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804 Part IX Effects and Color Correction
Step 1: Prepare and import your still image into Final Cut Express
There are two key things to be aware of before you import the image:
 Frame size: The still-image dimensions need to be significantly larger than the frame
size of your sequence, so that the still image can move about the frame without
displaying any edges.
For example, a DV NTSC (4:3 aspect ratio) sequence has a frame size of 720 x 480
pixels, so any stills used for this effect in a DV NTSC (4:3) sequence should be larger
than 720 x 480. The longer you want the pan to last and the more detail you want to
show, the larger the still-image dimensions should be. Check the frame size of your
sequence and the size of the imported still image by looking at the Frame Size
column in the Browser. A good rule of thumb is to make your still image with twice
the horizontal and vertical dimensions. Using exact multiples makes it easier to make
precise, predictable adjustments to your image within the Canvas.
If the final destination of your sequence will be SD video, then any scanned images,
digital photographs, and HD video images with higher resolution work well. Still
images from SD video aren’t recommended because you’d have to increase the size
of the still image by scaling it up, which would degrade the image quality
considerably and create artifacts in the picture.
If you’re creating graphics for camera motion effects in an HD sequence, the image
dimensions will have be quite high. For example, doubling 1920 x 1080 results in a
graphic that is 3840 x 2160. Depending on the speed of your processor, the real-time
effects playback may be limited for these high-resolution effects.
 Flattened layers: If the still image you want to use is a layered Photoshop file, do not
import it as a layered Photoshop file because it will appear as a sequence on multiple
tracks. Instead, flatten and save the image in your graphics application before you
import it into Final Cut Express. Make sure you save the flattened image as a copy in
case you want to make changes to the original layered graphics file.
Note: Store any imported still images on your scratch disk so that all your media files
(video, audio, and still-image) are located in one place. This makes it much easier to
locate and move or copy all the project media at once.
Step 2: Edit the still image into your sequence
The still image appears as a clip in the Timeline.
4000 x 3000
Canvas
720 x 480