Tutorial: Fast Studio XL and six-o-one

Effects Editor

Here’s a new feature in the Fast Studio XL software that makes effects creation simpler and gives you a larger scale image that’s a full 720x480 pixels. To use it, click on the clip that you’d like to modify, and then select the icon called Full Screen Editor (see graphic at left). Suddenly, your clip is sitting there in a huge frame on the left screen while the right screen shows all your tools. Not big enough for you? Go ahead and zoom into that frame and make some really fine adjustments. Or, zoom out so you can see the edges of the frame and move items in or out a la After Effects -- the entire screen is active, so you’re able to move graphics out of the frame for keyframing moves. If there’s not a lot of intense movement within the frame, go ahead specify the software to Show Both Fields by right clicking anywhere within the tools area and selecting Show Both Fields. This give you much sharper view of your material. This is particularly helpful when you’re masking out certain parts of your frame.

The full screen look makes it a lot easier to lasso precise areas of the screen for modification. When you’re in this full screen view, to affect the frame with the tools at the top of the screen like cropping, position, rotate shadows, etc., use either the mouse with your cursor on top of the frame, or adjust the sliders on the tool screen. It’s cool to hold the mouse button down and slide back and forth over your video while you watch the sliders on the right move along with you, as well as being able to see the video dynamically changing with your movements. You’re also able to adjust the acceleration or deceleration of the effect from start to finish using the Bezier curve adjustment box on the tool screen. Rounding out the extensibility of this interface is the ability to adjust the positions of the tool panes if you use some more than others – they’re free floating. And if you don’t ever use some of the tools you can just close them so they’ll be out of your way.

A great new feature that I’m happy to see is the direct pixel interpolation, so that whatever pixel is keyed, a shadow can be built from that pixel. You can also now cast soft drop shadows using this feature, allowing for more realistic scenes where your graphics appear to hover over the background.

Easier Interface
Don’t forget about all the shortcuts at your fingertips with Fast Studio XL. Besides all the right-click options, keyboard shortcuts are completely customizable to whatever you desire. The default layout is designed to mimic an Avid Media Composer, but you can also change them to match Media 100, or anything else, for that matter. So, if you’ve been a CMX editor since day one, go ahead and set it up like a CMX. If nothing else, don’t forget to use the good old space bar for play and stop.

Finally, don’t forget the new Auto Dissolve feature, where you add a predetermined dissolve between any shots. Adjust the parameters of that dissolve by clicking on Auto Dissolve With Options, where you’re able to change the duration, alignment and an option to restrict duration to available heads and tails (sheesh, that’s a cool, smart idea!)

Next: Sidebar -- InTime Test Drive (Beta)

Fast Studio XL, p.3, Effects Editor/Easier Interface
	Effects Editor Here’s a new feature in the Fast Studio XL software that makes effects creation simpler and gives you a larger scale image that’s a full 720x480 pixels. To use it, click on the clip that you’d like to modify, and then select the icon called Full Screen Editor (see graphic at left). Suddenly, your clip is sitting there in a huge frame on the left screen while the right screen shows all your tools. Not big enough for you? Go ahead and zoom into that frame and make some really fine adjustments. Or, zoom out so you can see the edges of the frame and move items in or out a la After Effects -- the entire screen is active, so you’re able to move graphics out of the frame for keyframing moves. If there’s not a lot of intense movement within the frame, go ahead specify the software to Show Both Fields by right clicking anywhere within the tools area and selecting Show Both Fields. This give you much sharper view of your material. This is particularly helpful when you’re masking out certain parts of your frame. The full screen look makes it a lot easier to lasso precise areas of the screen for modification. When you’re in this full screen view, to affect the frame with the tools at the top of the screen like cropping, position, rotate shadows, etc., use either the mouse with your cursor on top of the frame, or adjust the sliders on the tool screen. It’s cool to hold the mouse button down and slide back and forth over your video while you watch the sliders on the right move along with you, as well as being able to see the video dynamically changing with your movements. You’re also able to adjust the acceleration or deceleration of the effect from start to finish using the Bezier curve adjustment box on the tool screen. Rounding out the extensibility of this interface is the ability to adjust the positions of the tool panes if you use some more than others – they’re free floating. And if you don’t ever use some of the tools you can just close them so they’ll be out of your way. A great new feature that I’m happy to see is the direct pixel interpolation, so that whatever pixel is keyed, a shadow can be built from that pixel. You can also now cast soft drop shadows using this feature, allowing for more realistic scenes where your graphics appear to hover over the background. Easier Interface Don’t forget about all the shortcuts at your fingertips with Fast Studio XL. Besides all the right-click options, keyboard shortcuts are completely customizable to whatever you desire. The default layout is designed to mimic an Avid Media Composer, but you can also change them to match Media 100, or anything else, for that matter. So, if you’ve been a CMX editor since day one, go ahead and set it up like a CMX. If nothing else, don’t forget to use the good old space bar for play and stop. Finally, don’t forget the new Auto Dissolve feature, where you add a predetermined dissolve between any shots. Adjust the parameters of that dissolve by clicking on Auto Dissolve With Options, where you’re able to change the duration, alignment and an option to restrict duration to available heads and tails (sheesh, that’s a cool, smart idea!) Next: Sidebar -- InTime Test Drive (Beta)