Animating an AI logo for Final Cut at DVinfo.net

Cameron Poole · January 26th, 2012, 03:48 PM

I have never used Adobe Illustrator before but for my latest video I have received the company logo as an AI file. The logo consists of two words in Century Gothic which I want to break up and slow reverse explode onto the screen at the end of the 90 second promo.

My idea had been to save each letter as a png and keyframe them in FCP using a semi opaque jpeg as a guide which I could delete when all the letters were in place. For some reason, AI files saved as PNG's are 'Unrecognizable File Type' when put into FCP and the only way to use them is to convert them again in Photoshop.

This is probably a job for motion, but again I'm at a loss as to where to start and i'll have to submerge myself in video tutorials at some point but for now I just need to figure out how to animate this logo, even if I do go about it the long way round.

James Huenergardt · January 31st, 2012, 10:00 AM

Hey Cameron,

I used to live in Bangkok back in 1973. Wow, that's a long time ago!

This is a project for After Effects really.

If you're wanting to do this in FCP, then try saving each letter out as a Photoshop file. FCP should recognize that just fine.

I've not used PNG files in FCP and do all my animations in After Effects. However, I do know that FCP will recognize Photoshop files and will recognize transparency from them as well.

Good luck.

Justin Molush · January 31st, 2012, 11:13 AM

Final Cut Pro should recognize photoshop files - I am able to import them and turn on/turn off individual layers within the files.

If you nest the sequence you should be able to apply effects no problem. Let me know how that works for you.

Cameron Poole · February 1st, 2012, 07:45 PM

Thankyou both, I decided to leave it until the rest of the project is complete so i'll be tackling this in the coming days.

'Nesting' the items, I think I know what you mean by that - merging layers? I'll look for tutorials on YouTube. Thanks again both of you.

P.S. James, I'd love to have been in Bangkok in 1973 - but I was being conceived around that time!

Justin Molush · February 1st, 2012, 09:27 PM

No, sorry, I meant when you import the photoshop file, it acts as its own "sequence" (forget the name in Final Cut since Ive been using premiere for the last 6 months - I just cant think of it for the life of me right now!).

You can just drop that right on your timeline and add whatever effects you would like to it - like if you want to blur it in, etc etc.

January 26th, 2012, 03:48 PM	#1
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	Animating an AI logo for Final Cut I have never used Adobe Illustrator before but for my latest video I have received the company logo as an AI file. The logo consists of two words in Century Gothic which I want to break up and slow reverse explode onto the screen at the end of the 90 second promo. My idea had been to save each letter as a png and keyframe them in FCP using a semi opaque jpeg as a guide which I could delete when all the letters were in place. For some reason, AI files saved as PNG's are 'Unrecognizable File Type' when put into FCP and the only way to use them is to convert them again in Photoshop. This is probably a job for motion, but again I'm at a loss as to where to start and i'll have to submerge myself in video tutorials at some point but for now I just need to figure out how to animate this logo, even if I do go about it the long way round. Last edited by Cameron Poole; January 26th, 2012 at 08:55 PM.

January 31st, 2012, 10:00 AM	#2
James Huenergardt Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 513	Re: Animating an AI logo for Final Cut Hey Cameron, I used to live in Bangkok back in 1973. Wow, that's a long time ago! This is a project for After Effects really. If you're wanting to do this in FCP, then try saving each letter out as a Photoshop file. FCP should recognize that just fine. I've not used PNG files in FCP and do all my animations in After Effects. However, I do know that FCP will recognize Photoshop files and will recognize transparency from them as well. Good luck. __________________ Reel Inspirations - www.reelinspirations.com Commercials, Dramas, Image Pieces, Documentaries, Motion Graphics

January 31st, 2012, 11:13 AM	#3
Justin Molush Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 388	Re: Animating an AI logo for Final Cut Final Cut Pro should recognize photoshop files - I am able to import them and turn on/turn off individual layers within the files. If you nest the sequence you should be able to apply effects no problem. Let me know how that works for you.

February 1st, 2012, 07:45 PM	#4
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	Re: Animating an AI logo for Final Cut Thankyou both, I decided to leave it until the rest of the project is complete so i'll be tackling this in the coming days. 'Nesting' the items, I think I know what you mean by that - merging layers? I'll look for tutorials on YouTube. Thanks again both of you. P.S. James, I'd love to have been in Bangkok in 1973 - but I was being conceived around that time!

February 1st, 2012, 09:27 PM	#5
Justin Molush Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 388	Re: Animating an AI logo for Final Cut No, sorry, I meant when you import the photoshop file, it acts as its own "sequence" (forget the name in Final Cut since Ive been using premiere for the last 6 months - I just cant think of it for the life of me right now!). You can just drop that right on your timeline and add whatever effects you would like to it - like if you want to blur it in, etc etc.