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Best export setting FCP to AE
Hello to all…
My question is quick and easy I hope. I have FCP 5.4 and Adobe AE CS3. I do a lot of work between the two. I really like using AE for chroma and such. What I was wondering is what is the best setting to use in FCP to keep the footage as true as it can be with out it getting compressed down. I have used many of quicktime’s different options but the footage every time looks very pixelated. I know I am using DV cams i.e. canon xl2 and HDR-FX1 and there will be that situation, but I was just curious on what setting would be best to export out if you are going to export the same clip 2-3 times.Thanks
Chuck -
10 Replies
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Uncompressed 10 bit or ProRes.
You should also invest in Automatic Duck ProImport AE.
Jeremy
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in my job i edit a lot of footage that goes to designers that use after effects and then they send it back to me so i can insert it into projects. they always want their footage in an animation codec.
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[Joel Kotlowitz] ” they always want their footage in an animation codec.”
That’s all that any animator wants because they think it’s the best and don’t know any different. No offense to anyone, but there are better codecs with more information and real time capabilities and also stick with YUV.
I’d capture and edit my footage in 10bit Uncomprssed for SD or ProRes for HD and expect them to return the same.
Animation is an 8bit RGB codec. The only thing it’s really good for is an alpha channel.
Jeremy
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i do believe animation is 10 bit, but everyone has their preferences 🙂
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[Joel Kotlowitz] “but everyone has their preferences :-)”
Yep, they do.
According to codecs.onerivermedia.com, 8 bit is 32 bits, meaning that’s 8 bits per channel (R,G,B) plus an 8bit alpha channel. 24bits+8 for the alpha is 32.
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[Jeremy Garchow] “The only thing it’s really good for is an alpha channel.”
And if you do need the alpha channel, it can be supplied as a separate file to be used as a travel matte. You should always try to get your renders from the AE artist in the format that’s best for you, not that’s best for them.
Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/ -
[Arnie Schlissel] “And if you do need the alpha channel, it can be supplied as a separate file to be used as a travel matte”
Exactly.
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Thanks folks… Quick follow up, is there a huge difference (file size) between the 10 bit uncompress and let’s ani. since that was mentioned as well? Also would this be true as well for exporting the video to be converted to a flash file. Looking at doing a 20 show on the web every week? If not what would be the best to export out for a flash compression and to be on the web. Want to get as close to how nice everything looks on Hulu.
Chuck
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[Chuck Obernesser] “Want to get as close to how nice everything looks on Hulu. “
Shoot on film (or higher end HD) with skilled dps and gaffers, post in 10bit (compressed or uncompressed), professional and dedicated color correction, high quality sound and music.
In order to have a high quality deliverable, you have to start with high quality material and maintain that quality to the best of your ability throughout the entire pipeline.
Oh, and shoot progressive.
Jeremy
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And if you are decided to get the best from your DV footage, don’t miss the Nattress “Chroma Smooth/Sharpen”. In a 10b sequence is magic. Your customers will think that you bought a new camera.
Rafael
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