sharpening with FCP X

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Level 1

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sharpening with FCP X

I am moving up from iMovie to FCP X. I have many old movies from VCRs and 8mm that need to be improved. iMovie has a sharpening filter (Share > Export using Quick Time > Options > Filter > Sharpen) that does an OK job of improving the video. I looked at the Compressor User Manual, and it seems Compressor also has a Sharpen Edges filter.

The only sharpening I have found in FCP X is: Effects > Blur > Sharpen. This does not seem to make a signifiant difference in these old movies. I need more sharpening. Does FCP X have another sharpening tool that I have not found yet? Where is it?

Assuming there isn't one, one solution might be to buy Compressor just to use its sharpening filter (a cumbersome workaround). Do you know if that filter would work better than the one in iMovie?

Another option might be to use the Color Adjustment window in the Enhancements Menu to do my own sharpening. That might give the best results if I knew how to use it sharpen the movies. Can someone give me some direction on how to use the Color Adjustment window for sharpening, or refer me to a place where that is discussed?

Thanks,

Joel

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Nov 15, 2012 8:49 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Karsten Schlüter

Level 7

34,098 points

Nov 16, 2012 12:13 AM in response to Joel in AZ

Joel in AZ wrote:

I am moving up from iMovie to FCP X. I have many old movies from VCRs and 8mm that need to be improved. iMovie has a sharpening filter (Share > Export using Quick Time > Options > Filter > Sharpen) that does an OK job of improving the video. …

two options (perhaps three):

• you're familiar how to use the Unsharp Mask Filter within FCPX?

A lil' more elaborated than than the 'sharpen' tool in iMovie ...

• here's an excellent tutorial + a link to use a free plugin, which simulates Photoshop Filters

http://youtu.be/P8CEb0K_IZo

• … your movies ARE old - I would keep the charme of noisy, flickerin', blurry pictures 😁

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Answer 2

Joel in AZ Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 16, 2012 11:15 PM in response to Joel in AZ

Hi Karsten,

I do not know about and cannot locate the Unsharp Mask Filter within FCPX. Can you help me with that?

Joel

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Answer 3

Nov 17, 2012 10:03 PM in response to Joel in AZ

Joel in AZ wrote:

… and cannot locate the Unsharp Mask Filter within FCPX. Can you help me with that? …

No, you can't - I made my own one! 😁

sorry, my fault.- If you like, I can send it to you: I just created in Motion5 a new 'Effect', applied the built-in Unsharpen Mask (which Motion5 has …) and 'published' all parameters.