Autodesk Smoke For Final Cut Pro Users - Overview Video Series
Posted by Ultimate_Smoker*, 17 March 2012 12:00 am
Hi Everyone,
I have compiled a single blog post which contains all the videos from the "Autodesk Smoke for Final Cut Users" Video Series.
Remember that if you have missed any videos or you would like to see what has been done, you can visit the TABLE OF CONTENTS for my blog.
For Autodesk Smoke webinars this month, check out the Smoke & Dagger blog.
If you would like to attend the Official Autodesk Smoke Training Classes, you can visit the Autodesk Training Schedule for dates and your nearest authorised training centre.
AUTODESK SMOKE FOR FINAL CUT PRO USERS:
Conforming an Apple ProRes timeline and Performing Colour Correction
The first video in the ten part series looks at how a Final Cut Pro 7 user can bring their timeline into Autodesk Smoke with minimal fuss and begin the process of finishing. We also take a close look at grading and colour correction to tweak your images to perfection.
During this video series, I am joined by Rick Young, director, producer, Final Cut Pro Editor and author. (www.macvideo.tv).
PLEASE NOTE: This video series is intended as an overview of Autodesk Smoke. For step by step instruction, please visit http://area.autodesk.com/smoke-tutorials/
During this series, Smoke 2012 was used for the presentation.
PART 1:
Conforming an Apple ProRes Timeline & performing colour correction
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 2:
Keying & Garbage Masking
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 3:
Basic Editing & Transitions
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 4:
Trimming
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 5:
Change Speed
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 6:
Creating Text & Titling
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 7:
3D Lighting
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 8:
Working With Audio
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 9:
3D Text & 3D Models
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
PART 10:
Print to Tape, Exporting & Archiving
The features shown are current to Autodesk Smoke 2012 and Final Cut Pro 7
Well that wraps up this video series but I’ll be back soon with more videos on the blog!
Please keep the feedback and blog requests coming in as I am taking note of everything.
Please take care wherever you are.
Signing off for now.
Grant
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6 Comments
Ultimate_Smoker*
Posted 15 November 2011 2:37 am
There are a few things I can think of.
Firstly the resolution of the XML does not much the resolution of the footage. I have seen in the past than even if you set FCP to use ProRes 444, the XML still thinks it's 8 bit. In Smoke, if you import your ProRess media into the timeline, it should link, however all the material will be resized to 8 bit which is unnecessary. To fix this in Smoke, double-click o the XML in the Gateway window. You will have two options - Click the METADATA options. Change the clip resolution setting from "FROM FILE" to "SELECT RESOLUTION". Select anyone of your ProRes clips and press COPY FROM SELECTED CLIP. This means that when you drag and drop your XML, the resolution of the footage should match the metadata and there will be no resizes applied.
Secondly, if you have any effects on the clip which are unrendered, they will appear as UNRENDERED text in the thumbnail. This is normal.
Thirdly, select your clip and press "LOAD TO DESK". Drag your clip from the Source area to the Record area at the bottom of the screen. Press F5 on your keyboard to expand the timeline. Also press ESC to bring up the Standard viewer. To the left of the standard viewer you will see a collection of button. On the top row you will find a button called REALTIME. Change this to PREVIEWFX. You should now be able to see your footage when the cursor is parked on a specific frame. If you press play and the playback is black, it means you need to render the clip.
Finally, the playback performance is dependant on the speed of your storage. This varies from system to system.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Grant
Ultimate_Smoker*
Posted 16 November 2011 9:27 am
Can you go into the Autodesk/Smoke folder and launch the SERVICE MANAGER. You will get a pop-up of the services. All of the options should be green. If the gateway is RED than the service is down and needs restarting.
Secondly, the gateway services is reliant on a network connection. Are you using a static or DHCP server? If you are using a DHCP server, the wiretap gateway server needs to be restarted through the SERVICE MANAGER because it could be holding onto the old IP address from your last assignment. Once you have restarted the gateway through the service manager, start Smoke again and see if that gets the gateway running.
Last ly in the clip library, if you click on the blue pop up and choose BROWSE, you are taken to the network panel, is your gateway visible there? Can you navigate it? If it is there but says connection refused, double-click on it to wake it up. Once it is up, select the path you would like to be than exit the network panel. The gateway should now appear in the blue pop up list.
I hope this helps.
Regards
Grant
Ultimate_Smoker*
Posted 2 February 2012 2:42 pm
1) to create Luma dissolves, there is an option in the dissolve menus to choose to between a regular dissolve, additive dissolve and non-additive dissolve. The last two will transition a dissolve based on the image luminance from white to black or black to white. As for the swish pans, you could use the AXIS transition or the CUSTOM transition and the action compositor.
As for data supported by the XML import, most generic effects come across fine but anything that is Apple specific coding will not translate. Not because Smoke does not have the ability to do the effect but more to do with the translations provided in the XML. For a list of supported features through XML import, you can see the information on the Autodesk Wiki at http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Creative_Finishing/enu/2012/Help/02_Smoke_--_Flame_Premium_Timeline/0613-Conformi613/0738-Importin738/0750-Supporte750
2) I am not sure why the load and save buttons in the transition editors are not working for you. However there is a much more gestural way of saving effects and you can get a similar workflow to the "FAVs" bin like FCP7. Once you have created a transition effect between two clips, you should be able to copy the transition off the timeline and drop it onto the Source area. Once you have done this, you can simply drag copies of the transition onto cuts and that will apply your saved effects. By saving them in source areas, you can save the source areas into the libraries and use them as and when you need them.
I have watched Brian's video on transitions and clip history. What I have to say is once you get to that level where a transition consists of multiple processes and elements, it is not something as simply as rescaling or resizing duration. I would say to you to build a library of durations. At first its slow but once you have your effects built, it's as easy as Brian shows.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Grant
FunkyRobbin
Posted 3 February 2012 5:47 am
Thank-you so much. I'll go and try these suggestions ASAP.
I'll master the baby steps first before i run on Brain's method of transition ;P
It would be great to perhaps do a video on Smoke speed editing tips via the timeline using the tools?
Like Selecting (Highlight) a clip and nudge +/- 20 frames down the timeline or move it to a particular time-code point by punching it on the SRC recorder T/C menu, instead of manually lifting clip it and dragging it down the timeline, zooming in then accurately snapping to that place?
Thanks again Sensai Grant
cl_
Posted 18 July 2012 7:26 am
may i know what is the shortcut key that you do in 09:25 of part1 video , to split the screen . thank you very much.
sagarnayak
Posted 7 January 2013 1:04 pm
wish u a very happy n prosperous new year .
i wanted ask some doubt about smoke.. so letme know how can i contactu.
u had mentioned in some tutorial that we can do wire removal using pixel spread. so wanted to know how is it possible.??
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