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a bit depth question
I know what bit depth is, but am a little confused as to how AE handles it. For example: you can set the bit depth of your project: 8, 16, 32 (float).
It seems like you’d always want to work in the highest bit depth possible. I don’t know why you wouldn’t.
And why is it that certain effects only work in 8 but not 16 bit? I.e. applying a time blend effect in a 16 bit project reults in the caution triangle, warning you that the effect does not opperate in that bit depth.
Finally, what does the “(float)” mean after the 32 bit setting?
Thanks for any replies.
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2 Replies
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Higher bit depth doesn’t always mean a better image, it depends on the footage you’re using and the effects you’re applying. Also, working at higher bit depths is more RAM intensive and results in longer render times. Sometimes when you see banding in your comp, switching to 16bit can fix this, so what you choose really depends on the job at hand.
Many effects haven’t been written to work in 16bit/32bit, that’s why you see the warning. Adobe rewrote many effects to be 32bit in CS3 and will be adding more in the future no doubt.
32bit is the most flexible bit depth because even when you’ve applied multiple effects and perhaps clipped the black/whites, the detail in your image is not actually lost, instead the clipped pixels are “floating” around and can be reintroduced by adding other effects/making further adjustments. Simplistic I know but I like that explanation best ;o)
I recommend you do some reading, take a look at After Effects Studio Techniques by Mark Christiansen, it’s an excellent book with a great chapter on 32bit/HDR.
JD
John Dickinson
Motionworks
http://www.motionworks.com.au -
Cool. Thanks for the explanation and book referal.
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