Enhancing screen recordings with a shape mask

With our generator, or base layer, all set, it's time to transition to the critical element of our screencasts: screen recordings. These recordings are central and it’s imperative that they appear polished and professional. At Try Hard, we use a shape mask to provide screen recordings with a clean, refined look, setting them apart as intentional and well-crafted rather than mere recorded footage.

Applying a shape mask in Final Cut

To apply and customize a shape mask, head over to Final Cut. Once there, navigate to your screen recording layer. Activate it by pressing V, then notice how the recording appears. You might see a little orange dot behind it; this is something we need to address to align with our course's branding colors.

Select the screen footage and access the effects browser. Search for "shape mask", double-click to apply it to your screen footage clip. Initially, the appearance might seem off, with parts cut off, but rest assured, adjustments can be made. Adjust the green points—marking the innermost areas—along with the top, bottom, and sides to match the outline of the window.

Refining the shape mask

You'll notice feathering and blurring due to an overextended feather setting. Reduce this from 90% to a manageable 3% to merge lines appropriately. Similarly, adjust the rounding or curvature from 35% to around 3% for a more precise fit. Increase the view to 150%, utilizing the viewer's percentage toggle for detailed adjustments. This will help match the corner rounding and curvature more accurately—around 1.77% appears satisfactory.

Adding a drop shadow effect

To enhance depth, add a drop shadow effect after ensuring the screen footage is selected. In the effects browser, search and apply "drop shadow". Adjust its position so it subtly appears below and slightly to the left of the footage. Fine-tune the visibility and nuances of the shadow using the inspector, tampering with opacity and blur as needed. A 49% opacity usually strikes a balanced look.

As you explore these settings, pull sliders in various directions to understand each effect's influence, allowing for precise fine-tuning.

Bringing it all together

Now, your screen recording should have a seamless mask and a tactful drop shadow. Through these steps, you've successfully masked the screen and incorporated branded color, enhancing the overall aesthetic. While this walkthrough was brisk, dedicate ample time to fine-tune the mask and drop shadows to perfection. In the upcoming lesson, we'll focus on upgrading your facecam footage using the built-in picture-in-picture effect. Stay tuned!