with ease using the Magnetic Timeline, which fluidly adjusts clips around the clip you’re dragging to eliminate gaps, collisions, and sync problems.
ÂÂ Edit quickly with the complete set of professional editing and trimming tools. Fine-tune edits with the inline Precision Editor.
15
ÂÂ Have Final Cut Pro analyze your video and nondestructively fix common problems such as camera shake, excess hum, or loudness. You can also have Final Cut Pro detect the presence of people or the shot type, and automatically apply keywords such as One Person or Wide Shot.
ÂÂ Organize your media using Keyword Collections, which automatically group clips based on keywords, and Smart Collections, which automatically group clips based on criteria you specify.
ÂÂ Try out clips in your project using auditions—sets of alternate takes, effects, or text treatments—and then choose the best clip for the edit.
ÂÂ Create compound clips to group any combination of clips, and nest clips within other clips.
ÂÂ Use connected clips and storylines to add cutaway shots, superimposed titles, and sound effects to your project. Connected clips and storylines always stay in sync.
ÂÂ Add special effects to video, audio, and photos, and adjust them using keyframes and onscreen controls. You can also change clip speed to create fast-motion or slow-motion effects.
ÂÂ Automatically balance and match color, or use the color correction tools to precisely control the look of any clip in your project.
ÂÂ Publish your project directly to websites such as YouTube and Facebook, or send your project to iTunes for syncing with Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
To give you an idea of the possibilities, the overall process for putting together a movie with Final Cut Pro is described below. You don’t have to do every step, and you might do others that aren’t listed.The workflow isn’t necessarily linear.You could, for example, go all the way through editing and adding effects, and then import more new media for your project.
Import your media into Final Cut Pro
To use Final Cut Pro, you need to transfer your media (video, audio, and still images) from your recording device to your computer or an external disk. You can import media from many kinds of cameras and other devices, or from other applications such as iMovie.
16 |
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
|
|
Organize your media
Final Cut Pro automatically organizes your imported media into Events. An Event is like a folder that contains all the media recorded on a certain date. In Final Cut Pro, your media appears as clips, which link to the media files stored on a disk.You can reorganize your clips by creating or renaming Events and moving clips between Events. For example, you could create an Event for all the media shot for a specific client.
As you review your footage, you can easily rate clips as Favorite or Rejected. These ratings make it easier to focus on your best footage. Final Cut Pro also offers other useful organizing tools, such as Keyword Collections and Smart Collections.
Create a project and add clips to it
Your project is the movie you create using clips from your Events and from the
Final Cut Promedia browsers. Start creating your movie by adding clips to the Timeline.
You make all your edits in the project; your original media files remain untouched (this is known as nondestructive editing).
Arrange and edit your clips
Now your movie can really begin to take shape. To assemble a rough cut, rearrange and trim clips in the Timeline.You can also try out different clips using auditions.
Use connected clips and storylines to add cutaway shots, titles, background music, and sound effects to your project. Create compound clips to group any combination of clips and nest clips within other clips. You can simplify a complicated project by creating a separate compound clip for each major section.
Add effects and transitions
Add special effects from the ample collection of video and audio effects in the Final Cut Pro media browsers. Give your movie titles and credits, and apply video or audio transitions. Adjust clip speed settings to create fast-motion or slow-motion effects.
To further polish your project, you can fine-tune cuts and transitions with the Precision Editor, keyframe video and audio effects, correct color, and composite motion graphics.
Share your movie
When your project is finished, you can publish your movie right from Final Cut Pro to the web, or send it to iTunes, iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple TV. You can also burn a disc to give to others.
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
17 |
|
|
The Final Cut Pro window has three main areas:
|
Event Browser: Access all |
|
Viewer: Play back |
|
the source media you import. |
|
clips and projects. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
Magnetic Timeline: Edit your movie in this area.
18 |
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
|
|
Organize media in the Event Library and Event Browser
All your imported media is available in the Event Library. (An Event is like a folder that contains clips.)
When you select an Event in the Event Library, its clips appear in the Event Browser on the right.
Event Library: Select an Event to view its media on the right.
Event Browser: View and sort the clips in the selected Event.
You can reorganize your media however you like at any time, and you can use the
Event Library and the Event Browser to manage, rate, sort, and add keywords to your imported media. For more information, see “Events and clips overview” on page 57.
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
19 |
|
|
Play back clips and projects in the Viewer
The Viewer is where you play back your video, including clips and projects with up to 4K resolution. You can play back Events, projects, or individual clips in full-screen view or on a second display. For information about ways to play media, see “Play back media” on page 83.
Resolution-independent playback:
Play back video files up to 4K.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Onscreen controls: |
Full-screen playback: |
|
||
|
|
||||
|
Adjust effects such as |
Play your video full screen, |
|
||
|
Transform, Crop, and Distort. |
or on a second display. |
|
You can also use onscreen controls, superimposed over the video in the Viewer, to adjust settings for a wide array of effects and transitions.
20 |
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
|
|
Edit your project in the Magnetic Timeline
The bottom portion of the Final Cut Pro window contains the Timeline, where you create your movie by adding and arranging clips and making all your edits. The
Timeline in Final Cut Pro“magnetically”adjusts clips to fit around clips that you drag into place. If you drag clips out of place, the surrounding clips close up to fill the space.
A Final Cut Pro project holds all of the information for your final movie, including your editing decisions and links to all the source clips and Events. For more information about editing your project, see “Adding clips overview” on page 108 and “Arrange clips in the Timeline” on page 126.
Toolbar: Perform |
|
Connected clips: Add titles and |
common tasks by |
|
cutaway shots. In the Magnetic |
clicking a button. |
|
Timeline, everything stays in sync. |
|
||
|
|
|
Primary storyline: Add and arrange clips to construct your movie.
Audio clips: Add music and sound effects as connected clips.
After you’ve imported media into Final Cut Pro, clips representing the source media files appear in the Event Browser. A large Event may hold many clips.
Media files are the raw materials you use to create your project. A media file is a video, audio, still-image, or graphics file on your hard disk that contains footage transferred from a camcorder or recording device or originally created on your computer. Media files can contain multiple video and audio components. Because media files— especially video files—tend to be quite large, projects that use a lot of footage require one or more high-capacity hard disks.
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
21 |
|
|
Clips represent your media, but they are not the media files themselves.The clips in a project simply point to (link to) the source media files on your hard disk.When you modify a clip, you are not modifying the media file, just the clip’s information in the project. This is known as nondestructive editing, because all of the changes and effects you apply to clips in Final Cut Pro never affect the media itself.Trimmed or deleted pieces of clips are removed from your project only, not from the source clips in your
Event Library or from the source media files on your hard disk.
Media files on your hard disk
Toy1.mov
Event clips
Toy1
|
Project 1 |
|
Project 2 |
|
|
|
Project 3 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toy1 |
Toy1 |
Toy1 |
In Final Cut Pro X, you use Events to collect and organize media. Events are like folders that contain unedited media imported from a camera or some other source.
You use projects to edit and construct movies and share them with your audience. A project is a record of the work you do in the Timeline and the editing decisions you make. When you add a clip from an Event to a particular project, you create a link between the source Event clip and the corresponding project clip (and, by extension, between the Event and the project). However, neither the Event nor the source clip is contained within the project. You can use that Event clip in other projects, and your project can use clips from other Events.
22 |
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
|
|
The illustration below shows the relationship between Events and projects:
Final Cut Pro X keeps track of the links between project clips and their source Event clips, but projects and Events remain independent.
Event
Project
Event
Event |
Project |
|
Event
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 2 Final Cut Pro basics |
|
23 |
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Import media |
3 |
|
|
|
|
Importing media into Final Cut Pro is the first step toward making your movie.With
Final Cut Pro, you can:
ÂÂ Import from a file-based (tapeless) camera or device
ÂÂ Import from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
ÂÂ Import from a tape-based camcorder or device
ÂÂ Import from iMovie
ÂÂ Import from iPhoto and Aperture ÂÂ Import from iTunes
ÂÂ Import from a hard disk
ÂÂ Import from a camera archive
During import, you assign your media to an Event. You can also transcode your media and analyze your media for a variety of issues, such as identifying shaky video, the presence of people and shot type, and problematic audio issues.
When you import clips (video, audio, or still images), Final Cut Pro assigns one of five default roles to the video and audio components of each clip: Video, Titles, Dialogue,
Music, and Effects. For more information, see“View and reassign roles” on page 340.
If you want to quickly back up your media (instead of taking the time to import it), you can create an archive.
24
The first time you open Final Cut Pro, it contains no media, no projects, and a single
Event. Buttons appear in the Event Browser to help you quickly import Events from iMovie, media from your hard disk or a connected external storage device, or media directly from a connected camera.
Import media into an empty Event
Do one of the following:
mm To import Events from iMovie: Click the Import iMovie Events button and follow the instructions for importing iMovie Events.
mm To import media files:Click the Import Files button and follow the instructions for importing media files.
mm To import files from a connected camera or device:Click the Import From Camera button and follow the instructions for importing files from a connected file-based camera or device, from a tape-based camera or device, or from a camera archive.
File-based camcorders and cameras can record video, audio, and still images. These kinds of devices, which record to flash-based storage media, hard disk drives (HDD), and so on, usually connect to your computer via a USB cable. Some devices have removable memory cards that you can insert into your computer instead.
Chapter 3 Import media |
25 |
|
|
If your file-based device provides a clip-spanning feature, you can import all of the media as one spanned clip.
To check whether your camera is compatible with Final Cut Pro, go to the Final Cut Pro X Supported Cameras webpage at http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/cameras.
Import from a file-based camcorder, camera, or device
1 Do one of the following:
ÂÂ Connect your camcorder, camera, or device to your computer, using the cable that came with the device, and turn it on.
If you’re using a camcorder, set it to PC Connect mode. (The name of this transfer mode may be different on your device.) Your camcorder may automatically go into “connect” mode if you turn it on in playback mode while it’s connected to your computer. For more information, see the documentation that came with your camcorder.
Note: Connecting a DVD camcorder to your Mac can cause the DVD Player application to open. If that happens, simply close DVD Player.
ÂÂ Remove the memory card from your camcorder or device and insert it into the card slot on your Mac (if it has one) or into an external card reader.
For more information about memory cards, see “About memory cards and cables” on page 48.
2In Final Cut Pro, do one of the following:
ÂÂ Choose File > Import from Camera (or press Command-I).
ÂÂ Click the Import from Camera button on the left end of the toolbar.
The Camera Import window appears, displaying all the media on your device.
If your media does not appear in the Camera Import window, try importing the media as files.
3If necessary, select your camcorder, camera, or device from the list of devices on the left.
26 |
Chapter 3 Import media |
|
|
The media on the device appears at the bottom of the Camera Import window. You can preview the media by either playing it using the playback controls or skimming it by moving the pointer forward or backward over a filmstrip.
Playback controls
The media on the |
|
|
Change the way clips appear |
|
|||
device appears here. |
|
|
using these controls. |
4Do one of the following:
ÂÂ To import all clips:Click Import All.
ÂÂ To import only some of the clips:Select each clip you want to import by Commandclicking each thumbnail, and click Import Selected (the Import button changes its name).
∏∏Tip: To select several clips located together, you can drag around the clips to enclose them with the selection rectangle.
ÂÂ To import a portion of one clip:Drag inside the clip to select the range that you want, and click Import Selected.
∏∏Tip: You can also select a clip, press the Space bar to play the clip, and press either I to set a start point or O to set an end point.
Chapter 3 Import media |
27 |
|
|
5In the window that appears, choose how you want to organize the imported media in your Event Library:
ÂÂ To add the imported clips to an existing Event:Select “Add to existing Event,” and choose it from the pop-up menu.
ÂÂ To create a new Event: Select “Create new Event” and type a name (for example,
“Chris and Kim Wedding”) in the text field; then choose the disk where you want to store the Event from the “Save to” pop-up menu.
To learn more about Events, see “Events and clips overview” on page 57.
6If you want to organize your media, transcode your media, analyze the video, or analyze the audio, select the relevant checkboxes.
If you don’t set Final Cut Pro to analyze your media during the import process, you can analyze it later (if necessary) in the Event Browser.
7Click Import.
Final Cut Pro imports your media in the background. If you selected any options in the previous step, Final Cut Pro transcodes and optimizes the files after the import process is complete. You can view the progress of the background tasks in the Background Tasks window.
8To begin working with your clips, close the Camera Import window so you can access the Event Browser.
You can create an archive from your file-based camera or device, recording everything on the tape from beginning to end and saving the captured clips as an archive. For more information, see “Create and manage camera archives” on page 488.
Reimport a clip
Two situations warrant reimporting a clip:
ÂÂ If the clip was not completely imported:If you cancel or quit Final Cut Pro before an import is finished, a Camera icon appears on the bottom-left corner of the clip.
This icon indicates that Final Cut Pro is using the media on the camera for playback
(instead of using the QuickTime file that was created during import).
Camera icon
28 |
Chapter 3 Import media |
|
|
To play a clip with a Camera icon, Final Cut Pro locates the media on either a connected camera or in a connected, available camera archive. (See “Access media on an archive or disk image” on page 42 for more information.) If Final Cut Pro can’t locate the media in one of those locations, the clip will go offline and display the Missing Camera alert icon.
ÂÂ If the clip’s source media file is not available:If a clip’s source media file is moved or deleted, or the volume it is located on is disconnected from the computer, a Missing
File icon is displayed on the clip. To restore the clip, you can reimport it.
See “Alert icons” on page 492 for more information about alert icons.
When you reimport a clip, Final Cut Pro automatically connects to the necessary camera or camera archive. There is no need to manually mount a camera archive before reimporting.
1Do one of the following:
ÂÂ Connect the camera that contains the clip to your computer, and turn it on. This will bring the clip online, but the clip will still display the Camera icon in the lower-left corner.
ÂÂ Insert the memory card that contains the clip in your computer or connected card reader.
See “About memory cards and cables” on page 48 for more information.
ÂÂ Make sure the camera archive that contains the clip is located in one of the
Final Cut Pro camera archives.
See “Create and manage camera archives” on page 488 for more information.
2In Final Cut Pro, do one of the following:
ÂÂ To reimport one clip:Select the clip in the Event Browser.
ÂÂ To reimport all clips in an Event:Select the Event the clip belongs to in the Event Browser sidebar.
3Choose File > Import > Reimport from Camera/Archive. The clip or clips are reimported.
Chapter 3 Import media |
29 |
|
|
Some file-based camcorders or devices that have more than one memory card slot can record one shot over multiple memory cards. The resulting shot is called a spanned clip.
A good way to import a spanned clip into Final Cut Pro is to attach your camera or card reader to your local system and create a camera archive for each memory card. You can store the camera archives on your local system or on an external storage device until you are ready to import the spanned clip. (Even if you are importing the spanned clip immediately, it’s useful to make the camera archive so you have a backup of the footage that makes up the spanned clip.) Then, when you’re ready to import, you can mount all of the camera archives and import the spanned clip.
Create a camera archive for each memory card
1Connect your camcorder or camera to your computer and turn it on, or connect your card reader and memory card to your computer. If you’ll be saving the camera archives to an external storage device, connect that as well.
2In Final Cut Pro, do one of the following:
ÂÂ Choose File > Import from Camera (or press Command-I).
ÂÂ Click the Import from Camera button on the left end of the toolbar.
The Camera Import window appears.
3Select a memory card to archive from the list of cameras on the left.
4Click the Create Archive button at the bottom-left corner of the window.
5In the“Create Camera Archive as”field, type a name for the archive.
6Choose a location to save the archive from the Destination pop-up menu, and click OK.
Note: It is recommended that you save your archive to a disk or partition different from the one where you store the media files used with Final Cut Pro.
7Repeat steps 3-6 to create camera archives for each of the memory cards that contain a portion of the spanned clip.
The camera archives appear in the Camera Archives list in the Camera Import window.
See “Create and manage camera archives” on page 488 for more information about creating camera archives.
30 |
Chapter 3 Import media |
|
|