Every time I use this suite of products, I discover at least one more cool thing. In this most recent project, I did several new cool things:
- Used Compressor to burn a watermarked bug into the web files for the finished project. I didn't know it would do this. It's tucked away in the filters settings.
- Used Soundtrack to pull together a couple quick sound effects and some fun intro music under the LiveType main title sequence
- Used the Compressor preview window to actually tweak the Compression settings
- Used the new LaCie DVD d2 burner to produce the finished products considerably faster than my internal DVD burner--about 4 minutes per burn!--admittedly this was a very short project!!
- Exported the DVD cover art right out of the FCPHD project file as a still image which I then placed in the label making software. By the way, I love my Epson Stylus Photo R200! It does an awesome job on the DVD surface prints. I even adjusted the printing layout 3mm to have it perfectly centered. It's a shame I didn't learn I could do that until the last of the 17 DVDs was to be printed!
- Tweaked my project folder structure so that every single file involved in the making of a project is contained in one logically structured and organized folder. I got this idea from Kevin Monahan. His Project X folder structure, while comprehensive, didn't cover all the bases for me. I added several things, including a Documents folder in the project for the DVD SP 3 document file, the LiveType document files (not the .mov files, but the document files themselves)--you know, all of those pesky little document files that produce other files. By the way, his book, Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro is the best I've seen yet. I highly recommend it.
At any rate, another project is completed, and I've learned some new things. One thing that still makes me distraught: when we use the green screen, I can't get all of the green out no matter what I do. Well, if I'm willing to sacrifice some body parts (ears most often) I can rid the green from the screen.
I read once that DV does not have sufficient visual information to use green screen. I've about decided this is a fact. Anyone have any ideas? tricks? suggestions?
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