Pinnacle Systems Xpress Studio - 4.5 User Manual
Using Avid Xpress® Studio
Workflow Guide
make manage move | media
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Avid
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2
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Footage
Arri — Courtesy of Arri/Fauer — John Fauer, Inc.
Bell South “Anticipation” — Courtesy of Two Headed Monster — Tucker/Wayne Atlanta/GMS.
Canyonlands — Courtesy of the National Park Service/Department of the Interior.
Eco Challenge British Columbia — Courtesy of Eco Challenge Lifestyles, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
3
Eco Challenge Morocco — Courtesy of Discovery Communications, Inc.
It’s Shuttletime — Courtesy of BCP & Canadian Airlines.
Nestlé Coffee Crisp — Courtesy of MacLaren McCann Canada.
Saturn “Calvin Egg” — Courtesy of Cossette Communications.
“Tigers: Tracking a Legend” — Courtesy of www.wildlifeworlds.com, Carol Amore, Executive Producer.
Windhorse — Courtesy of Paul Wagner Productions.
Arizona Images — KNTV Production — Courtesy of Granite Broadcasting, Inc.,
Editor/Producer Bryan Foote.
Canyonlands — Courtesy of the National Park Service/Department of the Interior.
Tornados + Belle Isle footage — Courtesy of KWTV News 9.
WCAU Fire Story — Courtesy of NBC-10, Philadelphia, PA.
Women in Sports – Paragliding — Courtesy of Legendary Entertainment, Inc.
GOT FOOTAGE?
Editors — Filmmakers — Special Effects Artists — Game Developers — Animators — Educators —
Broadcasters — Content creators of every genre — Just finished an incredible project and want to
share it with the world?
Send us your reels and we may use your footage in our show reel or demo!*
For a copy of our release and Avid’s mailing address, go to www.avid.com/footage.
*Note: Avid cannot guarantee the use of materials submitted.
Using Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Guide• Part 0130-06216-01 • June 2004
4
Contents
Using This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
If You Need Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Accessing the Online Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
How to Order Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Avid Educational Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 1 Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Avid Xpress Studio Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Basic Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Avid FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Avid 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Avid Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Avid DVD by Sonic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
File Formats and Media Handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 2 Using Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Working in Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Creating a Program in Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Opening other Avid Xpress Studio Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Chapter 3 Using Avid FX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Basic Steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Opening the Effect Palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Dragging the Avid FX Effect on to the Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Entering Effect Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Displaying the Avid FX Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Creating an Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Creating a Transition Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Adding Media to an Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Applying the Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Rendering the Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Creating Text Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Creating a Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Adding an Effect to Filler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Creating Text in a Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Animating Text on a Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Saving and Sharing Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Using the Avid FX Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Next Steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Chapter 4 Using Avid 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Exporting Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Send To Avid 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Converting OMF Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Exporting Media to Avid 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Viewing AAF Media in Avid 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Creating 3D Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Applying Video Clips as Background or Textures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Creating a Scene for Export to the Avid Editing Application. . . . . . . 68
Exporting Media from Avid 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Chapter 5 Using Digi 002, Mbox, and Avid Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Using Pro Tools LE for Finishing Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Basic Steps in the Avid Xpress Pro to Pro Tools LE Workflow. . . . . 80
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Editing Audio with Avid Studio Xpress Complete. . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Editing Audio with Avid Xpress Studio Essentials . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Frame-Rate Accurate Video Editing and Sample-Rate Accurate
Audio Editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Disk Drive Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
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QuickTime Movies versus QuickTime Reference Movies . . . . . 87
Exporting Audio and Video from Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Using the Send To Avid Pro Tools LE Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Determining the Audio Settings to use for Your Pro Tools LE
Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Importing Audio and Video into Pro Tools LE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Editing Audio Files in Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Bringing Your Audio from Pro Tools LE to Avid Xpress Pro. . . . . . . . . . 98
Exporting Tracks from Pro Tools LE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Exporting Selected Tracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Importing an OMF File into Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Using the Bounce to Disk Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Using Publish as OMFI With the Bounce to Disk
Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Using the Media Tool to Import the Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Exporting a Stereo-Interleaved File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Importing the File into a Bin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Chapter 6 Using Avid DVD by Sonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Preparing the Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Encoding the Sequence with Sorenson Squeeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Producing the DVD with Avid DVD by Sonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Setting Up the Avid DVD by Sonic Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Working in the Avid DVD by Sonic Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Outputting the Project to DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Photoshop File Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Using Pro Tools LE with Progressive Projects. . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exporting Files to Pro Tools from a Progressive Project . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Use the Media Creation Tool to Create OMF Media . . . . . . . . . . . 124
MXF File Format Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Creating a New OMF Template for the Send To Command . . . . . 125
Using Audio Pulldown with Progressive Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
23.976p NTSC Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
7
Video Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Audio Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Export to Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Export from Pro Tools to Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
24p NTSC Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Video Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Audio Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Export to Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Export from Pro Tools to Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
24p PAL Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Video Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Audio Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Export to Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Export from Pro Tools to Avid Xpress Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
8
Using This Guide
Congratulations on your purchase of the Avid Xpress Studio package of
editing applications. You can use your applications to create broadcast-quality
output incorporating every possible production element from full-speed,
high-resolution footage, to multimedia artwork and animation, to
computer-generated effects and titling.
This guide outlines the workflow between the component applications of
Avid Xpress Studio.
This guide is intended for all users, from beginning to advanced.
Unless noted otherwise, the material in this document applies to the
Windows XP and Mac OS X operating systems.The majority of screen shots
in this document were captured on a Windows XP system, but the information
applies to both Windows XP and Mac OS X systems. Where differences exist,
both Windows XP and Mac OS X screen shots are shown.
n
The documentation describes the features and hardware of all models.
Therefore, your system might not contain certain features and hardware that
are covered in the documentation.
Using This Guide
Symbols and Conventions
Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:
Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action
n
c
w
> This symbol indicates menu commands (and
t
k
Margin tips
(Windows), (Windows
only), (Macintosh), or
(Macintosh only)
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.
subcommands) in the order you select them. For
example, File > Import means to open the File menu
and then select the Import command.
This symbol indicates a single-step procedure.
Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you perform one
of the actions listed.
This symbol represents the Apple or Command key.
Press and hold the Command key and another key to
perform a keyboard shortcut.
In the margin, you will find tips that help you perform
tasks more easily and efficiently.
This text indicates that the information applies only to
the specified operating system, either Windows XP or
Macintosh OS X.
10
Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to
indicate variables.
Courier Bold font
Ctrl+key or mouse action
k+key or mouse action
Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.
Press and hold the first key while you press the last
key or perform the mouse action. For example,
k+Option+C or Ctrl+drag.
If You Need Help
If you are having trouble using Avid Xpress Studio:
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 for the latest information that might have become available after
the documentation was published in one of two locations:
- If release notes are available, they ship with your application.
- If ReadMe files are available, they are supplied in your Avid
If You Need Help
application folder. ReadMe files are also available from Help.
n
Release notes and ReadMe files are also available on the Avid Knowledge
Center.
3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your
hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues.
4. Visit the online Knowledge Center at www.avid.com/support. Online
services are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search this
online Knowledge Center to find answers, to view error messages, to
access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read/join online
message-board discussions.
5. For Technical Support, please call 800-800-AVID (800-800-2843).
For Broadcast On-Air Sites and Call Letter Stations, call
800-NEWSDNG (800-639-7364).
Accessing the Online Library
The Avid Xpress Studio Online Library DVD or CD-ROM contains all the
product documentation in PDF format and tutorials. Avid recommends the
tutorials as your first resource for learning how to use your application. You
can access the documentation and tutorial from the Online Library DVD or
CD-ROM or from the Help menu.
11
Using This Guide
n
You need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® installed to view the documentation
online. You can download the latest version of Acrobat from the Adobe Web
site. The tutorial and the effects reference guide requires Apple’s QuickTime
application to view the QuickTime movies. You can download the latest
version of QuickTime from the Apple
To access the online library and tutorial from the Online Library DVD or
CD-ROM :
1. Insert the Online Library DVD or CD-ROM into the drive.
2. Double-click the Mainmenu file.
To access the online library and tutorial from the Help:
1. Insert the Online Library DVD or CD-ROM into the drive.
2. In your Avid application, select Help > Online Library.
How to Order Documentation
To order additional copies of this documentation from within the
United States, call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843). If you are
placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local
Avid representative.
®
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12
FILE INFORMATION:
Chapter 1
Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview
Avid Xpress® Studio comprises the following applications:
•Avid
• Avid FX
• Avid 3D
• Avid Pro Tools
• Avid DVD by Sonic
®
Xpress Pro
®
LE
™
Once you create a sequence in Avid Xpress Pro, you can enhance it with highquality titling and effects in Avid FX, with 3D elements in Avid 3D, and with
audio processing in Avid Pro Tools LE. You can then encode it for DVD
production in Avid DVD by Sonic.
This document outlines the flow of your work going to and from the
applications of Avid Xpress Studio in “Basic Workflow” on page 16. It also
describes file formats and media handling in “File Formats and Media
Handling” on page 19.
Chapter 1 Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview
Avid Xpress Studio Applications
The following applications are part of Avid Xpress Studio:
• Avid Xpress Pro: the base application for Avid Xpress Studio. In
Avid Xpress Pro you capture or import your material, work with clips and
sequences, and perform all your basic editing tasks. You can put material
out to the other applications of the studio and work with that material, but
it always comes back to Avid Xpress Pro until you are ready to output it to
DVD. See “Using Avid Xpress Pro” on page 21.
• Avid F X: operates as an AVX plug-in that you access from within
Avid Xpress Pro. Avid FX offers effects such as:
- 2D and 3D text treatments
- Multi-layer composites
- Motion tracking
- Transitions
For a workflow outline, see “Avid FX” on page 17.
• Avid 3 D: allows you to create 3D elements such as the following:
14
- Flying logos
-ID bugs
- Particle effects
- Special effects
- Animated backgrounds
- 3d transition effects, 2D compositing
- 3D scenes that interact with live action.
For a workflow outline, see “Avid 3D” on page 17.
• Avid Pro Tools (PT) LE: a flexible tool for audio production. Its
capabilities include the following:
- Sound effects editing and design
- Music composition and editing
- Dialog conforming and editing
- Voice-over recording and editing
- Foley recording and editing
Avid Xpress Studio Applications
- Mixing and signal processing.
For a workflow outline, see “Avid Pro Tools LE” on page 18.
• Avid DVD by Sonic: integrates authoring and disc creation into a single
application.
For a workflow outline, see “Avid DVD by Sonic” on page 19.
You can find details about workflow using each component application in the
following chapters:
• Using Avid Xpress Pro
• Using Avid FX
• Using Avid 3D
• Using Digi 002, Mbox, and Avid Pro Tools LE
• Using Avid DVD by Sonic
Supplemental information about using Pro Tools LE is in “Using Pro Tools LE
with Progressive Projects” on page 123.
In addition, see the Avid Xpress Pro Online Library CD-ROM for complete
information about Avid Xpress Pro, Avid FX, Avid 3D, Avid Pro Tools LE,
and Avid DVD by Sonic. Each application (except for Avid Pro Tools LE)
also has online Help that you can select from the Help menu within the
application.
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Chapter 1 Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview
Basic Workflow
The following figure illustrates the basic workflow to produce a program with
Avid Xpress Studio.
16
The following sections outline the workflow for each component application.
Avid FX
Avid 3D
Basic Workflow
Do the following to work with Avid FX:
1. In Avid Xpress Pro, open the Effect Palette.
2. Select the Avid FX effect, and drag it onto the Timeline.
3. Enter Effect mode.
4. In the Effect editor, click the Other Options button to display the Avid FX
windows.
5. Create your effect.
6. Apply the effect, and then return to the Avid Xpress Pro timeline.
7. Render the effect.
For more detailed information about this workflow, see “Using Avid FX” on
page 27.
Do the following to work with Avid 3D starting in Avid Xpress Pro:
1. Edit your sequence in Avid Xpress Pro. Make sure it is in MXF format.
2. Create a bin named Avid3D Incoming.
3. Select File > Send To > Avid Xpress Studio > Avid 3D.
a. Select AutoLaunch.
b. Select the default Export Setting 1 to export the sequence to AAF.
c. Click OK.
The file is exported as AAF and is sent to Avid 3D, which then opens.
4. Create a new scene or open an exisiting scene in Avid 3D.
5. Add the sequence to your scene.
6. Add logos, 3D models, warping effects, models, textures, shapes.
7. Export the scene as AAF.
8. Find the file in the Avid3D InComing bin in Avid Xpress Pro.
17
Chapter 1 Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview
Do the following to work with Avid 3D starting in Avid 3D:
1. Create a 3D scene within Avid 3D.
2. Export it directly to Avid Xpress Pro as a clip.
3. Edit it into a sequence.
For more detailed information about these workflows, see “Using Avid 3D” on
page 51.
Avid Pro Tools LE
Do the following to work with Avid Pro Tools LE:
1. Export your sequence from Avid Xpress Pro. Settings depend on your
hardware:
- Digidesign 002
- Mbox
2. Close Avid Xpress Pro.
3. Create a new Avid Pro Tools LE session with appropriate settings in the
following areas:
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- Audio file format
- Sample rate
- Bit depth
4. Import the AAF file into the session.
5. Work with the audio in Avid Pro Tools LE.
6. Export the finished audio to Avid Xpress Pro:
- Export selected tracks as OMF/AAF.
- Export selected regions as OMF.
7. Integrate the new audio elements as clips or mixed tracks in Avid Xpress
Pro:
- For exported tracks, import the OMF file into a bin.
- For individual clips, drag the clips from the Media tool into a bin.
For more detailed information about this workflow, see “Using Digi 002,
Mbox, and Avid Pro Tools LE” on page 79.
Avid DVD by Sonic
Do the following to work with Avid DVD by Sonic:
1. Create a finished program in Avid Xpress Pro.
2. Create MetaSync information.
3. Select File > Send To > Avid Xpress Studio > Encoding for Avid DVD
by Sonic, and encode the sequence with Sorenson Squeeze.
4. Set up the Avid DVD by Sonic project, and create movies and menus in it.
5. Output the project to DVD.
For more detailed information about this workflow, see “Using Avid DVD by
Sonic” on page 113.
File Formats and Media Handling
The following table presents information about how each component
application handles file format and media.
File Formats and Media Handling
Component Application File Formats and
Media Handling
Avid Xpress
File Format
Standard NTSC/PAL NTSC/PAL NTSC/PAL NTSC/PAL NTSC/PAL
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 16:9 4:3, 16:9 4:3, 16:9 4:3, 16:9 4:3, 16:9
Resolutions 720x486, 720x480,
Alpha Channel
Support
Media File
Formats for Input
Pro Avid 3D
720x486, 720x480,
720x576
Import Import/Export N/A Import/Export N/A
QuickTime, AVI,
Sequential Image
files, MXF, OMF,
AAF, Still image
files
720x576
QuickTime, AVI,
Sequential Image
files, MXF, AAF,
Still image files
Avid Pro
Tools LE Avid FX
720x486,
720x480,
720x576
OMF Audio
and MXF
Video
720x486,
720x480,
720x576
QuickTime,
AVI, Sequential
Image files,
MXF, O M F,
Still image files
Avid DVD
by Sonic
720x486,
720x480,
720x576
MPEG2 files,
QuickTime,
AVI, .tif, tga,
Still Image
files
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Chapter 1 Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview
Component Application File Formats and
Media Handling (Continued)
Avid Xpress
File Format
Media File
Formats for
Output
Pro Avid 3D
QuickTime, AVI,
Sequential Image
fi l es, MXF, OM F,
AAF, Still image
files
Metadata File
AAF AAF AAF N/A XML
Format for Import
Metadata File
AAF AAF AAF (audio
Format for Export
Color Levels 601, RGB,
RGB Dithered
Codecs DV25, DV25p,
Uncompressed,
JFIF, 15:1s, 28:1p
Playback Only:
35.1p, 14:1p
Interlaced/
Deinterlaced and
Uses Interlaced or
Progressive
Progressive
Sequential Image
fi l e s , M X F, AAF,
Still image files
Avid Pro
Tools LE Avid FX
OMF Audio QuickTime,
AVI, Sequential
Image files,
Avid DVD
by Sonic
DVD Image,
DVD disc
MXF, AAF, Still
image files
N/A N/A
only)
RGB N/A N/A N/A
Same as
Avid Xpress Pro
Input and Output
Need to interpret
Fields on import.
Need Field Render
options for output.
Same as
Avid Xpress
Pro
Input only
Uses format
from
Avid Xpress
Pro OMF file
Same as
Avid Xpress Pro
Input and Output
Uses whatever
the Project is set
to in
Avid Xpress Pro
Same as
Avi d X press
Pro
Input only
N/A
20
FILE INFORMATION:
Chapter 2
Using Avid Xpress Pro
Avid Xpress Pro is your editing application in the Avid Xpress Studio suite of
applications. In Avid Xpress Pro you capture or import footage, create
sequences by assembling video and audio clips, and then edit the sequences by
rearranging elements, trimming, and adding effects and titles. You can output
your results with digital cut, and you can export the file in various formats.
Avid Xpress Studio adds other tools for enhancing your sequence. You can
add effects from Avid FX; you access Avid FX from within Avid Xpress Pro.
You can export your sequence to Avid 3D, add 3D elements, and then export it
back to Avid Xpress Pro. You can also export your sequence to Avid Pro Tools
LE to work on the audio portions of the program, and then export it back to
Avid Xpress Pro. When your program is finished, you create a MetaSync track
and send it to Avid DVD by Sonic.
See “Avid Xpress Studio Workflow Overview” on page 13 for a workflow
overview, and see the Avid Xpress Pro Help for complete details on using
Avid Xpress Pro.
Working in Avid Xpress Pro
The following topics outline how you can use Avid Xpress Pro with the other
Avid Xpress Studio applications. You can use the other applications in any
order you want, saving Avid DVD by Sonic for the last. For more information
on each application, see the chapter about that application’s workflow in this
document and the relevant user’s guide and other documentation on the
Online Library DVD or CD-ROM.
Chapter 2 Using Avid Xpress Pro
Creating a Program in Avid Xpress Pro
To create a program in Avid Xpress Pro:
1. Create a project.
2. Capture DV footage over FireWire.
3. Organize the clips into bins.
4. Assemble clips into a sequence.
5. Rearrange and trim the elements in the Timeline.
6. Add effects from the Effect Palette.
7. To add an Avid FX element, drag the Avid FX effect from the Effect
Palette onto the Timeline, and do the following:
22
a. Enter Effect Mode.
Other Options button
Working in Avid Xpress Pro
b. In the Effect Editor, click the Other Options button.
The Avid FX windows open.
Controls window
Project window Timeline window
Composite window
Click to apply effect back to Avid
c. Create your effect.
d. Apply your effect and return to the Avid Xpress Pro Timeline.
23
Chapter 2 Using Avid Xpress Pro
e. Render your effect.
8. To work in Avid 3D, do the following:
a. In Avid Xpress Pro, create a bin called Avid3D Incoming and leave it
b. Select File > Send To > Avid Xpress Studio > Avid 3D, and export an
c. If Avid 3D doesn’t open, select Studio > Launch Avid 3D.
d. Create a new scene or open an existing scene.
e. Add the imported video to the scene as a texture, floating image plate,
f. Add logos, 3D models, warping effects, models, textures, shapes.
open.
MXF sequence to AAF.
or fixed background.
24
g. Export the scene as AAF.
h. Find the file in the Avid3D InComing bin in Avid Xpress Pro.
Working in Avid Xpress Pro
9. To work in Avid Pro Tools LE, do the following:
a. Export your sequence from Avid Xpress Pro, and then close
Avid Xpress Pro.
n
You cannot run Avid Pro Tools LE at the same time as Avid Xpress Pro. If you
have not closed Avid Xpress Pro, when you select Launch Pro Tools LE, a
message box opens asking if you want to save your work and then quit
Avid Xpress Pro.
b. Create a new Avid Pro Tools session with appropriate settings in the
areas of audio file format, sample rate, and bit depth.
c. Import the AAF file into the session.
d. Work with the audio in Avid Pro Tools LE.
e. Export the finished audio to Avid Xpress Pro.
f. Integrate the new audio elements as clips or mixed tracks in
Avid Xpress Pro.
10. When you are satisfied with your finished program, do the following to
create a DVD:
a. Create MetaSync information.
b. Select File > Send To > Avid Xpress Studio > Encoding for Avid
DVD by Sonic, and then encode the file with Sorenson Squeeze.
c. In Avid DVD by Sonic, open the file you exported, import any other
assets you want to use for creating the DVD, and create movies and
menus.
25
Chapter 2 Using Avid Xpress Pro
11. Output the project to a disc image, or DVD.
12. Save your DVD project and exit the application.
Opening other Avid Xpress Studio Applications
26
n
n
To open other Avid Xpress Studio applications from within
Avid Xpress Pro:
t Select the application from the Studio menu.
a
You can start the Avid FX standalone application by selecting Start >
Programs > Avid Xpress Studio > Avid FX Engine.
You cannot run Avid Pro Tools LE at the same time as Avid Xpress Pro. When
you select Launch Pro Tools LE, a message box opens asking if you want to
save your work and then quit Avid Xpress Pro.
Chapter 3
Using Avid FX
You can use Avid FX to add a wide range of high-quality titling, compositing,
and effects to your Avid Xpress Pro sequences. You can use Avid FX’s
powerful tools to create your own effects, or choose from Avid FX’s library of
over 1,500 customizable titles, effects, and transition templates. Avid FX
works as an AVX 1.5 plug-in, so you can apply it just like you apply other
Avid effects. You can also work with the standalone version of Avid FX,
called the Avid FX Engine.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Basic Steps
• Creating Text Effects
• Saving and Sharing Your Work
• Using the Avid FX Engine
Basic Steps
• Next Steps
The basic steps in applying and editing an Avid FX effect are:
1. Open the Effect Palette.
2. Select the the Avid FX effect, and then drag it onto the Timeline.
3. Enter Effect Mode.
4. In the Effect Editor, click the Other Options button to display the Avid FX
interface.
Chapter 3 Using Avid FX
5. Create your effect.
6. Apply the effect, and then return to the Avid Xpress Pro Timeline.
7. Render your effect.
The following sections explain these steps in more detail. These sections show
you how to create a transition effect that spins as it scales and exchanges two
video clips.
Opening the Effect Palette
To open the Effect palette:
1. Determine where in your sequence you want to apply the transition.
2. Click the Effects tab in the Project window or press Ctrl+8.
The Effect palette is displayed and Avid FX appears at the top of the list.
Effects tab
28
You can choose from one of the following six effects:
• Avid FX 1 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use one Avid track in
creating your effect. Avid FX uses the track on which you apply the effect
as source media.
• Avid FX 2 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use two Avid tracks as
source media. Avid FX uses the track on which you appliy the effect and
the one below it.
• Avid FX 4 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use three or four Avid
tracks as source media.
• Avid FX 6 Input: Apply this effect if you want to use five or six Avid
tracks as source media. It’s a good idea to use only the number of inputs
you really need. If you have empty tracks, Avid Xpress Pro takes time and
computer power to render the empty tracks.
• Avid FX Title-Matte Effect: Apply this effect only to edit titles that you
have first created with the Title Tool.
• Avid FX Transition: Apply this effect to create any kind of transition.
Dragging the Avid FX Effect on to the Timeline
To add an Avid FX effect to a sequence:
t Drag the Transition effect to a transition between two clips in the
Timeline.
The plug-in effect icon is displayed at the transition point.
Basic Steps
Next you need to open Avid FX to create the transition.
Entering Effect Mode
To enter Effect mode:
t Place the position indicator over the effect icon, and then click the Effects
Mode button.
Effects Mode button
Plug-in effect icon
29
Chapter 3 Using Avid FX
You are now in Effects mode and the Effect Editor is displayed.
Other Options button
Now you need to display the windows and controls of the Avid FX interface.
Displaying the Avid FX Interface
To display the Avid FX interface:
t In the Effect Editor window, click the Other Options button.
Four Avid FX windows open by default:
- Controls window
- Composite window
30
- Timeline window
-Project window
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