FCPX Color Correction affecting transparencies

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Level 1

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FCPX Color Correction affecting transparencies

I have a problem where color corrections applied to a video clip are effecting a transparent graphic above the video, where 100% white is somehow being given a luminosity above 100%.

I created a screencapture video showing the problem to clearify: http://youtu.be/cX37HmPASok

This is what the transparent shadow should look like when it is on a 100% white background: http://imgur.com/a/ksiYY#0

But this is what it looks like when the exposure of the object below it is increased to clip the white highlight: http://imgur.com/a/ksiYY#1

I don't understand why increasing the exposure doesn't max the brightness out at 100% white. How do I keep the luminosity from effecting my transparency?

THANKS!

Final Cut Pro X, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jan 15, 2014 12:01 PM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,010 points

Jan 15, 2014 12:14 PM in response to morngeboy

Actually you can go above 100% white. It's called superwhite and is very common in most consumer cameras. If you open your vwaveform monitor you'll see that the white level can exceed 100 units. One solution is to apply the color correction and then make the clip (or a range of clips) into a compound clip and apply the broadcast safe effect to clamp the peak level.

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Answer 2

morngeboy Author

Level 1

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Jan 15, 2014 12:48 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

TOOOO perfect! Thanks Tom. I was able to find two videos that elaborated on your comment to solidify a solution.

The Broadcast Safe Filter is definitely the solution, but for some reason it gets applied BEFORE the Color Correction gets applied (which I see is why your compound clip work-around is necessary).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Edju6ktL8

I also came across this video today though that offers a simpler solution. By creating an empty Title template in Motion, I can apply the Broadcast Safe Filter to it and span it across the entire video above the color corrected footage but under my transparent slides.

http://www.fcp.co/final-cut-pro/tutorials/945-how-to-build-and-use-adjustment-la yers-in-final-cut-pro-x

I'll have to reconstruct my color management process in the future, but this is a quick solution for me right now.

Thanks!

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