Dive Into Your Imagination

This week I'm going to cover importing external files. These would include music, photos, graphics and even video. These are the types of files you will want to bring in to embellish your video with, and knowing how to do it will definitely get you excited about editing.

In a past tutorial Editing With Audio I mentioned bringing in resources but didn't really explain what types of files there were. If you watch the video there you can see the lower third graphic I have created in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. This is a PNG file that has an alpha channel embedded into it that allows it to be transparent around the edges. Final Cut also allows PSD files to be imported but I find them confusing to work with especially if they have multiple layers. I like working with 1 layer graphics. I will not cover how to use Photoshop, there are plenty of resources online on that subject, but understand that I created files with transparent backgrounds and saved them as PNGs.

Audio files in WAV, MP3, or AIF format are also importable. I believe this is new to FCP because I recall having to convert MP3s into AIFs until recently, but Apple still recommends against using MP3. You may have to render the audio when you lay it in the timeline depending on various settings.

Importing video in formats AVI, MOV, WMV, ect....all have certain standards that may affect your sequences and get tricky when they get mixed up. Personally I have been lucky enough to avoid many of these technical compatibility complication error situation things. Which means, I'm not a useful resource when it comes down to formats. Especially with so many running around out there! Try your best to work in formats that are consistent with your equipment and workflow. I often produce animation in Adobe After Effects or Flash that I will bring into FCP but I make sure that my exports from those programs will match other footage I might be working with, like HD clips.

To import, run FILE>IMPORT>>files, or folder. Anything you import will automatically drop into the bin, but you can actually specify any folder you want it to be in. If you right click your desired folder you can see the option SET LOGGING BIN. Any imports you make will go right in there. To revert back to the main bin just do the same over any blank area of the bin browser. Then, as with all media, just drag and drop onto the timeline. You will want to stack graphics on top of your video and use the canvas to move them into position. And audio can be stacked in any order, it all plays at the same volume until you adjust it.

Just don't forget that FCP comes with a really helpful user's manual to help you figure out any tech-spec problems. Check out chapter 20 on page 315 for a vast wealth of tips on how to get your resources in and out of Final Cut Pro. Anything to add? Stop by the forum.

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