Working with Third-Party Graphics Applications

In the digital age, many editors have expanded their skills to include those of the graphic designer. Software packages such as Adobe Photoshop and AfterEffects enable editors to manipulate images in ways that previously were the exclusive domain of specialized graphic illustrators and designers. This software is relatively easy to learn and use, is (relatively) inexpensive, and can be run on just about any sys-tem. So when you hire an editor, look for a combo editor/graphics designer if your project calls for graphics work.Graphics software can be used to perform a range of functions, from fixing a problem, to enhancing an existing image, to creating an entirely new graphic element.

There is an infinite number of ways you can take advantage of the integration of nonlinear editing systems and third-party graphics pro-grams.

A few include:

* Export an image (frame) from your sequence, manipulate it in a graphics software package, and then reimport the frame. For example, you might want to do something funky to a frame of your show and then use it for the background of a title or a credit roll, or as one element in a complex effect.

* Export a shot to AfterEffects, eliminate a microphone shadow that appears in the frame, reimport the shot.

* Export an image, which you use to create a matte in Photoshop.

* Export an image to use as the basis for creating your film poster.

* Scan a photograph (transforming it into digital media), then manipulate it in Photoshop. After that, add a camera move in AfterEffects. Import it into your nonlinear software and add it to your sequence.

* Export a series of frames, import them into Elastic Reality (morphing software), stretch, bend, or otherwise morph an element of the images, and reimport them back into the sequence.