Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 1161)

376 Part II Effects
Flattening Graphics with Layers
Multilayer graphics can be useful for compositing and complex graphics, but most
of the time you only need a single still-image clip. If your original image file is a
Photoshop file, make sure you flatten it before you save it as media for importing
into Final Cut Pro.
You may want to save two versions of the Photoshop file: the original file that retains
the independent layers (this is a working copy you keep so you can go back to make
independent layer adjustments) and a separate flattened image created by choosing
File > Save As or File > Export in your graphics application.
If you want to work with layered Photoshop files, see “ Working with Layered
Photoshop Sequences ” on page 408.
Using Alpha Channels
Alpha channels are an implicit fourth channel in some graphics file formats that are
used to reveal only certain parts of your still image. Alpha channels are useful when
compositing a still image above another still or video clip in the Timeline. Make sure
you save your still-image file with the alpha channel included if you want to use the
still-image file for compositing. For more information about working with alpha
channels, see “
Using Video and Graphics Clips with Alpha Channels ” on page 410.
Selecting Fonts and Creating Line Art for Video
When creating line art or selecting a font to use for a broadcast video image, you
should avoid creating horizontal single-pixel lines or using fonts that are too thin.
Because video is interlaced, horizontal lines that have a height of a single pixel will
flicker as the field in which they appear alternates on and off. This causes a distracting
shimmering in your graphics, with the shimmering becoming more pronounced the
closer thin areas in your image are to horizontal. For more information, see “
Installing
and Choosing Fonts ” on page 472.
Flickering horizontal lines can be mitigated by adding a bit of blur or anti-aliasing to
your image, causing the lines to subtly spread out over more than one line. However,
the best thing to do is to avoid single-pixel lines altogether when creating graphics
for broadcast.