How to import Avid DNxHD .mxf files into After Effects

[Steve Blacker]

Might be a daft question, but have you installed the DNxHD codecs for Quicktime? Might be a start if you’re having trouble importing these files to AE.

http://www.stephenblacker.com

[Kevin Camp]

ae does support mxf import/export, but only for a several codecs (which are pretty much acquisition/camera codecs), and i don’t believe dnxhd is included, but you could check the online manual for your version of ae for specifics.

you can definitely convert the mxf to an mov container and keep the same codec (dnxhd) if you have the avid quicktime components installed the steve mentions (they are a free download from avid). and you could export that from your avid.

Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW

[Walter Soyka]

[Kevin Camp] “ae does support mxf import/export, but only for a several codecs (which are pretty much acquisition/camera codecs), and i don’t believe dnxhd is included, but you could check the online manual for your version of ae for specifics.”

I’ll confirm that. MXF import is basically limited to P2 and XDCAM.

The easiest way to get at this media is to export the MXF from your Avid as a Quicktime, using the “Same as Source” option. In AE, you can render directly to DNxHD in a Quicktime container for fast-import back into Avid. See Michael Kamme’s excellent Avid is Self-Aware – Fast Import blog post [link] for more on DNxHD and import with Media Composer.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
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[Joseph Herman]

Thanks for all of your answers. I have an Avid License, which I just got, but I am mostly a compositor and animator.

Now I have to figure out how to do this on the Avid. The problem is, I have zero hours experience with the Avid (though I am not bad at Premiere, which I really like).

If you know any resources online that go over how to convert this to Quicktime using “Same as Source” I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Rousselos Aravantinos]

how about quicktime reference since u have avid!

[Joseph Herman]

Hi. I just have to figure out how to do it. (I just got Avid MC6).

[Eric Mc guire]

place you in-out marks, select your tracks, and: Export, Quicktime Reference. Open it in AE.

You can also work with Automatic Duck import if you want, but it is
more complicated.

If you work with video footage, you might want to stick with the REC 709 colorspace in AVID. You’ll sleep more nights in your life.

[San Ni]

You can convert MXF files to After effect with the tool:MXF to After Effect

[Alexander Roberts]

I’m having this same issue, but I’m not sure what kind of .MXF file it is I’m trying to import in AE. I was given .MXF to import in AE and can’t get it in. The prores I’ve been using to work with as a proxy is too artifacted for color.

How exactly can I figure out what codec or importer I need to be able to use the MXF files and import them into AE?

Alex