Setting up After Effects to work with newer Avid Video Resolutions (such as AVR 71, 75, etc.) requires a somewhat different procedure than earlier NuVista-based resolutions (AVR26, 27, etc.). Unlike the earlier resolutions, which used square pixels, the AVR 7x series uses rectangular pixels and scans at the D1 resolution of 720 x 486.
The Media Composer will readily import QuickTime MooV's in just about any codec, resolution or aspect ratio. However, QuickTime import of conventional QuickTime codecs (Animation, Cinepak, Apple Video, etc.) can take a considerable amount of time. Avid has accelerated QuickTime import to about 4 times real time, but accelerated import requires the Avid Media Composer codec.
Warning: Some of the Avid offline resolutions (in my case, AVR3s) do not import into the Media Composer. They can even screw up Sequences and Bins, so be wary of dropping in Quicktime MooV's to your offlines. One possible workaround is to drop them a ll on tape from a higher AVR sequence, and digitize them like any other footage.
Finally, I've included all of these topics in a single HTML document for easier printing.
- Martin Baumgaertner, Dec. '96
Note: If you place any 640 x 480 objects (PICT's, EPS's, QuickTimes, etc.) you will notice a horizontal stretch because D1 pixels are rectangular, not square. While working with After Effects, your Mac will display D1 pixel Compositions with normal s quare pixels. This will cause an apparent horizontal stretching of images, oval-shaped circles, squat text, etc.The Media Composer will squeeze the animation back to it's normal horizontal scaling upon import, later.
Sometimes it's easier to work with typographical or geometric elements at video's 4:3 ratio. To preview your work at a 4:3 ratio, select 720 x 540, NTSC pixels. You'll need to stretch the final render back to 720 x 486 la ter
Warning: If you are noticing horizontal tearing or other field errors, you may need to use a Frame Rate of 29.97. This probably means that your media was shot with drop frame timecode. (Thanks to Greg Ludington for this tip.)
To render smooth, 60 field motion, make sure that Field Render is set to Upper Field First. Avid systems draw the upper field of each frame (also called the odd field) first.
It may not be appropriate to render smooth 60-field motion if you are matching 24 or 30 fps film sources, or for other creative purposes. If you want choppier motion, turn the Field Render setting to Off. This will render 30 discrete frames per secon d, rather than dividing the motion into two fields per frame. You may also want to experiment with the various 3:2 Pulldown options for a better match with the film sources you may be cutting your QuickTime into.
As in the Composition Settings, drop-frame timecode sources may glitch unless you use 29.97 as a frame rate. This is the first fix you should try if you're seeing strange flicker or "tearing" after importing the final render into the Avid.
Of course, any Current Settings selections will preserve either default values or values on individually set layers. For example: If you have Frame Blending selected on one particular layer, and not on any else, choosing Current Settings will preserve this arrangement, rather than globally assigning another value.
If you've been working at 720 x 540 to preview 4:3 elements, you'll need to select the Stretch option to output a 720 x 486 final render. The Media Composer will only import 720 x 486, Avid codec MooV's in an accelerated manner.
News Flash (12/20/96): I've found that using the Stretch function will cause field render errors with field interlaced renders, so only use this feature if you're using full frame settings. A much better option is to place your 720 x 540 composition into a newly created 720 x 486 composition. Scale the placed comp (720 x 540) to fit exactly to the edges of the new comp (720 x 486) before rendering. Don't use the Stretch function in the Output Module.
When you click on the Format Options button, the following dialog will appear:
When you select the Media Composer codec, the following dialog will appear:
That's it... you're ready to render.
