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Footage from AE to DV
I know this is another “pixel” question, but I can’t seem to figure it out from the tutorials I have read. They only seem to confuse me more and the results dont match, so I did my own tests.
First: I work primarily in FCP with DV footage (720×480) and that is my target. When I bring in an AE comp it always has jagged edges to some degree. Is this just part of working with DV? I need to understand which variables to use in my workflow and I have done a bunch of tests but the results don’t make sense based on what the tutorials say.
First, I am creating a solid and applying Zaxwerks, so the footage originates in AE. The same goes for text layers. The three variables I have tested are
Comp size
Solid size
Output module
(The FCP sequence will be DV 720×480)The tutorial here https://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_page_wrapper.cgi?forumid=1&page=https://www.creativecow.net/articles/gerard_rick/pixel_madness/index.html states that “After Effects always works with square pixels in the Composition window.” and also “The proper standard size for a square pixel composition that is going to be FIT into NTSC DV at 720 X 480 is 720 X 534.”
But the results of that combination in FCP are terrible. The best results I get are if the output module is D1 square pixel, results that I rated “5” on a scale of 10 which is simply not acceptable. If I make my sequence D1 (720×486) then I rate it an “8” which is OK, but still has some jagged edges, not perfect.
I could list all my variables and results but that may not help here. What is the best workflow given the three variables for a DV sequence? And should I accept there will still be some jagged edges? If I set my FCP sequence to D1 then the results are better, I rate it “8”, still not perfect.
thanks in advance,
Tom -
4 Replies
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Here is what you do:
Comp size: use the NTSC DV, or if you want widescreen use NTSC DV Widescreen Comp Preset
(if you import any footage make sure to interpret footage correctly. If the imported footage is NTSC than you would want to
Highlight the footage in the Project Pannel. Choose File > Interpret Footage > Main
and then set the aspect ratio to whatever the highlighted footage is supposed to be.)
After Effects will apply the footage interpretation to the selected items.Solid size: Use “Make comp size” (make sure that the aspect ratio matches your comp)
Output module: Use Quicktime Movie and in Video Output Format Options choose compression “none” (make sure your frames per sec. is correct)
I am assuming you are on Mac (if on Windows use AVI instead of Quicktime)That should make your footage in FCP look great.
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Thanks for the response. Two things you said..
1. Interpret the footage… but the footage is originating in AE so no interpretation is possible. From what I understand, the solid settings is the interpretation.
2. Render our uncompressed. It must now be rendered on my DV sequence, which is a major pain to edit.
The footage actually looks a tad worse doing this and my timeline wont like it. Am I reading this wrong?
Tom
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Correction, it is not a tad worse, about the same as DV.
td
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OK, I found the problem. My Mac has an ATI Radeon and it was set to NTSC = 800×600 out. Changed that to 720×480 and the edges are gone.
Thanks so much for your effort.
td
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