pre-render workflow

[Tom Daigon]

You MUST render the dynamically linked clip in Premiere. The alternative is to export a movie from AE and then import that into Premiere.

Tom Daigon
Avid DS / PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.6.8
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Jonny Webb]

THanks, i obviously missed that point.
I’ve discovered PP deals with my clips without issue, likewise AE, but as soon as i use DynamicLinking it all goes pear shaped (goes to hell).
I’ve only ever used Dy Linking so i guess its back to the study books (or back to trying to fix my computer).
Unless you can suggest an alternative workflow…
Thanks, Jon

[Tom Daigon]

Heres how I get DL to work.

1. Right click on clip and Make AE Composition
2. Continue editing and making needed clips AE Comps.
3. Make sure to save when in AE before returning to PrP

4. When you reopen the project at a later point in time do the following.The trick that I find helps me a lot is this. When I return to a project that already has some dynamic links I just select one of those linked clips in Premiere and select “Edit Original”. That opens the preexisting AE project. Then when I am ready to send a regular clip over, the AE project is already open and a new comp is created.

If I just select the regular clip and select “Make an AE Project”( without doing the step to reopen the already existing AE project with comps already created) it will create a new project with a similar name to the Original AE project and that where things get screwed up.

Tom Daigon
Avid DS / PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
Mac Pro 3,1
8 core
10.6.8
Nvidia Quadro 4000
24 gigs ram
Maxx Digital / Areca 8tb. raid
Kona 3

[Emo Denemo]

Hello Tom,
this is a quite old thread, but as I read it, I realized that I didn’t know if there was another posssible workflow which didn’t imply dynamic link, like exporting back and forth between premiere and after effects.
Do several renderings alter or lessen the quality of the video.
I’m sorry if this is a total newbie questions, or if it has been answered in another thread, but I just couldn’t find it on CC forum.
Thanks,
Emo

[Tom Daigon]

This is an old thread. With CS6 dynamic link became rock solid for me.
My current work flow is …

1. Highlight clip on PrP timeline and Make AE Composition.
2. Work in AE creating desired effect.
3. Export AE project as an intermediary file (Prores / DNxHD / or whatever your prefer) MAKING SURE I HAVE PROJECT LINK CHECKED in Render Queue screen.
4. Import movie into PrP and use REPLACE CLIP to stick it on the timeline replacing the DL clip currently there.
5. If I need to revise in AE, I highlight the clip, right click and Select Edit Original to open AE, make changes and export again.
5. Rendering AE DL comps on the PrP timeline is very slow as opposed to exporting from AE.

There is no image quality loss if you choose a good intermediary codec to export your AE project to.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

[Emo Denemo]

Thank you so much for your answer.
To be entirely honest, I am not a 100% sure I know what is the best codec. ProRes seems heavy to me. Would you have an idea?
Besides, I am going to try it as soon as I can.
So thanks again.
Irrelevant, but funny : I saw that you live in Las Vegas, and I live in Paris. This is really 2013!

[Tom Daigon]

Prores is what most professional facilities use here in the US since its a great balance between light compression and reasonable size.

For distribution to clients for viewing H.264 is a better choice since it is way smaller, but more compressed.

Yes, It is a small world in technoland these days. I am very envious of your Paris home. Good luck! 😀

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid

[Emo Denemo]

I could say the same about Las Vegas! I only went there once for one night, after driving from LA, and I was amazed. It really is an incredible city. You even have your Eiffel tower! I hope I find the opportunity to visit there again.

Regarding the workflow, if I understand well you essentially export in ProRes from AE, and import in PP, go back and forth as many times as necessary, then render from PP? Am I getting that right?

It may sound silly, but when you write : “For distribution to clients for viewing H.264 is a better choice since it is way smaller, but more compressed.” I’m not sure I understand what it means. Do you mean for distribution on the web?

What is the highest video quality that would be exportable and possibly viewed on a screen? (Maybe newbie question too).

By the way, I really liked your video “Time” on youtube. Loved the intro – not to mention the song! And the visual design and compositing work is very impressive.

[Tom Daigon]

Emo, thank you very much. Im glad you enjoyed the video.

Yes, you are correct about the work flow as you described it.

It means I suggest saving your Master of a project as a high quality Pro res or DNxHD file. Then make an H.264 copy of that file for airing on TV stations (depending on what they require) or sending for approval to your clients. Or even posting on You Tube.

The highest quality are Uncompressed files but most computers cant play them back due to their large size. Prores or DNxHD are the best files for masters. MP4 H.264 are the best for distribution.

Tom Daigon
PrP / After Effects Editor
http://www.hdshotsandcuts.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxPrG3WUyz8
(Best viewed at 1080P and full screen)
HP Z820 Dual 2687
64GB ram
Dulce DQg2 16TB raid