Lower Thirds with gradient background

I suggest you to use the Boris/Title 3D generator to write the text and Motion Tab to move it to the lower bottom 3rd.

Piero

Hi Bob,
Here's what I do...
Create a graphic, (Photoshop, Motion, etc.) up to the size of your video clip.
Import into FCP.
Place it on the timeline over your video at the correct length.
Load the graphic clip into the Viewer, select Motion tab.
Crop the graphic to the size of a lower third. (Adding feathering usually makes it look better to me).
Create desired text in FCP (or Livetype or Photoshop if you need something fancy.)
Import the text file into FCP.
Superimpose it over your lower third, position it correctly. (Verify that FCP doesn't automatically apply distortion or scaling to your graphics or text when you place them into the timeline).
Tweak your crop, scale, etc. settings within FCP, and/or right-click the graphics/text in the timeline and choose "Open in Editor" to open in external editor.
Also, a dissolve transition usually works nicely at the beginning and end of a lower third and its overlaying text.

I have found that many types of files (video, animations, stills) work as the basis for a lower third, and there must be thousands of options for colorizing, scaling, adding filters, animating, etc. once you have the basics mastered.

There may be other ways to do it, but that's my process...
Hope it helps, let me know if you have questions,
jeff


Dual G5 2.0, Dual 23" Cinema Displays, 2.5 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.7) FCP 5.1.1, DVDSP 4.0.3, HVR-Z1U, HVR-HC1, HVR-M10U

Hi(Bonjour)!

Put your video on V1,

Put a gradient ( gradient generator, look in right bottom corner of viewer- tweak settings to get your desired effect) on V2

Put your lower third type on V3.

Michel Boissonneault

Hi Bob,
Hang in there... I switched from iMoive to FCE about a month ago myself. There is quite a learning curve for FCE, but the level of control and the ability to work on much longer movies is the reward. I'm working on my wedding video (shot on 4 cameras, and 12 DV tapes) and I'd never get that done in iMovie!

I'm still a FCE noob, but I've found reading the posts here has saved me time and time again.

Ken Stone's site helped me get a grip on FCE:
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/fcp_homepageindex.html

Good luck!!!

John

PB G4 12" 1.5Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6) 768Mb RAM

To go from home to work I may use my car or a bus: both have an engine, wheels, seats...

A difference between the 2 is that I don't need a driver's license to go to work if I take a bus, while I have to learn driving if I want to use my car.
On the other hand a bus follows a predefined route, and comes at predefined times.

As you imagine, iMovie is the bus (somebody else drives you through the complexity of video editing) and FCE/FCP is the car: if you want flexibility and full control of your work use FCE/FCP and take the time to learn it; otherwise use iMovie, that might perfectly fit your needs, but restricts your choices: you don't need a (driver's) license in this case...

"Doesn't FC do anything for me?"
Yes, a lot, but don't try "driving it" without a license: you won't go very far...

Piero