importing pdf files into fcp?

Question

Level 1

17 points

importing pdf files into fcp?

i'm starting a music project that will have on-screen music notation (staffs & notes). this music notation currently exists as pdf files which the client wants to provide. i'm thinking that pdf's are not the right way to go. which graphic format should they convert these pdf's to that would provide the highest quality remembering that music staffs & notes have very thin lines that are prone to "buzzing." any other tips appreciated. thanks.

mac pro 8-core two 2.8 GHZ quad-core, Mac OS X (10.5.6), final cut pro w/aja kona3

Posted on Sep 3, 2009 10:11 AM

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Answer 1

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Sep 3, 2009 10:29 AM in response to methenyhead

You can import pdf into Final Cut Pro, although TIFF and PNG are preferred.
Bear in mind that however large you make the images, they will be rendered to the video codec and pixel dimensions that you set up in FCP. Going to DVD will add further compression.

Might it be an option to make your images as a long horizontal strip which moves from right to left across the screen? That way you can make the notes much larger and get around the buzzing lines problem.

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Answer 2

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Sep 3, 2009 11:04 AM in response to methenyhead

What about [musical note typefaces|http://www.fontspace.com/category/music,notes] ?
It might be a pain in the rear to type it all out again, but at least they will be crisp and clean at any reasonable size.

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Answer 3

methenyhead Author

Level 1

17 points

Sep 3, 2009 10:49 AM in response to Nick Holmes

thanks nick. the plan is just to have one staff's worth of music at the bottom of the screen and dissolve through to each successive staff. might be difficult to move them across if it's a long sequence.

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Answer 4

methenyhead Author

Level 1

17 points

Sep 4, 2009 8:03 AM in response to Nick Holmes

nice find. thanks nick.

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