After Effects Lossless TIFF Image Sequence Export

[Jason Morehouse]

Hello,

I recently shot a film on Red Scarlet. I’m readying my VFX files for color correction. I just wanted to double-check what the settings were for lossless renders for TIFF Image Sequence.

1. I’m re-rendering the files because our colorist complained that all the previous VFX renders of the RAW were sent in 8-bit instead of 16. He thinks it’s because the VFX artist had rendered all the files in TIFF mov lossless instead of an image sequence. The VFX artist contends that the 8 bit doesn’t matter in the long run for the 2K DCP projection at the festival. The Colorist is like hell yeah it does. Who’s right?

2. When I re-render all the files on the queue what are the settings? I’ve never done a proper image sequence before and want to make sure I don’t mess it up this time.

Thanks a bunch.

[Walter Soyka]

[Jason Morehouse] “He thinks it’s because the VFX artist had rendered all the files in TIFF mov lossless instead of an image sequence.”

That’s correct. TIFF in a QuickTime wrapper is limited to 8bpc.

[Jason Morehouse] “The VFX artist contends that the 8 bit doesn’t matter in the long run for the 2K DCP projection at the festival. The Colorist is like hell yeah it does. Who’s right?”

The colorist is right.

[Jason Morehouse] “2. When I re-render all the files on the queue what are the settings? I’ve never done a proper image sequence before and want to make sure I don’t mess it up this time.”

First, make sure the project itself is set to 16bpc; if it’s set for 8bpc, all the rest is for naught.

Next, let’s make a custom output module for your 16b TIFF files. Add a comp to the render queue. Click the down-arrow icon next to “Output Module” and choose “Make template…” In Settings Name, call it “16b TIFF Seq” or whatever you like. Click the “Edit…” button. Change the Format to “TIFF Sequence” and the depth to “Trillions of Colors” or “Trillions of Colors+” depending on whether you want to use alpha or not. Click “OK” on both windows to return to the render queue.

Now you can choose “16b TIFF Seq” as an output module.

If you have the latest Ae CC, it will automatically create folders for each of the image sequences by default. If you are on an earlier version, make sure that you are careful where you render each sequence to; putting them all into the same folder can get confusing.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events

[Jason Morehouse]

Wow, thanks a bunch! You answered everything.

[Jason Morehouse]

I forgot to ask… The VFX artist sent me all the project files for re-rendering. If they were set to 8 bpc, is there a way to know? How do I change the settings for the project? Is it something simply to be done in the render queue? Thanks again.

[Walter Soyka]

[Jason Morehouse] “If they were set to 8 bpc, is there a way to know? How do I change the settings for the project?”

See Color basics [link] for a quick description of color depth and how to set the depth for an Ae project.

[Jason Morehouse] “Is it something simply to be done in the render queue? “

You have to set the depth for the project in the project panel or in the project settings. You have to set the depth for output separately in the output module.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events