FCP > AE workflow help please

[mfro]

Can anyone explain in detail the workflow in editing in FCP, bringing the footage into after effects to add effects, and then back to FCP, or does anyone know a good tutorial? I've only found a couple online articles that talk about reference movies, but they were a couple years old.

I'm shooting 24p, and using FCP 4.5 and AE 7.

Any help asap is tremendously appreciated.

thanks,
mfro

[AZScott]

In FCP, you need to export a quicktime file. This file can be a by reference file, or you can render a new movie. You can export just a section of a sequence by marking in and out points, then choosing during the export to only make a movie of the sected portion, or you can export the whole sequence. Be aware that if you export by reference, it will be much quicker, as the exported QT file is really just a "pointer" back to the original media and rendered files. Make sure you render all FCP transitions, color correction, etc. before exporting.

You import that new QT file into your AE project. It will come in as a single layer, which you can then work on in AE. Look at the settings in the project window, then make sure your comp has the same settings. Or, you can drag the clip onto the make new comp button in the project window, and it will make the comp the same settings as the QT clip.

When you go to render, make certain the output settings are the same as your FCP project, so that it will import right back into FCP without rendering. I usually work in NTSC/DV, 720x480, lower field first, 48KHz audio. This is a pretty standard setting for DV material. I render at best, full, lower field first. Render the completed AE comp, then import it back into FCP. If you've used the correct settings all the way, your AE Comp should cut seamlessly into your FCP sequence.

FCP does not natively export a sequence to AfterEffects like Media100 and Premiere do, but there is a plugin called Automatic Duck Pro Import AE that can keep your edits and effects intact, and export to AE as a layered comp. This retains things like the trims outside your edits, masking and layering that you've done in FCP. It does not, however, allow you to adjust things like FCP Advanced Color Correction in AE. All in all, it can export about 80%-90% of the FCP stuff to AE. The plugin is pricey, though - about $500.

My workflow usually begins with planning which effects can be done in FCP, and preferring to do them there so as to retain the ability to edit directly on the timeline. But FCP is really limited compared to what AE can do, so I usually end up jumping out to AE often. Keep in mind that as long as you don't move or rename any of the original media, you can always go back to AE, re-render a Comp using the command "Duplicate with file name" in the Render Qeue. then, when you launch FCP agin, it will tell you the file is missing and give you the chance to re-link it into the bin and sequence. This gives you the chance to go back to AE and revise your work, if needed.

File management is also important. I usually make a separate folder for Animations. I also keep the AE Comp Name as the file name for the rendered file - that way, when I go back later, it's easy to find the Comp I want in a project that may have 20+ Comps. In FCP, I also make a separate Bin for all my AE animations, that way I can keep track of everything I've rendered in AE. Keeping your naming conventions and folder structure consistant really helps, as you already know how things are laid out in a partcular project, whithout having to think about it too hard or go chasing down projects, comps or renders.

Whew! - Hope I didn't just spew too much information at one time...

[Matt Grunau]

In FCP, you need to export a quicktime file. This file can be a by reference file, or you can render a new movie. You can export just a section of a sequence by marking in and out points, then choosing during the export to only make a movie of the sected portion, or you can export the whole sequence. Be aware that if you export by reference, it will be much quicker, as the exported QT file is really just a "pointer" back to the original media and rendered files. Make sure you render all FCP transitions, color correction, etc. before exporting.

You import that new QT file into your AE project. It will come in as a single layer, which you can then work on in AE. Look at the settings in the project window, then make sure your comp has the same settings. Or, you can drag the clip onto the make new comp button in the project window, and it will make the comp the same settings as the QT clip.

When you go to render, make certain the output settings are the same as your FCP project, so that it will import right back into FCP without rendering. I usually work in NTSC/DV, 720x480, lower field first, 48KHz audio. This is a pretty standard setting for DV material. I render at best, full, lower field first. Render the completed AE comp, then import it back into FCP. If you've used the correct settings all the way, your AE Comp should cut seamlessly into your FCP sequence.

FCP does not natively export a sequence to AfterEffects like Media100 and Premiere do, but there is a plugin called Automatic Duck Pro Import AE that can keep your edits and effects intact, and export to AE as a layered comp. This retains things like the trims outside your edits, masking and layering that you've done in FCP. It does not, however, allow you to adjust things like FCP Advanced Color Correction in AE. All in all, it can export about 80%-90% of the FCP stuff to AE. The plugin is pricey, though - about $500.

My workflow usually begins with planning which effects can be done in FCP, and preferring to do them there so as to retain the ability to edit directly on the timeline. But FCP is really limited compared to what AE can do, so I usually end up jumping out to AE often. Keep in mind that as long as you don't move or rename any of the original media, you can always go back to AE, re-render a Comp using the command "Duplicate with file name" in the Render Qeue. then, when you launch FCP agin, it will tell you the file is missing and give you the chance to re-link it into the bin and sequence. This gives you the chance to go back to AE and revise your work, if needed.

File management is also important. I usually make a separate folder for Animations. I also keep the AE Comp Name as the file name for the rendered file - that way, when I go back later, it's easy to find the Comp I want in a project that may have 20+ Comps. In FCP, I also make a separate Bin for all my AE animations, that way I can keep track of everything I've rendered in AE. Keeping your naming conventions and folder structure consistant really helps, as you already know how things are laid out in a partcular project, whithout having to think about it too hard or go chasing down projects, comps or renders.

Whew! - Hope I didn't just spew too much information at one time...


Holy crap Batman! That's one hell of an answer!

[AZScott]

"can you explain the workflow in detail" is one hell of a question. But I've had After Effects so dialed in for so long, it's pretty much a no-brainer for me by now. I've been using AfterEffects since it was CoSA AfterEffects.

The thing is, it's really easy to get burned when you mess up a single step, like making the Comp the wrong size or not setting the render output properly. Most workflow problems crop up from 1. having the presets wrong when you start or output a project 2. file management. If you can get those down, then everything else should flow smoothly.

[mfro]

thanks AZ!!

that helps a ton. It took me awhile to figure out how to export a reference movie in FCP (uncheck the "make movie self-contained" box, very obscure!). Again, thanks for the very good detailed advice, it works like a charm. I was surprised to find so little info about this online or in the books, it seems like it must be a very common procedure.

m