About sequence freeze frames, Exporting still images – Apple Final Cut Pro 7 User Manual
Page 1175
About Sequence Freeze Frames
Unlike a freeze frame of a clip, a sequence freeze frame will not update if you subsequently
change the sequence the freeze frame was created from. However, the clip media
referenced by the sequence freeze frame can still be updated and the freeze frame clip
can be reconnected. For more information, see
“Reconnecting Freeze Frame Clips.”
Exporting Still Images
You can easily export a still image of the current frame displayed in the Viewer or Canvas.
You do not need to create a freeze frame clip to export a still image.
To export a frame displayed in the Viewer or Canvas as a still-image file
1
Position the playhead on the frame you want to export, then choose File > Export > Using
QuickTime Conversion.
2
In the Save dialog that appears, enter a name and choose a location for the image file.
3
Choose Still Image from the Format pop-up menu, then click Save.
For more details, see
“Exporting Still Images and Image Sequences.”
Deinterlacing Still Video Images to Improve Image Quality
Standard definition (SD) video is almost always interlaced, so still images created from
SD video are interlaced, too. A single frame of interlaced video consists of two fields that
were originally captured at different moments in time. If there is a lot of motion in the
video content of a frame (such as a ball quickly moving past the camera), the two fields
contain very different visual information. When the entire frame is displayed, objects in
motion have a comblike appearance because the objects appear in two places at once.
During normal video playback, interlacing is usually not very noticeable because the fields
are scanned so quickly. However, on still images, interlacing artifacts cause some still
images to flicker or strobe on an interlaced display (such as an NTSC or PAL monitor). To
eliminate interlacing artifacts, you can apply a deinterlacing filter in Final Cut Pro before
you export a still image. (A deinterlacing filter simply removes half the lines and
interpolates the missing lines by using the remaining lines.) You can also export the image
without applying the filter and then apply a deinterlacing filter in a separate graphics
application.
Important:
Final Cut Pro often displays the Viewer and Canvas deinterlaced to make the
image clearer while you are editing. To make sure you catch any potential interlacing
artifacts in still images, always watch your video on a monitor that matches your final
screening format. For example, if you plan to output your movie to an NTSC video format,
you should monitor your sequence on an external NTSC monitor. For more information
about external monitoring, see
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Chapter 70
Working with Freeze Frames and Still Images