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Level 1

121 points

FCE4: How to create an analog round faced clock ?

Hi all video editing experts,

I need some help here.

I wanted a round faced analog clock to superimpose onto my video. I need to be able to programmed the clock to move from say from 6::29:40 to 6:30:00 and I need to see the second's arm to tick 20 seconds in this case.

I think I can do those digital clocks using livetype but I need a round faced analogue clock with the second arm's ticking ....

Any ideas how I can do it (or where I can purchase this plugins ) ?

Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 24 inches, 4GB RAM, 2.8GHz, 320GB HDD, 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro

Posted on Feb 16, 2010 9:50 PM

39 replies

skalicki

Level 5

4,422 points

Feb 21, 2010 11:37 AM in response to RyanManUtd

I just created the PAL version and am uploading it now, so you should receive an email with the download link within a half hour or so. Besides converting the file to DV-PAL, I also added an extra second at the start and an extra two seconds at the end in case that will make your editing a bit easier.

The one possible hitch is that I simply placed the NTSC version in a PAL composition and rendered it out (changing the frame size and frame rate), so there might be a bit of quality loss. If you plan to be scaling the clock down anyway then it shouldn't be much of a problem. However, if it's noticeable just let me know and I can recreate the animation from scratch in PAL so it will be higher quality.

Hope that helps!
-Sasha

RyanManUtd Author

Level 1

121 points

Feb 22, 2010 6:55 AM in response to skalicki

skalicki` wrote:
I just created the PAL version and am uploading it now, so you should receive an email with the download link within a half hour or so. Besides converting the file to DV-PAL, I also added an extra second at the start and an extra two seconds at the end in case that will make your editing a bit easier.

The one possible hitch is that I simply placed the NTSC version in a PAL composition and rendered it out (changing the frame size and frame rate), so there might be a bit of quality loss. If you plan to be scaling the clock down anyway then it shouldn't be much of a problem. However, if it's noticeable just let me know and I can recreate the animation from scratch in PAL so it will be higher quality.

Hope that helps!
-Sasha

Thanks Sasha, the "quality lost" is not visible. The PAL version is excellent !!

Once again, thanks a million

Cheers

skalicki

Level 5

4,422 points

Feb 22, 2010 9:44 AM in response to RyanManUtd

Glad it worked out! If you have some free time and you're interested, I'd really recommend taking another look at After Effects and the book you have on it. For me, the program came rather easily after getting familiar with the way FCE works. It's certainly a rewarding skill to have!

RyanManUtd Author

Level 1

121 points

Feb 23, 2010 4:09 AM in response to skalicki

skalicki` wrote:
Glad it worked out! If you have some free time and you're interested, I'd really recommend taking another look at After Effects and the book you have on it. For me, the program came rather easily after getting familiar with the way FCE works. It's certainly a rewarding skill to have!

Hi skalicki,

You are absolutely correct. I have been wanting to learn After Effects long time ago.

In addition to the AE Apprentice book by Trish & Meyer, I also have a DVD by Chad Perkins: AE Essential training from Lynda.Com

But they have been a white elephant. I think my language is not good, maybe I need to attend a class instead ?

Maybe it is time revisit the book ?

Is the learning curve from FCE to AE very steep ?

I remember I almost give up learning FCE after doing mostly in WMM & Sony Vegas. I can only understand FCE after I read & do all the exercises prescribe by Diana Weylands book !!

skalicki

Level 5

4,422 points

Feb 23, 2010 7:25 AM in response to RyanManUtd

I tend to find the only good way for me to become proficient with a program is by working through all of the exercises in the book. The AE Apprentice book so far seems to include well-made projects with an easy to understand writing style that has made things so much easier.

About the learning curve from FCE to AE:

I found that it wasn't that much of a problem. The actual AE interface and shortcuts are much more similar to Photoshop than FCE though, so if you've used that it should be a bit easier. There are certainly skills from FCE that carry over, and windows such as the Browser, Timeline, and Canvas all have familiar counterparts in AE.

The biggest problem I've had so far is that it took a while to not habitually use FCE shortcuts within AE!

Feb 24, 2010 10:45 AM in response to RyanManUtd

Hi(Bonjour)!

Look at those links, there are around 100 free AE tutorials:
http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/
http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/

Michel Boissonneault

Feb 24, 2010 11:27 AM in response to Michel Boissonneault

I know it's thread-jacking but has anyone seen any basic tutorials for Shake? Preferably not written by the creators of the program!

Feb 24, 2010 1:18 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hi(Bonjour) Ian!

Here's a link:
http://library.creativecow.net/video-tutorials/appleshake

Michel Boissonneault

Feb 24, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Michel Boissonneault

Thanks Michel. I have seen those and the only one I really understand is the introduction to Node Based Compositing!

I have found a few here http://www.softwaretrainingtutorials.com/shake-4.php but they only cover bits.

In desperation I was wondering whether I should spend some money (Ahhhhhh!) and get this BOOK

It has to be something pretty simple and well explained, like Tom's books.

FCE4: How to create an analog round faced clock ?