-
Camera RAW Image sequences and a sensible workflow in FCP?
Good morning friends,
I just had a new project handed to me and I was given a huge drive of Camera RAW File image sequences which I have been directed to Batch resize down to 1920×1080 in Photoshop (right now the RAW files are huge (4372×2906). Then i am to create QT’s in AE or quicktime pro with these resulting image sequences in order to edit in FCP. My question is about FCP work flow and what makes the most sense.
I have been directed to work in 2 sequence streams 1)animation codec and 2) in an offline format so that i can edit it with ease. The reason for this work flow as my Creative Dir. has explained is that there will be my edit which i need to run smoothly and not be sluggish (i.e. function in real time so i can actually cut, and then there is also what I deliver to After Effects guys which will need to be in the animation codec – high res animation codec). I will then receive back from the AE guys an SD animation qt or image sequence which will be something like 853×480 sq. pixels Anamorphic. – final delivery is for DVD / web and most likely will never go onto tape they just want me to edit in HD format 16×9 even though we deliver SD.
His thinking is that I cut the project in an offline codec like dvcpro hd and then when when picture is locked to replace the files with the animation version of the qt’s which i would then provide to the AE artists to work with.
So I was thinking that in qt pro or AE7 I would create 2 sets of movie files from these image sequences – 1 set in the animation codec and the other in some type of offline codec (DVCPRO, ProRes, HDV, etc) both sequences at 1920×1080 – in the end the delivery is SD with the frame size of 853×480 sq. pixels but that would be what I get from the AE artists.
I will be cutting this at my desk Macpro which is equipped with a dual 2.8 8 core /4 gb ram/2nd internal drive but when the client comes in to review i need to be able to bring the WIP into the actual edit bay which is also an 8 core but a w/ RAID) which begs the question of whether or not to edit off an external firewire drive or not…in theory i could just bring in a WIP QT for review in the edit bay so the client can see it on the plasma – live edits with client in the room are not necessary.
Any help and advice on how to structure my work flow would be great
thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Best
Sean -
5 Replies
-
The File > Scripts > Image Processor… included with Photoshop provides an easy way to resize and resave the RAW files as PSDs. The process becomes slightly complicated by the aspect ratio of the RAW images, but the Image Processor allows you to run an action before saving. So my recommended process is:
1) Record an action to reduce the Image > Canvas Size to 1920 x 1080.
2) File > Scripts > Image Processor…
3) Under “Select the images…” choose the folder that contains the RAW images.
4) Under “Select location to save…” choose a newly created folder to contain the processed images.
5) Under “File Type” choose Save as PSD and Resize to Fit 1920 x 10000 (the large vertical value is so that the image will be 1920 x SOME SIZE instead of potential scaling to less than 1920 pixels horizontally).
6) Under “Preferences” select Run Action and use the action created in step one.
Now you have PSD files at the correct frame size and aspect ratio. Hopefully the RAW image sequences are already numbered as a sequence (if not… yikes!) and you now have a PSD image sequence that will easily import into AE. Of course, I suppose its possible to undergo this entire process in AE… but I’m less familiar with RAW in AE.
I suppose the last step is to import the PSD sequence into AE and render out an Animation encoded and DVCPRO HD encoded movie. Note that you can also do this in QT Player Pro, as QT will recognize a PSD sequence if you use Open Image Sequence (cmd-shift-o). I don’t know which would be faster, but I’m guessing that AE would be as you can specify two output modules for the same render. Simply select the ‘Output Module’ field in the AE Render Queue and hit cmd-d to duplicate it, then change it.
That covers part of your workflow… I’m not a FCP whiz-kid so I’ll leave that to those who are.
Darby Edelen
Designer
Left Coast Digital
Santa Cruz, CA -
[Darby Edelen] “The File > Scripts > Image Processor… included with Photoshop provides an easy way to resize and resave the RAW files as PSDs. “
I find that QT Pro does this quite well.
File > Open Image Seq> point to the first RAW file in the folder- Set the movie parameters
and process.The RAW plugin is usually all you need for this if it is not installed.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows
Inside look at the IoHD -
Hey thanks guys,
I guess my question was more about what codec to do besides animation for the online – the process of converting the RAW files in AE i do understand i just wanted some advice about the FCP workflow and whether or not this makes sense…that is whether to do offline in dvc pro hd or if somehow i should be trying to you apple pro res or something…
any other advice people can provide me would be greatly appreciated
thanks
best
sean -
Where exactly would you find the Raw plugin? Quicktime isn’t allowing me to import RAW as sequence.
Thanks in advance,
Beau -
Hi there, did you ever find out how or where to download a QT “Raw Plug-in”? Trying to export Canon raw to QT. Thanks!
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up