Adding Logo's in FCP

[James in HD]

How do I import a logo into FCP?
I want to do a commercial and add the customers logo in there somewhere.
But how?

Terryj where are ya?

[rumplestiltskin]

File>Import>File...

Select a jpg (and probably other formats supported; haven't checked the manual but I just tried with a jpg and it worked fine).

[terryj]

Here I am.

sorry, i had to get coffee.....

Best is a Photoshop .PSD file, with Transparency.
That way you can position it as necessary upper or lower thirds,
and when you need to, you can adjust it's opacity through a round trip
and turn it into a watermark if necessary.

[terryj]

Round Trip= The process by which you place an item
on the FCP timeline, and then edit it in an external editor.
When then returning to FCP, FCP will prompt you that the
asset has been made offline ( changed) and needs to be
reconnected ( updated).

[James in HD]

Shit, I need photoshop! Could I purchase Photoshop elements?

[terryj]

yes, james that will work just as well.

[James in HD]

So with Photoshop Elements I can create text or logo's with transparency, or
can I only transfer and apply logo's?

[terryj]

Your bitmap artwork is created in Photoshop Elelements.
You save the file as a PSD file, with a Transparent
background layer. You then load that into FCP, and the transparent
layer comes with it.

If need be you can make the actual logo's opacity semi transparent
as needed to make it a watermark.

[James in HD]

Thanks so much, I was going to get elements before but when I asked if I can create
Words or logos with transparency they said I would need illustrator to do that
so I never picked it up. Now I am comfortable to do so.

I have to watch my spending now since I went all out and bought all this stuff.
My most recent toy is a merlin for my Canon XH-A1. Too much money invested
my wife says so I have to research everything now.

[terryj]

Here's a bit of research for you to read.
Substitute Photoshop for Photoshop Elements,
and you got it. You want to pay CLOSE ATTENTION
to the 'photoshop with transparency' sections.

[James in HD]

Thanks man.

[terryj]

u r welcome as always, james.