Training and Certification

Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio (FCS 101)

Professional Techniques for Designers and Editors

Course Description

This three-day, hands-on course familiarizes students with real-world effects techniques, including filters, layering, composite modes and animating video, graphics and titles. The practical approach to motion graphics focuses on the features of Final Cut Studio that editors and designers need to use in their daily work. Using Motion, Final Cut Pro and LiveType, you’ll build creative titles, motion menus, show bumpers and news opens as you learn everything from text animation, compositing, and keyframing to 3D set creation and camera animation.

Who Should Attend

This class is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about the motion graphics and effects capabilities of Final Cut Pro, Motion and Live Type and who prefer prefer hands-on and interactive instruction.

What You Will Learn

• When and how to use Final Cut Pro, Motion and Live Type to create animated titling
• Integrating Motion and Live Type into Final Cut Pro projects
• Creating DVD menus and overlays in Motion and applying them to DVD Studio Pro
• Building motion graphics projects from scratch
• Manipulating video with filters, composite modes and behaviors
• Working with 3D sets and cameras in Motion

Prerequisites

Students should have the following prerequisite knowledge prior to attending the course:

• Basic knowledge of Mac OS X
• Level One Final Cut Pro End User certification is required
• Ideally, students will have attended a Final Cut Pro 101, 200 or 250 course

Course Outline

Day 1

Topic	Description
Compositing and Animating Text in Final Cut Pro	Using the Boris 3D Text Generator, Adding a Graphic, Using a Travel Matte, Animating Text with Keyframes, Saving the Animation, Animating Text with a Generator and Building a Credit Roll
Creating an Animated Lower Third	Preparing the Project, the LiveType Interface, Placing the Background Movie, Adding and Styling Text, Using Preset Animations, Modifying the Animation, Adding an Animated Background, Integrating LiveType into Final Cut Pro and More on LiveType
Final Cut Pro to Motion and Back: Building an Animated Title Sequence	Sending a Clip from Final Cut Pro to Motion, Animating Text with Behaviors, Creating an Animated Background, Round-Tripping, Sending Multiple Clips to Motion, Applying Transformations and Blend Modes, More Text Behaviors, Working in the Timeline, and Returning to Final Cut Pro.
Creating Motion Templates for Final Cut Pro	Setting up the Template for Drop Zones, Applying Drop Zones, Saving a Template, and Applying the Template in Final Cut Pro.
Compositing in Motion	Creating and Saving a Custom Project Preset in Motion, Building Animated Background, and Creating and Animating Shapes

Day 2

Topic	Description
Creating Custom Text Animations	Creating a Custom Text Behavior, Separating the Title Sequence, Completing the Title Sequence, and Adding DVD Menu Items
Working with Particles	Understanding Particles, Creating Particles, Modifying Particles, Particles in Z-Space, Modifying Preset Particles, and Using an Image Mask
From Motion to DVD Studio Pro	Setting a Loop Point, Using Overlays, Preparing Audio, Importing into DVD Studio Pro, Simulating the Menu and Roundtripping
Working with Shapes	Creating Custom Shapes, Using Blend Modes, Animating Shapes, and Adding and Animating Graphics
Creating Animated Background Elements	Creating Patterns with the Replicator, Using the Sequence Replicator Behavior, Applying Parameter Behaviors and Integrating the Background Element
Using Masks	Working with Video, Using the Vector Mask Tools, Animating within a Mask, Animating a Mask, and Adding a Touch of 3D

Day 3

Topic	Description
Building a Multi-Layered Text Effect	Working with Preset Text Behaviors, Working with Layer Clones, Animating Layer Clones, using the Sequence Text Behavior, and Saving Custom Animating to the Library
New Open: Working in a 3D World	Seeing Motion in 3D, Creating a Set, Moving the Camera, Adding the Second Set, Adding the Third Set, Animating with Camera Behaviors, Refining the Animation and Adding a 2D Background
Show Open	Using Blend Modes, Keyframing, Working with 3D Layers, Using Paint, and Animating Text on a Path in 3D
Manipulating Video	Using FXPlug in Final Cut Pro, Retiming Footage, Stabilizing Shots, Match Moving, and Keying Footage
More Motion Techniques	Animating Filters, More Replicator, Using the Audio Behavior, Working with PhotoShop Files, and Working with Keyframes