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Struggling to make a logo loo sharp…
Thanks in advance for taking time to help me out!
I have a 1280×720 sequence that is XDCAM EX 720p24.
I’m importing a logo with a transparent background and I’m getting jagged edges on the curves.
I’ve brought in a .ai file, a .psd, and a .png and all in different sizes, flattened, not flattened, and tried everything I could try to make it look great but i’m coming up short. I’ve scoured this forum for advice and followed the advice that I learned but still it’s not working.Sequence Settings:
Frame Size: 1280×720 Aspect Ratio: HDTV 720p (16:9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square “anamorphic” is not checked.
Editing Timebase: 23.98
Compressor: XDCAM EX 720p24 (35 Mb/s VBR)The logo is a vector based image that I’m able to scale up in PS or Illustrator without pixelation so I’m bringing a clean image into FCP but when I drop it into my timeline it instantly gets jagged edges. I’ve tried blowing it up to 400% bigger at 5120×2880 and scale down in FCP but still looks crappy. Now, I know that using the canvas to judge is a mistake but when I export the file it’s still there.
I’m wondering if there are other things I can to to this graphic file to make it look better on this XDCAM EX timeline? For example, should the “compressor” setting for the actual graphic be set to something specific that will make it look better? I’ve tried so many different combinations that I’m wondering if something is wrong with my FCP or if this is just impossible to get looking good. Thought maybe it was a corrupted timeline but that wasn’t it either.
The logo can be seen in this video over the shoulders of the people talking. https://www.maximizevideo.com/samples/dasient_montage02.html
Any info/ideas you have would be much appreciated.
thanks,
max
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28 Replies
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First question – is your logo in RBG or CMYK? It’s probably in CMYK, so try changing to RGB and see if it helps.
If not, let me know.
Seattle, WA
Videologist -
Close your project.
Use an Easy Setup or create a custom sequence that uses Pro Res as the timeline codec. I’d try ProRes HQ, then ProRes 422 HQ, the maybe 4:4:4:4 if you are in FCP 7.x
Start a new Project.
Import the graphic. See if the image looks sharper.
Essentially, attempt to load the graphic into a sequence that uses a more robust codec as the render codec.
If that does not work, try using After Effects to generate the video file FOR FCP.
Try to also stay away form serif fonts and small font sizes. The fine lines and flourish don’t always translate well to video.
~Michael
.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior applications editor . post workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.com -
Thanks Olin… definitely RGB.
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Thanks for the help Michael. I’m running 6.0.6. I created a new project, created a Pro Res 422 (HQ) timeline, imported the .psd file and dropped it into the timeline. It still is jagged.
When i first imported the psd, in the FCP browser, it listed the XDCAM EX 720p24 for the “compressor”. I changed that to the Pro Res setting and after exporting and viewing it the lower section of the icon is still jagged.
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As for the graphic, I’ve had some weird anomalies like this. Add a tiny soft drop shadow and it usually pops in clear. It’s probably interpreting the alpha wrong or something, but the tiny almost transparent drop shadow seems to fix it.
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Another quick fix can be the ‘Broadcast Safe Color’ filter.
It’s always better when you can get to the root of the problem though.
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Thanks Bret! I tried that already but tried it again just now to be sure and still not fixing my problem. I tried a big dark drop shadow as well but didn’t fix my issue.
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You are rendering full render right? Best settings? View on Broadcast monitor? Didn’t see this mentioned…
Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC -
I tried reproducing the problem, but couldn’t. I would be willing to bet that the problem is originating from your Photoshop settings.
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Thanks chris… yes, full render… best settings… I’m not viewing on broadcast monitor but I am looking at the exported quicktime file.
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