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End frames from animations created outside Avid don’t match!?
We often create 3-D animations in lightwave, save them as pict sequences and then drag all the files into AE to composite additional effects there – then the final animation is saved a a QT and we import the file into an Avid system. The problem we have is when we need still frames from the animation to extend sections to match the narration – we go to the same frame in the animation inside of AE and export just the frame – however, once we get that file into our Avid there is always a slight shift in the motion – it does not match exactly. And it’s very slight, but definitely noticeable. We have tried exporting and importing odd/even field first but they never match exactly. Has anyone else experienced this?
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3 Replies
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I’m not sure why you’re seeing the shift, but why don’t you just create a freeze frame in Avid? That way you don’t have to go back to AE for the still, and the motion should be consistent.
Michael.
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These animations also have alpha channels – the Avid can’t create a still frame and retain the alpha information – in the past we’ve created a sub clip of the frame and then cut it in 90 times, but what a pain!
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Here’s how to work around Avid’s alpha deficiencies to make a still frame:
1. Lets say your animation is on V2, with a Matte Key effect because it has an alpha channel. Step into the Matte Key effect so you see the Matte and Fill.
2. Mark In/Out on the frame you want to freeze and select the Matte track. Hit Alt+C to copy that frame to your source monitor.
3. Create a freeze frame of the Matte. Now select the Fill and copy it to your source monitor. Create a freeze frame of the fill.
4. Step out of the Matte Key effect. Cut the Matte freeze frame you just made onto V3, the Still freeze frame onto V2, both at the duration you need to the graphic to hold.
5. Collapse these two freeze frame clips together onto V2. Drag(don’t Alt+Drag like you’re going to nest, just drag) a Matte Key effect to your collapsed tracks. It will replace the submaster effect with a matte key and you now have a freeze frame with alpha.
It looks and sounds like a lot, but you can do it in just a few seconds once you get the hang of it.
Michael.
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