Hi, I am looking for some support in how to achieve an overshadow effect such as the attached file. Essentially, I want to achieve the halo effect of a highlighted player for a short moment so viewers can identify what to focus on for the commencement of the clip
Download the template: http://fcpxtemplates.com/ngtopics/sc_SpotLight.zip
Install the template: https://fcpxtemplates.com/installing-plugins-for-fcpx/
(Video instructions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A02fRglLtt0 )
The template is an "Effect" and must be installed within the Effects path.
The availability of the template will time out in about 18 hours, so please download it a.s.a.p. If you can, let me know when you've gotten it.
Fantastic - I shall try later in the day. Out of curiousity, is there a youtube explanation as being a novice to FXP, it's easier to follow video explanation.
I checked on this and I don't have the cylinder shaped spotlight in my effects browser. I only have Spot. Where do I get the Spotlight effect? Thanks, Steve
The spot itself can be accomplished without any extra "template" support. All you need to do is add a Color Correction. Add a Color Mask and mask the grass color. Reduce the Saturation to -100% (Master). All the grass should be flat gray. Boost the midtones Exposure to light it up a little. Then add a Shape mask and create your spot (you can create an oval shape to emulate a planar rotation to match the field.) Keyframe the shape's animation [Shapes have only one parameter -- all aspects of the shape's features are keyframe animated together with that one keyframe control).
What your sample shows is more of a "volumetric" lighting effect. That's going to require some help.
Try this out: http://fcpxtemplates.com/ngtopics/sc_SpotLight.zip
How to use:
Add Spot Light to your clip.
Create a Color Mask for the grass [mouse over the Spot Light effect title bar in the Video Inspector — a small rectangular icon with an oval inside will appear — click on that icon and select Color Mask from the drop down menu.]
When creating a color mask, it quite often takes several "samples" to create a well filled mask. Hold down the shift key as you make multiple sample selections. You can either click on an area or click and drag over an area to select larger areas. Do not cross over anything that might be another color (hue) or it will be included in the mask. If you have to start over, simply release the shift key and start over with a new selection.
There is an OnScreen Control for positioning the spot. I suggest changing the blend mode to Add, Screen or Overlay as well, but you have the complete range of options available. You may also change the color of light.
Here's a quick overview of the parameters:
Position: relative position of the OSC; values from -0.5 to 0.5 in either direction. Aspect independent (think percentages). Keyframable.
Size: size of the spot. You will need to click and drag on the number value to increase it beyond 5.0.
Tilt Direction: the angle of the view plane. Affects the direction of the "light". -90º is vertical (light from top to bottom) and the spot will simply be a line.
Angle Rotation: 3D text has parallax issues. This can be used to orient the light shaft to appear more natural. Angle rotations should generally be between -18º to 18º max under normal circumstances.
Taper: the "shaft of light" shape. Zero will simply be a column of light.
Light Color: self-explanatory except, in general, the values should be on the lighter side of 50%. This is a fake effect as it is the color of the text character and not the color of the actual "Light" effect (which is also used in this effect).
Spot and Side Opacity: the actual opacities of these aspects of the 3D Text surfaces.
Fill Brightness is the intensity of the Light used to illuminate the character.
Blend Mode: Optional visual effects. Default is Normal, however, Overlay, Add or Screen may create a preferred appearance. Experiment.
Master Opacity: a convenience to fade in/out the effect all at once.
You will need to add an "instance" of this effect for each spotlight you need to use.
PS - you may have "complications" if your highlighted subjects are the same color (or close to it) as the background (grass field)... in that case, you will need to add a Shape Mask and animate that as well.
Let me know 1) when you download it and 2) if it's helpful. Also - if it works in general.
This effect uses the Apple Symbols font. (Every mac made in the last 20+ years should have it installed.) If Apple Symbols is not available, you might be able to use Font Book to restore it. Let me know if this effect is not using a circle for the light.
HTH
Final Cut Pro Special Effect
