working with stills

[Todd Beabout]

I’d go with more RAM anyways, but that’s just me. FCP can use up to 2 Gigs of RAM, and I bet I push that from time to time.

As far as the Photoshop files… It gets on my nerves to have to deal with sequences on my timeline, unless I actually need to have the layers seperated in order to animate them or something. For that reason, I usually save as .tiff (no layers) out of Photoshop. Seems less intensive for FCP to deal with a flattened image vs. a layered file.

Give that a try and see if it helps. And go get yourself some more RAM! =)

-Todd Beabout
Vazda Studios

[Arnie Schlissel]

First, 512MB of RAM isn’t really enough for FCP v4 or later. For v5, 512 is the minimum, Apple recommends 2GB or more.

Also, how big are your stills? If you’re working in a DV timeline, they shouldn’t be more than maybe 2000 pixels accross or 1500 pixels high.

Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com

[Andrew Wise]

I appreciate the advice, but I still have the problem of not having the element cut out because when you flatten the image, it imports into FCP with a solid background. I guess what I’m looking for is a way to bring clean graphic elements ,without any background, into FCP without having to deal with (them turning into) sequences or with choma keying.

[Todd Beabout]

Well… that’s not exatcly true. You can create an alpha channel in Photoshop for one thing, but just save a .tiff out of photoshop (preserve transparency) and pull that into FCP. You may have to mess with the settings a bit (I’m not a Photoshop expert), but I know it can be done because I use tiff’s with transparency every single day.

I think your real problem, as I said earlier, is that you have photoshop files with layers. I think it’s the layers that are killing you. When you open one of those photoshop sequences is there only 1 layer in there? If so a quicker workaround is to literally grab that 1 layer from inside the photoshop nest and drag it into the viewer or bin (or copy/paste… so many ways to do this). Then you will have only 1 layer that FCP is looking at instead of another nested sequence.

Give it a try and let us know what happens.

-Todd Beabout
Vazda Studios

[Todd Gillespie]

Andrew,
Todd (the other Todd) is correct about how to use .tiff files instead of .psd. I only use .psd if I need to break up the layers.
.tiff OR .pict will keep your transparency. tiff is uncompressed and .pict is commpressed.
Whenever I need to prep graphics for TV, I will create/modify with a .psd file. I will KEEP the .psd file AS IS. Then I will save a copy as a .pict file. Why? Well if I have a full .psd file, then I don’t really need an uncompressed .tiff file? If it’s wrong or need adj.; open up the .psd file and make another ‘save as’ .pict.

To make your alpha channel in photoshop: apple click on the layer (it will highlight everything on that layer), then go to ‘Select’ pull down, ‘Save Selection’, (it should default to channel), click OK. DONE

IF you have multiple layers that need to be alpha channeled, then you need to do a little more management of your layers. Once you have all the layers the way you want them create a new blank layer (make sure it’s highlighted), choose merge layers WHILE HOLDING THE OPTION BUTTON, this will merge all of your layers onto one layer. Then uncheck all of your layers except your merged layer. Then follow along with my first guide. DONE.

Good Luck,
PS You need A LOT more RAM.

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Andrew Wise]

Thanks Todd (and everyone else who responded),
I’m going to try the .tiff with preserve transparency and play with the alpha channels until I get something to work. It sounds like what I’m looking for.
Thanks again,
Andrew