Media Commons at Penn State

This tutorial will show you how to import a number of sequential image files so you can create animations at various frame rates.

Download Sample Files

Video normally plays back at 30 fps (frames per second). This means that 1 minute of video consists of 1800 individual frames (30 x 60 sec). For this workshop, we are going to create an animated image sequence at 10 fps. 1 minute at this rate will need 600 images.

1. Final Cut Pro lets you set a default video size for imported images. We need to set things so that an image is imported to play as 3 individual video frames. This will give us a playback frame rate of 10fps.
To set this import size go to the top menu and select user preferences from the Final Cut Pro menu.

2. Select the editing tab (second item) in the user preferences and change Still/Freeze Duration to 00:00:00:03. Click OK.

3. Import the folder of images. These should be sequentially named and 720X480.

Kate had questions about how to export from FCP to burn a DVD. I walked her thru the process. She took notes. And I showed her where the tutorial was on the DC www. She may need help Thursday morning. She's not sure if she'll finish tonight or not.

Sequences of still images can be imported by QuickTime Player and turned into movies. This can be used for assembling stop-motion animation projects.

1. In the File Menue of QuickTime Player, Select Open Image Sequence.

2.Select the first image in you image sequence.

3.Choose a framerate. 10 Frames Per Second will play an image 3 times and move to the next one in the sequence. A one minute movie at this rate will require 600 still images.

4. Once the movie has been imported, it will have to be resized to 640 X 480. Select Show Movie Properties from the QuickTime Player Window Menu Items.

5. Select the Video Track and Visual Settings. Change the scaled size to 640 X 480. You may need to uncheck "Preserve Aspect Ratio" if your images are not in a 4:3 aspect ratio. You also need to click the checkbox for High Quality.

Media Commons – Common Compression Settings

For another editing program or iDVD:
• From iMovie
1. Choose Share > Export Movie
2. Choose Large size to export
3. Pick where you would like to save your project
4. Type a name in the Export As box
5. Click Export

• From Final Cut
1. Choose File > Export > QuickTime Movie…
2. Make sure the options are as follows:
• Setting: Current Settings
• Include: Audio and Video
• Markers: None1
3. Check the box marked Make Movie Self-Contained
4. Pick where you would like to save your project
5. Type a name in the Save As box
6. Click Save

For ANGEL or the web:

• From iMovie
1. Choose Share > Export using QuickTime
2. Set Export: to Movie to QuickTime Movie

• From Final Cut
1. Choose File > Export > Using QuickTime Conversion…
2. Set Format: to Movie to QuickTime Movie

• (continued) for both applications
1. Click the Options… button
2. Input these settings into the following categories:
• Video > Settings…
• Compression Type: MPEG-4 Video
• Frame Fate: 15 fps
• Key Frames: Every 75 frames

This tutorial will cover exporting using our recommended YouTube settings using iMovie and Final Cut Pro.

Exporting using iMovie

When you are finished with editing your project, first save your project and then choose File and click Export.

In the window that appears locate the drop down menu beside the text that says "Compress Movie For". Choose "Expert Settings from the list.

Choose a place to save your movie and then click on the "Options" button.

At this point the steps are the same for both iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Skip down in this tutorial to the section labeled Export Settings.

Exporting using Final Cut Pro

When you are finished with editing your project, first save your project and then choose File, choose Export, and then click on Using Quicktime Conversion.

This tutorial assumes the use of Final Cut Pro 6.0

Video Transitions are small video clips provided by Final Cut that can be used as segues between clips or scenes. You can employ them in many different and inventive ways and they help to improve the overall professionalism of your edited video.

For the purpose of this tutorial, we will add transitions to a single clip that we’ve cut in half. Adding transitions between two separate clips works the same way.

Start with a clip ready in your Sequence. Select the Razor Blade Tool and make a cut in the middle of your clip.

Locate the “Effects” tab just to the right of your Project tab in the Browser window and click on it.

Within the Effects tab you will be able to access Transitions, Filters, and Titles. Click on the triangle beside the Video Transitions folder to open the folder.

For best use of this tutorial, please be familiar and comfortable with the terminology and concepts discussed in the Basic Editing in Final Cut Pro tutorial.

Sometimes when editing a project you will want to adjust the levels, or volume, of audio tracks. And sometimes audio tracks can “break away” from their corresponding video tracks and need to be re-synched. This tutorial will cover the various uses of audio in Final Cut Pro, except for Audio Transitions which are discussed in the Using Audio Transitions in Final Cut Pro tutorial.

This tutorial will cover the following subjects:
Adjusting Levels
Synching
Importing Audio such as MP3s
Export Audio for Soundtrack Pro

Adjusting Levels

To begin adjusting levels, first make sure that you have a video with audio imported into Final Cut Pro. Let’s start with a clip captured from a MiniDV cassette already in a Sequence.

Using Video Effects in Final Cut Pro

This tutorial assumes basic knowledge of the Final Cut Pro workspace as well as an understanding of Final Cut Pro terminology. If you do not understand something referred to in this tutorial, please review the basic Final Cut Pro editing tutorial.

Typically you will want to add video effects to your project once you have completed your edit and have your video track “locked.” This will help you avoid wasted render time.

Once you have completed your edit you will find most of your video effects in the Effects > Video Filters tab or you can access the same list from clicking the effects tab in the browser window.

To add an effect simply select your clip in the timeline then click Effects > Video Filters > the effect you want, or drag the effect from the browser window onto your clip in the time line.

Once you have your effect applied, double click your clip in the timeline - this will open up that clip in the viewer window. To edit your effect, click on the filters tab in the viewer window.