How to avoid jagged edge on jpeg image imported into final cut (was eps)

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Level 1

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How to avoid jagged edge on jpeg image imported into final cut (was eps)

I'm clearly new to this. I am importing a logo..initially from illustrator (.eps), through photoshop...creating a jpeg (RGB). The logo is an image that includes shapes and letter. In illustrator and photoshop the image looks great...but in final cut, and in quicktime, and on a monitor...the logo and letters all have jagged edges. I've tried going to .png/pdf/gif/tiff but nothing works. I'm sure there is a way...any thoughts?

MAC Powerbook, Mac OS X (10.4.5), Final Cut Express HD

Posted on Jun 4, 2006 7:52 PM

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Answer 1

Moich

Level 2

480 points

Jun 5, 2006 3:36 AM in response to Stewart.S

My guess is that the transfer through photoshop is helping to create a problem. Vector data almost universally looks awful in jpg format too.

I would set everything in illustrator (using the transform palette set your logo proportionally to 720px * 534px for pixels)

Then File Save for web (still in illustrator).
In the image size tab transform the HEIGHT ONLY to 480px (I'm assuming you're using NTSC) making sure the proportionality is unlocked.

Save the new 720px * 480px image as a PNG and try importing that.

Hope this helps and do let us know how you get on.

M.

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Answer 2

Jun 5, 2006 4:53 AM in response to Stewart.S

Hi(Bonjour)!

Be sure to create the basic logo at a large size (may be 1500 x1500 pixel-72 dpi) in PhotoShop.

Shrink it down in FCE and check the result on a TV monitor if your project is aimed toward classic TV box.

Michel Boissonneault

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Answer 3

Stewart.S Author

Level 1

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Jun 6, 2006 6:41 PM in response to Stewart.S

First...thanks...(sorry for delay...was traveling). some progress, with both suggestions...but still looks ragged. I discovered that the art work isn't very high res to start with. Will that make a difference? Second, when I look at it in static mode in FC...the logo looks fine...but with movement...it gets ragged again. Any other suggestions? Might I be doing the Quicktime Conversion incorrectly?

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Answer 4

Moich

Level 2

480 points

Jun 6, 2006 6:51 PM in response to Stewart.S

Providing the EPS when opened in illustrator preserves the original vector information (all paths are available and editable) resolution is irrelevant - vector art is resolution independent.

Its when you export is that res becomes an issue. However the web and FCE use 72dpi - which is the default setting for save to web so that should be an issue either.

Check the Effect-Document effect raster settings in illustrator just to be sure. However your png will still come out in 72 i think.

I like the previous suggection of a large res (handy to a have a few 1000 extra pixels to through away) but don't go too overboard as you don't want to bog down your machine with unnecessary pixels either.

However as you state the raggedness is due to the movement not to the resolution now. Perhaps more and shorter spaced keyframes?

Anyone else have any ideas?
M.

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Answer 5

PieroF

Level 5

4,283 points

Jun 7, 2006 9:10 AM in response to Moich

Let me suggest to check any result on a TV (interlaced) monitor before getting to any conclusion. This, of course, if the target is a MiniDV tape or video DVD.

Jugged edges may disappear (or at least may be much less visible) on the final monitor.

Piero

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Answer 6

Stewart.S Author

Level 1

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Jun 7, 2006 12:33 PM in response to Stewart.S

Some progress. The logo includes type and an icon that has curves. The type now looks good (going to a .png file from illustrator fixed that) but the curves on the icon still are jagged. Also...I'm testing every idea on a T.V. by burning a DVD...as many look good on my G4...but not on the T.V.

I tried the keyframes idea by selecting 'all' under keyframes in the FC export function. No perceptable change. You mentioned spacing of the keyframes...how do you change this? Also...I'm choosing a frame rate of 29.97, compressor quality "best" and compression H.264. Are these right? Any other setting I should focus on?

Again...thanks for all the suggestions!

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Answer 7

Stewart.S Author

Level 1

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Jun 10, 2006 3:42 PM in response to Stewart.S

Thanks for all the suggestions. Some combination of them worked..along with a key element I found in the discussion history. Anti -alias and going directly from Illustrator helped....but the real benefit came with choosing 'animation' for exporting from Final Cut with the Quick Time Conversion option. Again..thanks.

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