This section includes “Creating a Filter” and “Editing a Filter.”
To create a filter with FX Builder, you work with one or more of the “A” clip placeholders, as indicated in Figure 1-1. These are the basic steps in creating a filter with FX Builder, with links to more details. These instructions assume that you've have already opened FX Builder by clicking New in the start up dialog (see “Using the FX Builder Start Up Dialog”).
Decide on the content.
There are a few different types of filters you can create:
a filter with frame animation, and no imported objects
a filter that has one or more imported objects, but does not have frame animation
a filter that frame animation and imported objects
Animate.
You create one movement at a time, so choose an object to start with and follow steps 1 through 4 below to animate it. Note that the source clip, represented by the “A” placeholder, is an object you can animate. If the keyframe concept is new to you, see “What Are Keyframes?”
Note: Keep in mind that the only part of the effect that will actually be seen in a movie is what is happening within the movie viewport outline in center of the 3D viewer. Position the initial keyframe.
To animate placeholder A, there is no need to create an initial keyframe—a starting keyframe already exists by default at the beginning of the A timeline. If you want to reposition an initial keyframe, you can edit it. See “Editing Keyframes” for instructions.
To animate an imported object, set the time indicator (the red line—see also “Working With the Timelines and Time Indicator”) at the point at which you want the object to start appearing in the effect, then import the object (see “Importing Objects” for details). A keyframe automatically appears. See also “Creating and Deleting Keyframes” for more details.
Position the time indicator for the next keyframe.
Drag the time indicator to the point that you want the object to move to on the timeline. See “Working With the Timelines and Time Indicator.”
Manipulate.
Now select the object by clicking on it and manipulate it to the position and size you want it to be at the new point in time (explained in “Editing and Manipulating Objects”).
Preview.
To preview the animation you've created, click the Play button at the bottom of window. See “Previewing the Effect” for details.
Add more animation if desired.
Return to the instructions in Step 2 for every new movement you want to create. You can edit keyframes at any time (see “Editing Keyframes” and “Deleting Keyframes”).
For information on other effects you can add to your filter, see “Some Additional Techniques For Creating Effects.”
Apply and/or save filter for later use.
To apply the filter to the current movie selection, click the Apply button.
To save it as a custom filter for later use, choose File > Save. Specify a pathname for the effect, then click OK.
 | Tip: If your movie includes computer-generated graphics, such as those created by including a 3D filter in your movie, it may flicker when played on a TV monitor. To remedy this, use Media Convert to apply a flicker filter to the movie. |
| Note: When you bring a movie into your 3D effect, the movie is not copied into the effect, but rather it is referenced from its current location on your system. This behavior conserves your disk space. You need to be aware, however, that if you move the movie file, it will no longer be referenced in your effect, and if you alter the movie file, the altered movie will appear in your effect. |
The basic steps in editing an existing filter are as follows:
Select the filter and open it in FX Builder.
You can select a template filter (see “Using the FX Builder Start Up Dialog” for instructions), or select a filter from your movie editing application (refer to the documentation in your movie editing application for instructions on selecting the filter).
Use FX Builder to create, delete, or edit keyframes and to create new animation.
See “Animating Objects” for instructions on all of these actions. If you want to include new objects in the filter, import them (as described in “Importing Objects”).
For information on additional effects you can create, see “Some Additional Techniques For Creating Effects.”
Apply and/or save filter for later use.
To apply the filter to the current movie selection, click the Apply button.
To save it as a custom filter for later use, choose File > Save. Specify a pathname for the effect, then click OK.