TITLE
    Final Cut Pro 1.0: Compositing Clips
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		60275
4/15/99
7/11/00
TOPIC

    Compositing is the process by which you combine multiple layers of video, usually along with special effects such as animation, painting images, and digital alterations using filters.

DISCUSSION

    Arranging windows for compositing

    When you're compositing multiple layers and working with special effects, the program adjusts window size and position to give you ready access to images and controls in the Viewer, Canvas, and Timeline windows.

    To arrange windows for compositing:
    • Open the Window menu and choose Arrange, then choose Compositing (for one monitor) or Dual Monitor (for two monitors) from the submenu. (Dual Monitor appears only if you have two monitors.)

    Setting the composite mode for a clip

    The composite mode controls how the colors in a clip combine with the colors in clips in underlying video layers.

    All compositing happens from the top down; the highest track in the Timeline has priority. The highest track's image obscures tracks beneath it.

    To set the composite mode for a clip:
      1. Select the clip in the Timeline.
      2. Open the Modify menu and choose Composite Mode, then choose the item you want from the submenu.

    Composite modes create varied effects; experiment to find the best mode for your clip. For details of composite modes options, see "Setting the Clip Composite Mode" in chapter 12 of the "Final Cut Pro User's Manual."

    Using a travel matte

    One composite mode, the travel matte, is useful for playing one clip through another, such as video images playing under a title or graphic design. You can also use a travel matte to mask part of an image you don't want to show.

    To create a travel matte:
      1. Place the clip you want to use as a mask on video track V1 (or a different track, if desired) in the Timeline.
      2. Place the clip you want to show through the mask (the main clip) on the track immediately above the mask clip (track V2, for example).
      3. Select the clip on the upper track (the main clip).
      4. Open the Modify menu and choose Composite Mode, then choose one of the two Travel Matte options from the submenu. The Alpha option uses the clip's alpha channel, if one exists, as the mask; the Luma option uses the luminance, or grayscale image, of the clip as the mask. The matte clip's RGB information won't be seen in either case.
      5. Select one of the clips and render the area (by choosing Render Selection from the Sequence menu) to play the affected area of the sequence.

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software
Category: Final Cut Pro
Sub Category: General Topics

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