PPro to Davinci Lite roundtripping

[Angelo Lorenzo]

I’ve not used Davinci personally (I use PC predominately and I’m working with 2K-5K RED footage, and Davinci Lite has a 1080p limit) but I do know the roundtripping uses the export XML feature. This is the same XML you’d use to roundtrip to FCP 7 which leads me to believe you may have some issues if you use more exotic transitions that don’t convert well. Another option is to render the Premiere file and use an EDL for Davinci to show all your cuts, and then you just keyframe color grades over fade transitions, etc. It really depends on how much you’re doing in Premiere before it touches Davinci.

Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date PPro, there were some issues with PPro using FCP’s XML version 4 while Davinci only likes version 5. This is now corrected.

When it comes to color grading, learn how the lift, gamma, and gain controls work, and learn how to read scopes.

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Correction-Handbook-Professional-Techniques/dp/0321713117/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328679620&sr=8-2 is an amazing book.

https://www.taoofcolor.com has a good but kind of pricy online course. They also have a great podcast with the author of the above book https://www.taoofcolor.com/227/alexis-van-hurkman-interview-part-1/

[Jim Bachalo]

ok have the PPro export to Davinci import working. My problem is getting the CC result back into Premiere. If I simply export the project from Davinci as XML, I get a generic error when I try and import the Davinci project XML back into PPro.

Can anyone tell me if you must render your file within Davinci if you want to bring it back into PPro?

There must be a round tripping workflow that works.

Anyone?

Local is the new global

[Alex Udell]

Yes. You will have to render/generate new media in DaVinci.

[Marc Fisher]

Jim,
The xml back into premiere has been an issue i posted earlier last week about as well. apparently, if you download the latest beta version (4) of Davinci the issue is fixed.
I haven’t had a chance to try it out.

[Jim Bachalo]

Yes I had the beta version, unfortunately all I see is visual rgb static when I import my xml from PPro:)

With the non beta version it works, though its not true roundtripping.

I can see the potential of a node based editor like Davinci, but starting to feel that you really need a maxed out system and hardware to make the best of it. Not sure it is really optimal for a mouse only interface.

For any colorist working on feature length material I can see the time savings, but not so sure those savings will be evident for short film (under 10 minutes) projects.

I’ll probably stick with my PPRO to AE dynamic link workflow for now.

As an aside, interesting to see that even the free version of Davinci renders out files in Prores 422 format.

Local is the new global

[Marc Fisher]

Jim,
sounds like your looking for a quick color fixing tool, not a grading tool like davinci. Resolve is a tool to color, like Composer is to editing. sure, i could use imovie to edit, BUT, will i really be taken seriously as an editor or would i show that work off in my demo reel? not to mention, the tools aren’t there.
If i want to fix the color on something, sure, FCP or Premiere’s built in color tools are adequate, but they pale in comparison to Resolve’s tools.

And why wouldn’t a short film want it? the power that’s at your fingertips now will make a low budget/no budget, short film, look like the BIG Hollywood films..As long as it’s shot right.

Also, considering Davinci has a free version, that allows you to do HD sized renders, you’re only real issue is the cost of the color panels vs. using a Mouse?

If you’re even contemplating doing REAL color correction/grading, the cost of a decent panel, shouldn’t even be a factor today. the MC color is what, $1800-1500 depending where you buy from. get a panel.

start living.

the mouse is a horrible way to color, even worse than using a Wacom. At the very least, go buy a Kensington Trackball. It’s like Night and Day.