UPDATE: I've updated this to work with AIR 1.0.

One of the things that I've found difficult is using the markers I've set in Final Cut Pro as cue points in a Flash Video file. I also find using the controls in Adobe's Flash CS3 Video Encoder to be cumbersome. A wonderful thought came to me when Adobe:

1. Improved XML processing in ActionScript 3 with the EX4 classes
2. Updated the Flash CS3 Video Encoder to allow importing an XML file for cue points

When I was on the beta and writing my book, I wrote a utility that listens for cue points in an existing video and traces them to the output window. This was helpful for culling cue points in Sorenson Spark encoded FLVs so I could re-encode the files as On2 VP6 and import the cue points before I re-encoded the file. While I was doing this, I had the idea for simplifying the workflow between Final Cut Pro and the Flash Video encoder. After I finished the book, I created another Flash movie that references a Final Cut Pro XML file and then finds all the markers in it and places them in an XML file for cue points. When the AIR extension for Flash Professional was released, I updated the app to use the File APIs in AIR and voila, I had my first AIR app.

A Few Things Before we Get Started

This utility does not convert Final Cut Project files. It converts Final Cut Pro XML files. To create a Final Cut Pro file, you need to select a sequence in the Final Cut Pro browser and select File > Export > XML. Also, you need to have markers in the sequence, not in clips that are in a sequence.

1. In a Final Cut sequence move the playhead to a frame where you want a marker. Make sure that no clips are selected in the sequence so the marker is added to the sequence and not the clip.
2. Press the m key twice.
3. The Edit Marker dialog appears. Enter a name and click Add Chapter Marker. Click OK.

   

4. Repeat as required.
5. When finished, save your project.
6. Choose File > Export > XML.

   

7. Download the AIR application. You will need to download and install the AIR runtime first and then download and install this application before launching it. Installing an AIR app is easy once the runtime is installed. Unzip the archive and double-click on it. Grant the application permission and the app is installed. I've included a sample Final Cut XML file so you can kick the tires.

   Download Markers to Cue Points »

   Note: While the utility is free as in beer, the application uses the MIT software license. By downloading, you're agreeing to its terms and conditions. If it saves you a few hours, consider buying my book on Flash Video since it has like 27 step-by-step tutorials and the sample Flash documents are quite good.

8. Then launch the AIR application.

   

9. Click Pick FCP File. Select the Final Cut Pro XML file you created earlier.
10. The converted XML will appear in the text box.

    

11. By default, I've disabled editing mode for the text box. If you'd like to edit the XML, click Make XML editable. Be sure to keep it well-formed and using the tag structure specified by Adobe.
12. Click Export FLV XML when you're ready. Name and save the file. I use the following pattern for naming these files: video-name-cuepoints.xml where "video-name" is the name you'll eventually use for the flv.
13. If you haven't exported the video from your Final Cut Pro sequence, you will need to do that. Export the video, launch the Flash CS3 Video Encoder, and add it to the queue. Select the video and click Settings. Click the Cue Points tab and then click the Folder icon to import the FLV XML file you created in step 12.

    

14. Adjust any remaining encoding settings and you're good to go! The cue points will be embedded in the FLV and you can use them for navigation using the FLVPlayback components.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 9:30 pm and is filed under Flash, Producing Flash CS3 Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.