Starting your project in Final Cut Pro

This page details how to set up a Final Cut Pro project that will work well with Singular Software Presto™. We assume that you are already familiar with using Final Cut Pro.   

The figure below illustates how the the sample project is set up:

 

Follow these steps in setting up your FCP project for use with Presto:

1. Create a new Final Cut Pro project, and import or transfer in the screen video and presenter video, as well as any additional media you may have for the project such as independent audio or b-roll video.  You do not need to add the slide images to the project yet; you will do that in Presto.
   
   
2. Arrange the tracks as follows:
   • Place the  presenter video on the first video track (V1)
   • place the screen video on the second video track (V2)
   • place any b-roll video on higher tracks (NOTE: if any b-roll clips do not have audio, add them after synchronizing)
   • if you have any independent audio, you can place that on any audio track that suits you
     
     Advanced tip — track order: if for some reason you would prefer to have the tracks in some other order, that's no problem.  Just remember that after you bring the sequence into Presto you will need to adjust the track settings from their defaults on Presto's first wizard tab (Assign Roles), so that Presto knows which tracks contain the screen and presenter videos.
     
     
   • Advanced tip — multiple presenter cameras: Presto supports projects with more than one camera angle on the presenter. Place each camera angle on a separate track below the screen track. After you bring the sequence into Presto you will need to adjust the role settings from their defaults on Presto's first wizard tab (Assign Roles), so that Presto knows which tracks contain the additional presenter video camera angles.
     
     
   • Advanced tip — applying effects prior to Presto: Presto does not import effects from FCP. So if there are any effects that you need to apply before importing to Presto (such as color correction or noise reduction), you must render the effected items with the effects applied prior to using them in a sequence bound for Presto.
     
     
3. Make sure the clips are synchronized.  You can sync the clips quickly and accurately using PluralEyes.
   
   
4. Trim off any video (typically from the start and end) that you don't want included.  Presto supports some limited clip editing, but the best time to do this editing is prior to exporting the project to Presto.
   
   
   • Advanced tip — multiple presenters: if there are parts of the presentation where there is more than one person visible in the video for more than a few seconds (such as during a panel discussion), split the clips so that these parts of the video with more than one person are separate clips.  Then within the Presto app, you will be able to tell Presto to ignore these clips during its automatic presenter tracking.  Presto does not support tracking multiple presenters in the same shot.
     
     
5. Be sure to save your Final Cut Pro project. 
   
   
6. Now you are ready to work with Presto.  Start the Presto application. Select your Final Cut Pro project and sequence from the drop down menus, and press the Get Sequence button to open a new Presto project window containing your sequence.
   
   The Presto wizard will then lead you through the steps of adding your slide images, applying Presto's automatic processing, and fine-tuning the appearance of the presentation.