Help with Jagged Border Lines

[Paul Nevison]

upgrade to final cut pro 5 and say goodbye to jagged edges….

improved scaling and rotation one of the best – though unsung feature improvements of the new version

system 1 G5DP 2.0 / 2.0G RAM / OS 10.3.8 / QT 6.5.2 / FCP HD 4.5 / CineWave 4.7 / Cinewave RT Pro/ Pro Digital Plus & Pro Analogue BOB

[Future Man]

Is there a way I can fix this now?

Im not convinced about upgrading to Final Cut 5 yet… doesnt seem to be enough new features for the amount that I use it.

Thats interesting that in 5 the jagged edges would be fixed… can someone else confirm this for me (not that I dont believe you).

Thanks!!!

Jon Davis

Powermac dual 2.5 G5, Production Bundle, Canon ZR60

[Josephine Healey]

I’ve heard too that there is less Jaggedness in 5.0, but don’t know for sure. One question is where are you seeing the jaggedness, in Canvas or External NTSC monitor? Also Red?? Do you see it if you use a less saturated color as well?

[Future Man]

Yeah Im seeing the Jaggedness in the Canvas and also when I export it as a Quicktime (no compression).

This is for the web so what Im seeing isnt relavant on an NSTC monitor.

Thanks!

Jon Davis

Powermac dual 2.5 G5, Production Bundle, Canon ZR60

[Gunner Jones]

I bet it looks OK. Actually, this is a common misunderstanding.

You are simply not checking the high quality viewing option in QT. In QT, type CMD + J. And then enable High Quality in that dialog.

FYI, even if you are doing web video, working with a video monitor is actually helpful. FCP is more like a system than an app, if you see my point. If you had a video monitor hooked up, you would’ve seen that the edges are much smoother in reality because the video monitor will display the QT at High Quality (with the Timeline set to Safe RT). So it gives you more confidence and security knowing the actual quality of your project as you work, not after you export to QT and check the High Quality checkbox, or encode to DVD.

A properly set up FCP workstation provides a stable base to work from no matter the destination of your media: to tape, to DVD, to the web, and continually on mobile devices with the advent of H.264. With a properly set up system, what you see is what you get. The Canvas, unfortuantely, will not show you the final quality of your show.

With FCP 5, I have heard that scaling and dynamic preview in the Canvas brings you much closer to the actual resolution of your output (in your case, web video), but if you want to stick with FCP HD–the best thing you can do is connect a video monitor (or even a TV) to your DV Deck or DV Camcorder. Your speakers should be connected there as well. See the manual if you need a diagram.

Good luck to you and let us know if your quality was acceptable — given that you are working with DV’s 5:1 compression.

G.

O&O-Gunner Productions
FCP-Avid-After Effects

[Paul Nevison]

jagged edges on clips once you move them in 3D is a fact of life with FCP 4.5 and below…this has been drastically improved in fcp 5 from what i have seen.

the only way to get around the jagged edges is to use a 3rd party app like after effects or boris red.

if the video you are moving with the basic 3d filter is against black or another solid colour you could try masking your video, making sure the mask is the same colour as your background to hide the mask. could be a way to hide the jagged edges.

the artifacts you are seeing will look worse in your canvas than if you previewed to a broadcast monitor – as noted above by gunner.

Not that i work for apple or anything but the general improvements in version 5 are well worth the upgrade IMHO.

system 1 G5DP 2.0 / 2.0G RAM / OS 10.3.8 / QT 6.5.2 / FCP HD 4.5 / CineWave 4.7 / Cinewave RT Pro/ Pro Digital Plus & Pro Analogue BOB

[Gunner Jones]

Indeed Nevo, you are correct. At NAB, I noticed that indeed the scaling had been drastically improved in FCP. Thank GOD! I’m really glad about that so I don’t have to go to AE or RED to do my scaling/masking FX as often. However, most confusion about quality can be more easily ascertained with a proper FCP System setup.

O&O-Gunner Productions
FCP-Avid-After Effects

[Future Man]

Gunner,

You said it probably looks OK… but even though Im not checking it on an extrernal monitor I did bounce it as a Quicktime with no compression which is how it will be viewed by other people and the Jaggies are there.

I totally do understand your point about an external monitor but isnt that expensive-ish? I really only do a project 4 or 5 times a year… Im actually a musician.. heh.

Ill try the COMMAND- J later tonight or tomorow when Im back in the studio. Ill grab and post a screenshot of what I mean too.

Thanks!

Jon Davis

Powermac dual 2.5 G5, Production Bundle, Canon ZR60

[Josephine Healey]

I believe the jaggedness is being caused by the skew. Try nesting your clip first and then skewing it and see if that helps, seems to make quite a difference.

[Josephine Healey]

I believe the jaggedness is being caused by the skew. Try nesting your clip first and then skewing it and see if that helps, seems to make quite a difference.