Help with viewing huge file..

[Steve Roberts]

Why that size?

I ask because the screen size does not determine the size of our work — the playback device determines the size of our work.

For example, if your work were being played back on 4 DVDs, then your (design) comp size would be 4×720 pixels wide by 540 pixels tall for NTSC. Then you’d drag that into 4 DV comps for rendering. That sort of thing. The screen size does not matter.

So. Why the size? How are you playing back the animations? DVD? Hard drive?

[Adam Margolis]

I was given instructions to create it in 1 massive video file that would then be split (with special software and hardware) and projected through each projector.
Using 4 high end (synched) dvd players may deal with the massive computer power needed but for practical purposes i need to design it in 1 file for now anyway.

It is 1 animation (with many elements crossing the entire screen) which is why it is so important i see it clearly in all 1 view.
As said previously the screen size (in AE) is W:10777 H:2000

I am using high resolution images and footage for the compositing and i have calculated that this is the size i need for it to be as clear as i want..

Since posting the last one i did some experimenting (scaling up 1 large graphic over the screen) and it looks like i may run into issues anyway.
I have a top of the range laptop but AE will only render 2 frames for prievewing at any 1 time.
Thinking about it now i don’t know how i am going to get round that and the fact is i really need to because i really can’t imagine i would be able to create some of the effects in 4 screens anyway…
Any advice on this greatly appreciate as i have a hell of alot riding on it’s success.

[Adam Margolis]

I think i have come up with the solution though need to verify.
Short of buying a $30’000 system i don’t think i will get this done at home.
When i apply what i know about huge digital images i smack my head and feel stupid for thinking i could do this in the first place.
What i want to know is if AE has the ability to allow me to do it all on a small scale that i could then transfer the motion data etc into the correct size (that i would then pay to get rendered somewhere).
Another workaround i can think of would be to actual go through the process of designing it mathmatically on 4 screens and then doing compressed renders that i could then manually join for prievewing.
I know almost nothing about video file compressing though so don’t know what is possible..
I apologize if this is giving you a headache but all help appreciated…

[Steve Roberts]

Yes, the idea is to design it in one comp. If they say one file, then so be it.

However, if it is being played on DVDs, then the resolution must be as I indicated, since the DVD spec is very stringent. The only exception would be if they were playing back on Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.

So. I ask again. Why 10777×2000? Why those numbers? What is the specific technical reason for choosing those specific numbers?

[Adam Margolis]

That is the size that would allow me to display it as clear as i want to. I calculated it by looking at the size of the images i am using (and what i already know about large scale printing).
I probably do have a bit of leway with (could cut back to about 80%) but in the current file size this would still go about 1 frame per second..
Is it possible for me to do it all small scale (i would shrink all images) and then upscale and apply the data to a large comp??
I am thinking of the “create proxy” function but again i am essentially new to AE.
Thanks.

[Adam Margolis]

*Additional thought*
Even if i can’t do it that way i could do it all small scale and then mathmatically apply HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…

I can do it all small and just note the mathmatic changes myself.. Even in a large file this works because i don’t need to preview the images (hence evil laugh)
HAHAHAHAHAa

[Steve Roberts]

Yes, but it will not be that clear if it is being played back on Standard def DVD machines. Your video will be reduced to the resolution I stated, then enlarged by projecting.

Anyway, it sounds as if you’ve made up your mind. Good luck.

[Adam Margolis]

Yeah i see what you were saying with that now..
If it was 1 file i would have no alternative than to buy a 20 grand computer. i am 100% that getting 4 HD players is within my budget and i can test an SD render at home regardless.
I don’t know what the proxy function does so if you know of i way i could streamline the data transfer (rather than manually recording everything) i would be greatful..
Also when you originally responded i did’nt realize you were a creative cow member so thanks for your time…

[Jan Sherlink]

A lot depends on the footage and assets-size you’re using.
I only made Graphics for large projections 2-3 times.
The graphics were mainly text and HiRes pictures.

My workflow was;
-import all assets in highest resolution and quality
-create low quality Proxy’s from stills and video (jpg’s and mjpgb video)
-create a comp in 333×1796 (in your case)
-complete making the animation (don’t scale down assets using plugins but use AE’s scale)(previewing the animation works at this kind of resolution)
-create a new comp in 2000×10777 and drag your first comp into it
-scale it to full-screen (it will look blurry)
-enable the “Collapse transformations” switch on the comp’s layer (most assets will look sharp)
-and render this final without the proxy’s

not all kind of effects scale well this way,
but there’ll always be limitations working in that res !
Do some testing wether the effects used will scale up ok !!

cya,

Jan

[Adam Margolis]

Many thanks to you (specifically Steve and Jan).
You have helped me sort this situation out in it’s entirity
and i thank you alot for your time.