AE v5 and Edius v3.62 Aspect Ratio Problem - PAL

[peterC]

I have a scanned image I wish to compose with pan and zoom in AE v5 and then use in an Edius v3.62 project, PAL DV 16x9.

I cannot get the right workflow or composition settings within AE to do this.

The Aspect ratio, if I can get it right, does not play full screen in Edius, only 4x3 in a 16 x9 setup. If I force 16x9 from within AE the image is squished in Edius playout.

I have tried all sorts of permutations on settings and scanned image construction but cannot get the right combination of image (art layout AR) or AE composition settings for full screen 16x9 Edius playout.

Any advice please.

Thanks

[antonsvideo]

in Edius, right click the AE image, properties, what aspect is set? then try another

[peterC]

in Edius, right click the AE image, properties, what aspect is set? then try another

G'day Anton.
Tried all sorts as I say. Currently have 1024 x 576, 720 x 576 in Edius. Also tried square pixel out of AE etc, but none satisfactory.

Can't get the right combo of original art to AE and out of Edius full screen 16 x 9 without
-pillar box with letterbox
or
-distortion of image
or
-not full screen.

WYSIWYG in AE also a worry in determining the right art to import (initial AR setup) and then AE comp setups.

Also, some Canopus codecs don't want to work or work part time.

- Canopus DV.
Not at all in any AE composition settings I have tried.
"No compressor found" I think it was.
edit Image size or format not supported by compressor or other h/ware or memory problem
- Canopus HQ
sometimes, depends on the comp AE settings I try.

- Canopus Lossless
Works OK but the file size is horrendous. 600MB for 30 secs

I could try importing AE as sequence of TIFFs etc but trying to avoid that and don't think that is the real problem anyway.

All got me beat for the moment and looking for a good end to end workflow solution.

[antonsvideo]

try a small export from edius to DV.avi with the microsoft DV box ticked

[peterC]

try a small export from edius to DV.avi with the microsoft DV box ticked

I have tried to stay within Canopus, so have avoided 'outside' compressors.

Will try this Anton, after I see if Mark's idea from the Edius to Photoshop thread works. So far it doesn't like Canopus HQ. "Unsupported format" or something to that effect. I'll try to note it next time around.

I'll give Canopus Lossless a go which seems more forgiving, with Mark's approach to see if I can get something there.

[mattmatt]

Canopus Lossless is the answer - as canopus HQ doen't alow frame sizes anything outside of PAL or NTSC standards (including 1024 sq pix).

As for the squished or letterboxed problem, you may need to check a few things.

1). Export Canopus Lossless from edius

2). Create Comp with 720x576, 1.33 Apect Ratio, widescreen, PAL - in AE

3). Import Clossless clip from Edius and dump it on timeline
(*note In Ae7 and above, if you're imported clip looks squished, its just because the "show correct aspect ratio" switch isn't on, but note that this is only a preview anyway, so the exported clip will look normal again in edius)

4). Export Canopus lossless - change nothing (unless you want audio to come)

I find this gives best results....even though file size is huge. It's worth it.

[peterC]

try a small export from edius to DV.avi with the microsoft DV box ticked

No go, same problem/s expressed, but in another codec form.

Mark's adapted idea no go either for me. Same results, just a different way to it as above with Anton's suggestion.

Thanks people, but still out.

Your way next matt

[peterC]

Canopus Lossless is the answer - as canopus HQ doen't alow frame sizes anything outside of PAL or NTSC standards (including 1024 sq pix).

OK thanks.

As for the squished or letterboxed problem, you may need to check a few things.

Thanks Matt.
But before we set off I have some immediate caveats already observed.

1). Export Canopus Lossless from edius

Usually this work will come from scanned images outside of Edius. Edius is the last app in the flow and I would like to keep it that way if possible. ie create the art and then comp in AE and then import the avi into Edius

2). Create Comp with 720x576, 1.33 Apect Ratio, widescreen, PAL - in AE

This setting always gives a letterboxed and pillar boxed image, no full screen 16x9

3). Import Clossless clip from Edius and dump it on timeline
(*note In Ae7 and above, if you're imported clip looks squished, its just because the "show correct aspect ratio" switch isn't on, but note that this is only a preview anyway, so the exported clip will look normal again in edius)

You've got me on this one. Importing to Edius from AE 5, (see workflow point 1)

4). Export Canopus lossless - change nothing (unless you want audio to come)

Seems 'the only way', yes.

I find this gives best results....even though file size is huge. It's worth it.

Noted and thanks.



Would you or anybody like to addresa these points to Matt's advice before I proceed to go again?

Thanks

[peterC]

Mattmatt 2). Create Comp with 720x576, 1.33 Apect Ratio, widescreen, PAL - in AE

No go. Results in 16x9 pillar boxed image in Edius.




Workflow:
Create art in layout/graphics app, usually CorelDraw, but use PS6 as well if forced to.
Import art into AE v5
Create a 16 x9 (Edius full screen playout capable) avi composition within AE v5
Import to Edius and integrate with other 16x9 PAL footage in correct or as near to correct AR as possible that Edius output plays full screen 16x9

Any other suggestions anyone that suit this workflow and will give the proper results?

[mattmatt]

I just tested my method (even though I do it every day :) And I get full frame, 16:9 footage.

I created a new comp in AE, drew some circles (so no import from edius) and exported like I said.

AE Comp should be like this...



My previous notes are incorrect though....aspect ratio should be 1.422

Edius clip settings . . . see below:

[peterC]

peterC Will try this Anton, after I see if Mark's idea from the Edius to Photoshop thread works. So far it doesn't like Canopus HQ. "Unsupported format" or something to that effect. I'll try to note it next time around.

My apologies Anton, this was your suggestion not Mark's.

[peterC]

Matt, thanks for your help and you've given me the one I missed.
Anton was on the right track I think.

I needed to check 16 x 9 AR in the clip properties dialogue. It was set to 4 x3 which under the circumstances I would have thought would be globally set 16 x9 along with the prj settings of 16 x 9, but not so.

So that is the answer. Thanks to all who assisted.

[mattmatt]

One more thing - If you are in fact creating a comp in AE that is 720x576 Pal Widescreen, then Canopus HQ is fine :)

[peterC]

Thanks Matt.
Had this one working a few times (ie Canopus HQ) and it does give you smaller file sizes without visual penalty it seems if you play around with the config settings.

[mattmatt]

Hey no probs but you are right, Anton had it the first time :)

I hear people complain that Edius doesn't have the "intergration" between aps like Premiere Pro does, and I just laugh. Codecs like Canopus HQ and Lossless are simply awesome.