Photoshop to After Effects for 16:9 widescreen UK

[Spaceman]

spaceman remembers seeing 1050×576 sq pixel reference
on the BBC website. spaceman believes there to be a lot
of confusion on this issue.
spaceman works 1050×576 and converts final output
to 720×576 pal. Full height anamorphic.
spaceman has been told, retold and reassured
that this is a good work practise.
spaceman would be grateful if anyone could add
information to this subject.

[Deadittex]

In your photo shop file before importing, compansate for the sqeeze that will happen whenyou switch the pixel aspect ratio. To do this, and I am sorry but i am not going to do the math(Because I tied one on last night, and have a morning head) … Figure outthe percentage of the squeeze that occures by creating a ratio between the two pixel aspect ratio’s. Now calculate the harazontal proportion of the photoshop file and how much you will have to expand it to expand it the percentage of the ratio you just created. Go to image resize in photo shop and do so With unconstraind propotions. this will strech you image out and make it look bad. Take it into AE convert the pixels and the squeeze will occure at the same percentage of the strechmaking the image look normal again…

PS whisky in a coke, is still whisky…

‘The wheel weaves’

[Andrew Yoole]

Since you’ve already made your PSDs at 1024×576, leave them like that – it’s fine! I leave most of my PSDs in sq pix as well, because you’re effectively retaining full horizontal resolution until later on in the workflow.

Import them to AE. Now choose your one of the following options:

A) Immediately convert the new comps to 720×576 Widescreen.
Advantage: You are now working at the native output res, which is convenient.
Advantage: You’ve reduced the number of pixels AE needs to process, meaning slightly faster render times.
Disadvantage: Some of the layers within your comp may end up in odd positions when you do the conversion, and you’ll need to manually repo them.
Disadvantage: You’re stuck looking at good quality images in anamorphic mode (which are horizontally squished), or at AE’s low quality PAR preview (without the squish)

or

B) Leave everything as square pix 1024×576 during the design & animation stage. When complete, put the finished comp into a new 720×576 widescreen comp and render.
Advantage: Previews are the correct aspect, full quality, not squished
Advantage: You are preserving full horizontal resolution until later in the workflow, meaning (very slightly) better quality output
Disadvantage: More pixels for AE to process means slightly longer render times
Disadvantage: An extra step at the end is a slight inconvenience

We could debate the merits and relevance of 1050×576 v 1024×576 pix all night. (The 1050 value relates to nominal analogue blanking, so is not strictly relevant since you are using no analogue-sourced footage in your comp). I strongly recommend at this stage you stick with the standard 1024×576 values, as recognised and represented in AE.[jamesworsley] “Should i change this to PAL widescreen 720 x 576, pixel aspect ratio widescreen 16:9…..this squishes everything horizontally.”

[Andrew Yoole]

Sorry, the end of my last post got a little skewed there. There was supposed to be your quote about things being squished, to which I answered “Turn on AE’s Pixel Aspect Ratio Preview to remove the squished look.”

[Jamesworsley]

Hi,
Thanks again for the info.
You said “Leave everything as square pix 1024×576 during the design & animation stage. When complete, put the finished comp into a new 720×576 widescreen comp and render.”
Would I just drag the layers into a new comp….
And i unserstand when i render out i’d render at 720×576 animation compression, or uncompressed.
When i view this final movie will it look squished on my computer, but obviously ok once viewed on TV?
Cheers
James

[Spaceman]

spaceman agrees with Andrew. spaceman uses analogue
footage a lot. spaceman’s engineers also agree with
Andrew regarding 1024×576 for standard widescreen graphics
generation.

[Andrew Yoole]

[jamesworsley] “ou said “Leave everything as square pix 1024×576 during the design & animation stage. When complete, put the finished comp into a new 720×576 widescreen comp and render.”
Would I just drag the layers into a new comp….”

Nope, create a new comp of the correct duration, and use the D1/DV Widescreen preset in the Comp Settings dialog box. Then just drag the original 1024×576 comp from the project window into the new timeline. Render the new comp – easy!

[jamesworsley] “And i unserstand when i render out i’d render at 720×576 animation compression, or uncompressed.
When i view this final movie will it look squished on my computer, but obviously ok once viewed on TV?”

Exactly!