Sandy: April 2010 Archives
Ever needed to import your Avid sequences into Final Cut Pro or vice versa? Automatic Duck makes plug-ins that translate edited sequences between Avid & Final Cut Pro, and even After Effects, Pro Tools, and other digital video editing tools. In one step, Pro Import FCP imports your Avid OMF composition, builds all your video tracks, assembles your master clips and recreates many of your effects inside Final Cut.
The accuracy of the translation will amaze you. Not only will all your layers come across in one import, but many Avid effects are translated into FCP equivalents. Avid Picture-in-Picture parameters are turned into Scale and Position adjustments in the Motion Tab. Superimpose effects are turned into Opacity settings. Even keyframes are translated.
Automatic Duck also offers Pro Export FCP which integrates your Final Cut Pro system with Avid, along with Pro Import AE which transfers your Avid, Final Cut Pro, or Motion projects into After Effects and saves you time. Media Copy is another of Automatic Duck's powerful applications used to move or archive sequences or projects. You can learn about all of Automatic Duck's products at their website.
Mike Willats of Minds Eye Creative uses Pro Export FCP, and had this to say:
Having worked with Disney for so many years, I have several projects that have evolved year to year on Avid. There are many times I will return to sequences from years past to help complete my work.
This year we had to move everything to Final Cut Pro. I used Automatic Duck FCP Pro Import 2.0 and it has made this process seamless, allowing me to re-create these sequences in FCP with no problems.
Mike Willats
Mind's Eye Creative, Inc.







Capture footage digitally and to tape simultaneously into QuickTime or AVI files. Features multiple DV/HDV/HD formats and audio sampling rate detection. CitiDISK FlashMem appears as an external FireWire hard drive on PC/Mac desktops. Video clips are immediately editable/playable by most NLE software packages. And there is a Quick Erase button, so you can conveniently with one-touch instantly erase or clean the file folder and free up hard disk space. Brought to you by Shining Technology, you can check out the details on the CitiDISK FlashMem at their website, and on all of their other tapeless video recording products. So instead of countless hours digitizing tape, CitiDISK lets you recapture your most precious resource--time.

After downloading Pages from the App Store, a very user-friendly tutorial pops up so you can get to know Pages right away. It was super easy.




Shot Logger Pro features:
- Annotate each clip
- Instant editing in Final Cut Pro
- Real Time Markers
- Set media in & out points for each clip
- Intelligent take number indexing
- Export annotated clips to a text file

Monitors in Motion featured an awesome mounting solution for the iMac at last week's NAB show. Monitors in Motion manufacture gas assisted monitor arms and wall mounts made from recycled aluminum. The functionality provided by their mounts becomes obvious as soon as you use one; better ergonomics, easy adaptability, and more desk space.
The Mantis model features a special Mac adapter made specifically for iMacs up to 20 lbs, and soon coming out with model for iMacs up to 30 lbs. The gas assistance built into the Mantis provides easy, fluid movement of the display without the need for additional locking mechanisms. With variable tension and adjustable head, it gives you the ability to angle your iMac to the correct viewing angle with smooth movement and finger tip control. The Mac adapter also accomodates the Apple 24" Cinema display. The brushed aluminum matches and accents the high quality design of Apple's computers and displays beautifully.
Along with the Mantis model, Monitors in Motion has several other mounting products and accessories available including aluminum keyboard stands for standing situations, and multiple monitor solutions. Check out their website for the many possibilities. Monitors in Motion is so confident in the products they make that they offer a lifetime guarantee on all of their products.

The Flexdrop2 is great for DV and perfect for digital compositing. Made by the popular Photoflex photogear company, you can check out their website for more details and other green screen backdrops made by them. They offer a 3-year warranty on this particular product, and the best feature yet? Retails for about $160 from many of their authorized dealers. You can't beat that!
Check out this article for green screen keying in Final Cut Pro & Motion, or if you're an Avid user, keying with the Spectramatte. And remember, we have training classes for Final Cut Pro, Motion, Avid Media Composer, and After Effects, so check out our schedule and give us a call.



ProPrompter HDi is the ultimate full size mobile teleprompter since no AC power or external batteries are needed seeing that the iPad has a 10 hour battery life, not to mention being able to read it in bright sunlight. Check out ProPrompter's website for more details and show specials.



So what do I love so far about the new iPad? The look, the feel, yes, it's similar to having a blown up version of an iPod touch; but, right off the bat, just being able to see the whole screen without causing a major migrane, is a plus for me. I love checking my emails, facebook, surfing the web, and seeing my calendar without having to squint. The size is perfect...not as bulky as a laptop, easy to hold, so sleek and ergonomic. The setup was super easy. You do have to have the latest version of iTunes 9.1, but otherwise, very user friendly. I was amazed how quickly apps launch. Makes my iPhone seem sleepy. And speaking of apps, I'm also amazed at how many apps are already available for iPad thru the App Store, not to mention the number of free apps available. I immediately downloaded The Weather Channel, iBooks, Netflix, Facebook, & Text+, just to name a few...all for free. Of course I added a couple of my favorite games, and I'm still shopping for a few other apps to purchase. Next, I'll be testing out the new iWork apps available for the iPad and will let you know how that goes.
more of my iPad review after the jump...
CoreMelt's plug-ins are easy and fun to use. You can download their 15 day free trial to see what it's all about!
Boris Title 3D in Final Cut Pro is a text generator you can use quickly to design basic titles without having to go to a third-party application. The term Title 3D can be a bit misleading however; the Title 3D tool doesn't actually render anything in true 3D space. It simulates titles that look 3D by adding a drop shadow. Title 3D adds a bit of creativity that fools the eye into thinking the characters are truly 3D.
- Enrollment Cost: $50.00
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- Enrollment Cost: $20.00
- 60 Final Cut Pro X Lectures
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