Gary Milligan
1
COW Coin
Forum Replies Created
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[Dylan Hargreaves] “When I add extrude with the face set to gradient and the black switched off, it gives a very nice 3D effect similar in look to the ‘clay’ renders you see in 3D max. (If there’s a way to achieve this same look in AE, I don’t know how to do it!)”
In AE, have you tried playing with the ‘Bevel Alpha’ effect? You can find it inside the ‘Perspective’ folder in the ‘Effects’ menu.
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[Andrew Abbot] “When I select project settings, and and then HD, and press ok, when I go back to codecs, it switches to SD.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be digitizing in SD… it’s merely a switch that indicates what codec you want if you digitize in SD. What you set in your preferences as your ‘Video Input’ dictates whether you’re working in HD or SD, then your input uses whatever codec chosen in your project settings.
HTH.
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[Michael Slowe] “I always understood that sticking to one codec throughout the operation is good practice.”
I agree with Michael and generally that is how I work as well. However, if your After Effects animations include an alpha channel and you render out using the Animation codec, you will end up having to use the Media 100 HD codec when importing those clips into your project (ProRes doesn’t support an alpha channel – ProRes 4444 does I believe). This will then cause a slight difference in the black levels of your finished timeline export (unless you’re dumping to tape). If there’s no alpha channel, render out of AE using ProRes and you’re good to go.
From what I’ve read, there is no discernible picture quality difference between ProRes and ProRes HQ – there is a difference in file size though. ProRes HQ only makes a difference if you’re working with real high resolution images (2K-4K) such as those from the Red camera etc. or if you’re going to be doing a LOT of image processing in AE etc. If you don’t fall into either of these categories I suggest you can stick with regular ProRes. Sounds like you’ve already started with ProRes HQ so you might as well stick with that for this project – you’re just using more storage space than necessary. Perhaps others reading can verify/dispute this?
HTH
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[Nick Tipton] “I need a program that works with avchd, that can make videos good enough to enter in contests.”
I’m looking for something similar… something that can win an Emmy or an Oscar! 😉
Keep in mind – the latest, fancy, expensive gear doesn’t guarantee good results – it’s all about the story. That’s why only a very few Hollywood films are noteworthy… including some very low budget ones. If you can’t afford to spend more than $150, I suggest you invest that in a good storytelling workshop and go from there.
I agree with what Michael says about Media 100.
Good luck.
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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Jared,
Buy a stand alone DVD recorder, record the VHS tapes, Use MPEG Streamclip to make a ProRes .mov file, import that into FCP, edit to your liking, export to Compressor and then on to DVD SP… bada bing! Adequate DVD recorders can be bought for around $100 these days.
HTH
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[Nick Griffin] “Does anyone know if there is a correct slot for it to be put into and/or does it have any effect on the slot order of the other cards?”
Hello Nick,
I have the Matrox Compressor card in slot 3 on my MacPro2,1 (8 core). Slot 1 is graphics card, slot 2 is Media 100/AJA card, and slot 4 is CalDigit raid card. AFAIK, the Media 100/AJA card normally goes into slot 3, but not on this model of MacPro. I assume that since there was nothing from Matrox regarding specific slot placement, it probably doesn’t matter. Things seem to be working fine for me with this set-up.
Merry Holidays! (aka Christmas)
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[family tree video] “I am editing on a MAC OS X version 10.3.9.”
More information on your hardware would be helpful. What model? How much RAM? Any reason why you’re not at OS 10.4.1 and Media 100 8.2.3a? (If I recall correctly, this is the latest operational combination of that era).
[family tree video] “I purchased a new Toshiba external hard drive. I hooked it up and re-formatted the drive (per Toshiba’s instructions) so it would work on the MAC.
“Again, more information on the drive would help. Firewire or USB connection? Is it spinning at 5600 or 7200 RPM? Do the Toshiba instructions tell you to use the Mac OS ‘Disk Utility” to format the drive?
Standard troubleshooting involves verifying permissions, deleting prefs, re-installing Media 100, running DiskWarrior if you have it.
HTH
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[Doug Calhoun] “I’m curious why not export a REF to Compressor or BitVice or can’t BitVice use a REF movie?”
Yes, BitVice can use a REF movie, but in the past I’ve had some unexplained failures such as freeze frames when there shouldn’t be, or just a black movie. There can also be issues with gamma levels changing if there is more than one codec used in the timeline – that can also be a problem when exporting a Self-contained movie, in which case one would need to export as a QuickTime using something other than ‘None” in the compression setting, and then yes, it is re-compressed. Since using either a QuickTime or Self-contained movie in BitVice I’ve never had results with these kinds of problems.
However, I do not consider myself an authority on this – it’s just the way I’ve interpreted and practise the workflow and I reserve the right to be wrong.
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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Yes.. a mystery. I’m looking forward to what light Floh can shed on this…
As for the gamma setting option, maybe it’s as I thought – an NTSC vs. PAL thing?
In the meantime, I’m going to stick with what works for me until someone tells me – or I find out myself – there’s a better way.
Gary
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw
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[Michael Slowe] “To get the gamma setting (auto or none) you see that when, after clicking on options you get a window giving you a settings button. Click that and you get a whole list of codecs. After you choose Apple ProRes I get another window in which I can check the interlaced box (I’m in 1080i)and then I see the setting top field first (correct for me) and just above that is the gamma choice. I assume that all this would be the same for you.
“That’s how I do it (when I do it) but I don’t have any kind of gamma option. Here’s what I see –
This is me – this is what I do – https://web.mac.com/garymmw