AVID for FCP MOVIOLA CLASS
Day #1
Color Bars and effects are in the Avid Application folder
User Profile is User Preferences in FCP
Private and Shared Projects go into a specific place that Avid already has selected that only logged in users can access.
When starting a new project, I MUST know the format of the project when I create it. Under Format – Project Format some changes can be made after the project is made and worked on, but only compatibility to Frame Rate.
709 Color Space is the default
The PROJECT WINDOW is the Browser. The COMPOSER is the Viewer & Canvas. There is no more SuperBin. Avid now has Tab Windows and when I open a BIN and then another one, I can grab the tab of one of them and drop it into the other open Bin.
Volumes Tab – Tapeless workflow, AS-11
The SETTINGS TAB has 3 types of settings:
1. User Settings
2. Project Settings
3. Site Settings (hardware for current system)
When IMPORTING, it creates new MXF files. It can take a while and it takes up more space on the hard drive, putting the new MXF files into the Avid Media Files folder.
AMA Importing is more like FCP import. It points to the clip/file on the computer/drive. The Media is no longer in the Avid Media Files Folder. I can put the media wherever I want. DO NOT MOVE AMA MEDIA.
If I know that the audio is too hot, I can REDUCE THE GAIN WHEN I IMPORT THE FILE.
I need to tell what drive I want my Renders to go to
IMPORTING STILLS
Navigate to the files. For example, none of the stills are 1920 x 1080. I would need to click on Options and Resize Image to Fit Format Render – won't distort the image
If my stills came from already being worked on in Photoshop most likely I should choose RGB (0-255)
Choose resolution and what/where I want to render at
DNxHD is Avid's version of ProRes
Avid creates new media with STILLS. I NEED TO DO THIS. Don't use AMA with Stills.
FRAME VIEW
I can use Frame View, the keyboard shortcut is Cmd + L (Larger Thumbnail) and Cmd + K is smaller.
I can choose Fill Window to help make my thumbnails fit the window.
Fast Menus/Hamburger are in every window.
I can select a clip in the Project Window/Bin and I can play it while in Frame View by pressing Space Bar or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and Home and End keys which these #'s all do different things. FIND OUTÉ
K + L together is slow motion forward. Pressing my ARROW keys will go to other clips in the bin.
CHECK AUDIO PROJECT, MXF or OMF? Bit Depth – 24. Other tabs are more for Hardware
AMA LINKING
I will need the proper plug in for various cameras (RED, Alexa, Canon, etc). I can check my computer by being in Avid and going to Tools – Console and at bottom type in AMA_listplugins and press Return and it will show me a list of what plug ins I already have.
If the plug in I want isn't there, I can do one of two things, go to the Marketplace to get it or go to Google and go to the camera's official website download page and get it from there.
CONSOLIDATE AMA FILES AND THEN WORK WITH NEW AVID MEDIA CLIPS.
Select clips in the Bin and go up to Clips – Consolidate/Transcode
CONSOLIDATE means COPY
TRANSCODE changes the codec that Avid can handle
I would choose either, choose a drive, Relink and Ok. If I were to choose Transcode, I would need to choose a Target Video Resolution and click Transcode.
There's a Vimeo tutorial explaining how to install AMA plug ins
I should make an AMA Clips Bin and drag all the chain link icon clips into it
Avid separates Video and Audio. If my audio/music comes in too hot when importing, I can choose Options before bringing it in and choose Audio Tab and choose Apply Allecutation and type in -14 and Ok and select File and Open.
IMPORTING STILLS – check options first and then Image Tab – Choose Resize Image to fit Roster – Choose Proper drive and navigate to the files and Open. I can change to Frame View by pressing Cmd + L to make Larger and Fast menu – Fill to Window
DO NOT IMPORT – USE CONSOLIDATE!!!
SHORTCUTS
Press 1 & 2 – Steps 10 frames at a time
Press 3 & 4 - ???
Cmd + 9 – Activates project window
Cmd + S – Saves Bin
Avid Smart Tool – to turn off click next to it to unselect it
TO MAKE VIDEO TRACKS LARGER – turn off other track selectors and press Apple + L and Apple + K to make them smaller
TO SNAP TO AN EDIT POINT, hold down the Cmd Key while dragging the playhead
Option + Cmd + Clicking will snap to the out point
FF & REW buttons jump to next edit points
Make sure the check mark is next to the keyboard I want to change
Press T to Mark a clip (in to out)
Press B to Overwrite
Press V to Insert/Splice In
Press X to Extract
Press Z to Lift
Press G to Clear In & Out points
Press Option + X to Extract and it'll go into Source Monitor and press V to insert it
Press Option + Z to Lift a clip and put into Source Monitor
To Copy a Clip to the Clipboard in the timeline press Option + C
Press D to Clear an In point
Press F to Clear an Out point
Cmd + [ - zooms in to the timeline
Cmd + ] - zooms out of the timeline
Option + Cmd + L will make the Waveforms bigger
Option + Cmd + K will make the Waveforms smaller
Cmd + Y adds a video track
TRIM MODE
When trimming across All Tracks, turn ON Sync Locks or Activate All tracks (Add an Edit to the Filler of all the above tracks at that point)
Press U to go into Trim Mode and to get out of Trim mode or I can press Y to get back into Source/Record mode. Press Spacebar to preview the edit in Trim Mode. I can change the Pre & Post Roll by typing it in the Trim mode area
While trimming, press P to select my A-side (outgoing clip), press [ to select both sides as a Roll edit and press ] to select the B-side (incoming clip).
Trim Shortcuts – Press M to trim 10 frames to the left
Press , (comma) to trim one frame to the left
Press . (period) to trim one frame off of the right side
Press / to trim 10 frames off the B-side clip
Looping (Spacebar) press Q and it will only loop the A-side of the trim point. To loop the B-side press W. To loop both sides press W again. I can trim in real time as it's looping, but I'll need to wait for it to catch up playing back
TO GO TO THE NEXT EDIT WHILE IN TRIM MODE press S and press A to go to the previous Edit.
TO TRIM A DURATION OF FRAMES OFF OR ON TO A CLIP, highlight it and press + or – and then enter the number of frames or seconds
J, K & L trim edits. Press J or L while in trim mode + K to pause it and make the edit. Hold down J+K to Reverse in slow motion and let go and it'll perform the trim
SLIP & SLIDE ARE APART OF TRIM MODE
When using a Slip edit is when I like the length and where my clip is in the timeline but I want to change the content of the clip. For a slip edit I'll need Rollers on both insides of my clip, Shift + Click on the clip or Lasso the clip from Right to Left or the EASIEST WAY to perform a Slip Edit is to put my Playhead on the clip and press u and Right-click on the clip and choose Select Slip Trim. While in a slip or slide edit I can use all the same trimming shortcuts.
A Slide Edit won't change the content of the clip but will take away or add to the before or after the clip depending on which way I drag. To perform a Slide Edit, my rollers will need to be on the outside of the clip. Press Shift + Option and Lasso Right to Left
CAPS lock turns on my Audio Scrubbing.
To Add a Transition to multiple edit points, make an In and Out point and put the playhead near an edit point and Click Apply to All
Before Closing a project, make sure to close my Bins.
To close a Project but not the Avid, just close the Project Window
IMPORT OPTIONS
Media Creation settings – Determine what codec things are created at or rendered at
Import Tab – Select Video Resolution. Click apply to All and everything will be at the Video Resolution I selected (like titles and renders)
When I click Import and Options, it's what I already set it at from the Import setting ahead of time
If my A2 stereo clip has no audio, I can get rid of it through Media Management. I'll need to select the clips by holding down Shift + Cmd + Right-click and choose Unlink. Now I can Modify them since the A1 & A2 are unlinked. Go to Modify – Set Tracks and uncheck A2. Now Relink clips again by Right-Clicking and choose Relink and choose the correct Drive. DO NOT WORK WITH AMA CLIPS (chain link icons). Now to get rid of the Audio Tracks not being used, I'll need to Media Manage it through the Avid Media Tool. Go to Tools – Media Tool – Select the drive & Project and check Media files (in this case, some times I may not want to check the media files)
In the Timeline Settings turn Off/uncheck Auto Patch and Auto Monitoring
HOW TO LETTERBOX A 4 X 3 SEQUENCE (2 ways)
Add a Video track above my highest video track and set and In and Out point. Go to Effects – Film – 16:9 Mask. Some of my clips my not look good as the camera wasn't framed for this
Or
I can add a Pan & Scan – I can do clip by clip and then adjust as I go through the timeline. Reformat.
To Duplicate a clip in the time to a higher track above it, press Shift + Cmd and drag the clip up (it'll stay in sync).
Using the SMART TOOL. Overwrite and Insert are different.
When Marking a clip, make sure my correct track is selected
The Ripple Trim Tool is basically going into Trim Mode and I can use all the same shortcuts.
To get out of one of the Smart Tools, click on the TC bar
Overwrite Trim Tool (Red Roller) it will leave Filler to keep things in sync, which won't make my sequence longer or shorter. Adds Filler to stay in sync. To change the Ripple Roller to be Overwrite Roller press Option. I can click both to activate them and when I hover over the upper or lower part of a clip in the timeline the tool will change.
Transition Manipulation Tool will allow me to manipulate transitions and puts me into Trim Mode.
Linked Selection Toggle (which is above the Smart Tools) will let me select only Video and or audio when it's selected and I can also Map it to a Key
To turn on and display my thumbnails in my timeline, go to the timeline's fast menu and choose Clip Frames
Timeline Settings – change default Segment Tool to be Segment Overwrite
How to copy a clip like in FCP
For FCP I would select the clip and press Shift + Option and drag straight up. In Avid press Option + T and Option + C, this will select and copy the clip and puts it into the source monitor, then I'll patch and overwrite the edit
TURN ON SYNC LOCKS FOR ALL TRACKS WHEN TRIMMING. THIS IS HOW FCP DOES IT. IT'S LOCATED NEXT TO THE TC1 BUTTON IN THE TIMELINE.
Match Frame
Add Edit/Razor Blade tool will effect whatever tracks are selected
Motion Effect Button – map it to under the source Window
Slo-Mo and Speeding up a clip is done in the Source/Viewer Window. Set an in and out point and press the button
Reverse Match Frame lets me know if a frame in my source monitor is in my timeline. Add a button for this under my source monitor
Choose Key first and then go to Timeline fast menu Audio – Waveform and drop it on the Tab keyTo turn Waveforms on and off (there's no button for it, but I can map it to my keyboard from a Menu to Button assignment).
WORKSPACES (make workspaces for single and dual monitor setups)
Source/Record Screen – open my audio tool. After I rearrange it, click Windows – Worspaces – Save Current.
Audio Editing – Make my Viewer/Canvas smaller. Make my audio tracks bigger. Open and place the Audio Mixer and Audio Tool and Audio EQ too and Audio Sweet Tool. After I like the way it looks, go to Window – Workspace – Save Current
Effects Editing – Make Effects Editor smaller, open Effects Palette and go into Effect Mode and save it as Current
I can also map workspaces to my keyboard. Go to System Preferences – Keyboard in the computer and use All F1 is checked. Make sure Menu to Button is on and use whatever I want to map them, ie- Shift + F9 for Source/Record editing, Shift + F10 for Audio Editing, Shift + F11 for Effects Editing.
Capturing and Color Correction workspaces are fine as is. I can also make a new workspace and name it, like for dual screen monitors.
I CANNOT ASSIGN A CUSTOM WORKSPACE
I can also change the look of my settings by going to Interface Settings and duplicating it and naming it something like Dark or Darker
SHOW MY CLIP FRAMES IN THE TIMELINE WHEN EDITING
TIMELINE VIEWS – can be changed at the bottom of the timeline and can name them. I can make an Audio Editing timeline view.
I can link my Source/Record timeline space to my Source/Record Workspace by going to Window – Workspace – Select it – Properties – Select link to Name Settings and type it in (keep the names the same and they will all link together – keyboard, workspaces and timelines)
In Audio Editing view, I can change my audio tracks in the timeline to Yellow if I want to. To update my timeline view menu, hold Option + Click on it.
SAVE USER SETTINGS
Go to Settings Tab – Export User and leave at Default and choose location (Desktop/Flash drive) and OK. It will be in a folder. When starting a new gig or at a new facility, go to Import – User and Navigate to Folder.
In my Bin, I can add a Color Column and drag all the way to the left and it'll only show up in text view. It's not as good as being able to highlight the text a certain color, but the color will be next to it.
I can affect all of my clips in a Bin, for example if all of my audio is too high/hot by selecting all the clips in the bin and right-clicking and Apply Gain and then type in the number (ie, -14) and OK.
In the Audio Mixer and Viewer I can group Mono A1 and Mono A2 by clicking on the Group Button.
TO ADJUST AUDIO IN THE TIMELINE, put playhead over the clip in the timeline and set in and out points, activate the tracks, group the audio track in the Audio Mixer and hit PLAY/LOOP BUTTON in the Mixer and go to Fast Menu – Audio Data – Clip Gain. When I set the gain, I'll see the lines
If I make an adjustment to the audio of a clip in the timeline I can (somewhat copy and paste the attributes) by going to the new clip that I want to paste the levels to and make an In & Out point, then put my playhead over the good clip with the attributes I want to paste and in the Audio Mixer's Fast Menu choose Set Level on Track In – Out. I can also do it globally to the whole Track if I want to.
I can Keyframe Audio in the timeline. DO NOT keyframe the Clip Gain Line, use the Volume Line. Turn off Clip Gain Line to hide it. Activate the tracks I want and press the ' (apostrophe key) to add a Keyframe and then add another keyframe. Select a keyframe and Shift + Click to select another one on a track below it.
TO MOVE AN AREA OF 2 KEYFRAMES set an In and Out point around the two and drag one of the keyframes.
TO DELETE A KEYFRAME, select it and press Delete. TO DELETE MULTIPLE KEYFRAMES, mark an In and Out around them and select one within the in and out and press delete.
TO SET A PAN ON AN AUDIO CLIP, group the clips in the Audio Mixer and drag the pan knob either left or right. Option + Click on the Pan knob and it'll pan to the center.
TO ADJUST VOLUME AND ADD KEYFRAMES ON THE FLY – I would need to change the Audio Mixer from Clip Mode to Auto Mode. Make sure the correct tracks are active, grouped and hit the Record Button and make the adjustments while it plays. I can also make an in and out or hit the space bar to stop it.
TO REDUCE ALL THE KEYFRAMES, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A LOT, mark an area and go to the Fast Menu in the Audio Mixer and choose the top selection (Filter Automation on Track In to Out) or if I don't make an In to Out it'll do it Globally on the tracks
TO REPOSITION KEYFRAMES, hold down the Option Key and drag left or right
When I am done working with keyframes on the fly, change the Mixer Mode from Auto back to Clip
I CAN KEYFRAME PANNING THROUGH THE TRACK CONTROL PANEL (it's in the Fast Menu). This lets me see certain things on Individual tracks (Waveform)
I can Mute and Solo my audio tracks.
EFFECTS
THERE ARE 5 MAIN AVID EFFECTS TO KNOW.
1. Color Effect (making Sepia look)
2. 3D Warp (FCP Motion Tab – Scale, rotation, etc.)
3. Paint (Blurring people – mosaics and blurs)
4. Animate (creates mattes)
5. Spectra Matte (for Green Screen)
PIP and Resize are similar to 3D Warp and can be promoted to it.
TO MAKE S SEPIA LOOK, use the Color effect. Go to Image – Color Effect and drop it on the clip and open Effect Editor/Effect Mode. With playhead over the clip and track selected. For sepia, Desaturate all the way to the left and color bring up Red and yellow.
TO SAVE MY EFFECT TO USE AGAIN, Make a BIN and call it Color FX and drag it in there and rename the effect whatever I want to call it.
TO DO A PIP, go to the effect tab and go to 3D Warp. Use the Grid Button to turn on Action/Title safe. If I click and move the image (like FCP's image and wireframe) it'll add keyframes
TO REMOVE AN EFFECT, put my playhead on the effect on the clip, make sure the right track is selected and click on the Remove Effect Button
TO SAMPLE A COLOR FOR A BORDER, hover over the Square palette and click and hold and drag over it and release
If I'm in Effect Mode, I can click on the effect and press delete and the effect will disappear.
TO SELECT MORE THAN ONE CLIP IN THE TIMELINE AND ADD EFFECTS TO THEM ALL, go into Segment Mode and click on a clip and then shift + click on other ones and then press Option and double-click on an effect and it'll apply to all
THE PAINT EFFECT – BLURS AND VINGETTES
TO BLUR A FACE, go to the Effects Editor – Image – Paint Effect. Drop it on the clip and open with Effects Mode. Draw an object over the person's face (a solid color will show up), change Solid to Blur and Feather it. If the person moves, I can track them by using the Tracker Tool. Apply Tracker and Track it. Go back to the head of the clip, tracking drop down attach tracking point to object.
TO ADD A VIGNETTE (Paint) – I can apply directly to the clip or above clip, add edits to filler to isolate that only part of the above track. Go to Effects Mode – draw a black rectangle over the whole picture. Click Reduce button to Zoom Out and draw a rectangle over whole shot. Keep as a Solid, but change the color to black. Grab Oval tool and draw an Oval inside the rectangle and change from Solid to Erase (which will erase what's underneath it). Then Feather it and adjust the size.
ANIMATTE – cuts a whole in a picture. Combine 2 images/layers with a matte. Key – Matte.
SPECRTA MATTE – (Green screen)
TO ADD MORE THAN ONE EFFECT TO A CLIP, Option + Drag another effect to a clip and then drag them in the effect order to what hierarchy I want.
TO CREATE A TITLE, go to Tools – Title Tool Applicator or go to Clip – New Title.
TO CREATE A LOWER THIRD, put my playhead over the clip and go to Clip – New Title – Title Tool. I can turn off background and make a color matte by clicking on and turning off the Green V. (I can add a color matte and put it behind it. I can click on an object and drag it's size and then go to Object and send to back). When happy with title, Click to close window and then Name and Save it.
FREEZE FRAMES & SLOW MOTION AND SPED UP CLIPS ARE MADE IN THE SOURCE MONITOR. Use a clip from the timeline and Match Frame it or load a clip from a Bin into the Source monitor and then go to Clip – Freeze Frame. Choose Interpolate Fields and then 10 seconds or whatever I want and put it into a Bin and it'll make a new clip with FF after it.
TO MAKE A SLO-MO CLIP USE MOTION EFFECT. Mark the area of the clip to slo-mo in the Source Monitor and click on the Motion Effect Button.
TIME WARP WILL AFFECT A CLIP IN THE TIMELINE BUT NOT THE DURATION OF IT. Drop Time Warp on a clip. It won't affect the length of the clip in the timeline, so it won't ripple. I can ramp up and down and do a freeze frame and then reverse all within the parameters of the clip.
EXPORTING
My sequence is finished. Set an in and out point and mark/select the tracks I want to include. Go to File – Export, go to Untitled and Options. Choose Format (AIF, Quicktime). OMF is for SD and AAF is the latest for Pro Tools.
I can do a Save As a custom setting if I do it a lot.
MULTICAM
Select all the clips in the Bin and go to Bin – Group Clips and set as TC. Bring Multicam clip into the Source Monitor. Create a new sequence. Mark the clip and bring it into the timeline. Go to Multicamera Mode (under Special Menu). I can cut Video or Video and Audio.
Composer Settings – ALWAYS display 2 rows of data.
Audio follow video will edit both audio and video.
DONE.