Have an old font that's not working right? Maybe it's PC-only and you're on a Mac. Here's a free service to convert fonts –

FreeFontConverter.com allows you to quickly convert between many font formats without the hassle of installing any software on your computer. Our service works on any operating system including Windows, Mac and Linux. Our font converting service works for all of the common font formats including TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.oft) and PostScript (.ps). We can also convert many of the less well known font formats including Suitcase (.suit) and Data Fork (.dfont) fonts.

Thanks to Rod Harlan for pointing this one out.

Here's a great article on cool application for the iPhone and iPad. Twenty-two apps that help video pros and filmmakers.

"The iPad and iPhone have taken the world by storm. Only very recently have filmmakers started to see their potential in a production environment. The iPad has only been out a few months and we are already seeing it used in some very creative ways.

For this feature we have rounded up some of the best and most useful Filmmaking Apps that our Deal Leader Steve Jobs has approved for the App Store. As more filmmakers explore the possibilities with these powerful mobile devices, we are sure this list will continue to grow"

Get the whole article here – http://filmmakeriq.com/2010/07/22-filmmaking-apps-for-the-ipad-iphone/

Looks like Apple is making it easier to find Safari extension soon. The Firefox community is already pretty vibrant in this regard and I look forward to more coming out for my favorite browser.

Apple sent out an email today asking for submission to their "Safari Extensions Gallery".

We'll soon be launching the Safari Extensions Gallery, a new destination that provides you with an opportunity to increase the visibility of your Safari extension beyond your website. The Safari Extensions Gallery will feature selected extensions that offer an innovative user experience. And a one-click installation process will allow users to seamlessly install extensions from a developer’s website without ever having to leave the Gallery. MacRumors.com has early extensions that have already been released.

BMW introduces the next level of automotive consumer electronic device integration by supporting Apple's new iPod Out functionality. The new feature allows applications on Apple devices to be controlled and experienced with the iDrive interface concept.

Of course my kids would probably destroy it.... maybe they's loan me one.

Did you miss part 5? Keynote for iPad – Animate a Chart, Graph, or Table on a Slide

Animating photos on a slide is an easy process with Keynote. There are two major approaches you can employ. You can use builds to add or remove elements from a slide. You can also use the Magic Move transition to create more elaborate animations.

Let's explore the build process.

1. Tap the animate button . Keynote prompts you to select a slide or object.

2. Tap a photo on the Canvas that you want to animate.

Buttons appear near the object, indicating any build effect that has already been applied. If no build effect has been applied, both the build in and build out buttons are labeled “None.”

Design Tip
Be sure your photos are high enough resolution. You'll typically want to size them so they are double the size of your design canvas. For Keynote on the iPad, make sure your pictures are at between 2,000–4,000 pixels wide. This will give you flexibility to size or zoom an image.

3. You can now choose to add an effect that reveals (build in) or removes (build out) the chart. Tap the “Build in” or “Build out” button, depending on how you'd like the chart to move onto or off of the slide. The Build In or Build Out window appears.

4. Tap the name of an effect from the Build In or Build Out window. You can scroll to choose from any of 13 effects for chart or graph builds.

Once you choose an effect, a preview animation plays automatically. You can click the play button in the Build In or Build Out window to repeat the preview.

5. Once you've selected an animation in the Build In or Build Out window, you can customize it.

• To change the duration of a build, tap the Options button at the bottom of the Build In or Build Out window. You can then drag the duration slider to adjust the speed of the animation.
  • Many effects in the Build In window have additional options such as direction or Up and Down choices.
  

• To specify when a build starts, tap the Options button at the bottom of the Build In or Build Out window. On Tap begins the animation when you tap the slide. After Transition lets you set a time interval with the Delay slider.You may need to scroll in the window to see all options.

Changing the Order of Builds

As you add multiple builds to a slide, you'll notice that they have numbers that indicate their build order on the slide. The build in numbers are yellow and the build out numbers are black.
The default numbering is based on the order that you added the animations. You have complete control however and can reorder things, as you like.

1. Select any object on the canvas that you've applied a build to.
   2 Tap the animate button in the toolbar.
   3 Tap an existing Build In or Build Out button.
   4 In the Build In or Build Out window, tap the Order button. The numbers on the slide and in the window indicate the order of animation.
   5 In the Build Order window, touch and hold the right end of an item. You can now drag it to a new position.
   

If you see three yellow-colored dots on the upper-right corner of a slide thumbnail (in the slide navigator) it means that a build has been applied to a slide.
Interleaving Builds

In Keynote, you can interleave animation elements, so that multiple events take place concurrently. For example, you can have a block of text and a photo animate concurrently. You can change the order in which objects move on and off a slide at any time, even interspersing

In order to interleave a build, you must have more than one Build animation applied.

1. Select any object on the canvas that you've applied a build to.
   2 Tap the animate button in the toolbar.
   3 Tap an existing Build In or Build Out button.
   4 In the Build In or Build Out window, tap the Options button.
   5 Choose one of the following options to link two animations together.
   
   

• With Build # – Let's two builds happen at the same time. You can also set a delay for the second object with the Delay slider.
  • After Build # – Let's you create a hierarchical relationship. One build occurs immediately after the other finishes. Again, you can set a delay for the second object with the Delay slider.

To preview the animation, click the Play button in the Build In or Build Out window.

Are you a teacher? Consider our books for your class. Four to choose from

• From Still to Motion (HDSLR filmmaking)
• Video Made on a Mac (Advanced Apple and Adobe video workflow and techniques)
• Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS5 (A college class book or for those stuck at beginner)
• Photoshop for Video (Fourth edition just released)

Here's how to request a free desk copy.
http://www.peachpit.com/academics/academics_detail.aspx?st=67280

Did you miss part 4? Keynote for iPad – Creating Builds to Reveal Text

Keynote offers stunning 3D and 2D charts and graphs that can really bring your data to life. When you combine Keynote's animation controls with your charts, the audience can really visualize the data you're presenting.

1. Tap the animate button . Keynote prompts you to select a slide or object.

2. Tap a chart of graph on the Canvas that you want to animate.

Buttons appear near the object, indicating any build effect that has already been applied. If no build effect has been applied, both the build in and build out buttons are labeled “None.”

3. You can now choose to add an effect that reveals (build in) or removes (build out) the chart. Tap the “Build in” or “Build out” button, depending on how you'd like the chart to move onto or off of the slide. The Build In or Build Out window appears.

4. Tap the name of an effect from the Build In or Build Out window. You can scroll to choose from any of 13 effects for chart or graph builds.


Design Tip
While there are several effects to choose from, a few work particularly well for charts and graphs. Be sure to try our Scale, Pop, Dissolve, and Move In. Once you choose an effect, a preview animation plays automatically. You can click the play button in the Build In or Build Out window to repeat the preview.

5. Once you've selected an animation in the Build In or Build Out window, you can customize it.

• To change the duration of a build, tap the Options button at the bottom of the Build In or Build Out window. You can then drag the duration slider to adjust the speed of the animation.
  • Many effects in the Build In window have additional options such as direction or Up and Down choices.
  

• To specify when a build starts, tap the Options button at the bottom of the Build In or Build Out window. On Tap begins the animation when you tap the slide.
  After Transition lets you set a time interval with the Delay slider. You may need to scroll in the window to see all options.
  

• To build a chart or graph by segment or series, click the Delivery button. Depending upon how you're data is displayed; you'll see options like By Wedge, By Series, By Set, and more.
  

Design Tip
Be sure to experiment with the Delivery options. By controlling the pace and order that your data displays, you can better guide your audience through the presentation.

Be sure to read Part 6 – Keynote for iPad – Animating Photos on a Slide

Join Apple certified trainer Richard Harrington as he takes you through the color correction features of Final Cut Pro. As a leading author, trainer and presenter, Rich cuts to the chase, giving you access to the most important information fast.

Final Cut Pro's Color Corrector is the first wave of color tools. Whether its because of time of budget, you'll often need to get your project right inside of Final Cut Pro. Addiitionally, most of the work you can do in Final Cut Pro will translate to Apple Color if needed. Being able to improve your footage in a fast and efficient manner improves your rough cuts, and helps speed client approval!

Richard is an expert at motion graphic design and digital video. Since 2003, he has been the manager for conferences for the National Association of Broadcasters. His book, Photoshop for Video, was the first to focus on the use of the masterful Photoshop within the world of video production. He is also a contributing editor for Final Cut Pro on the Spot, Video Made on a Mac, and From Still to Motion.

The master series DVD includes hands-on practice files. So instead of watching, you can actually get real practice. There is also extra footage with which you can practice. The movies are also in an iPad/iPod compatible format so you can carry your lessons around easily!

Richard Harrington's Final Cut Pro Color Correction by Richard Harrington
SALE! PRE-ORDER NOW! Ships July 1st.

List Price: $49.95 COW Price: $39.95

Get it here – http://store.creativecow.net/p/80/richard_harringtons_final_cut_pro_color_correction

Did you miss part 1? Keynote for iPad – Introduction to Animation

All Keynote transitions can be customized. The options vary with each transition offering its own choices. The primary reasons to change the transitions options are to avoid repetition and to control the pacing of the presentation.

1. Tap the Options button in the Transitions window

2. In the Options window, drag the duration slider.



Design Tip
You can choose duration of .10 to 5.00 seconds. Slower transitions are more dramatic, but should be reserved for special use. A value of 1.00 – 1.50 seconds is a good value for most transitions.

3. If you’ve selected a transition with directional controls, drag the arrow to set the direction from which the new slide moves in.

4. Choose when you want the transition to start (you may need to scroll the list).

• On Tap – The transition is applied when you tap the screen.
  • After Previous Transition – This option can be used to create a self-running presentation. Be sure to set the Delay timer so there is enough of a pause so the slide can be read before the transition occurs.
  

5. To apply another transition, just select another slide in the slide navigator.

6. When you’ve set up all the transitions how you want, tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen.
If you see a yellow-colored triangle on the bottom-right corner of a slide thumbnail (in the slide navigator) it means that a transition has been applied to a slide.

Design Tip
If you want to reuse a transition, you can duplicate a slide. The new copy is easy to modify, and will already contain any transitions or builds you've applied.

Be sure to read Part 3 – Keynote for iPad – Designing with Magic Move

I have two iPhoto training titles released today from Peachpit Press and they've lowered the price to $8.99. I am very proud of these and hope you enjoy them. For you pros... its perfect for your family members/parents. These are two very cool titles that I made especially for the iPhoto users out there.

iPhoto: Fix Your Photos – http://tinyurl.com/iphotofix
The videos provide easy to follow tutorials that help you fix common problems with pictures. You'll learn how to straighten and crop, adjust dark photos, and bring out the color in your snapshots. You'll also learn how to fix soft focus, red eye, and overexposed photos. Whether you're new to iPhoto or even an experienced user, you'll find useful techniques and powerful shortcuts to get your work done faster. Each lesson includes hands on files so you can work along with the instructor.

iPhoto: Share Your Photos - http://tinyurl.com/iphotoshare
The videos provide easy to follow tutorials that help you share your pictures over email or post them online to services including MobileMe, Facebook, and Flickr. You’ll also learn techniques for making slideshows and creating your own blog. Whether you're new to iPhoto or even an experienced user, you’ll find useful techniques and powerful shortcuts to share your photos easily. Each lesson includes hands on files so you can follow along with the instructor.

Once you've built a presentation in Keynote for iPad, you'll likely want to enhance it with some inspired animation. Adding movement to your slides doesn’t just keep your audience’s attention; it transforms a static presentation into a compelling and persuasive display piece.
With Keynote, you'll find a wealth of options available to animate your presentation. You can create several types of slide animation, including builds—elements that animate one at a time onto a slide—and cool transitions between slides that go far beyond the simple transitions used by other programs.

• Transitions – Using a transition lets you add an animated effect as you switch from one slide to the next.
  • Magic Move – An easy way to create object movement is the Magic Move transition which animates an object between two positions.
  • Text Builds – A practical presentation technique is to control the flow of information to the audience using text animation.
  • Object Builds – Keynote can reveal (or remove) objects on your slide, such photos or shapes, with animated transitions.
• Charts Builds – Keynote offers special transitions to reveal the data in a chart or graph.
  

Add Transitions between Slides

Keynote offers a category of animations called transitions. These animations are used between slides and are meant to signify a change in topic for your audience. Although Keynote offers several transition options, good design practices call for using the right transition mix in a presentation.

To Add a Transition

Transitions are applied to the first slide in a transition pair. That means you should apply the transition to the slide that appears first in the slide navigator. You are essentially transitioning from the selected slide to the next slide in your presentation.
1. Tap the animate button . Keynote prompts you to select a slide or object.

2. Tap a slide's thumbnail in the slide navigator.

A button appears next to the slide to identify which transition has been applied to the slide. If you've not applied a transition yet, it is labeled None.
3. Tap the arrow button or the name of the transition that appears in the button.


4. Swipe the Transitions window to see a list of available transitions.

5. Choose a transition effect.

Once you choose an effect, a preview animation plays automatically. You can click the play button in the Transitions window to repeat the preview.

Be sure to read Part 2 – Keynote for iPad – To Customize a Transition

While the iPhone announcement got most of the press today, Apple also released Safari version 5 today. Here are the highlights of the new version:

• 30 percent performance boost over Safari 4
• Addition of Bing to the Google and Yahoo! options.
• Addition of Reader option for websites with news articles. Just click the Reader icon in the Smart Address Field to display the entire article for clear, uninterrupted reading with options to enlarge, print or send via email.

• Runs JavaScript 30 percent faster than Safari 4, three percent faster than Chrome 5.0, and over twice as fast as Firefox 3.6.
• Full screen playback and closed captions for HTML5 video

Safari 5 is available for Mac and Windows as a free download at www.apple.com/safari.
The Safari Developer Program is free to join at developer.apple.com/programs/safari.

I've been waiting for this entire interview to go live. Here is the full, uncut interview with Steve Jobs at this year's D8 Conference. The interview is by Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg on the New York Times.

"The wide-ranging chat runs for more than 90 minutes, and covers everything from Jobs’ fraying relationship with Google (GOOG) to his stance on Adobe’s (ADBE) Flash, to his lack of interest in the TV market. And, of course, a lot of iPad talk. Enjoy."

Here's the link here – http://d8.allthingsd.com/20100607/steve-jobs-at-d8-the-full-uncut-interview/

Since Aperture is the number one search term on my blog... I wanted to let you know that I have two Aperture 3 training titles out from Kelby Training.

Professional Adjustments with Aperture 3
Professional film and video editor Richard Harrington shows viewers how to bring out the best in their photography using Aperture 3. Follow along with course project files and learn how make corrections, adjust color, and add style to your images using a variety of tools inside Aperture 3.


Make the Move to Aperture 3
Aperture 3 is a powerful photo management tool from Apple. It includes features for organizing, adjusting, exporting, publishing, displaying your photos, and more. Rich Harrington takes you through the software and demonstrates just what Aperture 3 is capable of.

Also, a lot don't release we have DSLR Video training posted too.

Editing Your DSLR Video on a Mac
Your DSLR shoots video! Cool right!? Now what? You've probably got more video than you know what to do with. Richard Harrington created this course to help you with how to edit that video footage (using Mac software). Rich covers everything from in-the-field tips all the way to post-production techniques using Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express and iMovie.

Richard Harrington, a trainer for FMC, shows how to use white balancing in FCP to make up for improper white balancing on the camera.

I always like free stuff... especially good free stuff.

Here's the link – http://www.idustrialrevolution.com/idrplugins/freebiepack1/index.html

FMC trainer Richard Harrington demonstrates how to share and publish projects in a variety of formats.

FMC trainer Richard Harrington discusses how the Blending Modes feature can be used to lighten a dark shot, or impart various stylistic changes.

In this video you’ll learn to rank and sort images in Aperture. You’ll also learn about contact sheets and Web galleries for client review. You can also visit the website www.peachpit.com/videomac in order to download sample files.

Soundtrack Pro is a powerful tool for scoring and adding sound design elements like sound effects, Foley sounds, and ambient noise. Check out this video as we take a project from Final Cut Pro to Soundtrack Pro and back to Final Cut Pro. You can also visit the website www.peachpit.com/videomac in order to download sample files.

Use FCP, Aperture or Logic? Be sure to download the Apple ProKit 5.1 update to fix memory leaks –


About ProKit 5.1 (Leopard & SnowLeopard)
This ProKit Update fixes issues with user interface software resources that are shared by Apple's professional applications.

• The issues addressed include:
• Corrected an issue with improper scrolling behavior.
• Resolved memory leaks for improved performance.
• Addressed layout of interface elements in certain application alert windows.

The update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.
Get it here – http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1008

If you're a media pro... here are a few iPhone/iPod Touch apps to check out. I've not played with all of these yet, but they've all been recommended to me (or I've used 'em).

• Movie Slate
• Storyboard Composer (formerly Hitchcock)
• Blue FiRe
• Moviola Pro Video Guide
• Final Cut Pro Field Guide
• DVD Bit Budget Assistant
• Helios Sun Position Calculator
• AJA DataCalc
• PhotoAssist

Adorama is running an iPhone photo contest until February 28th. You can upload photos here or photo for your favorite photo app here. There's been some great photos submitted so far – Click here. They have some pretty cool prizes too!

I've been quite happy with Aperture 3, but like many of you... I looked forward to the first update to address minor bugs. Well it's here! Apple released two updates: Aperture 3.0.1 which has several bug fixes and a digital camera update to add support for several camera models.

About Aperture 3.0.1
This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of issues in Aperture 3, including:

• Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture
• Importing libraries from iPhoto
• Importing photos directly from a camera
• Memory usage when processing heavily-retouched photos
• Face recognition processing
• Adding undetected faces using the Add Missing Face button
• Printing pages containing multiple images
• Printing photos and contact sheets with borders and metadata
• Editing photos using an external editor
• Display of images with Definition and Straighten adjustments applied
• Zooming photos in the Viewer and in the Loupe using keyboard shortcuts
• Accessing Aperture libraries on a network volume Selecting and moving pins on the Places map
• Adding and editing custom locations using the Manage My Places window
• Switching between masters when working with RAW+JPEG pairs.

The Digital Camera update also added several new cameras to Aperture and iPhoto.

• Hasselblad H3DII-50
• Leica M9
• Leica X1
• Olympus E-P1
• Olympus E-P2
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
• Pentax K-7
• Pentax K-x
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
• Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

Here's two free resources to help you out

• Video Made on a Mac: Greenscreen Solutions
• Creative Chromakeying handout from Photoshop World

With Aperture 3, Apple has fully embraced video acquired on DSLR cameras. In fact, you can now manage video and audio files as easily as any other image in your library. If you are used to using Aperture as part of your photo editing workflow, you'll find the addition of audio and video support quite welcome.

Importing Video

Video and audio files are added to your library in the same manner as any other image. You can import files directly from a memory card or from a hard drive. It is important to decide where you want to store the files before you import them. Follow these steps to choose a location and import your files:
1. Select a project or album then click the Import Files button in the toolbar.
2. Navigate to the desired files in the File Browser at the bottom of the main window (this can be files that already exist on hard drive or a memory card).


3. Select the check boxes for the desired clips. You can also click the Check All or Uncheck All buttons at the top of the window.


4. In the right column, choose a destination for the files. Specify where you want the files to be located in Aperture:

• Click a project or folder in the Library pane to target it.
• Choose New Project from the Destination menu to create a new project to hold the imported items.

5. Specify the media management approach you'd like to use. Click the Store Files menu and choose one of these options:

• In the Aperture Library moves the files into a managed library. These files can be exported but will be copied to a new location.
• In their current location leaves the files where they are located. This is the best approach if you've already copied your video files to an editing drive.
• Your User folder is available (and is labeled with your default name).
• The Pictures folder in your home directory is another option.
• Choose lets you specify another location. This option works well when you want to target a specific drive (such as your project's media drive). The Choose option can be used to copy the media from the camera memory to an editing location.

6. Click Imported Checked when you’re ready to add the files to your project. The files are then added to your library.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP Read More...

Want to create your own Motion templates for use in Final Cut Pro? In this video lesson you’ll learn how to combine After Effects and Motion into a template project that can then be updated from within Final Cut Pro.



You can also visit the website www.peachpit.com/videomac in order to download sample files.

I have two new iPhoto training titles released today from Peachpit Press. I am very proud of these and hope you enjoy them. For you pros... its perfect for your family members/parents. These are two very cool titles that I made especially for the iPhoto users out there.

iPhoto: Fix Your Photos – http://tinyurl.com/iphotofix
The videos provide easy to follow tutorials that help you fix common problems with pictures. You'll learn how to straighten and crop, adjust dark photos, and bring out the color in your snapshots. You'll also learn how to fix soft focus, red eye, and overexposed photos. Whether you're new to iPhoto or even an experienced user, you'll find useful techniques and powerful shortcuts to get your work done faster. Each lesson includes hands on files so you can work along with the instructor.

iPhoto: Share Your Photos - http://tinyurl.com/iphotoshare
The videos provide easy to follow tutorials that help you share your pictures over email or post them online to services including MobileMe, Facebook, and Flickr. You’ll also learn techniques for making slideshows and creating your own blog. Whether you're new to iPhoto or even an experienced user, you’ll find useful techniques and powerful shortcuts to share your photos easily. Each lesson includes hands on files so you can follow along with the instructor.

Hi all... happy news in the Aperture 3 was just announced and shipped. This is not a full review (I am slammed with Macworld and finishing up a book for print). But I couldn't resist playing with the new version and look forward to jumping in.

Here are my top 10 reasons to upgrade for current users. More details soon...

1. Better Filmstrip and Fullscreen View – It's much easier to work with your images and really get at the details.
2. Backup on Import – Have your media go to two drives at once. This is HUGE.
3. Places – Yes it's in iPhoto... but now that GPS tag makes it so much easier to sort by location. I also use this as a tool for site surveys and planning from shoot scouts.
4. Faces – Again... was in iPhoto last year, but I'll take it. Facial recognition to organize your library. This is great for finding pictures of one subject. It's freaky good too.
5. Focus Points – Actually see where the camera used points to auto focus. This is very useful for evaluating sharpness.
6. Search on Steroids – Okay, that's not its actual name. But it's amazing... you can sort by usage, face, place, time, file type, all sorts of things. Literally search by Who, Where, When... I'm still waiting on Why.
7. Nondestructive Brushes with Edge Detection – Easily cleanup images with all sorts of spot adjustments. Completely nondestructive and editable, including the ability to view the selections mask and tweak it at any time. Oh... and they work with Wacom tablets too. The skin smoothing brush is dreamy good.
8. Curves! – 'nuff said.
9. Adjustment Presets – Useful starting points or make your own. Can even apply them upon import to batch fix problems.
10. Video – You can organize it, trim it, media manage it, drag it into Final Cut Pro, export out versions, use it in new slideshows. Uh huh... that's right... video.

You can see a detailed list of all 200 features here – http://www.apple.com/aperture/features/

I am working on two new DVDs and video titles for Kelby Training – tell them you want more!

Also, be sure to check out the great site – http://www.apertureexpert.com/

This line says it best – "Budgets lead to money and money leads to exciting things"



Check out more shows from MacBreak – http://www.youtube.com/user/macbreaksf

(February 5, 2010) Canon's EOS E1 video plug-in for Apple's Final Cut Pro was released today. This new plug-in allows simple and easy transfer of video content from Canon’s EOS DSLR cameras directly into Final Cut Pro.

The EOS E1 video plug-in takes advantage of Final Cut Pro’s powerful Log and Transfer feature, which allows users to select and mark the video directly while it is still on the camera, add custom metadata and ingest the clips in the background so the editing can begin immediately.

The EOS E1 video plug-in is a free download available at http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/finalcutstudio/. The plug-in is compatible with Final Cut Pro 6 or higher and currently supports Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 7D and EOS 1D Mark IV cameras.

Richard Harrington shows Alex Lindsay how to streamline document updates with a customized media placeholder in Pages '09.

Adding video elements to a presentation is an easy way to make a good presentation a great one. In this video, we add a video to an Apple Keynote presentation and go through all the options of using video in it.

I recently wrote a review for a new filter called Continuum Cartoon Look for Layers Magazine. Here it is.

Everywhere you turn, you’ll spot the “look”: video footage transformed to look like a cartoon. In a traditional workflow, the process involves rotoscoping. An artist literally traces animation frame by frame over the original source. The technique was invented by Max Fleischer around 1915, and has been used by animators on classic films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Cinderella, as well as modern movies such as Titan A.E. and Waking Life.

The process is very tedious, however, so many video pros and motion graphics artists have been on a quest for an easier solution. These days you’ll find several products on the market to transform your video footage to look like it’s a cartoon. Early options such as Studio Artist ($379; www.synthetik.com) and market leaders like ToonIt ($399; www.redgiantsoftware.com) have all seen heavy use.

While they’re not new to the plug-in market, Boris FX has released their own take on cartoon filters. The Boris Continuum Unit: Cartoon Look breaks out four filters from the larger plug-in package Continuum Complete. The set is only $199 (significantly less than competitors) and runs in several host applications including Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, as well as Apple Final Cut Pro and Motion. The four filters for stylizing your footage include:


Read More...

We've got another episode of MacBreak Work! Rich Harrington shows Alex how to use Mail Merge in iWork '09. This is a great way to create several customized documents from a database.

Here are links to get the free episode.

http://www.pixelcorps.tv/macbreak_work018

http://www.youtube.com/user/macbreaksf

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=308761591

Direct Download

Our friends at the Peachpit User Group Program are making a special offer for all Mac User Groups who are interested delivering both great information on video production and a great price on a Peachpit book to their members.

Peachpit would like to give your group a unique opportunity to provide your members with high-quality articles and video instruction from Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman’s critically acclaimed Peachpit book, Video Made on a Mac: Production and Postproduction using Apple Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite absolutely free.
Get more information – here

Want to refine a multicamera edit? Learn how to harness the power of trimming to refine the timing of your shots.

To download sample files, visit www.peachpit.com/videomac.

MacBreak Work is back! In this new episode we cover how to align items in a presentation. You'll also learn cool new transitions in Keynote ‘09.

Here are links to get the free episode.

http://www.pixelcorps.tv/macbreak_work017

http://www.youtube.com/user/macbreaksf

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=308761591

Always nice to have one of my books get a 10/10 review – go team! Thanks to the folks over at MyMac.com for a detailed review of our Aperture 2 book.

"Aperture 2: Professionally Manage Digital Photographs goes into every little things that Aperture can do for you. While you can easily see and use the sliders in the interface, it is not obvious by looking at them that using a modifier key will improve the tools' functionality. They are also describing features like round-tripping to an external editor, such as Photoshop. And if your camera RAW file format is not yet recognized by Aperture, did you know you can use a free DNG converter from Adobe to be able to edit it in Aperture without having to wait for Apple to update the software? I point this out, because historically speaking Adobe has been faster to implement RAW decodes for new cameras than Apple ever was."

See the whole review here.

Get the book here.

Want to learn how to do a basic computer monitor calibration? Check out this video.
To download sample files, visit www.peachpit.com/videomac.

Check out this video on making secondary corrections in Final Cut Pro. Secondary corrections are corrections that affect only part of the picture. They’re very useful for fixing problems or creating looks.

Apple's ProRes Codec is a great tool for professional video editors. Apple has released a version that let's PC users and editors read the files created on a Mac. This is great for video and mograf folks. It's a free download. I made a new tiny URL for my Windows friends.. http://tinyurl.com/prorespc

Looking for another way to key? Be sure to check out this video for a detailed demonstration of keying with Apple Motion. You can also visit the website www.peachpit.com/videomac in order to download sample files.

This looks to be something worth keeping an eye on. Google reveals more about their new Operating System.

Here's a cool picture for those of you into Apple. Click the image to view the full-resolution poster.

Have you seen our new book? Be sure to check out the Facebook group for more resources.

We've also got a new podcast series too with free tips and practice files. Web or iTunes for free.

"On a Mac, the sky's the limit for creating professional video. With all the tools available though, it can be a daunting task to decide which ones offer the best solutions for combined efficiency and high-level results. How can you effectively communicate your vision to clients and crew? How should you calibrate your camera for multi-camera and green screen shoots? Is it better to do your keying in After Effects, Motion, or Final Cut? How should you set up your edit suite for efficiency and accuracy? How do you manage large amounts of media and a multitude of formats for multiple software applications?

In Video Made on a Mac, you'll learn the answers and much more. Chock-full of practical advice and step-by-step instructions, each chapter provides insight on the critical components of production and postproduction that can make all the difference when you're up against a tight budget and schedule. The accompanying DVD supplies you with project files and high-definition footage so you can follow along with the examples, as well as 50 training videos. Whether you're an advanced Mac user or just beginning to incorporate Adobe Creative Suite into your Final Cut Studio workflow, you'll learn to apply best-practice techniques to all your video projects."

Are you capturing video with your DSLR video camera? My new training video just launched over at Kelby Training.

Editing Your DSLR Video on a Mac

Your DSLR shoots video! Cool right!? Now what? You've probably got more video than you know what to do with. Richard Harrington created this course to help you with how to edit that video footage (using Mac software). Rich covers everything from in-the-field tips all the way to post-production techniques using Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express and iMovie

Be sure to check the class out today.

Here's a link to the trailer for the video as well.

While it is said to affect only a "small number of customers," I am glad this update was released (I'm small apparently). Apple released an update to fix "intermittent hard drive related pauses" that could impact performance.

The update is for the following machines:

• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)
• MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
• MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
• MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2009)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008)
• iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009)
• iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)
• iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)
• Mac mini (Early 2009)

The update is available for both Snow Leopard and Leopard.

Check out our new podcast series. Join Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman as we show you how to create professional video on the Mac. We share videos and project files using real world examples in Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite. From pre-production to post, these podcasts gives you a sample of what you can learn using their book, Video Made on the a Mac. You can use the code MACVIDEO for 35% off and free shipping.

Watch the latest FREE episodes:
• Organizing Images with Bridge
• Prepping Storyboards for Animation

Do you ever wonder what’s going on with your laptop battery? Does it seem like it just doesn’t power your MacBook Pro as long as it used to?

Check out coconutBattery which shows you the current maximum capacity of a battery in relation to the original capacity your battery had as it left the factory. You can also find out how many battery-loadcycles (how often did you fully load your battery). This information is useful because you can tell when a battery is going bad (and if you aren't being a good laptop owner). Plus it will tell you how old the computer is, which is useful for birthday parties and whining about needing a new machine. You can get coconutBattery for free by clicking here.

If all this talk about battery maintenance has you confused, visit this page for some useful tips. While its an Apple page, the same advice holds true for Windows laptops with Lithium Ion batteries.

I often find when I am browsing the Net to select text and drag it to the Desktop. I often use these clippings as a way to gather a few notes. The only problem with this system is that you can’t modify the clipping. If you open the clipping in the Finder you can read it, copy the text to your clipboard, but that’s about it. But don’t worry, there’s a great piece of freeware to make tweaks.

Everyday Software has released ClipEdit so you can modify both text and image clippings. The program is free and very useful if you collect bits of knowledge/trivia. For best results try the following.

1. Right-click (Control-click) on a clipping file and choose Get Info.
2. Change the Open with: drop down menu to ClipEdit
3. Click Change All…

ClipEdit is now set as the default editor for all clippings… much more useful and all it’ll cost you is a visit to Everyday Software.

So, making a book using iPhoto is still the best. I sat down and was going to use Aperture, but it didn't have the theme I wanted (although both use the same engine and printer service). If you've never made a book, the process is a snap.
1. Select the photos you want in the browser (pick more than you think you'll need)
2. Click the Book icon in the Toolbar
3. Flip from page to page (choosing layout options from the Toolbar)
4. Drag photos in and scale and position using intuitive controls.

Mini books start at $4 and larger books range between $20 -$30 depending on soft or hard covers. It really makes a nice keepsake for friends or even a new way to build a portfolio. But what about 'proofing?' Well you can share the book before you print it.

1. In iPhoto, choose File > Print.
2. In the Print Window, choose Save as PDF.
3. Pick a destination, then name the file and click OK.
4. Send the PDF to those who need to review it.

The mini books make great leave behinds for clients or potential employers.

This is a book that I’ve wanted to write for a LONG time.

Video Made on a Mac: Production and Postproduction Using Apple Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite

Richard Harrington I have just returned my final comments for the new book Video Made on a Mac. We are now compressing the 5.5 hours of HD video lessons that come with this book. This book is SO awesome... (I am not objective, but its the best book I've ever written). If you work with Final Cut Studio and/or Adobe Creative Suite... You need this book. We have filled it to the brim with time saving workflow and practical advice.

Here’s the official blurb – You can order it here on Amazon (it’ll ship in a few weeks).

On a Mac, the sky's the limit for creating professional video. With all the tools available though, it can be a daunting task to decide which ones offer the best solutions for combined efficiency and high-level results. How can you effectively communicate your vision to clients and crew? How should you calibrate your camera for multi-camera and green screen shoots? Is it better to do your keying in After Effects, Motion, or Final Cut? How should you set up your edit suite for efficiency and accuracy? How do you manage large amounts of media and a multitude of formats for multiple software applications?

In Video Made on a Mac, you'll learn the answers and much more. Chock-full of practical advice and step-by-step instructions, each chapter provides insight on the critical components of production and postproduction that can make all the difference when you're up against a tight budget and schedule. The accompanying DVD supplies you with project files and high-definition footage so you can follow along with the examples, as well as 50 training videos. Whether you're an advanced Mac user or just beginning to incorporate Adobe Creative Suite into your Final Cut Studio workflow, you'll learn to apply best-practice techniques to all your video projects.

Need to know the latest about Final Cut Studio? Want to look something up about ProRes from your iPhone? Hate those big printed manuals that waste paper?
While its not a revolutionary step (others like Adobe have already placed their docs online) it is still a welcomed event. Some might wonder if trimming the manuals out allowed the huge price cut?
Regardless… the manuals and an even better Workflows document are now online.
The Apple documentation team has converted all of the documentation for the web.  It is freely searchable and can even be linked to if you need to point to a specific article to help a colleague (an even nicer way to say RTFM).
You’ll find them here at http://documentation.apple.com/
A great document is also the “Final Cut Studio Workflows.” It’s a little hidden within the Final Cut Pro help library: http://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutstudio/workflows/
It offers great ideas on how Final Cut Studio applications fit into a post-production workflow.  You’ll also find practical guidance on how Final Cut Studio apps work with one another.
Enjoy.

Yes we all new it would eventually come… the “new Final Cut Studio” was announced. We’ll let the cheers and moans begin after a few days of testing the final release (just ordered mine 30 minutes ago).
But there are a few surprises.. mainly price! Here’s the great news (especially in this economy)
Final Cut Studio 2 – NEW was $1,299 the new Final Cut Studio – NEW is $999
Here’s the best news Final Cut Studio 2 upgrade – was $499 - $699 the new Final Cut Studio upgrade – is $299
I have confirmed… doesn’t matter which version you are upgrading from… I took it right to Apple and got a straight answer.
That is $299 for ANYONE to upgrade from a full copy of Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Studio (except Student or NFR copies).
More on new features soon… but let me just say:
In the current economic client, it’s truly appreciated to see software pricing that respects the long-term customer.  This is a no-brainer upgrade… speed and power without pinching your wallet.  Thanks Apple… I mean it!
Full press release HERE

I just got this email from Apple about a special on Time Machine.

“Save $30 on a 500GB Time Capsule. Time Capsule works with Time Machine in Leopard to back up your Mac computers wirelessly and automatically. And as a MobileMe member, you can access files on your Time Capsule drive over the Internet, wherever you go.”

Use this Promo Code at checkout: T2N3L7GJE8”

The code might be a one-time use.... so try it (first come first served).

I already have one and these work great.

I recently spoke at the Authors Video Workshops in Boston. The event was sponsored by the BOSFCPUG & Focal Press. Over two days, I spoke on three topics I am passionate about: Photoshop, Final Cut, and web video.

Here are some of the promised resources.

Photoshop For Video

• Slides
• Book
• Website
• Podcast

Professional Color Correction in Final Cut Pro

• Book
• Website
• DVD
• Podcast

Producing Video Podcasts and Web Video

• Slides
• Book
• Website
• Podcast

Enjoy... reviews on Amazon and iTunes always appreciated.

If you’ve wondered why I’ve been so quite lately... it’s because I’ve been hard at work on both of these books. I’m proud to announce that these will be shipping in just a few weeks. Both feature a ton of new projects and all sorts of new tips. Even if you have previous editions of the books, you won’t want to miss these. We’ve completely rewritten nearly every chapter with a ton of new projects, design tips, and a bunch of really helpful advice.


Apple Training Series: iWork 09
In the only Apple-certified guide to iWork ’09, you’ll learn to create everything from first-rate business presentations and newsletters to effective budgets and event planners. Focused lessons take you step by step through all aspects of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. The self-paced book/DVD combo uses real-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediately to your own projects. You’ll learn to:

• Master the iWork suite of tools quickly through fun, real-world projects
• Design a Keynote presentation from storyboard to Web export
• Add animated charts and motion backgrounds to a presentation with ease
• Publish great-looking newsletters and brochures in print and on the Web
• Build a professional marketing package from scratch
• Create expense reports, track budgets, and plan special events
• Sort, organize, and chart data using sophisticated spreadsheet calculations

Get iWork ‘09 for 34% off the cover price

Apple Training Series: iLife 09
In the only Apple-certified guide to iLife ’09, the authors have you working miracles with iLife within the first few pages. Featuring footage and images from around the world, this book/DVD combo uses real-life material and practical lessons that you can apply immediately to your own projects. Focused lessons take you step by step through all aspects of iLife ’09—everything from organizing and sharing your photo library to creating polished video and soundtracks. Along the way, you’ll produce movies, photobooks, podcasts, websites, blogs, and custom DVDs.

Get iLife ‘09 for 34% off the cover price

I worked hard on these... there’s a ton of new stuff and I really hope you check them out.

Seems like times are changing... Apple (and more importantly, movie studios) have decided to start offering high-definition movie sales and rentals through the iTunes Store. This is yet another sign that consumers want digital downloads (and are willing to pay a fair price). Let’s hope more studios come on board.

Starting today, movie fans can purchase box office blockbusters for download in HD for $19.99 from iTunes, and films will be available as iTunes Movie Rentals in HD for $4.99 within 30 days after release. Customers can enjoy these films in HD on their Mac or PC and on their widescreen TV with Apple TV, as well as in standard definition on their iPhone or iPod with video.

I recently had a chance to shoot a bunch of podcasts with Alex Lindsay and the great folks at Pixel Corps.

“Learn how to get the most out of your mac at Work! From iWork to communication to databases to networking hardware – MacBreak Work will help you MACsimize your productivity!”

Be sure to check out the new show, MacBreak Work.

You can view it on the web or subscribe for free in iTunes.

Author Richard Harrington demonstrates using the vibrancy slider in Aperture.

Author Richard Harrington shares tips on how to do some basic adjustments to images in Aperture.

We’ve partnered with the cool folks over at mDialog to bring you our Aperture show... now on Apple TV and the iPhone. To view our episodes on your phone, just download the free mDialog application from the iTunes App Store.

“The mDialog application is always available as a free download worldwide from Apple's App Store on iPhone and IPod Touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/ or click on the link on the mDialog site.”

Be sure to download and try it out.... it works great and is absolutely free.

I know some of you hate iPhone posts (sorry)....

But here’s something I just had to gush about.... The mophie Juice Pack iPhone battery is shipping. I had the original battery pack, but with the new form-factor for the 3G phones, I had to upgrade. Here’s the specs:

• Standby Time – Up to 350 hours
• Talk Time – 6 additional hours on 3G | 12 hours on 2G
• Internet Use – 6 additional hours on 3G | 7 hours on Wi-Fi
• Audio Playback – 28 additional hours
• Video Playback – 8 additional hours

This device is absolutely awesome and lets me get through a long day of business.

Besides repairing, the Retouch brush in Aperture offers the ability to clone within an image. This works well to copy pixels from one area of an image to another as a way to hide imperfections or repeat objects. The cloning option is fast because it doesn’t attempt to blend pixels.

1 Press X to select the Retouch tool.
2 Select the Retouch HUD and click the Clone button.
3 In the Retouch HUD, adjust the brush Radius and the Softness.
4 Hold down the Option key and click the area you want to sample.

Tip
It’s often better to take a few strokes to build up the texture. Be careful as you clone so you don’t introduce stray strokes.

5 Brush over the area you want to clone.
6 Repeat brushstrokes as needed.

Tip
If you get an unintended stroke, you can choose Undo. If you return to a retouched image you can also delete a Retouch brush stroke at any time by clicking the Delete button in the Retouch area of the Adjustments pane. Note that brush strokes can be deleted only in reverse order because they’re recorded sequentially.

As an iPhoto user chooses to migrate to Aperture, they’ll likely have a large library of images to bring with them. Aperture offers twoasy ways to migrate iPhoto images into your Aperture library. Which method you select will vary depending upon your needs.

Migrating an Entire iPhoto Library

When you launch Aperture for the first time, a dialog offers to let you import your entire iPhoto library. You can choose to copy the images into your Aperture library or to simply reference the images in their current location. Even if you choose not to import your Aperture library the first time you launch, you can do so at any time.

Because Aperture and iPhoto are both manufactured by Apple, the two programs are designed to share information seamlessly. For example, any organization you did to create albums in iPhoto will translate into projects in Aperture. The EXIF, keywords, ratings, and applied adjustments are also maintained.

Importing an iPhoto library is very easy. To import your iPhoto library, do the following:
1. Choose File > Import > iPhoto Library. Aperture navigates automatically to your current iPhoto library.
2. Select the iPhoto Library folder using the file browser.

3. Choose the location where you’d like Aperture to store your images.

• • Choose "In the Aperture Library" from the Store Files pop-up menu to store imported masters in the Aperture library. This will allow Aperture to manage the images in its library architecture.
• • Choose "In their current location" from the Store Files pop-up menu to import the files as referenced images. This means the files are stored in their current locations on your hard drive.
• • Choose "Pictures" from the Store Files pop-up menu to store imported masters in the Pictures folder for the current user. The images are treated as referenced images.
• • Choose "Choose" from the Store Files pop-up menu and pick a folder where you want to store the imported masters as referenced images. You can also specify an organization method for the images by clicking the Subfolders pop-up menu.

4. Specify a naming convention from the Version Name pop-up menu. You can choose Master Filename from the Version Name pop-up menu to store your images using the current master filenames assigned by the camera. There are also several options for assigning custom names.
5. Click Import to add the images to your Aperture library.

Author Richard Harrington shares tips on how to do some basic adjustments to images in Aperture.

Welcome to Part 1 in our series comparing iPhoto to Aperture. I invite you to check out the Apple Pro Training Series guide to Aperture 2 for more information on getting the most out of this powerful software.

Nondestructive Image Processing

Both Aperture and iPhoto offer nondestructive image processing.At any point during the image adjustment process you can restore your image to its original state.Although both iPhoto and Aperture feature nondestructive imaging,they take a different approach to achieve it.

Read More...

Oftentimes you’ll need to create a form letter to send to multiple clients (such as an address change or a promotional letter). If you’d like to personalize these letters, Apple Pages makes it easy to insert data you’ve defined for contacts in Address Book. This can save you time because you can reuse a letter, envelope, or other document for multiple people. This feature is generally called a mail merge.
Read More...

The following tip comes from the Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 book published by Peachpit Press.

Let’s look at two adjustment controls in the RAW Fine Tuning controls group: Boost and Hue Boost. Aperture includes a set ofcamera profiles for all supported cameras.These profiles give Aperture specific details about each camera’s imaging characteristics,and are used to determine what color and contrast adjustments should be automatically applied to the RAW file.These adjustments are done to apply the optimal decode based on the manufacturer ofthe camera.

The Boost slider lets you control the degree to which this default adjustment is applied to your image.By default,the Boost slider is set at full strength,so your image appears with the full level ofcorrection.As you drag the slider to the left,the correction is reduced.The Boost slider is handy for times when you feel your images have too much contrast or are a little too saturated.

Read More...

What would happen if you locked Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in the same apartment (like Big Brother)? Well you get the risque comic strip – The Silicon Apartment (PG-13). The strip is really quite good and skewers both sides.

Just saw WALL-E with my son, and in typical Pixar fashion, it is awesome!

Two quick things I found hilarious for the Mac-Geeks out there.

First, there is a character in the film called Auto, who is an auto-pilot robot for the ship. The character’s voice is done by Macintalk, the speech synthesizer included with the Mac back in 1984. It sounded familiar, and I confirmed it as the “actor credit” actually appears at the end of the film.

Second, there is a scene where WALL-E reboots... and yes, it is the Macintosh startup chime that you hear. I found myself laughing out loud (and I think I was the only one within 20 rows of me who got the joke (geek!).

Seems like a lot of folks have forgotten (or never learned) how to scan photos. With this is mind, I offer some practical scanning advice. Several problems can be introduced by those using antiquated scanners with a distinct lack of skill. To get the best results, try the following:

• Before scanning an image, ensure you have the latest software needed by your scanner. You can always check their websites or use Version Tracker. Having problems with a lack of support on the OSX side for older scanners. I recommend checking out VueScan from Hamrick Software.

Read More...

There’s been a lot of ho-hum reviews on the Apple TV… too much of this, not enough of that… but these have all been focussed on the consumer space and the living room.  What I’m here to tell you is why video pros should care about the Apple TV (and why we swear by it in my shop).  Here are a few reasons we use Apple TV at my shop, RHED Pixel.

Read More...

In the category of so new the paint is still drying.... I present to you the Aperture 2: Quick Tip podcast. You can find the first two episodes online now (as well as embedded here for streaming).

To see the show online and subscribe in a web browser:
HD Web – http://www.podango.com/podcast/3044/Aperture_2_Quick_Tip__HD
HD iTunes – http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=282371228
iPod Web – http://www.podango.com/podcast/3043/Aperture_Quick_Tips__iPod
iPod iTunes – http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=282371245

“Looking to learn all about Aperture 2, Apple's powerful image-editing and organization software? Whether you are new to Aperture or an experienced pro, there's a lot to learn. Aperture 2 is a major update, adding over 100 new features as well as support for a wide- range of digital SLR cameras. This podcast is based on the best selling book, Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 and features co- author RIchard Harrington. Join us each week for a concise, but detailed look at the useful tools and workflows used by imaging professionals. Aperture 2's new features are completely covered, including a new RAW-image processing engine, a streamlined interface, powerful new adjustment tools, and added integration with Mac OS X and other Apple products for instant web publishing and one-click portfolio syncing. You'll learn time- saving techniques for sorting, ranking, and organizing images, effective methods for correcting and enhancing images, plus efficient ways to display images for client review, apply metadata, update your online portfolio automatically, and much more. Real-world exercises feature professional photography from a variety of genres, including photo-journalism, sports, wedding, commercial, and portraiture. To learn more on the software, be sure to check out the Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 book.”

The following tip comes from the Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 book published by Peachpit Press.

Once the displays are attached, you’re ready to configure Aperture for multi-screen viewing. When two displays are connected to your Mac, Aperture considers the main display—the one with the menu bar—to be the primary Viewer. The other display is the secondary Viewer. By default, the primary Viewer displays the Aperture application.

Let’s specify the function of the secondary Viewer.
Read More...

I know a lot of folks who are hesitant to upgrade.... I admit, I've been burned by installing updates as soon as they come out... but hey, that's why I'm an early adopter. The latest Mac update looks to include several important bug fixes and enhancements. Here's a few that tip the scale in favor of installing.

• Addresses an issue with stuttering video and audio playback in certain USB devices.
• Fixes an issue in which certain attached hard drives may not show up in the Finder.
• Includes additional RAW image support for several cameras.
• Improves 802.1X behavior and reliability.
• Improves reliability when using Time Capsule.
• Fixes reliability issues with authenticated RSS feeds.
• Addresses compatibility issues with Aperture 2.
• Addresses reliability issues when performing a full restore from a Time Machine backup.

You can access the update through your Apple Menu.... I’ve been running it for several days and all seems happy. Additionally, several new pro digital cameras were added for Raw support.

Sometimes third-party plug-ins fill obvious holes... this is truly the case here. Wouldn't it make sense to be able to quickly send photos from Apple Aperture to Final Cut Pro? You'd think that sort of thing would be built right in (its not). Fortunately the fine folks over at Connected Flow over an elegant (and free) solution.

“The Aperture to Final Cut Pro plugin lets you take your images stored in Apple's professional photo management application and send them directly to a video sequence in Final Cut Pro. From within Aperture, you can select photos, set their order and duration and select transitions between frames.”

The Aperture to Final Cut Pro plugin is a free download and is provided on an as-is basis.

I just appeared on the latest episode of TWIP (This week in Photography). The show is hosted by Scott Bourne & Alex Lindsay
We discussed the new book Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 (Apple Pro Training Series). Here are a few highlights:

• As both a photographer and author, his challenge in writing books like this one is to remember that the purpose of the software is not to bring something out that wasn’t there, but rather to enhance something that (for whatever reason) you couldn’t capture. We’ve all been in those situations where time is so short that you don’t get the lighting quite ideal, etc.
• Right now, use of an Aperture plug-in works much like a round-trip to Photoshop. A new version of the image is created, edited via the plug-in, and “returned” to Aperture’s control. Granted, you never alter your original image, so you never lose the ability to go back and start again on a process that utilized a plug-in. Ultimately, true non-destructive plug-ins might happen, but there’s no absolute way to know with Apple being so tight-lipped about their development process.- The book covers a wide range of output targets including prints, books, web use, iPhone, AppleTV, etc.

I came home tonight and found a copy of Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 sitting on my door step. I'm quite happy with how the book came out (especially since we were able to work in all of the new features in the 2.1 release). The book should start shipping within days... you can order it here. In the mean time (here are some features you won't want to miss).

Customize the Default Adjustment Set
Specify exactly which adjustments you want to appear by default in the Adjustments Inspector/HUD. Two new commands — Add to Default Set and Remove from Default Set — are accessible in the Action pop-up menu for each adjustment in order to configure these settings.

Keyboard support in Adjustment Panels
Make precise image adjustments using the arrow keys on your keyboard to drive the various sliders in the Adjustments Inspector/HUD. To activate keyboard control, click once in the numeric field of an adjustment control (such as Exposure). You can then use the arrow keys to increase or decrease values. Hold down the Option key when using the arrow keys for even more precise adjustment. You can use Tab to move to the next adjustment control (and Shift-Tab to move to a previous control).

Read More...

Adobe released the Adobe Media Player software on April 9, which allows a customizable, cross-platform media player experience. Built using the Adobe AIR runtime, the media player harnessed the power of Flash to create a rich media experience. To complete the experience, Adobe adds support for both RSS feeds and H.264 video, two of the open standards used by the podcasting movement.

What does this all mean? I had a chance to sit down with Deeje Cooley, who serves as an evangelist for Adobe’s Dynamic Media Organization (and formerly as the product manager for the Adobe Media Player). Cooley was tasked with bringing the product to market and he shared insight into Adobe’s motivation for the product and goals for its role in the market. Unlike competing products, the Adobe Media Player has chosen to focus on being a video-only player.

“The growth of video online, the dramatic growth of flash as the video delivery mechanism of choice… there was a ripe opportunity to take advantage of all these events around the industry,” said Cooley. “We started to build an RSS aggregator and quickly recognized that video was going to be a significant media online and so it became a video RSS aggregator. And so that’s really the birth of the Adobe Media Player.”

MUCH MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Read More...

I just released two newly updated Final Cut Pro discs. We updated our Absolute Training for Final Cut Studios Disc 1 & 2. Both DVDs are full current for Final Cut Studio 2 and include hands-on training files as well as HD resolution training and iPod files.

Apple Final Cut Pro
Volume 1: Getting Started in Final Cut Pro
Volume 2: Going Deeper in Final Cut Studio

Also, you may have missed that we recently released the following titles. These also include HD and iPod versions on the same disc.

Apple Color
Volume 11: Introduction to Color
Volume 12: Advanced Color
Bundled for Savings

Apple Motion
Volume 13: Getting Started with Apple Motion
Volume 14: Going Deeper with Apple Motion
Volume 15: Advanced Techniques with Apple Motion
Bundled for Savings

I took the plunge and got an Apple TV for our living room (we already had one in the office). The Device is cross-platform and works really well. Apple updated the software in February and added some great features. Here's what I like the most:

• The HD Rentals work great and look on par with Blu-ray
• Movies are affordable, priced between $2.99 and $4.99
• Downloads start to play in less than 5 minutes
• I can watch podcasts on the big screen (it's weird to watch yourself in HD)
• Accessing music, movies, and photos from any computer in the house is near instant
• The device is easy to hook up
• My three-year old can figure it out
• YouTube's expected switch to bigger image size will be great

Looking for an easy way to white-balance on a shoot? I just discovered the useful Whibal White Balance Reference Cards.

Here's what I like:

• Lightweight and single-card format.
• Light Gray, certified to recommended Luminance
• Includes Black and White Spots
• Focus and Sharpness targets
• Sturdy and Easy to Pack (it even floats)
• Affordable

Numbers is a really useful spreadsheet program that comes in the Apple iWork suite. I'm a big fan (I wrote the official book after all). I just stumbled across this great website called NumbersTemplates.com that offers a ton of free templates that makes Numbers even more useful.

Some of my favorites include.

Project Management Template
Baseball Scorecard
Scuba Log

If you are on the fence, don't be. The application suite costs $79, has a 16% market share, and reads and writes all of the Office Formats.

When I look at what Apple has accomplished its been an interesting journey. The company has released a ton of great products (and also a few clunkers). I have found a great image that lets you see much of the product line laid out chronologically. After all, you can't get to the great Mighty Mouse without first passing the "hockey puck."

It really is pretty interesting to see the "big" picture. Be sure to click on the graphic so you can zoom in and view.

Two more of my classes are now online at Kelby Training.

Photoshop for Video - Working With Photos
Richard Harrington uncovers techniques essential for video editors who are working with Photos in Photoshop. He shares his best practices for working with graphic and still images in a video environment.

Photoshop for Video - Technical Essentials
Join Adobe Certified Trainer Richard Harrington, as he uncovers the Technical Essentials of Adobe Photoshop CS3 for video professionals and enthusiasts.

You can access all the classes online for only $19.99 per month (besides mine there's a ton of great stuff up there).

Forgive the short blog posts... I'm a little busy for the next two weeks finishing this:

“Fully updated for Aperture 2, this comprehensive book-DVD training combo starts with the basics of image management and takes you step by step all the way through Aperture's powerful photo-editing, image-retouching, proofing, publishing, and archiving features. Aperture 2's new features are completely covered, including a new RAW-image processing engine, a streamlined interface, powerful new adjustment tools, and added integration with Mac OS X and other Apple products for instant web publishing and one-click portfolio syncing. Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 delivers comprehensive training - the equivalent of a two-day course - in one project-based book. You'll learn time-saving techniques for sorting, ranking, and organizing images, effective methods for correcting and enhancing images, plus efficient ways to display images for client review, apply metadata, update your online portfolio automatically, and much more. Real-world exercises feature professional photography from a variety of genres, including photo-journalism, sports, wedding, commercial, and portraiture. All the files you need to complete the exercises are included on the DVD.”

And by fully-updated... its a completely new book with all-new photos and a ton of cool new things.

In the meantime... check out these free online videos and my review: Top 10 Reasons To Upgrade to Aperture 2.

From Scott Kelby's Photoshop Insider Blog

We’ve posted our first online class from Digital Video Guru (and Photoshop World Instructor) Richard Harrington, and it’s one a lot of people have been asking for: Getting Started with Apple Motion. Here’s the link to Rich’s new online class over at KelbyTraining.com. Note: We’ve got a lot more classes coming from Rich very soon, so stayed tuned! (That’s TV talk. I thought Rich would appreciate that type of jargon).

I've just completed three new DVDs on Apple Motion. We shot the titles in HD, and the screen quality is awesome. On each title you get a regular DVD, iPod ready files, and HD files for viewing on a computer or Apple TV. There are three volumes at $59 each or a bundle of all three for $139. Each comes with hands on lesson files and a lot of cool stuff is covered.

“From beginner to master in one set, these three DVD’s will take you step by step through Apple Motion and have you ready to tackle complex projects in just hours. Join Richard Harrington in this three DVD set of clear, concise training that will have you producing higher quality work with Apple Motion in no time.”

You can get the training from VASST.com. If you want a discount code... Post a comment and I'll send it to you.

Major Upgrade Features Improved Interface, Faster Browsing & Enhanced Image Processing

Press Release: CUPERTINO, California—February 12, 2008—Apple® today introduced Aperture™ 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use and more powerful. With a streamlined user interface and entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web, iPhone™, iPod® touch and Apple TV®. At a new low price of $199, anyone can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro.

The new update is great.... I'm actually co-authoring the official Apple book on the software now. More details soon.

I saw this very cool product at Macworld Expo called Flow. It is a revolutionary workflow management technology designed to work with Adobe and Apple software. The product took Best of Show (and for good reason). You can see it in action in a video demo on their site. 

"Flow is a revolutionary approach to digital content management that dramatically simplifies the design process for creative professionals working on graphic design, web and video projects. Flow automatically tracks your work from idea to end result and manages your assets and applications for your most complex projects- all without changing the way you work."

Flow isn't shipping for a while, but GridIron is accepting sign-ups for beta testing.

Just wanted to let you know that Amazon is running a special on the new Final Cut book I co-authored. They've got the book for less than $20 (thats a third off the cover price).

Book Description
Packed with more than 500 techniques, this book delivers what you need to knowon the spot. It is suited to editors of all experience levels, whether you are:

• Migrating from another NLE
• Upgrading to Final Cut Studio 2
• Seeking a handy reference to raise your proficiency

Read More...

Lot of bugs lately with QuickTime (especially in pro video applications). We've personally seen issues in both Final Cut Pro and After Effects.

Apple has released a new update to QuickTime... lets hope it's elusive “improves compatibility with third-party applications” actually means something.
Visit http://www.apple.com/support/quicktime/ for more information.

Author and video podcaster Richard Harrington explains how you can compress your video for podcast with Stomp from Shiny White Box.



Like the podcast? Subscribe for FREE.

Video podcaster and author Richard Harrington explains how to compress your podcasts fast using the Turbo.264.



Like the podcast? Subscribe for FREE.

Like many out there... I find some of the cosmetic changes in Leopard are bothersome. Fortunately, a donationware application named Xspinner does the trick.

• Customize the Dock
• Change the look of the menu bar
• Use Widgets outside of the Dashboard
• Customize the default Save and Print dialogs in all applications
• Tweak Finder settings
• Run system maintenance scripts
• and access system utilities and system logs

The biggest changes I like are making the menu bar opaque again, showing file paths in windows, and tweaking the Dock. The application is highly recommended as it is very stable and does not have to keep running after the changes are made.

Looking to share some advice on Final Cut Pro? Then take a look at our Weekly Tip Widget.

You are welcome to share this with others and add it to any website.

I just wanted to let you know that our new training on Apple Color is shipping (Motion will be coming very soon as well).

Absolute Training for Final Cut Studio, Vol. 11
Introduction to Color
Join Apple Certified Trainer Jeff Greenberg as he takes you through the basic and intermediate features of Apple Color. As a leading presenter, trainer, and creator of multimedia content, Jeff guides viewers through the most important features in Apple Color. His presentation style empowers users to get up and running in Color immediately.

To Order


Absolute Training for Final Cut Studio, Vol. 12
Advanced Color
Join Apple Certified Trainer Jeff Greenberg as he takes you well beyond the basics in Advanced Color from VASST. This DVD is designed for users who want to take advantage of the high end features found in Apple Color. As a leading presenter, trainer, and creator of multimedia content, Jeff’s presentation style allows viewers master the advanced features in Color quickly and easily.

To Order


By both and save....

I just picked up a new book that I highly recommend on maximizing your efficiency and workflow with Final Cut Pro. Be sure to check out Final Cut Pro Workflows: The Independent Studio Handbook by Jason Osder and Robbie Carman. The book has a lot of coverage on integrating graphics with Final Cut Pro and is truly useful.

“Today's digital production tools empower the small team to produce multimedia projects that formerly required large teams. Orchestrating a production requires more than proficiency with the postproduction tools. Final Cut Pro Workflows: The Independent Studio Handbook offers a cookbook of postproduction workflows that teams can follow to deliver an array of products to their clients. It describes appropriate postproduction workflows, team roles and responsibilities, and required equipment for some of the most common media productions.”

With an easy style and great depth, Final Cut Pro Workflows: The Independent Studio Handbook is an enjoyable and important read. Osder and Carman offer a diverse background and extensive experience with Final Cut Pro.

I've launched a new resource site called Final Cut Help to offer you more news on Final Cut Studio as well as centralize all of my Final Cut resources and training products. Here are a few things you may like.

• Tip of the Week – Thanks to Focal Press

• Podcasts – Back Episodes and New Subscriptions
• Forums – In partnership with Creative Cow
• Conferences – New Events and Notes from previous classes
• Blog – For all the latest news

As always... comments and requests are very welcome.

Those who know me personally, know I am very passionate about podcasting. I have been hard at work for the last year on a new book on just that, video podcasting. My business partner, Mark Weiser, and I have taken many of the hard lessons learned at RHED Pixel and put them into a book. The book is full color and richly illustrated, plus there will also be a companion website and podcast launching in January.

The book ships in February, but you can get the biggest discount by pre-ordering it from Amazon.com.

I've taken part in MacUpdate's bundle deals for a while now... here's their latest and greatest. This deal runs out soon.

“MacUpdate has partnered with 11 Mac developers to bring you a great software bundle. You can buy this bundle for $49.99 instead of $666.74, a savings of $616.75 This amazing offer is time limited so buy today.”

Here are my favorites from the bundle

• ForkLift – A useful FTP application
• RapidWeaver – A great website and blogging tool, how this website is made.
• Xslimmer –Trim an applications by removing universal versions (going to just PPC or Intel) as well as Internationalization files.
• Yep – A really cool cataloging tool for PDF files
• SRS iWOW – Makes iTunes sound great on a laptop.
• XMIND 2008 Pro – A mind-mapping application that helps creative types get their ideas down.
• iStabilize – A REALLY good image stabilization program for shaky footage.
• PulpMotion – A surprisingly useful motion graphics tool with some cool templates

I am very proud to tell you that the new book Final Cut Studio on the Spot is shipping. This third edition has a ton of new things including dedicated chapters on Multi-camera Editing and HD (and the audio chapter is HUGE). In told, more then half the book is new... so if you own a past edition, this update is worth it (and if you don't have it.. then go now). This time Robbie Carman came on board with some helpful tips and tricks.

• Optimize system performance
• Create impressive titles with Generators, Motion, LiveType, and Photoshop
• Work quickly with buttons and keyboard shortcuts
• Color correct to save vital shots, and keep them broadcast legal
• Fix and mix for professional-quality audio
• Design and import graphics seamlessly
• Integrate with other applications including Motion, Soundtrack Pro and Color
• Manage media and backup strategies
• Export and publish finished projects to tape, DVD, or the Web

Get the book here for the best price.

We absolutely adore Apple’s Keynote software. Besides importing PowerPoint files and creating beautifully animated 3D charts, it likes to share. In fact, it can create any QuickTime format. Just set up your document for a video size and export a QuickTime movie with the Export command.



Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

I recently picked up a new tablet for home use... it's actually for my three-year old who seems a bit too fascinated with the tablets in my office. Becuase budget was an issue, I picked up the new Wacom Bamboo. What I thought was merely a replacement for the old Graphire tablets is so much more. It's easy to set up, very responsive, and fun to use.

The Bamboo comes in a standard version, simply called Bamboo, which is targeted towards Windows users who need signature abilities for their documents as well as a few other perks. The "Fun" version costs $20 more (unless you go for the larger one, then its $120 more).

The tablet has four programmable buttons as well as a touch wheel. It also comes with a full version of Adobe® Photoshop® Elements and Corel® Painter™ Essentials. What surprises me is that the tablet costs the same as buying Photoshop Elements as a stand-alone application. The tablet is a nice addition to a home workstation and would be a great entry point for a new tablet user.

I just got done fighting with Adobe Photoshop in front of a live audience of people (which is pretty frustrating). Photoshop crashed every time I tried to open a file, save a file, etc. Pretty frustrating... but I solved it. The culprit was Version Cue from Adobe. Every time File Navigation Services were invoked to Open, Browse, or Save... Photoshop crashed.

Here's the fix.

1. Choose Photoshop > Preferences.

2. Click the File Handling tab.

3. Uncheck the Enable Version Cue box.

4. Quit and re-launch Photoshop.

5. Enjoy.

Apple offers an excellent service for online storage, tools, and utilities. One of those utilities is Backup, which is designed to synchronize some of your key system settings. Any file can be added to Backup and be told to archive to your iDisk (the Internet storage that comes with a .mac account). Be sure to add your active project file to the backup list and tell it to archive every night. This is an excellent way to preserve a clean copy of the project file.



Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

Peachpit Press is running a new contest featuring the $1,000 question. It's a simple question "What equipment and software would you recommend to a budding digital photographer if they had a $1000 budget to get started?" Peachpit gathered six experts (somehow I was one, you'll find me doing my best Las Vegas lounge singer impression).

You vote for the best answer (pick me) and a chance to win the prizes.

The contest:
Go to peachpit.com/1000dollarquestion and vote for your favorite digital photography package—compiled by our author experts. You’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win the package that you vote for. We’ll choose one winner out of all entries.

Contest ends December 31, 2007.

The website ArsTechinca has posted an in depth review of Leopard (a full 17 pages, in fact). The review takes a very deep look at the new features and the core technology. Of interest to designers is the effect Leopard will have on Adobe and future developments for 64-bit computing.

If you are a Mac user, take the time and give it a read. You'll learn a lot about some of the less obvious changes.

I just had a great time at the New York Post|Production conference. For three days media pros gathered in New York movie house for the latest in digital media tools. I had the opportunity to teach a lot of new classes as well as show some of my favorite techniques. Here's the notes and a few demo files to play with.

01 Photoshop CS3 for Motion Graphics and Video | Book | DVD Available
02 Apple and Adobe – A Great Toolbox | Project X | Resizer Template
03 Beat the AE Render Queue
04 Media Management in Final Cut Pro | DVD Available
05 How to Sell Podcasting Services to Your Clients
06 Things You Might Not Know About After Effects CS3 | Puppet Tool Files | Vanishing Point Files
07 Multicam Editing Strategies in Final Cut Pro
08 Field Production Strategies for Video Podcasting
09 Creating a Graphical Identity for Your Video Podcasts (enhanced PDF)
10 Motion Control 3D | Demo Files | VPE Demo
11 Advanced Color Correction in Final Cut Pro | DVD Available

The official Apple Training Series titles for iLife 08 and iWork 08 are on their way. The iWork book will hit first, but both books are on the printing press. There are a wealth of new features and changes in these two suites of applications (you can see videos here and here). These apps have a lot to offer for both consumers and media pros. You can find out more on the iWork book here, and the iLife book here. Enjoy!

Hey all.... seems like I've been on a nonstop writing streak (5 books this year...). The latest update is about to ship on iWork. The book has four new chapters and all of the chapters have been updated. The iWork ’08 update is significant as it adds a new application called Numbers. Plus the apps can all read and write Office 2007 files. To be honest, its pretty hard to beat at only $79 for the software.

Book DescriptionApple's enhanced iWork productivity suite is poised to allow Mac users to create, present, and publish their work with style. iWork '08 offers three powerful applications—Pages ’08, Keynote ’08, and the brand-new spreadsheet program, Numbers ‘08—for creating everything from newsletters and stationery to polished business presentations to graphics-rich spreadsheets. This self-paced learning guide, which includes  a companion CD jam-packed with practical media files, takes readers step-by-step through essential, real-life tasks for home and office that cover all aspects of iWork '08. The book is both a self-paced learning tool and the official curriculum of the Apple Training and Certification Program, used by schools and training centers worldwide, and is ideal for users of all levels.”

The Insomnia Film Festival is back—and while the world sleeps, you could be making film history. Calling all high school and college filmmakers.

At 9:00 a.m. on October 13, you’ll get the green light: The requirements for the 2007 Insomnia Film Festival will be posted at www.apple.com/go/insomnia, and your team will have 24 hours to write, cast, shoot, edit, score, and upload your movie.

Once the films are in, your friends, family, and adoring fans will be able to watch them online and rate their favorites. The 25 entries with the highest rating on November 9 at 12:00 a.m. EST will be screened by industry professionals, including Barry Sonnenfeld, James Mangold, and Nora Ephron.

If your film is the biggest hit with either the public or the pros, each member of your team will receive a MacBook Pro, Final Cut Studio 2, Logic Studio, and Shake so you can get started on that first sequel. How’s that for a Hollywood ending?

If you came to either of my classes at Podcast and New Media Expo. I just wanted to offer you the handouts and resources. Heck.. even if you missed the show you might like these.

CLASS ONE – Field Production Strategies for Video Podcasting
The rules of the studio don't apply the same in the field. In this session you will learn how to properly capture your video content outside of a controlled environment and unpredictable lighting and background noise. You also learn how to achieve the best results when encoding files for various output devices. See how the experts retain overall quality with an overview of the latest methods and technologies. This session will also share best practices for multi-camera productions.

• Slides
• Multicamera Advice for FInal Cut Pro
• Production Resources

CLASS Two – Creating a Graphic Identity for Your Podcast
Designing a look and feel for your show is essential. Here are some slides with work samples included. We took a look at the following Shows – Final Cut Help, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, Secrets of Style with Kim Foley, On Software, and Photoshop for Video.

• Slides
• Reference Books

Thanks to Terry White for saying this so well:
”Apple released the details on getting your $100 Apple Store Credit if you bought AND activated an iPhone before August 22nd. I have to admit that I was expecting Apple to make it harder than this. I was expecting to download a PDF, fill it out, mail it in and wait 4-8 weeks for a snail mail certificate. Apple could teach the world how to do rebates! Go to the link above on your computer and you basically enter your iPhone phone number and serial number. You then get a SMS text message on your iPhone with your code. You input your code on the same page you were on above and a couple seconds later your rebate certificate is there in your browser (on your computer) for you to print!”
Kudos Apple, the whole process took about 15 seconds and now I have two $100 store credits (for our two iPhones) in my hands!

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

I just wanted to let you know, the new book on Final Cut Studio is on the presses (this means it will be in your hands soon). Here's the official description (I promise a sample chapter in a few days).

“Packed with more than 500 techniques, this book delivers the time-saving workflow processes that experienced editors want to improve their productivity, and wow their clients. No need to wade through tomes of documentation. 'Final Cut Studio On the Spot' presents immediate solutions in an accessible format. Written by Apple-certified trainers, it clearly illustrates all the essential methods that pros use to get the job done efficiently and creatively. Screenshots and step-by-step instructions show the way.”

The book is completely updated with new tips in every chapter. There are also two completely new chapters on Multi-camera Editing and HD Workflow. Amazon has the book on sale... I hope you enjoy!

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

All of the major applications in Final Cut Studio support the use of an external video monitor. However, each application is a little different in how you set it up and not all applications will support every configuration of hardware cards or decks. Be sure the hardware is powered on and properly connected before launching an application.

Final Cut Pro

1. Choose Final Cut Pro > Easy Setup. Pick the profile that matches your hardware.
2. Choose View > External Video > All Frames (Command + F12).
3. If you have more than one device, you can specify it by choosing View > Video Playback > and choosing the device.
   

Color

1. Choose the Setup Room by pressing Command + 1.
2. Locate the Video Output menu toward the right edge.
   

Note: Color currently does not support FireWire monitoring of any kind including DVCPRO HD and AJA IO devices.

Motion

1. Choose Motion > Preferences and click the Output tab.
2. Select an Output path based on your active hardware.
   

Soundtrack Pro

1. Choose Soundtrack Pro > Preferences and click the Video Out tab.
2. Select a device from the popup menu.
   

DVD Studio Pro

1. Choose DVD Studio Pro > Preferences. and click the Simulator tab.
2. Choose a Video and Audio path for the Simulator and click OK.
3. To invoke, click the Simulator button and use the virtual controls on the Simulator window.

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

If you'll be at the Podcast and New Media Expo show this weekend, consider checking out these free classes on the show floor. Podango is offering an “Unconference,” a featured program of the Podcast and New Media Expo (PNME) taking place September 28-30, at the Ontario Convention Center.

Podango, the online video and audio network that enables publishers and advertisers to “get heard” by today’s hard-to-reach, niche audiences, is heralding a wide range of topics and speakers. They include: new media pioneer Scott Bourne, host of The Apple Phone Show; Paige Heninger and Gretchen Vogelzang, hosts of MommyCast; as well as Jason Van Orden, David Lawrence and others. Speakers will share ideas for building and monetizing audiences in today’s niche-oriented, interest-driven new media marketplace. Read More...

Interested in Motion Graphics? The check out the evolving MographWiki which has a nice collection of user contributed content and articles. Its a great place to browse for ideas and talent. There's a lot of useful things up here including:

• Business
• Community sites
• Companies
• Freelancers
• History
• Notable Individuals
• Notable Works

If you’re having system problems and want to clean the disk, check partitions, and so on, here’s a way to fix problems without any third-party applications: Start up in single-user mode, and run FSCK. Uh, what was that?

FSCK stands for “file system check,” and the –fy you’ll type just says to go ahead and fix any problems it finds. Here’s the drill:

1. Restart your Mac.
2. Immediately press and hold Command + Option + S. You’ll see a bunch of text begin scrolling on your screen. (Cool, you’re now a geek.) Soon you’ll see the Unix command line prompt (#). Don’t cry; it’s still your Mac—you’re just a true Unix god–well, demi-god.
3. Type fsck -fy (that’s fsck + space + minus + f + y).
4. Press Return.
   

The FSCK utility will do its magic, running some text across your screen. If there’s damage to your disk, you’ll see a message that says: “FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED.”

If you see this message, it found some problems and fixed them—repeat steps 1 and 2 until that message no longer appears. It’s normal to have to run FSCK more than once; the first run’s repairs often uncover additional problems.

When FSCK finally reports that no problems were found and the # prompt reappears, type reboot to restart or type exit to start without rebooting. Then press Return.



Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

It was a proud day at RHED Pixel (my office). One of our new podcasts made the front page of iTunes. On Software focusses on how software is developed, and features interviews with the creative folks who design and program the tools we all love.



(It's not every day that you're grouped with a presidential candidate, CNN, and PBS)



OnSoftware—Each week, we will talk to some of the software industry's leading developers about a wide range of programming and development issues. Our interviews include talks with Java Puzzlers author Josh Bloch, C++ Inventor author Bjarne Stroustrup, and Java Concurrency in Practice author Brian Goetz to name just three. With discussions on topics ranging from the future of C++ and Concurrency and value driven software development to Design Patterns, Agile Estimating and Planning, Iterative Development, Generics, and language compatibility, we have something for technical professionals working in every part of the industry.
Is it technical... yup. But I still think you'll find it interesting.

In case you missed it... Apple released a public beta of Safari 3.0 for both Mac AND WINDOWS! To be honest, I never saw that one coming... With great new features, its a worthy upgrade for both platforms. I've seen an occasional hang-up, but the program is faster and adds some great features.

Inline find – Search within a web page by pressing Cmd+F (Ctrl+F)
Resizable Text Fields – More room when working online
Improved Security – Shoo!
Pick up the tabs – Rearrange tabs with drag and drop ease
PDFs Control – Zoom, Save, or Send to a PDF app

Get the free download here.

While it’s useful that you can import layered PSD files into Final Cut Pro, it’s unfortunate that not all features carry over. On the other hand, when you need to change a graphic (such as a spelling mistake) it’s very useful to have those layers...Have your cake and eat it too—hmm.

Okay, this is easy. In Photoshop, save your files as LAYERED TIFFs. Final Cut Pro will read it in as a flattened file, but you can make changes. Better yet, if you use the Open in Editor shortcut, you can open and modify the file. In fact you can add, delete, move, and rename layers with no ill effects (try that with a PSD file you’ve imported and watch what craziness breaks loose).



Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

I just had a need to pull out TRANSTYPE SE. This useful utility comes in handy when working on a design project and getting client-provided materials? Oftentimes fonts come over (which is great), except they are for the wrong platform (which isn't so great). Instead of rushing out to buy the font again, you can usually convert it.
This shareware application converts Mac fonts to PC fonts, or vice versa. Simple in concept, clean in execution--this tool has been a lifesaver that has kept many a motion graphics project on track.

I present a slightly old (but still relevant) article on Apple Motion. Here are Ten things you should know about Apple Motion (thanks to DV.com).

For example:

DIRTY ALPHA
Not happy with the alpha channel you get when you cut a Motion project into a Final Cut Pro timeline? Well, your alpha may be off. Final Cut Pro sometimes misinterprets the alpha channel data, expecting you to have a straight alpha channel, when in fact you may have a premultiplied alpha.

1. Select the Imported Motion project file in your Browser.

2. Choose Modify > Alpha Type Black.

Do you like carpal tunnel? Stop clicking on each window in FCP when you want to use it and start using keyboard shortcuts! With a little practice, you’ll be flying around the different windows without clicking.

• Command 1 = Viewer
• Command 2 = Canvas
• Command 3 = Timeline
• Command 4 = Browser
• Command 5 = Effects Tab in the Browser
• Command 6 = Favorites Bin in new Window
• Command 7 = Trim Edit.
• Command 8 = Log and Capture Window
• Shift Command 8 = Log and Transfer Window

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

I know both of the authors on this book and I am looking forward to reading it (as soon as I finish my own updates that is). But if you have no looming deadlines... I strongly suggest checking out this cool title.

Apple Pro Training Series: Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Studio
“This practical book focuses on just the parts of Final Cut Studio that editors and designers need to create motion graphics in their daily work. Using footage from the BBC archives along with Motion, Final Cut Pro, and Live Type (all included in Final Cut Studio), you’ll build broadcast-quality titles, motion menus, show bumpers, and news opens. As with the other titles in the Apple Pro Training Series, each chapter in this Apple-authorized guide represents a complete lesson--with projects to complete and a review section to reinforce the lessons. Author and video editor/producers Mark Spencer and Jem Schofield begin by introducing the basics of creating an animated title sequence with Final Cut Pro. From there, you’ll learn everything from text animation, compositing, and keyframing to 3D set creation and camera animation. Step-by-step exercises and a DVD with project and media files will have you creating stunning motion graphics in no time.”

You can order it here

Okay... I'll admit that the words "pro video codec" and "white paper" won’t elicit excitement in many of you. But Apple has released details about this new format for video. What is exciting is that you get better quality at smaller files sizes (in plain English things look better and cost less to store on drives). So... maybe you can do something else like skydive to add excitement into the mix.

For those who want the tech-know-how.... check out the white paper. It’s only 11 pages and is filled with great info for video pros who need to create video or motion graphics for mac-based systems.

I just finished a new training title on Final Cut Express. It's called Final Cut Express HD 3.5 Essential Training (but it will work for just about any version of the application). It is priced at $99, or you can view it as a member of the lynda.com online library.

Here's the official blurb:

Instructor Richard Harrington covers each detail of using Final Cut Express HD 3.5 to effectively edit, organize, and publish digital video and audio files for DVDs, web-based projects, and iPod productions. From understanding the finer points of the workspace to using the tools to their full potential, Final Cut Express HD 3.5 Essential Training teaches the complete process, using hands-on examples. Exercise files accompany this tutorial.

Duration: 6 hours
On 1 DVD

I hope you enjoy!

We’ve always wished that we were incredible illustrators. Alas the whole hand-eye coordination thing never really worked out. However, we have a nice, happy medium.

1. Choose a clip you’d like to effect.
2. Choose Effects > Video Filters > Stylize > Line Art. Whoa! Isn’t that cool? Your footage has instantly been transformed into a moving illustration!
3. Load the clip into the Viewer and click on the Filters tab. Here you can adjust paper color and opacity, and ink color.
4. You can also control threshold and smoothness to adjust what is included as a line and the blend between the lines and the paper.
5. Use the Mix control to blend in your original image.

Like this tip? It comes from the book
Final Cut Studio On the Spot from Focal Press.

In case you missed it... Apple just released an update to Final Cut Pro. Version 5.1.3 adds a few bug fixes and minor updates:

Render File Compatibility – Render files created on both PowerPC-based and Intel-based Macintosh computers
now work properly on either type of computer. This means you can move machines without having to re-render.

Keyboard Layout Issues Resolved – Several commands to the default keyboard layout that were missing in the previous version.

Issues with Cross Dissolves in Nested Sequences Resolved – Resolves cases in which cross dissolves did not work as expected in nested sequences containing still images with adjusted motion parameters.

You will need to be running FCP 5.1 to install this update. You must have loaded it from the DVD-ROM update (it is WAY too big to download). The 5.1 update is a paid update as Apple has to ship you new media (but it is a really big update for a 'dot release' and is worth it.) Apple offers $49 upgrades and crossgrades that start at $99. This is a phenomenal opportunity to bump up to the whole studio for a bargain price.

For more information about all of the updates, visit this detailed overview.

Looking for FCP support news as it breaks? Check out the official RSS Support Feed.

Just saw this cool blurb over at MacRumors (it’s a rumor/news site). The American Institute of Architects named two Apple retail stores to its list of the 150 best works of architecture. You can view the entire list here, which is also a great chance to look at good design.

• The 5th Avenue Apple Store in New York City was the 53rd favorite example of architecture

• The Apple SoHo in New York City took the 141st spot

Head on over and explore some great works of design.

I was literally just using Apple's Aperture photo manager software for a client session. We were sifting, ranking, and sequencing images for use in a video edit. The whole process was very smooth and professional. The only issue was getting the images quickly into the NLE. Sure Aperture allows for exporting images, but all that organizational work would be lost.

Fortunately I am not the only one who thinks this way. The fine folks over at Connected Flow have released Aperture to Final Cut Pro. This free plug-in allow you to export images, pick a format, specify transitions, and send it all from Aperture to Final Cut Pro as a sequence with media. This is a super flexible exchange that allows for changes (including scaling) within Final Cut Pro.

Oh... it's free too. If you use Aperture and Final Cut Pro, be sure to check it out.

I found a great article over at the Editblog as a part of their Useful Tools for Editors series. It's a dashboard widget for OS X that lets you calculate frame sizes for graphics to match a wide range of tape and film formats. The widget is called called Aspect and it's totally free. Grab the widget from this file hosting site by clicking the Download link at the top.

Be sure to stop by and visit the Editblog for lots of news for video pros. The blog is frequently updated and a source of excellent information.

I was there... I oohed and aahed with the rest of them... then I asked questions. Is the phone really cool? Yup. Will I buy one? Yup. Is it perfect? Nope... and here's hoping that Apple will listen to some of the criticism.

First off... if you haven't looked at the online demo on Apple's website, be sure to check it out. It is both informative and an impressive use of the web for an interactive demo.

Cool... huh? I agree... but here's my list of gripes.

1. The battery is not user changeable. I travel a lot and carry three cell phone batteries with me. I've also run my iPod dead while on a plane. See the math? What also happens when the battery stops charging all the way? Currently Apple needs to service iPod batteries and it takes a few days.

2. They say it runs OSX and "desktop class" applications – but that doesn't really mean any application and no they won't let third-party software develop titles independently. Rather, it'll be more like iPod games, just a few titles and tight control.

3. It looks to have none of the following items – no iChat, no AIM, no Games, no GPS, no Java, and no Flash (yet most carriers and phones offer these).

To be fair... here's what's great about it:
1. You iPod accessories and chargers work with it.
2. Apple has confirmed that they can (and will) release updates for it like the iPod.
3. Apple i supporting third-party hardware development.
4. The map features is really cool.
5. It has an "airplane mode" so you can turn off wireless but leave the unit on.
6. You can see all your voice mails as a list and check them out of order.
7. Widescreen video playback.
8. A great looking web browser.
9. It's really thin!

David Pogue has lots of great info on his blog | post 1 | post 2

And hey... the release date isn't until June. So maybe they'll continue to tweak it a bit.

Some of my favorite tools are on sale this week as part of a great shareware bundle (deal ends this Sunday). Over at MacHeist (an online game) they have a shareware developer bundle. For $49 you can get the following programs.

1. Delicious Library (allows you to catalog music and DVDs)
2. Foto Magico (a cool slideshow application)
3. ShapeShifter (for changing the Mac UI)
4. Devon Think (a database application)
5. Disco (a disc burning application)
6. RapidWeaver (the blogging tool I use for this site)
7. iClip (a clipboard organizer that is very useful)
8. A game from Pangea software (several to choose from... I like Bugdom)
9. Newsfire (a RSS reader)
10. TextMate (a great text editor - unlocked if they raise 100K for charity)

Plus... 25% of the purchase price goes to a charity (of your choice). This is just a great example of geeks doing good... I am ordering mine today and suggest that other mac users take this great deal up before it is gone.

If you use Aperture, Apple's photo management application (I do), you'll be glad that they've released a new update. Here's the highlights (and my interpretation).

Aperture 1.5.2 addresses issues related to overall reliability and performance in a number of areas, including:
• Contact sheet printing (useful for sending to clients)
• Smart Albums
• Watermarks (useful for clients you don't trust)
• Lift and stamp
• Image export (Cuts down on artifacting when converting)

This part is essential
If you haven’t already done so, it is strongly recommended that you also download the Digital Camera RAW Support Update 1.0.1, which is available on the Apple Downloads support page at http://www.apple.com/support/downloads.

The Digital Camera RAW Support Update addresses the following issues:
• Handling of large Canon RAW files (.CRW)
• DNG compatibility on Intel-based Macintosh computers (Important for Adobe users)
• Lines sometimes appearing in images exported from Aperture (sometimes? try all the time)

Looking for some great new FCP tutorials? Well true experts know that "the power is in the trim." Chris has two great short tips on trimming, the first is on asymmetrical trimming (easier that its sounds) and the second is on using markers for sync reference. If you are an Avid editor, these two tutorials will really help unlock FCP's trimming tools. Be sure to subscribe today (it’s totally free). You can get it at iTunes (the preferred method) or manually visit our web feed. If you'd like to get full-length DVDs with practice media, then visit www.VASST.com.

Looking for some great new FCP tutorials? Well true experts know that "the power is in the trim." Chris has two great short tips on trimming, the first is on asymmetrical trimming (easier that its sounds) and the second is on using markers for sync reference. If you are an Avid editor, these two tutorials will really help unlock FCP's trimming tools. Be sure to subscribe today (it’s totally free). You can get it at iTunes (the preferred method) or manually visit our web feed. If you'd like to get full-length DVDs with practice media, then visit www.VASST.com.

Our new video podcast on Final Cut Pro has been shown some love from iTunes. It's always a great night when you log in and see your podcast featured in the New and Notable section on the front page. We’re really proud of this one as it features five great trainers, Abba Shapiro, Gary Adcock, Chris Phrommayon, Mason Dixon, and Richard Harrington. A new episode airs each week and we hope you find the tips truly useful. Thanks Apple for the kind plug... be sure to subscribe today (it’s totally free). You can get it at iTunes (the preferred method) or manually visit our web feed.

I've just posted an old article of mine that I really like. It’s called “The Director’s Cut – Digital Video and the Power of the Macintosh.” It’s a fun article that shares a bunch of ideas on pre-production, production, and post. It was originally published in MacDesign Magazine (now called Layers). The article is totally free and showcases a lot of products and techniques that we use to save time and money over at RHED Pixel. I hope you enjoy.

Looking for a great screen capture tool? I’ve got a new favorite for grabbing video on a Mac. Be sure to check out iShowU from shinywhitebox. This tool is much more stable then others I've tried and it is a true universal application that runs great on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. What’s truly unique is that the video files are captured and encoded in real time. This means as soon as the capture is stopped, the file is ready to use. You can create screen captures for web tutorials, DVDs, or even HD. What will all this power set you back? A whopping $20. Be sure to check it out.

Well, if you're looking for a new resource to learn Apple’s Final Cut Studio, then check out the Final Cut Help podcast over at iTunes. Each week we'll have a new tutorial on all aspects of Final Cut Studio including Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, and Compressor. The high-quality video training features Apple Certified instructors including Abba Shapiro, Gary Adcock, Chris Phrommayon, Mason Dixon, and Richard Harrington.

The podcast is a great way to sample our new DVD training titles which are available from VASST.

Here’s the iTunes URL
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=202902941

Well, if you're looking for a new resource to learn Apple’s Final Cut Studio, then check out the Final Cut Help podcast over at iTunes. Each week we'll have a new tutorial on all aspect of Final Cut Studio including Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, and Compressor. The high-quality video training features Apple Certified instructors including Abba Shapiro, Gary Adcock, Chris Phrommayon, Mason Dixon, and Richard Harrington.

The podcast is a great way to sample our new DVD training titles which are available from VASST.

Here’s the iTunes URL
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=202902941

Here’s the Show Page
http://www.podango.com/podcast/1204/Final_Cut_Help__Absolute_Training_for_Final_Cut_Studio

In need of someone training this Fall? We've released five new titles. Three are brand new for Final Cut Pro users: Color Correction, Advanced Trimming, and Media Management. These are three areas that even the most experienced user can gain speed and confidence.

We've also significantly updated two of our best sellers: An Inside Look at the HVX-200 and a guide to working with HD Media. There are these and several more available at VASST.com. We hope you enjoy them!

I own a few geeky Mac shirts already. I've got my Mac Genius shirt with the logo from Apple‘s Genius Bar that is discontinued (this is close). My son has two shirts that say mini with an apple logo (back from the days of the iPod mini). My wife also found my favorite tech shirt that simply states RTFM (if you aren't sure what those letters mean...). Fortunately there's a new company in town. and the geeks can go even longer without doing their laundry. Insanely Great Tees has a preview site up and they look to have some good shirts when they launch.

We found ourselves 'hardware-crunched' due to recent project deadlines. To get by, we picked up one of the new iMacs. For the money, these machines are very impressive. Here's the features that matter to pro designers.

Set-up
• Plugged in the power cord and network cable, it was up an running
• In less than 5 minutes the computer was un-boxed and running (sure.. installing the Apple and Adobe collections took longer.... )

System Specs
• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (very fast at encoding DVDs!)
• Comes with 1GB memory (more is nice... but this was enough to 'just go')
• A robust and fast 250GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive
• 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) (yes... does just about everything)
• High-speed 802.11g, Bluetooth, and Ethernet built-in

The Display
• A HUGE 24-inch widescreen LCD (everyone from staff to clients stares and comments on how nice the screen looks... everyone)
• Very bright and crisp with a wide viewing angle
• a reasonably powered NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics processor with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM using PCI Express (fast enough for Motion and After Effects).
• Support for external display in extended desktop

Other Nice Things that come in handy
• Built-in iSight camera
• One FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• Internal 24-watt speakers (not bad sounding.... but use monitors for real audio work)

What's really cool is the system is actually approved for running Final Cut Studio. I highly recommend if you are in a system crunch or need an extra machine to check the iMac out.

We found ourselves 'hardware-crunched' due to recent project deadlines. To get by, we picked up one of the new iMacs. For the money, these machines are very impressive. Here's the features that matter to pro designers.

Set-up
• Plugged in the power cord and network cable, it was up an running
• In less than 5 minutes the computer was un-boxed and running (sure.. installing the Apple and Adobe collections took longer.... )

System Specs

• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (very fast at encoding DVDs!)
• Comes with 1GB memory (more is nice... but this was enough to 'just go')
• A robust and fast 250GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive

• 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) (yes... does just about everything)
• High-speed 802.11g, Bluetooth, and Ethernet built-in

• A HUGE 24-inch widescreen LCD (everyone from staff to clients stares and comments on how nice the screen looks... everyone)
• Very bright and crisp with a wide viewing angle

• a reasonably powered NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics processor with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM using PCI Express (fast enough for Motion and After Effects).
• Support for external display in extended desktop

• Built-in iSight camera
• One FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port

• Three USB 2.0 ports

• Internal 24-watt speakers (not bad sounding.... but use monitors for real audio work)

What's really cool is the system is actually approved for running Final Cut Studio. I highly recommend if you are in a system crunch or need an extra machine to check the iMac out.

While at the Ottawa Convention Center for the Podcasting and Portable Media Expo, I was quite surprised to see a large vending machine filled with electronics. Everything from iPods to PlayStation Portables stocked this machine. It was really pretty amazing. Swipe your credit card and you could be basic things like an iPod cable or laptop cable, to a 60GB video iPod. Prices were the same as retail in a store... so there was really no disadvantage to buying (although I imagine returns or exchanges would be tricky). And unlike that bag of M&Ms, they product does not fall to the ground (a robotic arm/magic elf gently moves the package from shelf to pickup bin).I am sure there are more of these out there... anyone ever buy from one?

Have an iDisk? They are a useful part of a .mac account that allow you to store and backup files to an Internet hard drive. If you use an iDisk with clients, it can get a little tricky for clients to figure out how to access your iDisk using Apple's iDisk utility. An easier way is through a web browser. Just have your client type http://idisk.mac.com/your iDisk name and they'll be connected.

Over at RHED Pixel, we've finally come up with a reasonable backup strategy for our FCP systems. Figured I'd share for those of you who need it

1. Target One Folder – We save all FCP projects to an FCP folder on the internal drive.

2. Use Backup Software – We've started using Data Backup from Prosoft. I like this package because its affordable and I have had great experiences with the company's other software like Data Rescue and Picture Rescue. This package allows you to pick a folder for backup. My favorite feature is its robust scheduling tools.

• Simply purchase a 1-4 GB USB thumb drive and plug it into your system.
• Then set Data Backup to automatically open as a login item (right click on its icon in the Dock at choose Open at Login).
• Then choose to set a schedule for backup and target the thumb drive.

May your project files find a safe haven.... All for about $150 a machine (software plus thumb drive).

The short answer... it rocks.

Apple has taken a nearly perfect piece of software and made it better. There's a full write-up on Apple's site, but I'd like to share some standout features and what they really mean to the end user.


Movies – So they're only from Disney-owned companies (for now)... someone had to be first. What's nice is Apple upped the quality to 640X480 which looks great on a laptop and playing off an iPod to a TV set via the AV cable. By the way... it's you buy movies (and everything else) from the iTunes Store (they dropped the word Music).

Cover Flow – You can now flip through all of your 'albums' by cover.... it's a cool 3D effect that encourages browsing and helps put a face back on those 'virtual' albums. Missing artwork? No problem... iTunes will now download artwork for free and add it to any song in your library (provided the album is listed in the iTunes store).

New User Interface – The Source List allows you to view and manage all of your files and devices. It really lets you take control of your collection (especially if you have multiple iPods). iPod Games – Just what I need... a waste of time... but I've already bought three. So far Cubis is my favorite, game-play with the scroll wheel is enjoyble and at $4.99, it wasn't a hard sell. The games only work with the 5G (or video iPods) but no problems for me as my nearly year-old iPod worked fine.

Device Management – You know get total control over each iPod, including which elements sync. I particulary like the visual interface that displays the contents of an iPod.


Download Manager – You can now control the order of downloads (useful when you want to hear the music you just chosen and its stuck behind a HUGE movie file. What is even better is the ability to pause (or stop) a download and resume where you left off. This was helpful while riding the Amtrak Acela to New York as my Internet connection kept dropping (hey... tunnels... Hudson River... I understand).


Onscreen Video Controls – Straight out of QuickTime, you now get a great controller that floats over the picture (when you move the mouse). Convenient controls are easy to reach (including a useful full-screnn button). I find this most useful as my keyboard shortcut database has no room left in the brain.

Library Backup – Having lost music... I really appreciate this feature. You can now initiate a “Back Up to Disc” command. This quickly allows you to back up your entire iTunes library to CD or DVD.

Reverse Sync – If you plug your iPod into another computer that has been authorized for your iTunes account (up to 5 machines), you can now transfer music OFF the iPod. It only works with music purchases... but its flawless.

To get the new update... visit the iTunes page.

I've put the new iTunes 7 software through a hard core review and it's awesome. With great new features for managing your media, retrieving purchased music from the iPod, and browsing by album art, it's a great update.

If you'd like to find out its best features, then head over to my graphics blog Raster|Vector for a hands-on review. You can check it out here.

The polls are now closed for our August survey.
We asked: Which NLE do you prefer to use the most?



We set an all time record for responses. All said, 510 users weighed in... and the results were surprising.

1. Apple Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Express (36.27%)
2. Avid Nonlinear Editing Systems (31.96%)
3. Sony Vegas (14.12%)
4. Adobe Premiere Pro (13.73%)
5. Media 100 (3.92%)

Given the number of respondents, we have determined that the survey is accurate within +/- 4%... That means Final Cut Pros lead was slim, but it still took the top spot.

It was only a matter of (too much) time. First, Apple launched wireless mice and keyboards (for those who hate the clutter of cables). Then Hell froze over and Apple released a two-button mouse called Mighty Mouse (do they have to pay royalties to the cartoon character?). But it appeared the two products would never meet. But like all good mice, they eventually created off-spring, and the Mighty Mouse has gone wireless.

I am glad that this has finally happened for several reasons.
• When I use pro video and graphics apps the right-click is a huge time saver as it unlocks many features
• When running Windows on my Mac (don't hate the player) I find myself need to right-click a whole lot
• Trackpads aren't great for precise control such as illustration or design

So, is it worth buying? The short answer is yes (if you need a multi-button mouse). Getting the mouse to pair with a computer is easy (provided you have Bluetooth). The tracking is accurate (with an improved sensor over original models) and the product appears to have good battery life. The buttons are programmable and most users will find the control button on top of the mouse useful for scrolling and panning. The only annoyance (which is an easy fix) are the side buttons. These are a bit too easy to trigger for my taste as my larger hands tend to trigger them easily. By default, this launches Exposé which will re-arrange your windows on screen. A quick visit to the Keyboard & Mouse System Preference Pane allows you to deactivate these buttons. If you need additional control, then pick this mouse up online or at your local Apple store.

It was only a matter of (too much) time. First, Apple launched wireless mice and keyboards (for those who hate the clutter of cables). Then Hell froze over and Apple released a two-button mouse called Mighty Mouse (do they have to pay royalties to the cartoon character?). But it appeared the two products would never meet. But like all good mice, they eventually created off-spring, and the Mighty Mouse has gone wireless.
Read More...

I came across a great piece of software called ProfCast that lets you turn a Keynote presentation into an enhanced podcast. These podcasts are very small as it is jut an audio file, but when viewed on an iPod or within iTunes, the artwork changes for the slide. It's a pretty cool way for teachers to share their lessons, and the whole process is very easy for the mildly tech-savvy to perform. I covered how to do this very task using iWork and Garageband in the new iWork book, but this application saves several steps and is very pleasant to use. You can create a podcast directly, sent it to GarageBand or iWeb, or take it directly online to a user-specified server (.xml authoring for the feed is included). At $25 its an affordable tool all Mac-based educators or technical trainers should add.

UPDATE – The new version also works with PowerPoint

I came across a great piece of software called ProfCast that lets you turn a Keynote presentation into an enhanced podcast. These podcasts are very small as it is jut an audio file, but when viewed on an iPod or within iTunes, the artwork changes for the slide. It's a pretty cool way for teachers to share their lessons, and the whole process is very easy for the mildly tech-savvy to perform. I covered how to do this very task using iWork and Garageband in the new iWork book, but this application saves several steps and is very pleasant to use. You can create a podcast directly, sent it to GarageBand or iWeb, or take it directly online to a user-specified server (.xml authoring for the feed is included). At $25 its an affordable tool all Mac-based educators or technical trainers should add.

UPDATE – The new version also works with PowerPoint

I often find when I am browsing the Net to select text and drag it to the Desktop. I often use these clippings as a way to gather a few notes. The only problem with this system is that you can’t modify the clipping. If you open the clipping in the Finder you can read it, copy the text to your clipboard, but that’s about it. But don’t worry, there’s a great piece of freeware to make tweaks.

Everyday Software has released ClipEdit so you can modify both text and image clippings. The program is free and very useful if you collect bits of knowledge/trivia. For best results try the following.

1. Right-click (Control-click) on a clipping file and choose Get Info.
2. Change the Open with: drop down menu to ClipEdit
3. Click Change All…

ClipEdit is now set as the default editor for all clippings… much more useful and all it’ll cost you is a visit to Everyday Software.

So, making a book using iPhoto is still the best. I sat down and was going to use Aperture, but it didn't have the theme I wanted (although both use the same engine and printer service). If you've never made a book, the process is a snap.
1. Select the photos you want in the browser (pick more than you think you'll need)
2. Click the Book icon in the Toolbar
3. Flip from page to page (choosing layout options from the Toolbar)
4. Drag photos in and scale and position using intuitive controls.

Mini books start at $4 and larger books range between $20 -$30 depending on soft or hard covers. It really makes a nice keepsake for friends or even a new way to build a portfolio. But what about 'proofing?' Well you can share the book before you print it.

1. In iPhoto, choose File > Print.
2. In the Print Window, choose Save as PDF.
3. Pick a destination, then name the file and click OK.
4. Send the PDF to those who need to review it.

The mini books make great leave behinds for clients or potential employers.

Okay... this might seem trivial... but hopefully it will help some of you. I frequently fly or train with two things, a laptop and an iPod. Invariably, I forget to charge my iPod before the trip. No problem, right? Just plug it into your laptop... except then it goes into 'sync mode' and you can't access controls. Sure you could just launch iTunes and listen, but then you are tying up your laptop screen (you see my traveling companion/son often watches Dora and Little Einstein's on the video iPod). The solution, use a FireWire cable.

Old iPods used FireWire to both charge and sync the iPod. Then came the Windows users and Apple gave into USB2. Now, in the latest iPods and Nanos, they took the FireWire chipset out all together to make the iPod thinner/cheaper. Plugging in a FireWire cable only passes power through (no data). As such, you can charge your iPod, while still having access to the controls. If you don't have any of the old cables lying around, try out this one (or one like it). A retractable cable that is affordable and easily fits into your laptop bag.

I got a chance to appear on the July 1 edition of Inside Mac Radio. I was on to promote the new book on iWork ’06 and to offer some tips on using iWork and iLife. It was a quick interview, but I think we got some good information out for the loyal listeners. If you'd like to hear the episode (it's free), just click here. Inside Mac Radio offers both a daily version that's a short news blast on all things Mac and a two-hour Saturday program that airs live in some markets and is ready to download in others.

A lot of new laptops (such as those from Apple and Dell) are shipping with the newer ExpressCard port. The good news is that the port is very fast and allows for much better performance than the older PC card slots. The bad news is that the peripheral manufacturers are more than a bit behind. When I switched laptops to a MacBook Pro, I had to give up on my wireless EVDO card that allowed me to access a broadband connection from almost anywhere. Well it looks like the drought is almost over. According to EVDOinfo.com, Verizon is in the process of sending Novatel XV620 ExpressCards to their warehouses. This means customers will be able to start placing orders soon.

To sign up for an email notification click here.
• MacBook Pro and EVDO
• ExpressCard/34 & ExpressCard/54 For EVDO

Well, I finally found the perfect case (albeit a little too late). One of the benefits of the black iPod is that video is easier to see due to the higher contrast. The downside is that the black finish shows off scratches a little too well. I finally found a case that protects the iPod without affecting the viewability of the video screen. The Agent 18 VideoShield has been the perfect case so far.

• This hard shell case doesn't significantly increase the size of the iPod
(its still comfortable to hold)
• The price is reasonable (it lists for $25, but I bought it at Target for $19)
• The switch and dock connectors are easy to access
• It’s simple to snap it on and off

To find out more, click here.

When a Macintosh application is installed, it tends to install several language localization files on your drive. If you have a robust Applications folder, these files can quickly add up to gigabytes of space. On a laptop, this can be particularly bad. Instead of manually performing a 'seek-and-dstroy' mission, you can harness the power of DeLocalizer. This useful piece of freeware will remove all non-American English localization resource files that you specify. This useful program lets you customize which languages to remove and can save you a lot of space on your drive.
For more information click here.

With a sense of humor firmly intact, New York Times columnist David Pogue reviews Microsoft Windows Vista. David takes a look at several of the new features in the latest version of Windows (set to ship next month). His mission... prove that “Microsoft did not steal ideas from Mac OS X.” Does he succeed? It all depends on your perspective so you'll want to judge for yourself. You can take a look at the quick video for free online.

So, I am a cross-platform kinda guy (but its hard to be while mobile). No one wants to lug two or three laptops around. I frequently need to teach Adobe products (such as their video apps) but not all run on a Mac. Toss in my writing duties and I really need to dabble on the other side at least weekly. Most of you probably heard of Boot Camp from Apple, but that wouldn't work for me. Why?

1. It requires you to not have your drive partitioned when starting the install. This doesn't work as I keep my laptops split into 2 or 3 partitions for media management purposes.
2. I really hate having to reboot.
3. Just cause I'm in windows doesn't mean I want to run another email client, give up access to my iCal, etc.

The solution? Its called Parallels Desktop. It functions just like Virtual PC did, allowing you to run windows in, well a window, or go full-screen. Why do I like it?
1. It's FAST. it uses hardware, not software emulation.
2. It's easy to install and tweak.
3. Windows is installed into a virtual machine... if things go 'bad' you can just trash the virtual machine or create a new one. Its just a disk image file.
4. Its affordable. During public beta its only $39. Later it'll go up to $79. (You do need to provide your own legal copy of windows - but it runs nearly all flavors of windows, not just XP).

Download and Evaluate Parallels Desktop Release Candidate 2 for Mac.

Be sure to take a quick peek at my latest book, Apple Training Series : iWork 06 with iLife 06. It was co-written with the entire office at RHED Pixel. It goes in-depth on both Pages and Keynote and shows off the latest features. We use pages to create newsletters and flyers for the office and I usually use Keynote to create dynamic multimedia presentations. The book is full-color and comes with a DVD-ROM and all the source files you need to get hands-on with both programs.

For a free handout, click here.
For more information, click here.

The fine folks at Logitech sent one of these over for me to play with. It's an alternative input device for Mac users (primarily for Adobe apps - for now). It allows for a customizable interface and is really comfortable to use. Essentially, you can program frequently used tools to be literally 'at hand' or via a custom floating palette on-screen. So far, it's a winner, and I'll update you as I go deeper.
To find out more.

Took the plunge and bought a MacBook Pro 17 inch laptop. Been using it for about two weeks and figured I'd share my thoughts.

Pros:
- It's fast as heck
- The Dual layer DVD and FW800 port are back in
- The screen is beautiful from almost any angle
- Running apps under Rosetta (like Photoshop) is pretty smooth
- The built-in iSight camera makes it easier to see my family while on the road.

Cons:
- After a while, it feels like you can cook an egg on it (with great power comes great warmth)
- My Wireless Internet card doesn't fit as Apple felt the need to adopt a new Express Card format which no one has released wireless cards for
- Can't get any spare batteries and Apple's site says shipping in 2-3 weeks (no luck in stores either)

All in all... very happy and I suspect with time the missing hardware will come available and the charred flesh on my lap will grow numb