Animation codec in FCP – problems

[Henry Cow]

Thanks for all the replies, and sorry I havent contributed again sooner.

Regarding all the variables they could be setting something wrong that I just cannot see when trying to resolve the issues, Its often impossible to pick apart a project thats perhaps months from the project origin. I have considered pretty much all the suggestions, most have been looked into before.

The problem is it is arbitrary, hard to spot.

Regarding FCPs scaling algorythms, there is a chance that this has something to do with it, especially if it caches certain render files with errors. I cant stand the way FCP fails to interpret footage, or does it with its idiosyncrasies. And it irritates me that it will distort at will.

One thing I have been doing is exporting the file to ProRes422 and bringing that file into the sequence, it has often removed the problem.

One question, here, what would people suggest as the best codec going from AE to editing in FCP? I generally use ProRes, but unfortunately not all the students work from inside the university, not all having the most ‘respectable’ installs. I would prefer that this not be the case but…

Regarding the point of fail them if they cant submit properly. As far as I know, they are all invited to attend AE workshops but I dont know if that trainer gives them what they need. That said there is a culture of format ignorance, I know as I instruct, but things still appear with wrong settings, odd frame sizes, wrong codecs etc. Im not the exam board, Im just around to resolve issues when they arise. Yes it is frustrating, yes they will learn the hard way if they ever want to work.

Cheers, Hen.

[Stephen Botting]

I had problems like this and found that FCP was getting the field order wrong for imported animation clips.

I have found that FCP defaults to Upper fields first, then if this clip is placed on a Lower field first sequence, FCP adds a shift fields filter, which then really throws things out, espcailly if the animation was rendered Lower fields first.

I beleave the “Best” default in AE is no fields, however, FCP maybe treating the footage as upper fields. Check the item properties and check that the field dominance is correct. If it is incorrect any clips on the timeline will need to be corrected, and also check the shift fields filter has been applied and remove it if it’s there.

Stephen Botting

stephen@43south.co.nz
https://www.43south.co.nz

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Stephen
You are right.
Is always necessary to check how FC interpret the footage.

[Stephen Botting] “I beleave the “Best” default in AE is no fields,”
Is the best if you want a Progressive movie.
if you want an interlced, is not the best.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com