The continuing saga of FCP to Resolve to Avid

[Jeff Markgraf]

Oliver,

Just to clarify, the consolidating was just getting the files out of the Avid onto a drive to work with in FCP and Resolve. I could have pulled them directly from the media tool, I suppose.

Also, the dragging the database into the bin first was recommended in several articles about the Resolve to Avid workflow. And note that the AAF populated the bin with the renamed audio files that are offline. I still don’t know what this is about.

I have to reluctantly agree with you and Sam that avoiding audio through Resolve is in order. I had already successfully made a roles-based QT out of FCP and imported and cut it up in the Avid sequence. No problems there. And yes, breaking apart the audio was necessary.

So I guess I have my answer. In the end, i will probably use this method, then overwrite the audio clips with the Avid-based music and effects as time permits.

[Oliver Peters]

Yep. It’s a PITA. Ideally, we shouldn’t have to go through this kluge of a workaround. You should be able to import an AAF and simply relink to files that already exist on the Avid drives. Of course, then you’d have to get a valid AAF out of FCP X that deals with video or get Avid to read XML or FCPXML. I doubt that either will happen. The one other possible option might be to try a different route through Premiere Pro.

FCPXML to XML via Xto7.
Import into Premiere and make sure the clips and timeline are correctly relinked (from Avid MXF files in an Avid MediaFiles folder).
Export an AAF and then import that into MC.

– Oliver

Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com

[Eric Santiago]

Might not help but with my past workflow, I would render out the Avid AAF into numbered folder.
Then copy an Avid MDB/PMR from a working folder into that new MXF folder.
Once I open Avid the database updates.
Next step is I grab the MDB file and drag into a bin.
Then files populate.
Now this was a fix with FCPX blessed R3D/AutoSync to WAV files.
In the end editors found issues with the AutoSync files off by a few frames on 10 out off possibly 800 clips (I dont believe they checked all of them).
Oliver does this sound like a viable workflow?
For this workflow we only needed to move the FCPX blessed files over to Avid using Resolve 11.

[Jeff Markgraf]

Eric-

Pretty much what I’ve been doing. No joy for me, so I”m looking at alternatives.

[Oliver Peters]

[Eric Santiago] “Oliver does this sound like a viable workflow?”

Sure, it’s viable, but there’s no longer any need to do all this manual stuff with the database files. At least not with MC 8.3.

– Oliver

Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com

[Jeff Markgraf]

Right. As I’ve mentioned, almost all the online tutorials and blog posts on this topic are for Resolve 9 and for earlier versions of Avid. Avid 8 has many improvements, especially in dealing with files instead of tapes.

[Caroline Rowlands]

Hi All

I’m an assistant editor. I was working on this current project for the shoot part and the editor was using FCPX. I then wasn’t needed but then they hired me again to turnover. However, they also decided to get a new editor on board who… guess what.. only works in avid! So this migration problem has fallen on me!

I took over from the new editor’s assistant (as he had a holiday booked) who had managed to get across the picture via resolve. However audio is the nightmare….!!!!!

The project is working from 1080p Prores Proxy Qts and Wav files. It is all running off an external hard drive.

Things I have tried so far for audio:

In avid my wav files were (AMA) linked in from the original source path. For the below tests I would have my linked audio selected and relink from the aaf/edl seq and select link to selected in open bins.

FCPX via fcpxml to Resolve via AAF to avid = Sequence appears but no name or metadata comes through and as a result all is offline.

FCPX via fcpxml to XtoCC via xml to Premiere via AAF to avid. = The sequence links in Premiere, the aaf opens in avid and appears to have correct metadata but it will not relink.

FCPX via fcpxml to XtoPro via AAF to Avid = this opens with metadata but often has bugs which crashed avid but if not it sometimes relinks (my only bit of success)!

FCPX via fcpxml to XtoPro to ProTools via AAF to Avid = no metadata carried over.

FCPX via fcpxml to XtoPro to ProTools via EDL to Avid = no metadata apart from clip name and did not relink.

Then I imported the wavs to make mxf ref files. I tried all of the above but it did not want to relink with open databases etc.

We are now trying to see if the sound team can take an ALE of my imported wavs and use a tool to link the aaf they make to my audio mxf’s.

Will keep you posted…and ofcourse if anyone can enlighten me to where this is falling down that would be great!

Thanks
C

[Shane Ross]

THIS is why you hire an editor that is familiar with the NLE being used. The sheer amount of time and effort needed to convert an entire project to another NLE means a lot of wasted time and money. If they don’t know the NLE, don’t hire them.

I know this isn’t your issue…sorry, just ranting.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Oliver Peters]

[Caroline Rowlands] “Will keep you posted…and ofcourse if anyone can enlighten me to where this is falling down that would be great!”

You’re not going to want to hear this, but… In the end you will get what you need with a lot less hassle.

1. Create a fresh Avid project, bring in the media and sync as needed.
2. In FCPX – export your rough cut with source TC burnin as a self-contained file.
3. Bring that into Media Composer and overcut the clips from FCPX with new Avid media.

– Oliver

Oliver Peters – oliverpeters.com

[Caroline Rowlands]

Yes it would seem the 4 days of scratching my head has probably not been worth it.
Although I will be bringing some of the rushes over again, to overcut a 90 minute feature is a big task and then any audio that is not synced to the picture you would have to go back to FCPX and figure out the take and timecode.

I guess one thing your answer tells me is to maybe give up on the clever way and just go for manual which is helpful so thankyou!

I’d just love to know why the aaf from Premiere looks like it has all the right metadata but just will not relink.. why can’t avid see the metadata and work it out!????

There must be something in the way XtoPro makes an AAF that differs from Premier in my mind.. love to hear your thoughts?

C