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Aspect Ratio Issues
I’ve got a problem that’s been bothering me recently. Since this is potentially both an AE & FCP issue, I’m posting both places in hopes of a response… I’m relatively new to the world of FCP, so there might just be something I’m not doing. Thanks in advance!
I can explain in greater detail if needed, but basically:
My AE Comp is set to the standard DV preset, 720×480, with pixel aspect ratio set at the (also standard) .9.
The preview on my external (SD) monitor looks skinnier than it should, but this is normal, yes? I’ve almost always had this issue, as I recall.When I bring this footage into FCP to finalize it (add finished audio, slate, etc.) the footage looks squashed. My FCP timeline is also set to standard 720×480, .9.
The image size is actually smaller, as well – i.e. the preview area on the screen, when set to 100%, is just under 8 1/2 inches in AE, but it’s considerably smaller in FCP. Setting the FCP timeline to square pixels fixes this, and everything looks right… but that doesn’t seem right, does it?
I’ve been able to deal so far, since all the projects this has crept up on have been letterboxed – I can just squeeze it a little in FCP and it looks fine, but the day will obviously come when this isn’t an option.
As I said, I’ll happily provide more info if needed. I hope someone has a helpful suggestion for me!
Kyle Hamrick
Editor/Motion Graphics Artist
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8 Replies
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Hm. This should be your standard workflow:
1. work in a DV preset comp. Let it create the settings automatically.
2. view on the external TV. It should look skinnier than the AE comp window, but it should look the *same* as the comp window with Pixel Aspect Ratio Correction enabled.
3. render with no scaling.
4. work in FCP in a DV preset.
5. Use “show as square pixels”.You mention letterboxing. Are you dealing with widescreen as well?
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I’m already doing all of the above.
I render out of AE just using the Lossless preset, so I don’t even touch the settings.
I’m dealing with widescreen HDV footage which I’ve scaled down to fit into a 720×480 comp.
Kyle Hamrick
Editor/Motion Graphics Artist
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PS
Turning OFF “Show as Square Pixels” makes it look correct on the computer monitor in FCP, but the external preview is still squished.
The final QT file I render out of FCP, it also looks too skinny – and I can obviously only view that on the computer screen.
Kyle Hamrick
Editor/Motion Graphics Artist
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Aha. You didn’t mention Widescreen or HDV. Shame on you. 🙂
You should convert the HDV clips to something like Animation or Photo-JPEG before bringing them into AE. HDV is an acquisition medium, not meant for editing or compositing.
Then import the footage into AE, making sure to interpret it as HDV, 1440×1080, with the proper PAR. Separate fields if it was interlaced. Work in a DV SD comp, but scale the footage *to width*: cmd-opt-shift-H. This will letterbox the footage. Render lossless to get a DV SD letterboxed movie.
To test all this, shoot a flat-on shot of a CD. Go through your workflow, and if the CD looks circular (not elliptical) on TV, you’re fine.
Does that help?
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Shame on me indeed.
Yes, that’s probably the issue. I’ve only had this problem on SOME projects – and we shift between shooting HDV and DVCPro. About two months ago, I moved to a new place, which meant adapting to Mac, to FCP, and to HDV. Needless to say, I’m still figuring out the kinks in the workflow. I’m also the only editor, so I don’t really have anyone to look to for guidance.
=)
Anyway, so what settings EXACTLY should I be using when I export my rough cut from FCP to AE? [No Automatic Duck, unfortunately.]
I generally make a rough cut in FCP, the export with tails to use in AE, but I just use “Export Quicktime.” Should I be using Quicktime Converter as I output?Numbers-wise, AE does APPEAR to be interpreting the footage correctly… is it just a matter of AE not dealing with the HDV PAR correctly, but a different format at the same size will come in correctly… is that what you’re saying? I HAVE, however, had to fiddle around with the sizing – I end up just scaling the clips unevenly to make them look right – I just figured it was kind of an HDV/AE kink.
Anyway, it sounds like it’s mainly a workflow issue, so I just need some good pointers from others who deal with the same thing…
I’ll also definitely try the CD test to work this out – good idea.
Kyle Hamrick
Editor/Motion Graphics Artist
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All I know, is that you shouldn’t have to scale clips unevenly. Unfortunately (lucky for me), I’ve avoided HDV up to this point and so am not qualified to know the details of an HDV/FCP/AE workflow.
Have you searched the AE COW for “HDV”?
Have you read this?
https://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=332583&sliceId=2Sorry I couldn’t help more.
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“I’ve avoided HDV up to this point and so am not qualified to know the details of an HDV/FCP/AE workflow.”
I envy you. =)
I do appreciate the help, even if it doesn’t fully answer my question. You did, at least, get me headed in the right direction, and have seemingly found the culprit of the problem. Thanks for the tips!
Your link doesn’t work, BTW.
Kyle Hamrick
Editor/Motion Graphics Artist
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