How do I capture a still Frame in video in FCP HD?

[Peter]

Capture the video as you normally do.
Go to export>Quicktime Conversion
Select “still image”
It defaults to PNG but I always change it JPEG.

Come to think of it, why is the default PNG? Is that the best way to go? I’ve had problems opeing PNGs in Photoshop in the past so I started with JPEGs.

[Pdr]

Hi folks

Here is a nice little workflow I’ve learnt, and like to use for exporting multiple stills; saves quite some time as it utilises the Batch Export feature of Final Cut Pro. I picked it up from someone somewhere on an FCP forum, so kudos to you — and apologies for not remembering who it was. Remember: imitation is the highest form of flattery.

In the Browser, I select the clips I want stills for, and add markers to them in the Viewer. I even add meaningful labels to the markers, so I know which still is which.

When complete, I flip the disclosure triangles for each of these clips in the Browser, which reveals all the markers, and their names.

I then launch the Export Queue window, via the menu Window > Export Queue

I select all the markers, and drag them onto the Export Queue.

I then click Settings, and set the following:
– Destination for exported stills
– Format: Still Image
– Settings and Options — file format and compression settings as you prefer
— I personally like .png, as they are compressed, but not filled with artifacts

Click OK.
Click Export.

Voila! All your stills are exported.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Peter

—
Peter Dominic Ryan – Freelance Editor
raycity* media – pdr@raycity.com

PowerMac G5 Dual 2.0 GHz, 4GB, Mac OS X 10.4
FCP 5, Soundtrack Pro, Motion 2, DVD SP 4