TABLE of CONTENTS 1 Getting Started After Effects Files More Information Introduction 2 Global Modifications 9 Iconic Imagery 21 Requirements 3 Network IDs 10 Summary 22 Toolkit Specifications 4 Strand Opens 12 Installation 6 Bumpers 14 Render Settings 7 Promo End Pages 16 Line-ups 18 Lower Thirds 20
INTRODUCTION 2 This Production Toolkit is an extension of the On-Air Graphics Package for the Crime & Investigation Network. Formatted specifically to work in Adobe s After Effects software, the disks contain all of the base elements that were delivered on videotape, plus the tools necessary to title and modify the package to your specific requirements. Using the Production Toolkit will simplify the customization process and make it more efficient. TIP You can print additional copies of the Toolkit Guide and Style Guide using the PDF files provided on disk. On the following pages, there are step-by-step instructions on how to use the Production Toolkit to customize the complete on-air graphics package. The DVD include templates, set-up files for compositing, and other necessary production elements to customize the variety of elements offered: IDs, Promo End Pages, Line-up Menus, Strand Opens and Bumpers. Alternately, the animation elements can be exported to non-linear systems for other types of production. IMPORTANT The Production Toolkit is not a training guide or tutorial for Adobe s Photoshop and After Effects software. You must have a moderate level of proficiency with these programs to successfully implement the process. If you are new to these programs, please take time to learn the basics before working with the Toolkit. If your production is done primarily in a traditional editing environment or on dedicated systems by Diskreet, Quantel, or others, this library may not be necessary. The production elements have also been delivered on the videotape masters.
REQUIREMENTS 3 Software and Hardware The successful implementation of the Production Toolkit requires a minimum configuration of hardware and software. If your system does not meet or exceed these requirements, please make the necessary upgrades before proceeding. Software Requirements: Adobe After Effects version 6.5 Adobe Photoshop version 8.0 Apple Quicktime software version 6.5 Hardware Requirements: PC or Macintosh platform that meet, or exceed Adobe s system specifications for CPU speed, operating system and memory requirements to run After Effects 6.5 (check your software documentation for requirements) Additional memory is highly recommended for more efficient production 3 gigabytes of free disk space for Toolkit installation 5 gigabytes or more of additional disk space for production Additional Requirements: You may also require additional hardware and software to import and export video material. We have not made specific recommendations since there are so many options depending upon the computer platform and video formats with which your facility works. If you are already using PC or Macintosh based systems such as Avid, Media 100, Final Cut, and Premiere, this may be all you need for importing footage and exporting completed elements.
TOOLKIT SPECIFICATIONS 4 File Types and Video File Types and Directories: The Toolkit disks contains several types of files for production identified by the name extension. You will be working primarily with the.aep After Effects production files..psd Photoshop files as still elements that you may need to modify.aep After Effects production files to create final animations.aom After Effects templates for render settings.mov Quicktime movies of footage and pre-composited source material.tga Targa still elements for use as additional compositing layers Video Specifications: The Production Toolkit was developed for a variety of broadcast applications. It has specific files and settings to create material for the following: NTSC standard definition 4:3 aspect ratio NTSC standard definition 16:9 aspect ratio (anamorphic) PAL standard definition 4:3 aspect ratio PAL standard definition 16:9 aspect ratio (anamorphic) TIP All of the After Effects files contain a Safe Area overlay for titles and cut-off in 4:3 and 16:9 format. Turn this layer off when rendering final elements. To accommodate all of these formats, the After Effects setup files use a working resolution of 960 by 540 pixels. From these templates, each of the above formats can be rendered at the appropriate resolution and aspect ratio. The specific settings can be found in the RENDERING section of this Toolkit Guide. Graphic elements, footage, and source material contained on this disk vary in resolution and format depending on how it was acquired. The After Effects files contain any necessary adjustments for these differences. If you are using any of this material independent of the After Effects set-up files, you may need to scale, crop, or modify the frame rate to match your broadcast specifications.
TOOLKIT SPECIFICATIONS 5 Base Composites & Source Footage Base Composites: For many elements, the base layers of the composite have been pre-rendered to simplify production. These movie files are encoded at high quality compression settings in order to fit in a practical amount of disk space. If you prefer a different encoding method, or no compression at all, digitize those elements directly from the digital videotape masters. Source Footage: Production of the original footage for the on-air package was defined by the requirements to deliver multiple formats from one source. The studio shoot utilized standard definition, NTSC with camera settings for 16:9 anamorphic, at 30 frames per second, in progressive mode. From the anamorphic footage, images are scaled and cropped to meet the resolution for each of the video specifications described above. The difference in frame rate between NTSC and PAL were compensated for in the video conversion, or within After Effects. As needed, frame blending was utilized in After Effects to smooth the effects of rapid motion when converting to PAL frame rate.
INSTALLATION 6 The complete toolkit is contained on a single DVD-Rom disk. The companion CD-Rom includes duplicate files of the log sheets, Style Guide and this. For the most productive workflow, the Toolkit should be installed on a hard drive connected to your production system. While the Toolkit can work directly from the DVD-Rom disk, it will be much slower and you cannot edit or save files back to the DVD. Make sure you have a minimum of 3 gigabytes of available disk space to install the Toolkit. Additional space will be required for production and rendering. IMPORTANT If the top level directory ci_toolkit does not appear on your hard drive, you must create one and move the Toolkit contents to this directory. NOTE The fonts used and tested for this Toolkit are Adobe Postscript type 1 for both Mac and PC. TrueType fonts, or non-adobe type fonts may not load correctly with the set-up files. You may need to re-assign the font layers in each After Effects file. Step 1: Copy the entire contents of Production Toolkit Disk 1 to your hard drive. Once the Toolkit has been completely installed, your system should contain the same directory structure as delivered on the master DVD-Rom. Step 2: Install Fonts If you do not already own the font, DIN Schriften 1451 Engschrift, you will need to purchase this from Adobe Systems. You can find it online at: www.adobe.com/type Search for DIN 1451 Install or move the font according to your system requirements. If you use font management software, follow the directions for that application. IMPORTANT: The fonts used and tested for this Toolkit are Adobe Postscript type 1 for both Mac and PC. TrueType fonts, or non-adobe type fonts may not load correctly with the set-up files. You may need to re-assign the font layers in each After Effects file.
RENDER SETTINGS 7 Resolutions & Templates Resolutions: As described earlier, the After Effects set-up files use a working resolution of 960 x 540 pixels to accommodate the four different rendering options. 720 x 486 NTSC 4:3 aspect ratio 720 x 486 NTSC 16:9 aspect ratio (anamorphic) 720 x 576 PAL 4:3 aspect ratio 720 x 576 PAL 16:9 aspect ratio (anamorphic) Importing Templates: The first time you work with the After Effects files, you will need to import the Rendering Templates for your requirements. With any one of the After Effects (aep) files open, follow the following steps to import the settings. 1. Select the main EDIT menu 2. From the drop-down list, select TEMPLATES 3. Select OUTPUT MODULE 4. In the Output Module Templates window, select LOAD 5. Locate and select the NTSC or PAL template file as shown below 6. In SETTING NAME choose either 4:3 or 16:9 for your production NOTE You may receive a warning or error message when loading the render templates. Ignore the message and continue as directed. You can locate the rendering template files here: 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC ci_ntsc_render_templates.aom (or) 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_PAL ci_pal_render_templates.aom
RENDER SETTINGS 8 Resolutions & Templates Importing Templates: Edit > Output Module > Output Module Templates
GLOBAL MODIFICATIONS 9 Network Logo Text In select regions AETN-I may authorize the translation of the channel name into a different language. For these particular markets, you can change the text on all applications with a few simple steps. First, you need to modify the original Photoshop and Targa files containing the type. Locate the files in the following location: 1ci_toolkit 1elements_stills ci_logo_strand_open.psd ci_logo_text.tga ci Logo strand open ci Logo text Use these files as templates to set your specific text within the same size and placement. Save them over the originals with the same names and location on your system. (If necessary, you can retrieve the original files from the Toolkit disks.) The After Effects files should now source this revised artwork when it renders any animation containing the network name.
Network IDs 10 You can use the After Effects files to add a tagline, change the logo background, make any necessary changes to the network name, or make additional IDs from the library of footage. You can also import your own source material to make entirely new IDs. All of the IDs use the PSD or TGA files described earlier in Global Modifications. If you change these files, make sure the new artwork fits in the same size and location for the effects to work properly. ID ci shatter ID name shatter Network Name The id_ci_shatter.aep and ci_name_shatter.aep contain animation of the ci icon that cannot be easily changed in After Effects. The background in these IDs is a 10-second looping animation that appears as two layers. Background
Network IDs 11 There are also four Icon imagery IDs. You can make the changes described above, or create new IDs using these as templates. Please consult the Style Guide for direction on creating any new imagery. ID pill ID lightbulb ID bars ID tulip The After Effects files for the IDs can be found here: 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC (or PAL) 1ids id_name_shatter.aep id_ci_shatter.aep id_bars.aep id_lightbulb.aep id_pill.aep id_tulips
STRAND OPENS 12 Changing Titles & Keywords You can add titles to the opens with the After Effects Production files listed below. Within the composition are text layers that can be edited for the open and the small keywords that appear within the images. There are six different opens from which to choose. Forensics open Keyword Main Title Changing Titles: Locate and open the After Effects file you would like to modify. The main title appears as the layer named for that strand, ie: Mystery. Select that layer and use the type tool from the Tools palette to change the title. Main Title
STRAND OPENS 13 Changing Titles & Keywords Changing Keyword Text: There are also 3 or 4 small words that accompany the imagery in the open. They each have the shatter effect applied. You can change these words by opening the pre-comps folder and double-clicking on the EDIT pre-comp for that word. Once you change the text, the shatter animation will be created automatically as part of the render. The After Effects files for the Strand Opens can be found here: 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC (or PAL) 1opens open_biography.aep open_crime.aep open_forensics.aep open_generic.aep open_investigation.aep open_mystery.aep Pre-Comp Keyword
BUMPERS 14 Adding Titles & Footage You can add titles and footage to the bumpers with the After Effects Production files listed below. Bumpers can be created in (3) different formats that provide different size footage windows with 1, 2, or 3 lines of text. Choose the format that works for your application. Bumper 1 line Bumper 2 line Bumper 3 line The After Effects files for the Bumpers can be found here: 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC (or PAL) 1bumpers bumper_1_line.aep bumper_2_line.aep bumper_3_line.aep Titles Footage
BUMPERS 15 Adding Titles & Footage Changing Text: Locate and open the After Effects file you would like to modify. Select and edit the show title EDIT layer for 1 or 2 line versions. The 3 line bumper uses an additional tune-in time EDIT layer for that text. Inserting Footage: The After Effects file contains a footage layer that can be substituted with your own material. Make sure the duration of the new clip is long enough for your application. 1. In the project window, double-click video window EDIT in the pre-comps folder to open that composite in the timeline. 2. Replace video_window_sample.tga with your video clip or image file. 3. Scale and position the new footage as necessary. 4. Make sure the column labeled TrkMat in the After Effects timeline is set to Luma for that layer. TrkMat Setting
PROMO END PAGES 16 There are two different formats for End Pages, each with a specific After Effects file for your production work. For an end page with footage, select the Window format. The icon formats are for text only and include thematic strand imagery for six different backgrounds. The following frames provide a guide for choosing the template that best suits your requirements. End page 1 line End page 3 Line End page window Titles Before beginning the production process, you must choose a format. Locate the end-page files here: 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC (or PAL) 1end pages end page_window.aep end page_icons_1_line.aep end page_icons_3_lines.aep Backgrounds
PROMO END PAGES 17 Changing Text: Locate and open the After Effects file you would like to modify. Select and edit the show title EDIT layer for 1- or 2-line versions. The 3-line bumper uses an additional tune-in time EDIT layer for that text. Selecting Backgrounds: The bottom six layers of the timeline are the options for strand backgrounds. Select a background by clicking and activating the eye column next to it. Make sure no other backgrounds are active. Adding Footage: The endpage_window.aep file contains a footage layer that can be substituted with your own material. Make sure the duration of the new clip is long enough for your application. 1. In the project window, double-click video window EDIT in the pre-comps folder to open that composite in the timeline. 2. Replace video_window_sample.tga with your video clip or image file. 3. Scale and position the new footage as necessary. 4. Make sure the column labeled TrkMat in the After Effects timeline is set to Luma for that layer. TrkMat Setting
LINE-UPS 18 There are templates for 1 and 2 language line-ups, for both 15 and 30 second durations. Each provides three different background options within the After Effects file. The following frames provide a guide for choosing the line-up template that best fills your requirements. An animation sequence changes the text color to highlight each program and time individually. Choose the 15- or 30-second After Effects file for your application. 1 language 2 language Lightwash background Fly background Purse background Before beginning the production process, you must choose a format. Locate the line-up files here: 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC lineup_1_language_15.aep lineup_2_language_15.aep lineup_1_language_30.aep lineup_2_language_30.aep
LINE-UPS 19 Changing Backgrounds: The bottom three layers of the timeline provide choices for the lightwash, fly, or purse backgrounds. Select one by clicking, and activating the eye column next to it. Only select one background. You can select other background material by adding or replacing your own layer to the composite. Backgrounds Changing Text: You can change the program and time text by opening the pre-comps folder in the project window, and double clicking on the type EDIT comp. All of the editable text layers appear in the timeline window. Select and edit each layer as necessary with the type tool.
LOWER THIRDS 20 The lower thirds provide titling for a number of applications. There are 1-, 2- and 3-line formats. There is a quick animation reveal as part of the After Effects set-up file. An extra wide banner element is provided for special requirements. It does not have a text template for this version. Changing Text: Select the type EDIT layer in the timeline and change the text using the type tool. Text Layers Select and open the file you would like to edit. 1ci_toolkit 1after_effects_NTSC 1lower_thirds lower_third_1_line.aep lower_third_2_line.aep lower_third_3_line.aep lower_third_xwide.aep Applying Lower Thirds: You will need to add your background footage to the After Effects composite, or render an alpha channel for keying the lower third in another application.
ICONIC IMAGERY 21 The color-corrected footage used in the on-air package is provided as individual source clips for your ongoing production. Feel free to use this material to create new elements. The clips are encoded as they were produced, as progressive scan, NTSC, in 16:9 anamorphic format. They can be sized and cropped to your specifications. The Style Guide contains a frame capture of each cut with timecode for a quick visual reference of available imagery. You can find the individual movie clips in the following location: 1ci_toolkit 1footage Many of the elements use only a few of the iconic images that are also provided separately. You can easily create additional versions of IDs, end pages and line-ups by selecting other iconic images, and compositing them with the necessary production elements. This process is simplified in the Production Toolkit with the After Effects files. If you would like to produce your own imagery to extend the package even further, please follow some basic guidelines to maintain the consistency of the ci brand. TIP Use reference video or prints of the layouts you are shooting new material for. This will help frame the imagery in camera to fit within the final composite. Use the existing material as reference to match overall color and quality of your new imagery. You can accomplish much of this look with lighting and filters, or digitally with color correction The background environment is always a bright wash or sweep of white with some soft shadows and shading Images are primarily black and white with subtle hints of blues and greens Natural object color should be limited to small areas like the stems in the tulips shot The network red can be used as a single spot area of color for dramatic accent
SUMMARY 22 The Production Toolkit can be a valuable resource for ongoing production requirements, and future applications. The more familiar you become with the elements, the more you will find opportunities to apply them. Please remember to use these elements within the parameters of the International On-Air Style Guide If you have any questions, contact the On-Air Department at AETN-I. Product names are used for reference only. Photoshop, After Effects, and Premier are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Quicktime and Final Cut are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. You must have a valid software license for each application to use them without copyright or trademark infringement. The packaging and delivery of this Toolkit does not provide for any usage or licensing of these products. References to these products does not represent an endorsement by either the manufacturers, AETN International or Viewpoint Creative as to the suitability of their performance. Text fonts are not included as part of this Production Toolkit. You must purchase and license fonts from an authorized retailer.