Apple Final Cut Pro 5 Owner's manual

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Final Cut Pro 5

User Manual

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Volume I

Interface, Setup,

and Input

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 Apple Computer, Inc.

The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.,

registered in the U.S. and other countries. Use of the

“keyboard” Apple logo (Option-Shift-K) for commercial

purposes without the prior written consent of Apple

may constitute trademark infringement and unfair

competition in violation of federal and state laws.

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Final Cut, Final Cut Pro, FireWire, Mac, Macintosh,

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are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the

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are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

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the U.S. and other countries.

Production stills from the films “Koffee House Mayhem”

and “A Sus Ordenes” provided courtesy of Refuge Films.

http://www.refugefilms.com

3

1

Contents

Preface 9Final Cut Pro 5 Documentation and Resources

9

Getting Started

9

User Manual

10

Onscreen Help

11

Apple Websites

Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Pro

Chapter 1 15 About the Postproduction Workflow

15

The Industry Workflow

16

The Postproduction Workflow

Chapter 2 21 Video Formats and Timecode

21

About Nonlinear and Nondestructive Editing

22

Video Formats Compatible With Final Cut Pro

23

Audio Formats Compatible With Final Cut Pro

23

Video Format Basics

25

About Timecode

Chapter 3 27 Understanding Projects, Clips, and Sequences

27

The Building Blocks of Projects

32

Working With Projects

35

About the Connection Between Clips and Media Files

37

Filenaming Considerations

Part II Learning About the Final Cut Pro Interface

Chapter 4 43 Overview of the Final Cut Pro Interface

43

Basics of Working in the Final Cut Pro Interface

45

Using Keyboard Shortcuts, Buttons, and Shortcut Menus

48

Customizing the Interface

51

Undoing and Redoing Changes

4

Contents

52

Entering Timecode for Navigation Purposes

Chapter 5 53 Browser Basics

53

How You Use the Browser

54

Learning About the Browser

55

Working in the Browser

59

Using Columns in the Browser

60

Customizing the Browser Display

Chapter 6 71 Viewer Basics

71

How You Can Use the Viewer

72

Opening a Clip in the Viewer

73

Learning About the Viewer

75

Tabs in the Viewer

77

Transport (or Playback) Controls

78

Playhead Controls

80

Marking Controls

81

Zoom and View Pop-Up Menus

84

Playhead Sync Pop-Up Menu

85

Recent Clips and Generator Pop-Up Menus

Chapter 7 87 Canvas Basics

87

How You Use the Canvas

88

Opening, Selecting, and Closing Sequences in the Canvas

89

Learning About the Canvas

90

Editing Controls in the Canvas

92

Transport (or Playback) Controls

93

Playhead Controls

95

Marking Controls

96

Zoom and View Pop-Up Menus

96

Playhead Sync Pop-Up Menu

Chapter 8 97 Navigating and Using Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas

97

Navigating in the Viewer and Canvas

104

Working With Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas

Chapter 9 109 Timeline Basics

109

How You Use the Timeline

111

Opening and Closing Sequences in the Timeline

112

Learning About the Timeline

122

Changing Timeline Display Options

131

Navigating in the Timeline

133

Zooming and Scrolling in the Timeline

Contents

5

Chapter 10 139Customizing the Interface

139

Changing Browser and Timeline Text Size

139

Moving and Resizing Final Cut Pro Windows

141

Using Screen Layouts

144

Ways to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts

153

Working With Shortcut Buttons and Button Bars

Part III Setting Up Your Editing System

Chapter 11 159Overview of Setting Up

159

The Setup Process

160

Connecting Video and Audio Input and Output to Your Computer

160

Connecting an External Video Monitor and Audio Speakers

161

Choosing an Easy Setup to Configure Final Cut Pro

161

Choosing a Scratch Disk Location for Captured and Render Files

Chapter 12 163Designing Your Editing System

163

Components of a Final Cut Pro DV Editing System

164

Video and Audio Input and Output Devices

165

Video Interfaces

166

Audio Interfaces

168

Device Control Interfaces

168

Scratch Disks

Chapter 13 169Connecting DV Video Equipment and Specifying Initial Settings

169

Connecting Your Camcorder

170

Opening Final Cut Pro and Choosing Your Initial Settings

175

What Is FireWire?

176

What Is Device Control?

Chapter 14 179Determining Your Hard Disk Storage Options

179

Working With Scratch Disks and Hard Disk Drives

180

Data Rates and Storage Devices

181

Determining How Much Space You Need

183

Choosing a Hard Disk

184

Types of Hard Disk Drives

Chapter 15 191Connecting Professional and Non-DV Equipment

191

Why Use Third-Party Interfaces?

192

Choosing a Video Interface

194

Connecting Professional Video Devices

201

Choosing an Audio Interface

204

Connecting Audio Devices

6

Contents

206

Establishing Device Control

206

Synchronizing Equipment With a Blackburst Generator

Chapter 16 209 External Video Monitoring

209

Using an External Video Monitor While You Edit

211

Connecting DV/FireWire Devices to an External Monitor

211

Previewing Standard Definition Video on an External Monitor

212

Previewing High Definition Video on an External Monitor

213

Choosing Playback and Edit to Tape Output Settings

216

Using Digital Cinema Desktop Preview

220

Compensating for Video Latency by Specifying a Frame Offset

221

About the Display Quality of External Video

221

Troubleshooting External Video Monitoring Problems

222

Controlling When External Video Output Is Updated

Part IV Logging, Capturing, and Importing

Chapter 17 225Overview of Logging and Capturing

225

What Are Logging and Capturing?

226

Ways to Log and Capture Footage in Final Cut Pro

229

Learning About the Log and Capture Window

235

Are You Ready to Log and Capture?

Chapter 18 237Logging Clips

237

The Importance of Logging

238

Benefits of Logging

239

Preparing to Log

242

Monitoring Video and Audio While Logging

243

Entering Logging Information and Logging Clips

257

Avoiding Duplicate Timecode Numbers on a Single Tape

259

Additional Sources for Logging Information

Chapter 19 261Capturing Your Footage to Disk

261

Before You Capture

262

Different Ways to Capture Footage

262

Batch Capturing Clips

263

Before You Batch Capture

264

Learning About the Batch Capture Dialog

266

Batch Capturing Selected Clips

268

Stopping and Restarting the Batch Capture Process

269

About the Additional Items Found Dialog

270

Capturing Clips as You Log (Capture Clip)

271

Capturing Entire Tapes (Capture Now)

Contents

7

272

Capturing an Entire Tape Using Capture Now

273

Automatically Creating Subclips Using DV Start/Stop Detection

276

Capturing Footage Without Device Control

276 Capturing Footage That Doesn’t Have Timecode

277 Using a Non-Controllable Device for Capture

278 Recapturing Clips

278 Recapturing Subclips

278 Recapturing Merged Clips

279 Capturing Footage With Timecode Breaks

279 The Importance of Avoiding Timecode Breaks

280 How to Avoid Capturing Clips With Timecode Breaks

283 Using the Media Manager After Capturing

Chapter 20 285 Capturing Audio

285 About Capturing Audio

287 Capturing Audio-Only Media Files

287 Capturing Multiple Audio Channels

292 Adjusting Analog Audio Levels for Capture

294 Capturing Audio From an Audio Deck Using Device Control

296 Capturing From an Audio Device Without Device Control

296 Capturing Synchronized Audio Independently From Video

Chapter 21 299 Working With Batch Lists

299 What Is a Batch List?

300 Creating a Batch List

303 Importing a Batch List

Chapter 22 305 Importing Media Files Into Your Project

305 What File Formats Can Be Imported?

306 Importing Media Files

310 About Importing Video Files

313 About Importing Audio Files

316 Importing Still Images and Graphics

316 Importing Numbered Image Sequences

Chapter 23 321Using Color Bars for Video Calibration

321 Using Color Bars

322 Calibrating Brightness and Color on Analog Equipment

323 How Digital Video Levels Are Measured in Final Cut Pro

325 Measuring Analog Video During Output

325 Using the Waveform Monitor and Vectorscope

330 Outputting Accurate DV Black Levels Using FireWire

330 Using an External Waveform Monitor and Vectorscope to Calibrate Analog Video Levels

331 Calibrating Video Monitors With Color Bars

9

Preface

Final Cut Pro 5

Documentation and Resources

You can use Final Cut Pro to create movies of any budget,

style, and format. Final Cut Pro comes with both printed

and onscreen documentation to help you learn how.

This preface provides information on the documentation available for Final Cut Pro,

as well as information about Final Cut Pro resources on the web.

Final Cut Pro comes with several types of documentation to help you learn more about

movie editing and how to use the application:

ÂFinal Cut Pro 5 Getting Started

ÂFinal Cut Pro 5 User Manual

ÂFinal Cut Pro onscreen help

Getting Started

The Final Cut Pro 5 Getting Started book provides an overview of the application and

explains the basics of editing in Final Cut Pro. If you are new to Final Cut Pro and want

to start using the application right away, read this book first.

User Manual

The Final Cut Pro 5 User Manual provides comprehensive information about the

application and is organized into several volumes:

ÂVolume 1—Interface, Setup, and Input: Explains the basics of the Final Cut Pro

interface and the elements of a project, and provides instructions for setting up your

editing system, capturing footage to your computer, and importing files.

ÂVolume 2—Editing: Discusses each part of the video editing process, including

organizing your footage, creating a rough edit, and fine-tuning your edit using

advanced trimming techniques. Also includes instructions for multicamera editing

using powerful new multicamera editing tools.

10 Preface Final Cut Pro 5 Documentation and Resources

ÂVolume 3—Audio Mixing and Effects: Provides instructions for mixing audio and

enhancing your video using the elaborate effects capabilities of Final Cut Pro. Topics

include adding transitions and filters, creating motion effects, compositing and

layering, creating titles, and color correcting your footage. Also covers real-time

playback and rendering.

ÂVolume 4—Media Management and Output: Provides information about managing

projects and media files, exchanging projects between editing systems, and

outputting completed projects. Also contains detailed explanations of settings and

preferences and information on video formats, frame rate, and timecode.

Note: The four-volume user manual is also available onscreen; see the next section,

“Onscreen Help.”

Onscreen Help

Onscreen help (available in the Help menu) provides easy access to information while

you’re working in Final Cut Pro. An onscreen version of the Final Cut Pro 5 User Manual is

available here, along with other documents in PDF format and links to websites.

To access onscreen help:

mIn Final Cut Pro, choose an option from the Help menu.

Onscreen User Manual

The onscreen version of the user manual is helpful if you do not have immediate access

to the printed volumes.

To access the onscreen user manual:

mIn Final Cut Pro, choose Help > Final Cut Pro User Manual.

Working With High Definition and Broadcast Formats

The Working With High Definition and Broadcast Formats document covers how to use

high definition formats (such as DVCPRO HD and HDV) and broadcast video formats

(such as Sony Video Disk Units and Panasonic P2 cards) with Final Cut Pro.

To access the Working With High Definition and Broadcast Formats document:

mIn Final Cut Pro, choose Help > HD and Broadcast Formats.

Information About Known Issues and Third-Party Hardware

and Software

For information about issues with third-party hardware and software and other known

issues, you can read the Late-Breaking News section of the onscreen help.

To access Late-Breaking News:

mIn Final Cut Pro, choose Help > Late-Breaking News.

Preface Final Cut Pro 5 Documentation and Resources 11

Information About New Features

For information about features that have been added or enhanced since the last

version of Final Cut Pro, you can read the New Features section of the onscreen help.

To access the New Features document:

mIn Final Cut Pro, choose Help > New Features.

Apple Websites

There are a variety of discussion boards, forums, and educational resources related to

Final Cut Pro on the web.

Final Cut Pro Websites

The following websites provide general information, updates, and support information

about Final Cut Pro, as well as the latest news, resources, and training materials.

For information about Final Cut Pro, go to:

Âhttp://www.apple.com/finalcutpro

To get more information on third-party resources, such as third-party tools, resources,

and user groups, go to:

Âhttp://www.apple.com/software/pro/resources/fcpresources.html

For information on the Apple Pro Training Program, go to:

Âhttp://www.apple.com/software/pro/training

To provide comments and feedback to Apple about Final Cut Pro, go to:

Âhttp://www.apple.com/feedback/finalcutpro.html

Apple Service and Support Website

The Apple Service and Support website provides software updates and answers to the

most frequently asked questions for all Apple products, including Final Cut Pro. You’ll

also have access to product specifications, reference documentation, and Apple and

third-party product technical articles:

Âhttp://www.apple.com/support

I

Part I: An Introduction

to Final Cut Pro

Find out how Final Cut Pro fits into the moviemaking

process and learn about fundamental concepts of

digital video editing and the basic elements of

a Final Cut Pro project.

Chapter 1 About the Postproduction Workflow

Chapter 2 Video Formats and Timecode

Chapter 3 Understanding Projects, Clips, and Sequences

1

15

1About the Postproduction

Workflow

No matter what your project, Final Cut Pro is the

cornerstone of your postproduction workflow.

This chapter covers the following:

ÂThe Industry Workflow (p. 15)

ÂThe Postproduction Workflow (p. 16)

The Industry Workflow

Before you start editing, it’s helpful to consider how postproduction fits into the overall

moviemaking workflow. Even though no two movie projects follow exactly the same

steps, there is a common workflow that almost every project adheres to. From

conception to completion, the basic steps to complete a film or video project are

described below.

Step 1: Scripting

Scripting is where the movie is conceived and written.

Step 2: Preproduction

This is where budgeting, casting, location scouting, equipment and format selection,

and storyboarding take place.

Step 3: Production

Production is where you create your footage, capturing performances using video or

film cameras, as well as audio recorders. Lighting, cinematography, acting, and

directing all come together to create the elements used to tell your story or deliver

your message. For practical reasons, scenes are usually shot out of order, which means

they have to be properly arranged during editing.

16 Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Pro

Step 4: Postproduction

Postproduction is where you organize and assemble your production footage, putting

scenes in proper order, selecting the best takes, and eliminating unnecessary elements.

Production sound is synchronized (with the picture), edited, sometimes rerecorded,

and mixed. Music is composed and added. Footage is color-corrected and special

effects are created. The final movie is output to tape, film, or some other high-quality

media format.

Step 5: Distribution

Distribution is when you release a movie for viewing. This may involve theater

screenings, video and DVD releases, festival submissions, or web delivery.

The Postproduction Workflow

The postproduction phase begins with the raw source footage and ends with a

completed movie, ready for making distribution copies. As technology evolves,

postproduction continues to proliferate into an increasing variety of jobs and tasks.

Where there was once a single editor who was responsible for the majority of the

postproduction process, there may now be a whole special effects team, an audio

department, a colorist (responsible for color correction), and a number of assistant editors

keeping track of all the footage. Final Cut Pro is at the heart of the postproduction

pipeline, allowing you to organize and assemble media from multiple sources into a

finished product.

Chapter 1 About the Postproduction Workflow 17

I

Here is an overview of the basic Final Cut Pro postproduction workflow. As you begin

your project, remember that there are no hard and fast rules for editing. Different

editors have different working styles and, given the same source material, no two

editors will cut the same finished program. The workflow described here offers just one

example of how you might approach a typical project.

Distribution

Industry Workflow

Final Cut Pro

Postproduction Workflow

Preproduction

Production

Postproduction

Planning

Setting Up

Logging

and Capturing

Editing

Mixing Audio

Adding Effects

Outputting

Scripting

18 Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Pro

Step 1: Planning

Planning is where you choose your basic workflow, such as offline and online editing

(for projects with a lot of media) or editing the uncompressed footage (for shorter

projects with quick turnaround times), choose input and output formats, and plan for

equipment requirements (such as hard disk space), timecode and sync requirements,

special effects shots and color correction, audio mixing requirements, and so on.

Planning for postproduction primarily means preparing for each of the upcoming

postproduction phases: choosing input and output formats; acquiring your original

footage, music, and graphics; deciding on a logging and capturing method; choosing

an editing strategy; and planning the scope of effects you will be adding so you can

determine how much time and support you will need to dedicate to them.

Step 2: Setting up

In this phase, you set up your editing system by installing and connecting the

hardware you need, as well as configuring your software. For example, before logging

and capturing, you need to connect the video and audio from your camcorder or VTR

(video tape recorder) to your computer. You also need to make sure that the correct

presets are chosen within Final Cut Pro, so that Final Cut Pro knows what video and

audio formats you are capturing and what kind of device control you’re using. (Device

control allows Final Cut Pro to remotely control video and audio devices.)

Depending on the format and device you are using, setup can be fairly simple (as it is

with DV formats) or more complex. For example, if you are working with an

uncompressed video format, you need to install a third-party video interface in your

computer, as well as a serial port adapter to communicate with the deck.

See Chapter 12, “Designing Your Editing System,” on page 163 for more information.

Chapter 1 About the Postproduction Workflow 19

I

Step 3: Logging and capturing

Logging is the process of identifying which shots on tape you want to capture to your

hard disk for editing. While you log, you can add scene and shot descriptions, logging

notes, and markers. Logging also helps you become familiar with your footage before

you begin editing.

Capturing means transferring source media from your video camcorder or deck to your

computer’s hard disk, which creates media files. You can capture media files at any time,

although most footage should be captured before you start editing.

The order in which you log and capture your footage is up to you. There are several

possible workflows, depending upon your work style, the needs of your project, and

the availability of footage. You can log all or most clips before batch capturing them (in

an automated way), or log and then capture each clip individually. You can also log

clips after capturing your footage to a hard disk.

Final Cut Pro allows you to capture video and audio from a wide variety of sources, if

you have the appropriate hardware. See Chapter 17, “Overview of Logging

and Capturing,” on page 225 for more information.

Step 4: Editing

The editing process involves taking the video and audio you’ve captured, along with

any music or graphics you’ve imported, and arranging these raw materials into a final

edited sequence of clips. Most editors start with a rough cut, where they quickly

arrange all of the clips for a movie in sequence. Once that’s finished, they work on fine-

tuning, subtly adjusting the edit points between clips and refining the pacing of each

cut. Basic audio editing and synchronizing are also part of this process, as well as

adding transitions, such as fades and dissolves.

Often, the type of project you’re working on determines your method of editing. For

example, documentary editing, in which the script often evolves in parallel with the

editing, is quite different from commercial television and film editing, in which there is

already a finished script to provide an order for clips.

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Apple Final Cut Pro 5 Owner's manual

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