adding self contained files back to timeline.

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DVX100Shooter

Veteran
Can you place a self contained file back in the timeline even when all of the clips you used to make the project have been deleted? For example, I might want to add some credits or take the credits off a finished project and fade to black earlier. Is there a way to do this? When I have opened a SCFile in the past it would open in its own window, but nothing was on the timeline.
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

A self contained file is just that-- self-contained. This means that it does not need any of the source clips used to create the SCF. In effect, a SCF is like any other media file (i.e. quicktime movie). You can do anything to any SCF that you could do with any other quicktime file (e.g. cut it, split it, trim it, etc.)
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

ok cool but how do I bring it back to the timeline to cut it, split it, etc. Like I said it just opens in its own window (like the viewer window for example).
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

You do this the same way you add any other media file to the timeline (e.g. dragging it from the viewer/bin to the canvas/timeline).
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

Hmmm, I think I am doing something wrong then because there is nothing in the browser but an empty untitled sequence.

I created a folder on my desktop called Archived Projects which included my completed works. When I open that folder then click on a S.C. File it then opens FCP. Everything is an untitled sequence from that point but my SCF opens in its own window. When I tried to drag it to the timeline, the whole window moved down there but nothing actually dropped to the timeline.

This is something that I don't have to have done but I just wanted to see if it could be done in case I needed to.
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

Try starting a new project in FCP instead of double clicking on the SCF. Then import the SCF like any other media file. Double-clicking it should open it in the viewer where you can select the in/out points you want and add them to the timeline.
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

Nevermind I just figured it out! LOL! When the SCF opened in its own window, I just clicked and dragged it to the browser and what do you know it showed up! Then I clicked that and dragged it to the timeline and it worked! So I am good to go now! :)
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

Mind you, you'll see generational differences on anything that's re-rendered!
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

please explain before I go messing with it! LOL! Is the difference so crucial that I should just leave it alone? Will the "UNDO'S" work if I don't like it?
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

Well, when you import DV from your camera you get an exact copy of the first generation of compression (let's say "1GC"). Now, let's say you add a fade to your clip and output back to DV. The portion of your video that's "faded" has to be recompressed ("2GC"), FCP is smart enough to pass the rest through as unmodified 1GC (unless you check the "Recompress all frames" checkbox. Now, if you take THAT output clip and drag it into your timeline, and add a title over the fade, you'll get 3GC on that part, and 1GC for the rest, or more likely 3GC over the fade, 2GC where the title overlaps past the fade, and 1GC for the rest. So, basically, every time you MODIFY a frame, that fram has to be recompressed so you add a GC; frames you don't change are passed through without loss of quality.


Different operations cause different levels of degradation of the video. In my experience, anything that changes position/size of the image has the most drastic effect - I assume because the original basic compression blocks must be split up. So, adding titles is not too bad; fading is not to bad; cropping or letterboxing is not too bad; color correction etc. is not too bad. Resizing, rotating, image-stabilizing, reframing, etc. cause more noticeable degradation.

Again, this is my experience and guesswork; if anyone can, please support/rebuke!
 
Re: adding self contained files back to timeline.

I thank you for your response...yea I am only going to add the word DEMO that will be superimposed over the screen. I already have it included in the SCFile but there is a section where I forgot to add it. I won't be editing or trimming or tweaking the actual video.
 
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