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Those companies that have multiple apps allow you to easily migrate from one to another, but what if you need to go from Apple’s Final Cut Pro to Adobe’s After Effects? Or any of the Avid NLEs to After Effects? Until Automatic Duck came along there wasn’t much you could do short of sticking red hot pokers in your eyes. Pro Import AE makes working between these applications a joy.
Automatic Duck Pro Import AE 3.0 allows you to import sequences and timelines from Avid, Final Cut Pro, and even Apple’s Motion, but for the purposes of this review, I’ll be evaluating Pro Import AE using Final Cut Pro 5.
It is so easy to use Pro Import AE; you begin by exporting your Final Cut Pro sequence as an XML file using the Automatic Duck Pro XML Export. By the way, the exporter can be distributed for free, so if you do After Effects work for other post houses, you can slip them this exporter to make your job easier.
Exporting the XML file takes no time at all, and in mere moments you’ll have a new file ready to open in Adobe After Effects. There, you will find Automatic Duck Pro Import under the File>Import menu option. You can also drag and drop the XML file directly into the Project Window. It takes a little longer to import the XML file because After Effects must go through and relink any media files, find compatible filters and generate the composition. When done, you will either get a message informing you of missing files or effects, or a complete comp ready for some After Effects magic.
On the surface, it looks like everything imports fine and you’re good to go, but there are some gotchas to watch out for when working with this application. First be aware not all filters or effects are going to import. What translates and what doesn’t?
The good news is any text you create using the awful built in text generator of Final Cut Pro will show up as a layer in After Effects. This might be the only justification for using the FCP simple text as the editor can use the title tool to create a temp text tract. The bad news is font style parameters are not imported into After Effects. Keep in mind the layer created in After Effects is an editable text layer that you can quickly modify to taste. Since most editors know not to use the default text tool in FCP, Boris Calligraphy is the next best thing. Unfortunately, a Calligraphy layer is not recognized by After Effects and you end up with a solid for the layer.
Most of Final Cut Pro filters will not be recognized by After Effects. So any tint, garbage matte, keying, etc. will not work. Fortunately, this is why you are working in After Effects – to tighten and enhance the FCP sequence. It would be a good idea to let the editor know of this problem ahead of time to prevent hassle later on.
Since most of the video filters in Final Cut Pro also have a 3rd Party equivalent, if the sequence makes use of any 3rd party After Effects plug-ins, they will translate without a problem. For example, if the editor is using Au Naturel from Buena Software, the settings will translate to your system. Of course you need to have those same plug-ins installed on your AE system for it to work.
With these problems noted, there are certainly many other settings and properties that do import without a problem. If the editor does any simple motion effects, like animating a layer over time, these keyframes translate perfectly – even recognizing Bezier curves and Ease In/Out keyframes. Scale, position, rotation, opacity, and others are all treated the same way. It is also nice to know that transfer modes work from one app to the other.
However, if you have a Drop Shadow applied in Final Cut Pro, this feature will not convert. The good news is Automatic Duck Pro Import AE 3.0 does put a marker in the layer with the motion effect that did not translate.
Automatic Duck Pro Import AE 3.0 seems to be resolution independent allowing you to import a variety of formats, and I was pleased to discover this includes HDV sequences. The best part of Pro Import AE is it let’s you focus on creativity and not the mucking around with numerous workflow work arounds. Do the translation problems bother me? Not so much because I know ahead of time what will work and not work during the migration. I am also aware that I am bringing my Final Cut Pro sequence into After Effects to apply filters and effects, tweak motion paths, key footage and do the compositing that Final Cut Pro can’t do to begin with.
At $495, Automatic Duck Pro Import AE 3.0 may seem a bit steep, but considering the alternative (red hot pokers to the eyes); the price can be justified to even the tightest company bean counter.
For ease of use and peace of mind, I give Automatic Duck Pro Import AE 3.0 a Strong Buy Recommendation. You can find more information by visiting www.automaticduck.com. |
