Choosing the maximum white sequence setting, Flattening graphics with layers, Using alpha channels – Apple Final Cut Pro 5 User Manual
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Part II
Project Interchange
Choosing the Maximum White Sequence Setting
When you edit a graphics clip into a sequence, if the “Process maximum white as” pop-
up menu in the Video Processing tab of the Sequence Settings window is set to White,
the brightest white in that graphic will appear at 100 percent when viewed on the
Waveform Monitor in Final Cut Pro. If your sequence is set to Super-White, the brightest
white in that graphic will appear at 109 percent when viewed on the Final Cut Pro
Waveform Monitor.
For the best visual quality, make the “Process maximum white as” setting based on the
category below that best describes your situation:
 The Super-White setting should be used if you’re matching the brightness of imported
graphics (or Final Cut Pro generators) to video that was shot and captured with the
super-white luminance levels that many consumer camcorders use.
 If your captured video clips were all shot with carefully controlled video equipment,
guaranteeing a maximum white level of 100 IRE in the recorded video signal, you
should have “Process maximum white as” set to White so that the white levels of your
graphics match properly.
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 “
Using Alpha Channels
Alpha channels are an implicit fourth channel in some graphic file formats that are
used to only reveal 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 including the alpha channel if you want to use it for
compositing. For more information about working with alpha channels, see “