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A sequence’s resolution is usually changed in preparation for recapturing or retransferring
higher-resolution media; this change in resolution is necessary to match the sequence
to the native resolution of the new online media. However, this also means that generators
(such as title generators), still images, embedded Motion projects, and animation created
using Final Cut Pro Motion tab settings are all scaled to the new size of the sequence.
Most of the time, this is a seamless change because each clip’s geometry is calculated
relative to its center.
However, if a resolution or media change results in a mismatch between a clip’s resolution
and that of the sequence it’s edited into, you can use the Conform to Sequence command
to make the size and aspect ratio of the clip match those of the sequence.
Tip: To simplify the reconforming process, it’s easiest to plan an offline/online workflow
in which the frame size doesn’t change. This is the reason for the Apple ProRes 422 (LT)
and Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) codecs, as they both let you capture offline-quality,
low-bandwidth media at the full frame size of your final program.
When a Color Roundtrip Changes Sequence Resolution
Most of the time, a Final Cut Pro–to–Color roundtrip has a fairly transparent effect on the
resolution of your final sequence in Final Cut Pro. However, there are instances when the
sequence that is returned has a different resolution than the one that was originally sent.
This section describes those instances and how they affect your workflow.
When does a Final Cut Pro–to–Color roundtrip automatically change the resolution of
a sequence?
If you render your color-corrected media using a codec different from that of your source
media (one of the Apple ProRes or Uncompressed codecs, for instance), all anamorphic
media in your project is resized to the closest full-raster frame size. For example, media
using the anamorphic 1280 x 1080 or 1440 x 1080 frame size is rendered using the standard
1920 x 1080 frame size.
Whenever rendering your media in Color changes the codec, the frame size, or both, a
dialog appears when you send your project to Final Cut Pro, asking if you want to change
the graded Final Cut Pro sequence to match the QuickTime export codec.
• If you click Yes: The codec used by the sequence sent to Final Cut Pro is changed from
the one that was originally sent to Color. Also, the frame size of the sequence changes
to match the frame size of the rendered media. You may need to use the Conform to
Sequence command on generators, embedded Motion projects, and other clips that
weren’t altered by Color if they reappear at the original frame size.
81Chapter 5 Finishing