Final Cut Studio Workflow

I´ve got a project where I use Final Cut Pro for editing, Soundtrack Pro for sound (Logic Pro for Scoring), Motion for rotoscoping and keying, Color for color correction, and Compressor for outputting the final movie...
So, what is the best workflow?
I would prefer to use roundtripping from beginning to end, but this is unfortunately not always possible. Color, for instance, isn´t always on speaking terms with Motion-clips. Should I export the clips made in Motion, so that I could do the overall coloring in Color, or should I use the 3-Way Color Corrector on that particular clip? Will exporting the Motion-clip as an independent clip reduce the quality of the clip?
I really don´t know enough regarding formats and quality loss (I´m a hobbyist, not a pro), and would appreciate all the help I could get!

The best workflow is one that works for you.
I do the edit to what I want inserting temporary text/graphics/animations/whatever and then strip all that out, send the sequence to Color with considerations for transitions (in other words I build handles into the edit to account for dissolves/star wipes/fish wipes). When I'm done with Color I send it back to FCP and duplicate the ___(from Color) sequence and begin to insert all the other elements and trim the edits for transitions and what not. Why do I duplicate the sequence from Color? Simply because I don't want to cut up the original so I have something to fall back upon in case I go in a horrendously wrong direction with my project.
This is how I'll incorporate Motion projects that use an alpha channel. If you think you need to treat your Motion projects in Color then you'll need to export self-contained files, import them into FCP and then send your sequence to Color.
Unlike the FCP timeline which begrudgingly will accept almost any format into a sequence, Color will not tolerate mixed formats or files.
This is what works for me, as with anything in this non-linear world, you'll find many many many other opinions of what works.
Good luck.

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Final Cut Studio Workflow Discussion

I'm trying to find out how many Final Cut users out there use the "Final Cut Studio Workflow" meaning; do you guys use Soundtrack Pro, Motion, Livetype and the other programs for your work? And how often do you use them? I think it'd be really cool to get a discussion going about who is using these programs in their editing workflow and how often and what they use it for.
Most of my work comes out of FCP but I use a lot of Adobe products such as After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator. I DVD author with DVDSP and use Compressor when I go to DVD or web.
I find it interesting that I mostly use the FCP studio for just FCP. I hardly ever touch Livetype; I've used Soundtrack Pro twice and I've never used Motion.
The reason I post this in the Final Cut Pro user forum is because I'm interested in knowing how many 'editors' are doing this extra stuff outside of traditional editing.

I use the tools I know. I know photoshop and aftereffects (sortof) and haven't gotten a handle on motion. I use soundtrack pro occasionally to normalize, and eq, but not for much else (just remembered that I did a cool little music piece using the loops in soundtrack pro. really blew my client away). I find I can do almost everything I need to do audio wise in fcp. Subframe audio editing is a little cumbersome but doable. But... I do realize that I'll need to bite the bullet and explore motion eventually.
I've used cinematools a number of times to remove pulldown from film to tape transfers and to change the frame rate of pal qts (25fps) to 24 fps (very handly when my english animators gave me qt's with the wrong frame rate.
I started out as a film editor, when all I did was make edits on a flatbed with a rivas splicer. Those days are gone forever. Every year I find I'm doing more things than I ever did before. Maybe not always with a professional skill set, but I'm getting there.
Message was edited by: Michael Grenadier

Updating Final Cut Studio 2.01 and workflow between FCP and AE

Hi. I am currently working in FCE 3.5 and am considering purchasing Final Cut Studio 2.01 (new and sealed) as opposed to the latest version since I am running a PowerPC G5. Am I assured of being able to download all the updates for Final Cut Pro 6 and exactly which version would be the latest and final one? Was there ever an FCP v6.5? I do mainly animation/motion graphics and work in After Effects (along w/ Flash, Carrara, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.). I understand that the workflow between FCP (as opposed to FCE) and AE is greatly enhanced. Can someone give me an idea of what advantages this new workflow will offer in terms of what I'll be able to accomplish that I can't do now w/ FCE? Also, any other comments on how FCP (as compared to FCE) will benefit me as an animator will be greatly appreciated. Lastly, am I correct in assuming that I will be able to open my FCE 3.5 project files in FCP 6 but not visa versa? Thanks. Jack.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I see that I will need some 3rd-party support in order to realize the benefit of a Final Cut Pro/After Effects workflow. Have another question. What are the kinds of filters that you can keyframe in FCP but not in FCE? And are there many filters in FCP that are not included w/ FCE? As I deal mainly w/ animation as opposed to footage of live video I am trying to justify the investment in Final Cut Studio 2 in terms of it being a benefit to me as an animator. I currently use FCE 3.5 (which includes versions of SoundTrack and LiveType) and After Effects CS3 plus other graphics programs. I would love to be able to work within DVD Studio Pro as iDVD is so limiting as an authoring program but am not sure how much I will benefit from switching from FCE to FCP. This is what I am trying to nail down.

AVCHD editing in Final Cut Studio 2 vs. HDV? Which workflow is smoother?

How is AVCHD editing in Final Cut Studio 2 compared to HDV?
I am in the process of buying a new camcorder.
Thinking about the Canon HV30, but I am considering AVCHD and the HG 10 or HF 10.
I just heard that AVCHD is tough to edit... Is this true?
I have a 24" iMac 2.8GHz Extreme Core 2 Duo with 4 Gb RAM, and I wonder if that would be enough horsepower to edit AVCHD. I also have a 1 terabyte Raid for storage.
I love the idea of being able to just transfer over clips rather than Log and Capturing through an entire dv tape, but is the workflow of AVCHD more work in the long run.
I am more concerned with workflow than even picture quality.
I have so far only worked in SD... so any thoughts from people with hands on experience and can give a good comparison of the two workflows would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

AVCHD isnt any harder to edit then HDV. We are running the SONY EX1 which is Sold State Camera. You have to use Sony XDCam Transfer software to get it into FCP.
Here is what we found.
AVCHD is a lot faster to ingest (ive found 4x realtime) and because you have to use the Sony XDcam Software for transfers you end up with better Loggin metadata (mostly because its easier at the time of transfer)
AVCHD is more expensive to run currently. With 16GB cards giving you 57 minutes of video they cost about 400 Pounds a card (im in the UK). On the plus side is you can view your footage instantly with a MacBooK Pro using the ExpressCard slot to plugin your solid state card and XDcam Viewer software.
Backup can be done in one of to ways. Use a SONY XDCam deck and store the footage on their XDCam Cartridges (way too expensive option). or use external Hardisk (we use 2 one for storage on location and second for Backup and later on for long term Storage in our Library).
When it comes to HDV we use the HDV-Z1 cameras and the process with the Z1 is just the same as with a consumer Level DV camera. It takes longer to ingest video because its realtime. But once in it runs fine. For backup its already done by the tape and again we store all Footage on Harddisk for long term storage once the project is done with the Tapes as backups. Oh.. and also the tapes are really cheap compared to the Solid state cards.
I have to say i was happy with AVCHD at first because the initial setup was very expensive. BUt once setup the workflow is smoother and faster the HDV tape based system. I do find the quality to be better as well on AVCHD.
I hope that helps

Final Cut Studio 2 and Canon hv20

I'm currently working on Final Cut Studio 2 and I'm looking at buying a Canon HV20. I've looked into some threads on this one and it seems that people are having trouble with this camera on FC Studio 2. Is there anyone out there that can attest to smooth and efficient workflow with this set up? A major selling point for me is the 24p, tell me it works well, please tell me it works well.
thank you,
t r e y v o n

HV20 works perfectly at 24p in FCP 6.0.2.
Added advantage is that you can capture uncompressed (with HDMI card and fast drive/RAID) at much higher quality and resolution than HDV.
Quality is so good, you can create great 1920 x 1080 24p green screen shots (using 4:2:2 color space from HDMI) and dvMatte Pro 3.
The next step up to get better quality at 24p is around $5K-$6K range (I think?).
Here's a small image of a 24p frame shot on green screen with the HV20:
http://www.ecophones.com/embed/printplace.jpg

Final Cut Express as Offline - Final Cut Studio 2 as Online?

Is it possible to use FInal Cut Express for offline editing and then replace the media with HD versions for online editing in Final Cut Pro?
Example of our proposed Workflow:
1. Capture HDCam footage from CineAlta Camera into Final Cut Studio 2 at DVCProHD 1080i60.
2. Use Media Manager to create a copy of the project while downconverting media to DV.
3. Transfer project folder to other Mac running FC Express. Create FCE project file and create an edit using DV footage.
(here's where I'm uncertain)
4. Can FC Express export EDL's or in some way get that edit back into FC Pro, where I can relink back to the DVCProHD media?
Thanks to anyone who can help with this.
Message was edited by: cvc1968.mac

Well, I gained access to a computer running FCE 4 and created a test project. When I try to open in in FCP 6.0.1 I get a message stating that the file format is "too new" for this version of FCP.
I guess I need to try FCE HD 3.5, but it will not run on any computer without an AGP graphics card.
This shouldn't be this troublesome, should it?

Help please importing mpeg files to be edited with Final Cut Studio

Hey everyone, new to the video editing thing. I have a JVC GY-HM100U Pro HD camcorder and a MacBook Pro 5,1 with 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB 1067 MHz DPR3, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M & NVIDIA GeForce 9600MGT running OSX 10.5.8. Have recorded footage in mpeg4 and want to now edit using Final Cut Pro 7. Have downloaded Quicktime Pro and am still getting a "the movie could not be opened when trying to import the mp4 file. The movie contains some invalid data" window when trying to open the mpeg4 file. I have also downloaded DivX, FF Player, & Handbrake if these help convert to another supported file format. Please help!

That camera is promoted on the JVC website as being Final Cut Pro compatible.
Have you tried to import the clips via Log & Transfer?
You might also want to read up on the [workflow for that type of camera|http://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutpro/professionalformatsandwork flows/#chapter=6%26section=0].
Have downloaded Quicktime Pro....
QuickTime Pro is installed automaticallly with Final Cut Studio. No need to buy it again.
I have also downloaded DivX, FF Player, & Handbrake...
That software is all pretty much useless for working with Final Cut Studio.
MPEG Streamclip is free and much better.
Tutorials and download links:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2059475&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2070861&tstart=0

Final Cut Studio Only?

i found STP to be the wave editor i've always been waiting for. the workflow is amazing. i haven't touched Peak in 6 months. i'm scripting custom batches for myself and others. it's been a dream come true. now it's essentially gone. if i want it i will have to purchase Final Cut Studio. yes, it's a great deal but i have ZERO use for anything other than STP. this is disappointing. i guess no other non-video using musicians or sound designers bought STP standalone? it's a real shame because Apple could have had a class-killer app in the wave editor market. guess it's back to Peak for me and my clients. gross.

because i've moved to Intel processors and in order to use STP on them i have to upgrade to the entire Final Cut Studio. granted it is a great deal at $199 but i just don't want it. i'm not a video guy. STP is thee best waveform editor ever to hit the Mac and it's just a drag that Apple doesn't want audio people to use it. they really could have a killer app situation with STP and audio folks. the only real competition is Peak which i used for many years and dropped it like a disease as soon as STP came along. the AppleScript support, the amazing workflow, the whole thing just rules. but now i have to purchase a video production suite to use it. if they targeted this thing at audio people they would have had a huge user base. it's an incredibly useful, powerful and easy-to-use editor. not to mention the multitrack arranging capabilities. it's a real bad@ss.

DPX - Glue Tools - Final Cut - Color workflow problem

Hello all,
I haven't worked much with DPX since the Final Cut Studio 2 update and have now come upon an urgent problem.
I need to import 16bit DPX files into Final Cut, cut them on the timeline, then send to Color and back to FCP after correction.
I've tried this in serveral ways which lead to different problems.
First approach:
- Import DPX Sequence via Glue Tools DPX Import of Final Cut Pro 7
- Drop on timeline
- Send to Color
- Opens just fine, color correct, render
- Send to Final Cut Pro
It switches to Final Cut, but doesn't open the new corrected sequence.
Second approach:
- Instead of sending the corrected movie to Final Cut, Export XML
- Import XML into Final Cut
Again it switches to Final Cut, but I get the following error message (translation from German): The xml transformation has been cancelled due to a serious error.
Third approach:
Because I don't have much time at the moment I thought I'd just go back to the older workflow of putting the dpx files into a mov container first (I haven't worked much with dpx since FCS2).
So I opened one of the dpx files with QT7 and exported into an uncompressed mov file and already have the first problem.
It seems to cut off all the shadows. When I open the newly exported mov file with QT7 and compare it with the still open dpx sequence it looks even more flat than the dpx files and seems to has lost all shadow detail.
When I drop the mov file into FCP, send to Color and try to get some contrast into the film the shadows look completely crushed.
Sending back to Final Cut works now though.
I've searched through the archive and read the Glue Tools manual again, but nothing I try seems to work.
I use the newest Glue Tools version and the settings are standard. Changing them doesn't seem to influence exporting to a mov file anyway.
Any hint would be much appreciated!

So I opened one of the dpx files with QT7 and exported into an uncompressed mov file and already have the first problem.
it looks even more flat than the dpx files and seems to has lost all shadow detail.
It "looks" even more flat and seems to have lost shadow detail?
You are not measuring values with a scope? In other words you're "flying blind.''
Sounds like an RGB/Y'CbCr scaling problem -- Probably the dpx files are full range and the QT is being rendered Linear so the black "0" is actually being mapped to about minus 10 IRE and your white vales won't be able to make it much above 85-90 units. There will also be a gamma difference. If you were scoping these values, they'd be instantly obvious.
jPo

Final Cut X -- Final Cut Studio

Hi All,
Can you still buy Final Cut Studio? What is Final Cut X replacing? I have been searching on Apple's site for while now for Final Cut Studio, seems to have vanished.
Joe

Apple is no longer selling FCS 3 but there must be hundreds of stores doing so, together with large numbers of new and used stuff on eBay etc. and this will undoubtedly continue to be the case for the next year or so.
FCP X is replacing FCS 3 but rather inadequately if you happen to be a high end pro requiring certain specialised workflows.
All other users should find it perfectly OK and an improvement in some aspects.

Final Cut Studio 2 on new iMac..

Hello I just recieved a new 27 in imac with OS 10.8.4...I need to run Final Cut Studio 2 on it I will be getting Final Cut X soon and will need to be able to edit older projects too.. ..I've seen some options on how to get it to install but am a bit confused..If someone could walk me throught it..it would be much appreciated

Michael Grenadier wrote:
Here's a tutorial
http://www.secondchairvideo.com/?p=1975
Although this tutorial suggests creating a bootable drive with the OS installer on it, that's not necessary. You can just create disk images as he describes and mount them.
I am not sure why you did not just post this tutorial instead of requesting me to describe a workflow.
In the time it took me to research a workflow for Pacifist for a link for the OP, it seems he spent 6 hours of wasted time.
Michael:
Have you ever "uninstalled" Rosetta after installing it on a Lion or Mt. Lion Mac? and
I believe you told me earlier you do not use FCS2. Is that correct and if so what is your connection to offering so much repeated installation advice about a product that you do not use yourself?
I note that I also do not use FCS2, but I am attempting to get a copy to attempt to implement the Jeremy Johnstone "Text Edit" solution (no dangers of using Terminal). Unfortunately, all sources of purchasing a copy of FCS2 are just too expensive for me with no ultimate need for the program, after I figure out how to install it.
If you know of a copy of FCS2 that can be "lent" to me for "fair use" educational means of figuring out how to install it (and thereafter erasing that copy from my Mac), please let me know.

Xsan & Final Cut Studio

About a month ago we purchased Xsan, an Xserve G5, a Qlogic 5200, etc. to set up a SAN for video production. We are still waiting on a few items (gigabit switch, UPS) before we start to set it up, but in the meantime I had a couple of questions:
Before FCP5 and Xsan 1.1, I had read that FCP projects should not be stored on an Xsan volume, but tha FCP5 should have solved the problem. Since then, I have looked everywhere that I could think of to see if this turned out to be true, but I cant seem to find that info anywhere. Is this possible now? How about the other Final Cut Studio apps? Photoshop (not as important since we can easily transfer to a local drive then edit and transfer back)?
To be honest, Apple seems to have suggested Xsan's strong point in video production is "efficient workflow". Network transfer of project files doesnt seem too efficient to me, so I am hoping direct storage is possible now. I am somewhat confused however about why this was ever an issue. If a project file can be stored on an Xsan volume and read from an Xsan volume why couldnt you edit directly from Xsan? Is it that the app must be designed specifically to function with Xsan for read/write purposes so that files will not become corrupted?
Currently we only have enough drives to use 1 controller. I know that striping LUNs in Xsan is faster than having 2 individual LUNs. When we add more drives, can striping achived without reformatting that SAN? We mainly edit in DV and DVCAM right now, but occasionally Uncompressed SD. We may eventually go to HDV or DVCPro HD in the future (probably 1 or 2 years), but I doubt we will ever edit directly in Uncompressed HD (only output).
One last question... We purchased the AppleCare Xsan Support. Can you use this service to guide you through installation or is it just support for problems that arise? I know Xsan setup is not trivia (as has been mentioned numerous times on this forum) and I want as smooth a transition as possible.

I think I read on this forum that you couldn't work with FCP4.5 projects directly from the Xsan because 4.5 was not POSIX compliant. We're using FCP5 on Xsan 1.1 and storing them on the Xsan for backup purposes. When we want to work on the project at hand we drag it to the desktop and open it from there. Everything works fine. We haven't tried to work with a project from the Xsan.
I'm a little bit confused about your question about LUNs. You can have the metadata and storage on the same LUN if you chose to do so. The way I see it you have three options:
First, if you have a half populated Xserve RAID then format it RAID5 (hopefully you have already done so). Then tell Xsan Admin to use that LUN in a storage pool that can contain both metadata and storage. This would work better if you chose to fully populate the RAID. Then you can add the 2nd LUN to that storage pool.
The 2nd config would be to split up those 7 drives. Do a RAID1 with two drives on the first controller. Then do a RAID5 with 5 drives on the 2nd controller. You would then have two LUNs and two storage pools. The problem with this is you would have to buy a whole new RAID unit if you wanted to add on. However, you would get more performance by spreading LUNs over more controllers with 160MB/s of performance.
The 3rd config would be to do a RAID1 on two drives and then a RAID 5 on 5 drives on the same controller. This would then let you split things up and also add more storage later. You could then add 5 more drives on the other controller and make that a RAID5. Then take the other two drives and do a RAID0 for rendering or audio or something.
The bottom line is there are a few options. The best way to do things is to utilize your bandwidth coming from your controllers.
I'm not sure how the Apple Xsan Support works, but I'd assume they might be nice enough to help out in the set up process.
Good Luck,
Scott Dominick

How works final cut studio with lion?

how works final cut studio with lion?

The thing to take from FCPX is that it isn't an update/upgrade from 7. It's an entirely new editor. As a professional video editor myself for 5 years, I felt just as hesitant as you when I first saw what Apple had done. However, I committed myself to biting the bullet for a little while to get comfortable with the new workflow, and I can vouch for Apple's new move toward this type of setup. It has improved my workflow enough to where I can confidently say I deliver projects, on average, in half the time, with no sacrifice to quality.
Give it another chance, if you can afford it. With a bit of training, and time into using it, you'll see it's a superior editor to FCP 7

Anamorphic Setup - Final Cut Studio Training

I inadvertedly posted this in the DVD SP forum. I'd like to move it here where it belongs.
I just got my Final Cut Pro Studio a couple weeks ago, had to finish a project that I was doing in FCE and iDVD, and am now reviewing the tutorial on the Final Cut Studio Training DVD.
One of the first steps is to setup the session to "DV-NTSC Anamorphic". Since I had already blown past that 2 week ago, I did not see it this time, nor could I find the correct menu to make that setting for the tutorial. So I just blew by it; realizing that I'd find out sooner or later what the cost would be.
I found out: When doing the Motion segment and importing the final "TrailerLowerThirds" back into FCP, that part is compressed horizontally with black side bars on the right and left.
3 questions:
How do I make that setting if I've been running FCP already?
What does that do to the project, the clips, anything else?
If I were to make this mistake on one of my projects, how would I recover?
So far I've only been making projects in DV-NTSC 2:3 (I guess that's the right way to say it). Any insights would be appreciated.
G5 dual core 2Ghz, 2.5 GB, 160, 300GB & 300GBfw Mac OS X (10.4.6) FCE HD, FCSP5.1

My second question was: "What does that do to the project, the clips, anything else?"
The essential thing to bear in mind is that 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic projects (in the SD world) have the SAME resolution: 720x480 pixels for NTSC, 720x576 for PAL. Because the resolution is the same, but the apparent frame size is different, it can lead to confustion, and it's easy to get it wrong - especially over there in the US where anamorphic broadcasting of SD material never took off, and thus widescreen sets were never mass market before HD.
(The situation here in Europe is different.).
Have a read of this for clarity: http://www.helerab.fi/widescreen/
The anamoprhic easy setup just tells FCP that you are capturing anamorphic material, and that new sequences should be anamorphic by default. You can override these defaults if necessary, but the easy setup just makes it harder to mess up.
The important thing when going to DVD is to keep the workflow anamorphic all the way through: output anamorphic material from FCP, make sure material is transcoded to mpeg (whether through compressor, iDVD or Quicktime) with anamorphic settings intact; and in your DVD authoring application, make sure projects, menus and tracks are created or flagged as 16:9.
The end result is an anamorphic DVD.
Your DVD player has a menu where you tell it what type of TV it's connected to - whether 4:3 or widescreen (and if it's a 4:3 set, how it should handle widescreen material: either letterboxing it or "cropping" it via pan/scan).
I've started noticing in other posts that some people think that if you have anamorphic material you should set your DVD player to 16:9. This is NOT A GOOD IDEA (unless the DVD player is attached to a widescreen TV, in which case you have it set to 16:9 already!) Just set the DVD player once and leave it alone.
Hope these observations help get you started. If you understand what's going on with anamorphic media, you're less likely to make mistakes. Best of luck.

Will Final Cut Studio 3 work with OSX Mavericks?

Hi,
Does anyone know if Final Cut Studio 3 will work with the New OSX Mavericks when it's released this fall?
Thanks in advance

If you have the snow leopard install disk, you can do a custom install and just install rosetta.
One person on this forum, says there are serious issues with this workflow and links to another method.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/22029476#22029476
I've done it a few times without any issues, and I haven't seen any definitive reports detailing the problems with this.
Doing a complete clean install is the much safer way to have a dependable system. Here's a user tip on OS and FCP installation
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2861
I'd also recommend creating a bootable clone of your startup drive before doing any os upgrades or application installations or upgrades. That way if things go south, you can easily return to the previous working system.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2494

Final Cut Studio Workflow

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