Mar 2008

Final Cut Help - DVD Studio Pro Templates

Join Apple Certified Trainer Abba Shapiro as he shows you how to use & customize DVD Studio Pro's built-in templates.










Like the podcast? Subscribe for
FREE.
Want more training? Check out our
DVDs.


|

Carve It (A Better Bevel)

04-08.CarveIt
Looking to create a beveled edge? The built-in bevel filter doesn’t work on text. Instead, you’ll need to use the channels to create the edge.

  1. 1 Choose Effect>Video Filters>Channel>Channel Offset.
    2 Switch the Channel to move only the Alpha Channel.
  2. Offset the channel to taste, usually a value of three to ten pixels for the X and Y axis will work, but you may need to vary this based on the size of your graphic.
    4 Experiment with the Edges settings to refine your look.




fcpbook

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.





    |

    Final Cut Help - Capturing Video: Logging Clips

    Join Apple Certified Trainer Richard Harrington as he explains how to hook up DV decks for capture in Final Cut Pro.










    Like the podcast? Subscribe for
    FREE.
    Want more training? Check out our
    DVDs.


    |

    Lose That Umlaut (Symbolically Speaking, Of Course)

    04-02.umlaut

    Need special characters but can’t remember where they live on the keyboard? OS X has a great feature for this—the Character Palette.

    1 Go to System Preferences > International > Input Menu, and enable the Character Palette.

    2 Notice the new icon in your menu bar (likely a flag that matches the language). When needed, simply click it and choose Show or Hide Character Palette.

    3 The palette automatically floats above your active application.

    4 Be sure to check that you’re using the same font in the text generator or other application.

    5 Double-click or drag to use the special character.




    fcpbook

    Like this tip? It comes from the book
    Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.





      |

      New Book on Video Podcasting is Out

      104-6698576-3377563
      Our new book called Producing Video Podcasts is shipping. We're really happy with how its turned out. It's a comprehensive title that explores all aspects of producing video podcasts (as well as web video).

      If you are a budding podcaster or a multimedia professional I strongly encourage you to check out the book. Here are several links to give you a good idea of what its all about.

      The Book:
      To Order
      Read Chapter 1 Table of Contents Index
      The Website The Podcast



      |

      21 Years of Apple Evolution

      Picture 2
      When I look at what Apple has accomplished its been an interesting journey. The company has released a ton of great products (and also a few clunkers). I have found a great image that lets you see much of the product line laid out chronologically. After all, you can't get to the great Mighty Mouse without first passing the "hockey puck."

      It really is pretty interesting to
      see the "big" picture. Be sure to click on the graphic so you can zoom in and view.


      |

      Final Cut Help - Capturing Video: Capture Set Up

      Join Apple Certified Trainer Richard Harrington as he shows you how to set up Final Cut Pro for video capture.










      Like the podcast? Subscribe for
      FREE.
      Want more training? Check out our
      DVDs.


      |

      Retro is Not Always Cool

      05-10.RetroNot
      Most transitions have hard edges; that looks bad enough. Avoid the temptation to add a colored border, or you’ll really be traveling back to the days of clunky tapes that were heavier than a MacBook. Instead, try feathering the edges and adjusting the width of the border. In our experience, the client will find the effect far more pleasing.

      Want some retro wipes, then try out these:
      • Wrap Wipe
      • Zig Zag Wipe
      • Venetian Blind Wipe





      fcpbook

      Like this tip? It comes from the book
      Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.





        |

        PSV#67 Depth of Field Blur - Photoshop for Video

        Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use depth of field blur to create backdrops for use in chroma keying.





        |

        Final Cut Help - Capturing Video: DV Decks

        Join Apple Certified Trainer Richard Harrington as he explains how to hook up DV decks for capture in Final Cut Pro.










        Like the podcast? Subscribe for
        FREE.
        Want more training? Check out our
        DVDs.


        |

        Gradient Wipe

        05-00.5.GW
        The Gradient Wipe is the most useful transition inside Final Cut Pro (after a Dissolve of course). Don’t be turned off by how the effect looks on its own; without an image dropped in the well, it’s useless. The effect creates a transition between two clips by using a luminance map. The transition will occur between the darkest and lightest areas in the map. Why is this so cool? You can create as many transitions as you like using graphic files. Make your own or download away.



        fcpbook

        Like this tip? It comes from the book
        Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.





          |

          Great Archive for Free Textures

          taLogo
          I need to use textures all the time when creating graphics. I recently found a great website with a bunch of free, high-resolution textures. Be sure to check out TextureArchive.com. “TextureArchive.com is devoted to providing a site which is useful for all types artists.”

          Free is good... "good" free is even better.


          |
          Weblog  >   © 2008 Richard Harrington LLC Contact Me