Apple Final Cut Express HD - Manual (Page 762)

762 Part IX Effects
Creating Graphics With the Correct Frame Size for Video
When you’re preparing to import graphics into Final Cut Express HD, it’s important to
be aware of the implications of frame size, sequence size, and pixel aspect ratio.
Ultimately, the frame size of your output format determines the size of the graphic you
create in your graphics application. For example, if you are working with NTSC DV
video, your graphic needs to have the same dimensions: 720 x 480. If you are working
with 720p HD video, your graphic needs to be 1280 x 720 to match your sequence.
Working With Graphics Clips of Different Resolutions
If you import a graphic or still image with a frame size that doesn’t match the frame
size of your edited sequence, you have two choices.
 You can resize the image, enlarging or reducing it to fit the frame size of your image.
 You can leave the image as is, in which case you’ll be able to see only a small part of
it if the image is too big, or the image will be surrounded by black if it’s too small.
If you’ve imported a high-resolution image that’s significantly larger than the frame size
of your project, Final Cut Express HD allows you to take advantage of the image’s
increased resolution to create sophisticated motion effects.
Important: If you try to enlarge an image that was originally shot on video, or a
graphic that is smaller than the frame size of your sequence, you’ll find that scaling it
up past a certain point creates noticeable artifacts that you may not want.
3000 x 2000
720 x 480
Relative frame sizes of the same image
at 720 x 480 and 3000 x 2000 when
imported into Final Cut Express HD