Pinnacle Systems Motion Graphics - 2.6 User's Guide

Avid® Motion Graphics

User’s Guide

Legal Notices

Product specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Avid Technology, Inc.

This product is subject to the terms and conditions of a software license agreement provided with the software. The product may only be used in accordance with the license agreement.

This document is protected under copyright law. An authorized licensee of Avid Motion Graphics may reproduce this publication for the licensee’s own use in learning how to use the software. This document may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, for commercial purposes, such as selling copies of this document or providing support or educational services to others. This document is supplied as a guide for Avid Motion Graphics. Reasonable care has been taken in preparing the information it contains. However, this document may contain omissions, technical inaccuracies, or typographical errors. Avid Technology, Inc. does not accept responsibility of any kind for customers’ losses due to the use of this document. Product specifications are subject to change without notice.

This product may be protected by one or more U.S. and non-U.S patents. Details are available at www.avid.com/patents.

The following disclaimer is required by Apple Computer, Inc.:

APPLE COMPUTER, INC. MAKES NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THIS PRODUCT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO ITS MERCHANTABILITY OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS NOT PERMITTED BY SOME STATES. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY PROVIDES YOU WITH SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. THERE MAY BE OTHER RIGHTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

The following disclaimer is required by Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics, Inc. for the use of their TIFF library:

Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software [i.e., the TIFF library] and its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that (i) the above copyright notices and this permission notice appear in all copies of the software and related documentation, and (ii) the names of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics may not be used in any advertising or publicity relating to the software without the specific, prior written permission of Sam Leffler and Silicon Graphics.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS-IS” AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SAM LEFFLER OR SILICON GRAPHICS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGE, AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

The following disclaimer is required by the Independent JPEG Group:

This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.

This Software may contain components licensed under the following conditions:

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms are permitted provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are duplicated in all such forms and that any documentation, advertising materials, and other materials related to such distribution and use acknowledge that the software was developed by the University of California, Berkeley. The name of the University may not be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation. This software is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software for any purpose is hereby granted without fee, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation, and that the name of Daniel Dardailler not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of the software without specific, written prior permission. Daniel Dardailler makes no representations about the suitability of this software for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any purpose without fee is hereby granted, provided that this entire notice is included in all copies of any software which is or includes a copy or modification of this software and in all copies of the supporting documentation for such software.

THIS SOFTWARE IS BEING PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY. IN PARTICULAR, NEITHER THE AUTHOR NOR AT&T MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE MERCHANTABILITY OF THIS SOFTWARE OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

This product includes software developed by the University of California, Berkeley and its contributors.

The following disclaimer is required by Nexidia Inc.:

© 2010 Nexidia Inc. All rights reserved, worldwide. Nexidia and the Nexidia logo are trademarks of Nexidia Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Nexidia materials regardless of form, including without limitation, software applications, documentation and any other information relating to Nexidia Inc., and its products and services are the exclusive property of Nexidia Inc. or its licensors. The Nexidia products and services described in these materials may be covered by Nexidia's United States patents: 7,231,351; 7,263,484; 7,313,521; 7,324,939; 7,406,415, 7,475,065; 7,487,086 and/or other patents pending and may be manufactured under license from the Georgia Tech Research Corporation USA.

The following disclaimer is required by Paradigm Matrix:

Portions of this software licensed from Paradigm Matrix.

The following disclaimer is required by Ray Sauers Associates, Inc.:

“Install-It” is licensed from Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. End-User is prohibited from taking any action to derive a source code equivalent of “Install-It,” including by reverse assembly or reverse compilation, Ray Sauers Associates, Inc. shall in no event be liable for any damages resulting from reseller’s failure to perform reseller’s obligation; or any damages arising from use or operation of reseller’s products or the software; or any other damages, including but not limited to, incidental, direct, indirect, special or consequential Damages including lost profits, or damages resulting from loss of use or inability to use reseller’s products or the software for any reason including copyright or patent infringement, or lost data, even if Ray Sauers Associates has been advised, knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages.

The following disclaimer is required by Videomedia, Inc.:

“Videomedia, Inc. makes no warranties whatsoever, either express or implied, regarding this product, including warranties with respect to its merchantability or its fitness for any particular purpose.”

“This software contains V-LAN ver. 3.0 Command Protocols which communicate with V-LAN ver. 3.0 products developed by Videomedia, Inc. and V-LAN ver. 3.0 compatible products developed by third parties under license from Videomedia, Inc. Use of this software will allow “frame accurate” editing control of applicable videotape recorder decks, videodisc recorders/players and the like.”

The following disclaimer is required by Altura Software, Inc. for the use of its Mac2Win software and Sample Source Code:

The following disclaimer is required by Ultimatte Corporation:

Certain real-time compositing capabilities are provided under a license of such technology from Ultimatte Corporation and are subject to copyright protection.

The following disclaimer is required by 3Prong.com Inc.:

Certain waveform and vector monitoring capabilities are provided under a license from 3Prong.com Inc.

The following disclaimer is required by Interplay Entertainment Corp.:

The “Interplay” name is used with the permission of Interplay Entertainment Corp., which bears no responsibility for Avid products.

This product includes portions of the Alloy Look & Feel software from Incors GmbH.

This product includes software developed by the Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/).

This product may include the JCifs library, for which the following notice applies:

Avid Interplay contains components licensed from LavanTech. These components may only be used as part of and in connection with Avid Interplay.

Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are “commercial computer software” or “commercial computer software documentation.” In the event that such Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government, all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License Agreement, pursuant to FAR §12.212(a) and/or DFARS §227.7202-1(a), as applicable.

Trademarks

003, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, Adrenaline, AirSpeed, ALEX, Alienbrain, AME, AniMatte, Archive, Archive II, Assistant Station, AudioPages, AudioStation, AutoLoop, AutoSync, Avid, Avid Active, Avid Advanced Response, Avid DNA, Avid DNxcel, Avid DNxHD, Avid DS Assist Station, Avid Ignite, Avid Liquid, Avid Media Engine, Avid Media Processor, Avid MEDIArray, Avid Mojo, Avid Remote Response, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid VideoRAID, AvidRAID, AvidShare, AVIDstripe, AVX, Beat Detective, Beauty Without The Bandwidth, Beyond Reality, BF Essentials, Bomb Factory, Bruno, C|24, CaptureManager, ChromaCurve, ChromaWheel, Cineractive Engine, Cineractive Player, Cineractive Viewer, Color Conductor, Command|24, Command|8, Control|24, Cosmonaut Voice, CountDown, d2, d3, DAE, D-Command, D-Control, Deko, DekoCast, D-Fi, D-fx, Digi 002, Digi 003, DigiBase, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Development Partners, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiLink, DigiMeter, DigiPanner, DigiProNet, DigiRack, DigiSerial, DigiSnake, DigiSystem, Digital Choreography, Digital Nonlinear Accelerator, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DigiWear, DINR, DNxchange, Do More, DPP-1, D-Show, DSP Manager, DS-StorageCalc, DV Toolkit, DVD Complete, D-Verb, Eleven, EM, Euphonix, EUCON, EveryPhase, Expander, ExpertRender, Fader Pack, Fairchild, FastBreak, Fast Track, Film Cutter, FilmScribe, Flexevent, FluidMotion, Frame Chase, FXDeko, HD Core, HD Process, HDpack, Home-to-Hollywood, HYBRID, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, iKnowledge, Image Independence, Impact, Improv, iNEWS, iNEWS Assign, iNEWS ControlAir, InGame, Instantwrite, Instinct, Intelligent Content Management, Intelligent Digital Actor Technology, IntelliRender, Intelli-Sat, Intelli-sat Broadcasting Recording Manager, InterFX, Interplay, inTONE, Intraframe, iS Expander, iS9, iS18, iS23, iS36, ISIS, IsoSync, LaunchPad, LeaderPlus, LFX, Lightning, Link & Sync, ListSync, LKT-200, Lo-Fi, MachineControl, Magic Mask, Make Anything Hollywood, make manage move | media, Marquee, MassivePack, Massive Pack Pro, Maxim, Mbox, Media Composer, MediaFlow, MediaLog, MediaMix, Media Reader, Media Recorder, MEDIArray, MediaServer, MediaShare, MetaFuze, MetaSync, MIDI I/O, Mix Rack, Moviestar, MultiShell, NaturalMatch, NewsCutter, NewsView, NewsVision, Nitris, NL3D, NLP, NSDOS, NSWIN, OMF, OMF Interchange, OMM, OnDVD, Open Media Framework, Open Media Management, Painterly Effects, Palladium, Personal Q, PET, Podcast Factory, PowerSwap, PRE, ProControl, ProEncode, Profiler, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Transfer, QuickPunch, QuietDrive, Realtime Motion Synthesis, Recti-Fi, Reel Tape Delay, Reel Tape Flanger, Reel Tape Saturation, Reprise, Res Rocket Surfer, Reso, RetroLoop, Reverb One, ReVibe, Revolution, rS9, rS18, RTAS, Salesview, Sci-Fi, Scorch, ScriptSync, SecureProductionEnvironment, Serv|GT, Serv|LT, Shape-to-Shape, ShuttleCase, Sibelius, SimulPlay, SimulRecord, Slightly Rude Compressor, Smack!, Soft SampleCell, Soft-Clip Limiter, SoundReplacer, SPACE, SPACEShift, SpectraGraph, SpectraMatte, SteadyGlide, Streamfactory, Streamgenie, StreamRAID, SubCap, Sundance, Sundance Digital, SurroundScope, Symphony, SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, SynchroScope, Syntax, TDM FlexCable, TechFlix, Tel-Ray, Thunder, TimeLiner, Titansync, Titan, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, tools for storytellers, Transit, TransJammer, Trillium Lane Labs, TruTouch, UnityRAID, Vari-Fi, Video the Web Way, VideoRAID, VideoSPACE, VTEM, Work-N-Play, Xdeck, X-Form, Xmon and XPAND! are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Avid Motion Graphics User’s Guide v2.6 • 9329-65242-00 Rev C • January 2014 (1/17/14)

Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

If You Need Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Accessing the Online Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Avid Training Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 1 Avid Motion Graphics Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Product Suite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

System Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

System Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Key Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter 2 Graphics Design Workspace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Design Product Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Understanding the Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Adding and Removing Panes in a Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Working with Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Panes and Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Saving Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Backing Up and Recovering Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Menu Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Project Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Composition Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Preferences Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Exit Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Assets Area Pane Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Animation Area Pane Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Viewports Area Pane Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Model Area Pane Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Layout Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Select Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Save Now Menu Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

SaveOnExit Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Lock Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Delete Menu Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Rename Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Skin Menu Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Help Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Assets Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

StormLogic Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Library Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Adding Assets to a Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Resizing Asset Library Pane Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Effects Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Applying Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Browser Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Browser Paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

In Use Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Deleting, Unused Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Renaming Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Creating Material Thumbnails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Menu Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Animation Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Bezier Curves During Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

In and Out Panes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Brother In and Brother Out Panes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Self In and Self Out Panes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Immediate In and Immediate Out Panes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Viewports Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Edit Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Program Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Preview Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Related Feature: Viewport Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Model Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Material Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Texture Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

MediaIn Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Font Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

FonFix Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Viewport Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Timer Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Form Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Data Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Excel Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Float3 Data Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Float Data Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Integer Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

llString Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

ODBC Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Python Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

RSS Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

String Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

XML Data Object . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

User Data Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Python Scripts for Automated Behaviors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Bind Pane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Capture Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Render Movie Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

System Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Light Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Pivot Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Sound Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Object Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Chapter 3 Project Workflows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

Design Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Mouse Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Keyboards and Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

About Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Project Preferences and Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Project Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Compositions at the StormLogic Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Compositions and Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Compositions and Object Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Sinusoidal Effect Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Creating Composition Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Backup Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Libraries Across Multiple Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Multi User Collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Using StormLogic with Compositions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Presenter Group Effects with Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Composition Hierarchy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Creating a Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Saving Projects and Compositions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Chapter 4 Avid Motion Graphics Journalist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Avid Motion Graphics Journalist Client Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Starting the Journalist Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Avid Motion Graphics Journalist User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Template Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Graphics Database Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Creating Graphics from Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

Working with Database Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Filter Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

Setting the Ready/Not Ready Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228

Locking Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Library Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Setting the Library Graphic Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Changing the Name of a Library Graphic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

Using Avid Motion Graphics Journalist with iNEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

Graphics Organization in Journalist for iNEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

General Library Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Library Graphics with a Specific User Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Personal Library Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Page Numbers for Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Using Avid Motion Graphics Journalist with ENPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234

Chapter 5 Avid Motion Graphics Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

Playout Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Template Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Template Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Motion Graphics Control User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Grouped Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

MetaTemplates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

Project and Composition Playout Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Automation Fields Order or Tab Reorder Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

Settings and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

Configuring Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Avid Motion Graphics Control Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

Virtual Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

Creating Keyboard Layouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Chapter 6 Avid Motion Graphics News Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

News Control User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

Control Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Rundown Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

Message Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Basic News Control Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Changing a Cued Graphic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

Modifying the Position of a Graphic in a Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274

Template Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274

Editing Graphics Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274

Adding a New Graphic to a Rundown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

Special News Control Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277

Checking Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278

Ready and Not Ready Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278

Clearing Renders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279

Advanced News Control Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279

Pauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279

Searching for Rundown Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280

Using Page Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280

Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280

Playing Locked Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

Channel Auto-Activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Channel Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Chapter 7 Avid Motion Graphics Operations Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283

Avid Motion Graphics Operations Console User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284

Main User Interface Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284

Channel Setup Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Adding Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Removing Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Reconfiguring Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286

All Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286

Group Tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

Opening Avid Motion Graphics projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288

Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Action Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Edit Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

View Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Help Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Common Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Add a new Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290

Configure a Channel Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292

Open an Avid Motion Graphics Project for a Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293

Open an Avid Motion Graphics Project for a Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295

Chapter 8 Avid Motion Graphics Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

Avid Motion Graphics Photoshop Exporter Plug-in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298

Photoshop Export Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298

Photoshop Exporter User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300

Layers List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301

Advanced Settings for Layers List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303

Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304

Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304

Template Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

Save Sessions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308

Manage Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308

Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308

About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

Tips and Best Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

Avid Motion Graphics 3DS Max Exporter Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310

The 3DS Max Export Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310

The 3DS Max Exporter User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312

About the 3DS Max Export Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314

Run Script Shortcut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315

Chapter 9 Avid Motion Graphics Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317

Avid License Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

AMG Advanced Device Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

AMG Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

Avid Motion Graphics Font Package. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

AMG Transcode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318

Using AMG Transcode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

Deko Translator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

Before You Begin... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

Creating an AMG Project with Deko Translator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Deko Player. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Before You Begin... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326

Playing Deko Graphics in AMG Compositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327

Playing Deko Graphics in AMG Control or AMG News Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329

Motions with Pauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330

Cancelling a Previewed Graphic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330

Defining Replaceable Data Using AMG Control or AMG News Control. . . . . . . . . 331

Chapter 10 Avid Motion Graphics Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

Keyboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332

Avid Motion Graphics Design UI Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Avid Motion Graphics Control Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

Chapter 11 Avid Motion Graphics Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343

C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344

E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344

F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344

G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

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V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348

Symbols and Conventions

Using This Guide

Congratulations on your purchase of Avid Motion Graphics. Avid Motion Graphics is the foundation for reliable, high-productivity media production. It is designed for media facilities and broadcasters using the industry's most proven real-time storage software technology, delivering stable operation, high performance media access, and class-leading value. From character generation to full 3D animations, customers can create stunning imagery with a complete next-generation creative toolset, featuring an advanced 2D/3D real-time rendering engine accelerated by the latest GPU technology.

This guide contains all the task-oriented instructions, conceptual information, and reference material you need to get started using your new graphics system. It is intended for use by those responsible for using Avid Motion Graphics in your facility.

Unless noted otherwise, the material in this document applies to the Windows 7 operating system.The screen shots in this document were captured on a Windows 7 system.

This document describes all the features available for the Avid Motion Graphics Server.

Depending on your particular configuration, your system might not contain certain features that are covered in this documentation.

Symbols and Conventions

Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

> This symbol indicates menu commands (and subcommands) in the

A note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong suggestions.

A caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or cause you to lose data.

A warning describes an action that could cause you physical harm. Follow the guidelines in this document or on the unit itself when handling electrical equipment.

order you select them. For example, File > Import means to open the File menu and then select the Import command.

Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action

This symbol indicates a single-step procedure. Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform one of the actions listed.

If You Need Help

(Windows), (Windows only), (Macintosh), or (Macintosh only)

Bold font Bold font is primarily used in task instructions to identify user interface

Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to indicate variables.

Courier Bold font

Ctrl+key or mouse action Press and hold the first key while you press the last key or perform the

If You Need Help

If you are having trouble using your Avid product:

1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide. It is especially important to check each step of your workflow.

2. Check the latest information that might have become available after the documentation was published.

New information would be found in the ReadMe file available online.

You should always check online for the most up-to-date release notes or ReadMe because the online version is updated whenever new information becomes available. To

view the online versions, visit the Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/US/support.

This text indicates that the information applies only to the specified operating system, either Windows or Macintosh OS X.

items and keyboard sequences.

Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.

mouse action. For example, Command+Option+C or Ctrl+drag.

3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues.

4. Visit the online Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/US/support. Online services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this online Knowledge Base to find answers, to view error messages, to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read or join online message-board discussions.

Accessing the Online Documentation

The Avid Motion Graphics online documentation contains all the product documentation in PDF format. You can access the documentation in the Avid Motion Graphics Documentation folder on the Avid Motion Graphics installer device.

You need to download and install Acrobat Reader on your Avid Motion Graphics Server before

you can access the PDF documentation.

To access the online documentation from the installer device:

1. Insert your Avid Motion Graphics USB flash drive (UFD) with the Avid Motion Graphics software into the USB port.

2. Navigate to the Avid Motion Graphics Documentation folder, and double-click the PDF file for the document you want to view.

Avid Training Services

Avid makes lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal development easy and convenient. Avid understands that the knowledge you need to differentiate yourself is always changing, and Avid continually updates course content and offers new training delivery methods that accommodate your pressured and competitive work environment.

For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications, courseware, and books, please visit www.avid.com/support and follow the Training links, or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).

1 Avid Motion Graphics Overview

Avid Motion Graphics is a product suite geared for media producers in the media enterprise, professional video, and education market segments who produce graphics for several applications including news, sports, live events (concerts, houses of worship), post production, channel branding, game shows, reality TV, corporate video, and educational purposes.

Media producers must create stunning visual imagery that cuts through the clutter, streamline their workflows to reduce costs, and build strong brand recognition. The Avid Motion Graphics on-air graphics platform offers advanced design tools, powerful production capabilities, and sophisticated workflow integration, built on a revolutionary rendering engine, allowing everyone involved in graphics development to make the most of their media.

Avid Motion Graphics solutions can integrate industry-leading broadcast graphics systems and live production servers with both the newsroom and broadcast production. The result is facility-wide access to branded visual templates and elements—from traffic to the promotions department to the journalists—and a more consistent and competitive channel identity in all news, sports and entertainment programming.

This document describes the key features, product suite applications and their descriptions. Depending on your configuration, your Avid Motion Graphics system might not contain certain applications or features covered in this document. Information that applies to a specific application is covered in that particular section.

The following main topics describe:

• Product Suite

• System Tools

• System Options

• Key Features

Product Suite

The Avid Motion Graphics platform is built on a powerful rendering engine that lets everyone involved in graphics development make the most of their media. The product suite provides a foundation for a variety of media applications, including news, sports, live events, post production, and channel branding. The following table describes the different Avid Motion Graphics products.

Product Description

Avid Motion Graphics Avid Motion Graphics is a full-featured on-air

graphics system with advanced object-based design, production and playout capabilities, and workflow integration ideal for high production-value graphics creation and distribution. You can create an exhilarating visual experience with this complete next-generation creative toolset, featuring advanced 2D/3D real-time rendering accelerated by the latest GPU and I/O technology.

Product Suite

Avid Motion Graphics Production Avid Motion Graphics Production is ideal for

fast-paced news, sports and live events, Avid Motion Graphics Production is a streamlined on-air graphics system with complete 2D/3D graphics creation tools, effects, production capabilities and workflow integration. You can create stunning imagery, easily make real-time updates, and quickly play graphics to air with this next-generation creative toolset, featuring advanced 2D/3D real-time rendering accelerated by the latest GPU and I/O technology.

Product Description

Avid Motion Graphics Creation Avid Motion Graphics Creation is a software-only

graphics design application with the same advanced 2D/3D creation tools and advanced 2D/3D real-time rendering as the full-featured Avid Motion Graphics system. You can create stunning imagery with this complete next-generation creative toolset for quick transfer to the online Avid Motion Graphics system.

System Tools

The following table describes the tools that may be added to your Avid Motion Graphics system.

System Tools

System Tools Description

Avid License Control Must be installed on any computer with a licensed

component. For instance, the servers pass licenses to Journalist clients and News Control Clients.

Installed on the Avid Motion Graphics computer, Avid Motion Graphics Journalist Server, Avid Motion Graphics Preview Renderer, and any Computers running 3DS, Photoshop, MAP or Avid Motion Graphics Control.

AMG Advanced Device Manager Used for the iNEWS Command workflow or

Automation and is installed on the Avid Motion Graphics Server.

Avid Motion Graphics Control Avid Motion Graphics Control is for non-newsroom

graphics and control room operators. For those who need to control sequenced or non-sequenced graphics, and need the ability to adjust graphics on-the-fly. This application provides full graphics control for playout flexibility. It is installed with Avid Motion Graphics or on a separate 3rd party system.

System Tools Description

Avid Motion Graphics Font Package Allows use of graphics previously created in Deko

and users can create new graphics using fonts from this package in Avid Motion Graphics too.Installed on the Avid Motion Graphics Server.

AMG Transcode AMG Transcode is an application that allows you to

convert from multiple types of clips into a known usable format, which allows playback in real-time and has aligned audio.

Deko Translator The DekoTranslator is an application that allows

you to utilize your existing Deko Graphics assets and convert them into native AMG Compositions. DekoTranslator is a standalone application not requiring AMG or Deko to be installed to work correctly. However, to confirm that the all the assets required to process the Deko Graphics are available, you need some version of the Deko application. It is recommended that you use a single computer that has a version of both Deko and AMG installed.

System Tools

Deko Chart Designer Allows use of Deko graphics previously created

with Deko Chart Designer. Installed on the computer running Avid Motion Graphics with Deko Player or Deko Translator.

Deko Player Deko Player is a component of Avid Motion

Graphics that allows you to easily play your existing Deko graphics to air.

System Options

The following table describes the options that may be added to your Avid Motion Graphics system

Options Description

Avid Motion Graphics Journalist Avid Motion Graphics Journalist is for the

journalists who need template graphics for easy fulfillment of data.This application allows for use of the NRCS Integrated MOS plug-in along with flexibility in determining the level of functionality that journalists are exposed to for fulfillment of graphics data and adjustment of templates. Avid Motion Graphics News Control is also part of this installer.

Avid Motion Graphics News Control Avid Motion Graphics News Control is designed for

the news graphics operators who need graphics rundown automation with manual control. This application allows for automated graphics playout connected to the NRCS rundown, on-the-fly graphics adjustment, and third-party production automation integration. This application is part of the Avid Motion Graphics Journalist installer.

Key Features

The following table describes some of the key features of Avid Motion Graphics.

Feature Description

Real-time 2D/3D graphics rendering Graphics creation from basic CG functions up to

Deko asset preservation Saves resources, time, and money by letting you use

highly advanced real-time compositions using effects and shaders. Switch between 2D and 3D without complexity.

all the same raw file assets. Includes a translator to bring the basic components of your Deko files onto the new platform.

Key Features

Feature Description

Workflow integration Enables you to integrate graphics into the newsroom

and edit suite while transitioning to the new platform. Empowers you to create powerful newsroom graphics from advanced templates.

Object-based environment

Allows each object to contain its own parameters and animation properties, and to be combined in an infinite variety of ways.

Local or distributed controller Enables you to bring graphics to air with all

products within the Avid Motion Graphics platform. Includes full override capabilities and the fastest to air workflows.

Text editing and effects Gets you to air quickly with all the standard text

entry and editing functionality, as well as dozens of preset text effects and animations.

Primitives modeling and animation, environment lighting and atmosphere tools

Available plug-ins provide export from industry standard tools, such as Photoshop and 3D Studio Max, letting you create 3D objects and animations natively or from imported geometry with open integrations.

Intuitive user interface with 2D and 3D views Enables you to work more efficiently to create many

types of graphic assets, from character generation to full 3D animations.

Feature Description

Key Features

Enhanced materials with soft clipping planes, specular effects, bumpmapping, advanced materials, shaders and shadows

Group effects

Clips and/or video input mapped to any object including text

Control via automation, external machines, or applications

Provides a wide range of creative options to develop a differentiated look and feel for any application.

Lets you animate entire groups of objects, such as multi-line scoreboards with a variety of preset animations.

Enables you to map graphics clips or input video to any object and play in combination with timeline animations.

Interfaces with automated graphics playout control systems to automatically trigger playout in a variety of workflows.

Combine two or more templates into one uniquely identified MetaTemplate

Using AMG Control you can combine multiple templates into one MetaTemplate that has its own HouseID. This allows for ultimate graphic playout flexibility when controlling the Avid Motion Graphics playout server with any system that communicates via CII (i.e. most Automation systems).

Key Features

Feature Description

Data-driven graphics

Lets you dynamically update graphics, such as financial charts, sports scores, and election results via integration with ODBC sources, RSS feeds, XML files, and/or third-party data sources and applications.

Advanced GPU technology support Supports the latest advances in GPU and I/O

technology, as well as formats from NTSC up to 2K, including film resolutions and custom formats.

2 Graphics Design Workspace

The following describes the Avid Motion Graphics design products workspace created for those users who produce graphics and compositions, which are used for news, sports, live events (concerts, houses of worship), post production, channel branding, game shows, reality TV, corporate video, and educational purposes.

The following main topics describe:

• Design Product Suites

• Menu Bar

• Understanding the Workspace

Design Product Suites

You can use the Avid Motion Graphics design products to create graphics you want to present on-air, such as lower thirds, frames for text, clocks, leaderboards, full-screen bulleted lists, templates for interfaced data, and pops, for quickly popping partial graphics onto a master graphic. The graphics are saved as a composition. The composition contains all the objects and all the properties of those objects, including the animation.

All graphics are built in 3-dimensional space, even if they are 2-dimensional objects. multiple

objects can be grouped together to create a new object.

In the Avid Motion Graphics product suite, there are three main design applications with which graphics and compositions are created. With some feature differences, the user interface for each of these design products is the same.

For this topic, starting your Avid Motion Graphics application means whichever Avid Motion

Graphics design application you are using.

The following table describes the different Avid Motion Graphics product suites.

Product Suite Description

Design Product Suites

Avid Motion Graphics Avid Motion Graphics is one of three graphics

design applications. It is geared towards the high-end broadcast graphics designer who needs to produce differentiated broadcast graphics with the highest production value. This application has a state-of-the-art feature set allowing for advanced, real-time 2D/3D graphics creation and playout, integrations with common workflows and infrastructure, turn-key or distributed hardware and control architecture. It also has support for Deko graphics.

Avid Motion Graphics Production Avid Motion Graphics Production is one of three

graphics design applications. It is for broadcast graphics designers who need a cost-effective, easy to use, graphics solution with a w/ 2D/3D production capabilities. This application allows simplified real-time 2D/3D creation, and playout with basic effects, turn-key or distributed hardware and control architecture, and including support for Deko graphics.

Design Product Suites

Product Suite Description

Avid Motion Graphics Creation Avid Motion Graphics Creation is one of three

graphics design applications. It is for graphics departments where graphics designers need separate graphics creation for later playout. They can import and edit third-party graphics objects using the full Avid Motion Graphics feature set for creation in a software only package, which can be installed on a laptop with a powerful graphics card and plenty of memory. This application includes the Clips and Stereoscopic options and has support for Deko graphics.

No matter which of the design applications you are using to create your graphics, many aspects of the workflow are the same. You can import or create assets or movies in a project. Those assets are then used to create layers and assembled in a composition. The properties of those layers can be modified by adding effects, textures, fonts or even animation. You can preview the rendered composition and export it for playout.

Understanding the Workspace

The Avid Motion Graphics workspace consists of a layout, which is a set of five areas containing panes and tools that are installed with the product. The size and location of the areas and panes are set by default in each of the different basic layouts. Not all of the available panes are displayed in each layout, but users can customize which panes are displayed, their sizes, and where they are located in the window. Areas can be re-sized by dragging their borders horizontally and vertically and panes can be relocated, added to, or removed from any area in the workspace. You can name and save a customized layout so that it appears in the layout menu, and can be selected for use again.

The following illustration shows the default layout for the Avid Motion Graphics workspace, which appears when you first start the software.

Your user interface may look slightly different from that in the following illustration based upon

your version, options, and configuration. You are able to rearrange your workspace by dragging a tab, with a left-mouse click, to a different area, and releasing the tab when the area in which you want to place the tab is highlighted in white. You are also able to tear tabs off completely and have those individual tabs open in separate windows. A placeholder with the tab name will be held in the user interface, but no information will be held there until the external window is closed.

Understanding the Workspace

Not all of the available panes are included in each of the provided preset layouts. For instance, the Default layout doesn’t include several of the Animation, Viewport, and Model panes. As you use Avid Motion Graphics, you can customize layouts to better align them with your favorite workflows

Understanding the Workspace

In addition to the areas and panes, the application layouts feature menu bars and tools in the panes that offer additional information and functionality. The following table describes the areas and panes displayed when using the default layout.

Area Description

1 - Assets The Assets area displays different types of asset panes. The asset

panes are tabbed libraries of graphic objects, materials, and effects, which can all be used in composition creation. This area also contains the Browser and StormLogic panes to help locate and navigate different assets used in compositions, and the In Use panes, which contains all of the assets that are in use in the current composition. For more information, see “Assets Area” on page 47.

2 - Viewports The Viewport area contains the Tools, Playout, and Preview panes

and can contain more than one Viewport. This is the area where you layout your design and create your compositions. For more information, see “Viewports Area” on page 78.

3 - Animation The Animation area allows you to add timing or motion to a

composition. For more information, see “Animation Area” on

page 72.

4 - Model The Model area displays panes for used for modifying a selected

object. It allows you to change object and effect values for the assets used in a composition. The object values are the sizes and shapes of assets used in compositions. The effect values are the colors, textures, reflectiveness, and so forth, on the surfaces of the assets in compositions. For more information, see “Model Area” on

page 84.

5 - Menu The Menu Area is located directly above the Viewport and by

default contains the Tools pane. The Tools pane provides access to all of the tools you need for manipulating objects in the Viewport. There are a set of gizmos that allow you to transform objects. There are also tools for displaying statistical data and altering the Viewport.

Adding and Removing Panes in a Workspace

By default, panes are grouped into different areas in the user interface for basic ease of access. All panes can be moved to different areas, thereby creating custom layouts, depending on the user’s preferences.

To add or remove panes in a workspace:

1. Open the View menu, located at the top of your window. The View menu lists the five workspace area options: Assets, Menu, Animation, Viewports, and Model.

2. Click on, or hover over, as shown in the previous illustration, any one of the Area options in the list to display the specific panes available for that area.

Understanding the Workspace

3. Do one of the following:

t Mark the Check box corresponding to the to the pane you want to add to your area's

workspace.

t Unmark the Check box corresponding to the to the pane you want to remove from your

area's workspace.

Working with Layouts

The application is installed with some preset layout types. When you first start the application, the Default layout is displayed. You can select a different layout from the Layout menu.

The following table lists the preset layouts and their descriptions.

Layout Type Description

Animation The Animation layout provides a larger viewport in the Edit pane providing a most

efficient workspace for those users working with motion and animated graphics.

Default The Default layout exposes the most panes, for the most functionality, for immediate

use.

Design The Design layout is similar to the default view with an extended timeline intended for

the most common design workflows. This layout puts the Logic pane at the top of the Assets area so that a user can see the list of compositions they created, and can easily navigate between them as they work.

When you use a preset layout, the next time you start the application, the last preset layout that was used is the layout that displays. You can start with a preset layout and customize it. You can add other functionality by opening other panes and then saving the layout that you have created. When you save a new layout, the name of the layout is added to the list of preset layouts from which you can select the next time you start your application. Only the custom layouts that you create can be deleted from the list of preset layouts.

Understanding the Workspace

To change your workspace layout to one of the preset Layouts:

t Select a layout from the Layout > Select drop-down list.

To close a pane:

t Click the X on the pane’s tab.

To open additional panes:

1. Select the View menu.

2. Select the menu option corresponding to the pane you want to open.

The pane you select opens in the active area.

To reset a layout to its original configuration:

t Select Default from the Layout > Select drop-down menu.

To reset all layouts to their original default configurations:

t Select Reset All Layouts from the Layout drop-down menu.

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Pinnacle Systems Motion Graphics - 2.6 User's Guide

Contents

Symbols and Conventions

Using This Guide

If You Need Help

Accessing the Online Documentation

Avid Training Services

1 Avid Motion Graphics Overview

Product Suite

System Tools

System Options

Key Features

2 Graphics Design Workspace

Design Product Suites

Understanding the Workspace

Adding and Removing Panes in a Workspace

Working with Layouts