FCPX Exported image sequence are not good

[Gary Adcock]

[Giampaolo Moretti] “I have exported an image sequence of 35 frames from a 4k timeline (4096×2160 50p xavc-i) and all the images have a different black from the originals.”

Correct depending on what format you the frames were outputted to.

Warnings:
you are starting with an 8bit acquisition format
video images have a different gamma than print.

gary adcock
Studio37

Post and Production Workflow Consultant
Production and Post Stereographer
Chicago, IL

Follow my blog at https://www.garyadcock.com

Or follow me on Twitter
@garyadcock

[Giampaolo Moretti]

Thanks a lot Gary.

I’ve esported the frames in various format: TIFF, PNG, PSD, etc. but it’s the same.
I mustn’t print the images.
I must to correct some imperfections frame by frame with Photoshop and then reimport.
If I reimport the frames and put over the original clip it’s all ok but the black level is over!

I have done that many times with FCP7 and different HD formats (XDCAM, ProRes) and it was perfect.

Now with FCPX and 4k I can’t make the same workflow.
I need to search an explanation before changing.

http://www.metisfilm.it

[Jeremy Garchow]

Are you saying the rendered images from Photoshop look different in X, or is it that the frames look different in Photoshop after exporting from fcpx?

If it’s the Photoshop processed frames, there are color space override settings available to modify in fcpx which might help. This is accessible by editing the metadata using the drop down menu in the inspector. Change the metadata view to “Extended” on the info tab of the inspector.

Most likely, your exported images from photoshop have a 1.8 gamma instead of 2.2.

[Giampaolo Moretti]

thanks Jeremy for the answer,

I’m saying about the simple exported image (TIFF, PSD, or others) before Photoshop processing.

If I reimport in fcpx this simple image the levels are different from the original clip

Original Clip

TIFF exported

http://www.metisfilm.it

[Gary Adcock]

[Giampaolo Moretti] “If I reimport in fcpx this simple image the levels are different from the original clip”

What are your output parameters?

Are you outputting as in Full Range or SMPTE? (0-100 or 16-235)

The images indicate you are clipping the blacks, which often happens when you bounce between the Full range and SMPTE incodes.

Full Range file clip hard, The SMPTE Range spec allows the highlights and shadows to be “protected” to allow for greater range to be recorded by “rolling” off the extremes so the fit better within the acceptable.

A Full Range encoded file hard clips at 0 and 100 IRE while the SMPTE encoded file can handle “super white and super black” (below 0 and above 100 IRE)

gary adcock
Studio37

Post and Production Workflow Consultant
Production and Post Stereographer
Chicago, IL

Follow my blog at https://www.garyadcock.com

Or follow me on Twitter
@garyadcock

[Jeremy Garchow]

Why not export a ProRes movie and do the photoshop work on the movie, and reexport?

That should hold on to everything Gary is talking about. You might get the same results, though, after import from a Photoshop render because of what Gary is talking about.

[Giampaolo Moretti]

Thanks Jeremy, this is an option that I tried but Photoshop don’t give to me the right format to export:
No ProRes but only :
– animation
– JPEG 2000
– not compressed
and all the options getting the wrong images

Photoshop options (sorry for italian language)

http://www.metisfilm.it

[Jeremy Garchow]

I’d try Uncompressed and turn off “color manage” or “gestisci colore”.