… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1734: Use Color Indexing for Animation

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Indexed colors are best for animation, not photos.

Create an Image Sequence (top), color indexing settings (bottom)

Topic $TipTopic

(I discovered this tip while researching my recent PowerUP webinar illustrating New Features in Apple Compressor & Final Cut Pro.)

This new feature in Apple Compressor is specifically targeted at folks creating graphical animation. It reduces image file size without compressing the media. It’s called “Indexed Colors.”

What this does is, rather than storing the full range of colors in a file, it only stores the actual colors used. This can reduce file size 80-90% per frame without compression!

To create this:

  • Create a new compression setting and format it as an Image Sequence (see top screen shot).
  • Select the Image Sequence in the Settings sidebar.
  • In the General tab of the Inspector (lower screen shot), change Image Type to PNG or GIF.

NOTE: PNG is uncompressed, GIF is compressed.

  • Select the number of colors in the image in the Color palette menu. (The fewer colors, the smaller the file.)

NOTE: “Not indexed” uses all available colors.

  • Global shares the same color pallette across all frames. Local uses a new color palette for each frame. Local is faster, but global will yield more consistent results.
  • Color dithering: If you have more colors than you are indexing, turn on Color dithering. (Sierra 2 may produce a smoother image.) If the number of colors in the image equals the index number, set this to None.
  • Animated: Available when Image type is set to PNG or GIF, exports a single, animated file containing all frames (rather than a collection of individual files for each frame).
  • Playback: Available when Animated is selected. Playback specifies how many times the animated GIF or PNG loops during playback. Select Continuously, or enter the number of times you want the animated image to play. (Not all web browsers will recognize this option.)
  • Create unique output directory: Available when Animated is not selected. Select this checkbox to create a folder to hold the output files; the files saved will be named “frame-0,” “frame-1,” “frame-2,” and so on.
  • Add leading zeros to frame numbers: Available when Animated is not selected. Select this checkbox to have Compressor add leading zeros to output filenames (“filename-000000,” “filename-000001,” “filename-000002,” and so on).

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… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1732: Create Custom Column Sets Faster

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

The new custom Column Sets allow greater Browser flexibility.

Control-click any Browser column header when in List view to access this new menu.

Topic $TipTopic

(I discovered this tip while researching my recent PowerUP webinar illustrating New Features in Apple Compressor & Final Cut Pro.)

One of the new features in the 10.5.3 update to Final Cut Pro is custom Column Sets. These determine the columns of metadata that appear in List view in the Browser.

In the past, we could Control-click any column header when in List view in the Browser and choose from a variety of data fields. Then, we could drag column headers left or right to change the order. Those options were expanded in this update.

Now, we can create an unlimited number of Column Sets, each with different data fields and organization.

NOTE: Here’s a link that explains this feature in more detail.

The tip behind this feature is to avoid starting with the Column Editor (simply because it provides an overwhelming list of choices).

Instead, Control-click any column header (red arrow in screen shot), make sure the Default Column Set is checked, then choose Save Column Set As.

This duplicates the default set, allowing you to configuring columns with many of the fields you will ultimately want to use already included in the set.

EXTRA CREDIT

Once you create the duplicate, you can open the Column Editor and add any missing fields that you need. It is always easier to start with a mostly-complete project than build a new one from scratch.

You can switch between them as often as you want.


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… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1733: Two Hidden Ways to Import Clips

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Both Drag & Drop and Copy/Paste are faster than the Media Import window.

The Apple Final Cut Pro logo.

Topic $TipTopic

(I discovered this tip while researching my recent PowerUP webinar illustrating New Features in Apple Compressor & Final Cut Pro.)

We are all familiar with importing clips using the Media Import window. However, there are two lesser known ways to import clips; one of which was broken until the latest release. Both of these are faster.

DRAG and DROP

We can drag clips from the Finder into either the Timeline or Browser.

NOTE: All clips that you drag into Final Cut will follow current Import preferences.

  • Clips dragged into the Browser will sort according to your current Browser sort settings.
  • Clips dragged into the Timeline will edit into the Primary storyline in the order in which they were selected.

COPY / PASTE

You can copy clips from the Finder and paste them into the Final Cut timeline.

NOTE: All clips that are pasted into Final Cut will follow current Import preferences.

Clips pasted into the Timeline will edit into the Primary storyline in the order in which they were selected.

EXTRA CREDIT

While you can copy/paste clips into the Timeline, you can not copy/paste clips into the Browser.


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… for Apple Motion

Tip #1718: The New Stroke Filter in Motion

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

This creates borders ranging from tacky to lovely. It is highly flexible and fun!

A heart shape with an ice blue outline gradient using the Stroke filter.

Topic $TipTopic

One of the new features in Apple Motion is the Stroke filter. This creates lovely border effects around shapes.

  • To experiment with this, add a shape to a Motion project. (In this example, I used a heart.)
  • Select the layer containing the shape.
  • Choose Filters > Border > Shape. By default, a red border appears. Not to worry, we’ll change it next.
  • Go to Inspector > Filters > Stroke.
  • Change the Stroke Type to Outline Gradient. This causes the gradient to radiate out from the center of the element, rather than circularly around the shape.
  • Now, start tweaking: colors, width, position, fades… the works.

This creates border effects ranging from tacky to lovely. It is by far the most flexible border effect in Motion.


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… for Apple Motion

Tip #1719: What Are Parameter Behaviors?

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

You apply parameter behaviors to a setting, not an object.

An animated frost effect, using the Wriggle parameter behavior.

Topic $TipTopic

Parameter behaviors are an advanced technique that, rather than manipulating an object, manipulates a setting (parameter) associated with an object.

These can create some very subtle effects. Here’s how this works.

  • Using the Circle tool, draw an oval in the Viewer.
  • In the HUD, turn off Fill, increase the width to, say, 90. and assign a Shape Style. (In this example, I used Garnish > Frost Heavy.)
  • In Inspector > Shape, click the small arrow to the right of Width (lower red arrow), and choose Add Parameter Behavior > Wriggle.
  • Play the timeline and see how the Frost border wriggles.

Cool.

EXTRA CREDIT

You can assign multiple parameter behaviors to the same setting. This is a great way to animate movement in non-traditional ways.


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… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1720: New! Framing Options in Compressor

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

New compression options support more social media platforms.

New frame size options support vertical and square sizes.

Topic $TipTopic

New with the 4.5.3 update to Compressor are new compression settings which simplify cropping and compressing square and vertical media. Here’s how.

  • Import a video clip for compression and apply a compression setting, for example, Apple Devices > Apple Devices HD (Best Quality).
  • Go to Video > Frame Size and choose one of the new vertical or square size options (red arrow and bracket).
  • In the Viewer, drag one of the small cropping squares along the edge and watch the frame size numbers in the Inspector until you get to the frame size you want.
  • By default, Compressor tries to preserve the entire frame. Dragging one of the cropping squares allows you to determine which part of the image to crop.
  • Click in the middle of the selection square in the Viewer and drag to reposition which part of the image will be cropped.

EXTRA CREDIT

You can use this technique with other codecs, for example, ProRes 422. Compression options will vary by codec and source clip.


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… for Codecs & Media

Tip #1721: New! Change Starting Timecode in Compressor

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

New! Modify source clip timecode for compressed files.

The new “Change Timecode” options in Apple Compressor.

Topic $TipTopic

New with the 4.5.3 update to Compressor is a setting to modify a job’s starting timecode in the timing area of the Job Inspector. Here’s how.

NOTE: Modifying the starting timecode automatically adjusts the job’s In point to match the new start time.

  • Import a clip into Compressor.
  • Assign a compression setting.
  • Select the job (file name) in the Compressor batch area.
  • Go to Inspector > Job.
  • Look about 1/4 the way down to see the new timecode entries (see screen shot).
  • Enter the new starting timecode and, if necessary, click Drop Frame to enable drop frame timecode.

The new timecode will be used when compressing this file.

EXTRA CREDIT

You can enter numbers or click the Up/Down arrows in the timecode pane.


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… for Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Tip #1722: The New Quick Export Menu

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Quick Export is designed to create H.264 files for the web.

The Quick Export panel (top) and the contents of the Preset menu (bottom).

Topic $TipTopic

One of the newer features in Adobe Premiere Pro is Quick Export. This is a one-click icon to quickly export a project for review or distribution via the web or social media.

  • In the top right corner of the Premiere interface is a “Send” icon (top red arrow).
  • Click it and the Quick Export panel pops up.
  • Click the menu (middle arrow) to reveal a variety of compression choices (bottom arrow). Select the option you want based upon the frame size of the exported file.

These options all create H.264 movies, suitable for posting to social media or websites.

You can see the specific compression settings at the bottom of this menu.

EXTRA CREDIT

This menu was designed to simplify exports for social media. As always, you can create custom settings and choose from a much wider variety of codecs using File > Export > Media.


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… for Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Tip #1724: What Do These Icons Do?

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

These six icons control how media files are displayed in the Project panel or bins.

These icons are located in the lower-left corner of the Premiere interface.

Topic $TipTopic

These six icons, tucked into the lower-left corner of the Premiere Pro interface, can help you better find and organize the media in your project. Here’s what they do, from left to right.

  • Green pen. This marks a project as writable. For solo editors, this will always be green. But, for team projects, a red pen indicates a project you can view, but not change.
  • Two stacked lines. This displays the contents of the Project panel or a bin as lines of text.
  • Blue square. This displays the contents of the Project panel or a bin as thumbnails.
  • Stacked rectangles. This displays the contents of the Project panel or a bin as “freeform thumbnails” you can resize and move around – like images on a light table. The purpose of this is to help you organize your media visually.
  • Open circle. This slider determines how large to display thumbnails. (Not available when media is displayed as a list.)
  • Three stacked lines. This determines the sort order for thumbnails. (This option is only available when thumbnails, not freeform images, are displayed.

NOTE: Sort order when a line list is displayed is determined by most recent column header you clicked.


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… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1713: Apple Updates Final Cut Pro

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

The latest version includes new Browser and search features.

The Final Cut Pro logo, along with the latest release number.

Topic $TipTopic

Last week, as part of updates to all their media applications, Apple updated Final Cut Pro to version 10.5.3. The new version improves the Browser, metadata and search, as well as quashing a variety of bugs.

Here’s the complete list of new features and fixes, as released by Apple:

  • Create and edit custom column views with the new column editor.
  • Search for media in the browser using expanded criteria including clip names, markers, and notes.
  • Sort clips in the browser according to type, including proxy, optimized, and missing media.
  • Fixes an issue where adjusting audio keyframes on one side of a blade edit shifts keyframes unexpectedly on the other side.
  • Restores support for copying clips from the Finder and pasting into the timeline.
  • Improves stability when copying events in the browser to a library stored on an external hard drive.
  • Fixes an issue in which the timeline index was not displaying active angle information for multicam clips.
  • Fixes an issue where Canon Cinema RAW Light and RED RAW media could not be imported if a camera card was mounted when launching Final Cut Pro.
  • Improves reliability when importing an FCPXML file with missing media.
  • Fixes an issue with the Color Mask in which dragging to select a range with the eyedropper did not display the selection circle.
  • Improves reliability when using the Select Next Clip command.
  • Improves reliability when app switching to Final Cut Pro with an external hard drive connected.
  • Improves reliability when quitting Final Cut Pro during a background render.
  • Improves stability and performance when working with multicam clips that contain corrupt media.
  • Fixes an issue in which audio waveforms would sometimes not update when using the Trim tool to perform a slip edit.

Here’s a link to Apple’s Release Notes for Final Cut Pro.


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