[Matthew Pendergast]

Not much changes on that front, Dave.

I did find that changing the comp settings to 1920×1080 and then scaling down the image actually did a lot to decrease grain. This is not my final output dimensions, but it’s interesting to note that shrinking the image really does make it look better in AE – way better than how it looks at 100% (i.e. when dropping the image onto the new comp button to match its dimensions/settings). I’m coming to accept that I might just have to deal with the grain during design sometimes.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Matthew

[Matthew Pendergast]

Hi Dave,

8 bits, RGB.

Thanks,
Matthew

[Matthew Pendergast]

Thanks Cory,

That does clear some stuff up. Converting a RAW to PNG in Photoshop, then bringing in to AE and exporting an Animation codec seems to keep quality pretty high. Still, in my Composition window in AE, the converted (png) image looks incredibly pixelated and grainy. Sure, it doesn’t seem to be affecting final output, but is there anything I can tweak on my settings to change this? Maybe it’s just a mental thing, but it’s driving me a bit crazy.

Also, no experience with openexr format. I’ll search around for tips on that, but what do you usually use that for? Is it just a simple download/install?

Thanks again!
Matthew

[Matthew Pendergast]

Nope, all RGB, 8 bpc.

[Matthew Pendergast]

Emanuel, did you ever figure this out regarding using a camera to affect the beams?

Trying to use this very helpful expression in the same way you were, and not getting camera blur/depth of field to affect the beams.

Thanks!