Hi All,
I have been researching this issue for days with no success. I need to export a subtitle track from a film to place over a color corrected version of the film. When I import the color corrected version of the film into AVID MC, it compresses the file and the quality becomes much darker. Also, I have a letterboxed film. AVID MC is limited to 16:9 exports only.
I need to get the subtitled track out of AVID to overlay on the color corrected version of the film. Any ideas or is this impossible. Thanks.
Please be clearer about what's coming in and what's going out.
Is this a film you created in Avid? Where is it being color corrected? Where are the subtitle tracks coming from? Importing into Avid should not change the color.
The subcap generator is the normal way to get subtitles in and out of Avid -- but it is completely unclear from your description where your subtitles are being generated and whether you are trying to export subtitles only or subtitles embedded in picture.
Also not clear what an alpha channel has to do with any of this.
Apologies for not being clearer.
I edited my thesis film in AVID Media Composer and created subtitles using Title tool in Avid. I had a colorist do color correction on my film using Da Vinci. Naturally, none of the subtitles and credits were included in the color grade.
I now have a High Resolution Quicktime file that looks amazing. I need to get the subtitles track from my AVID project sequence onto the color graded version of my film. Naturally, the best thing to do is just import the color graded version of the film into AVID and add the subtitle track above it. However, this does not appear to be the best option. The issue with importing the high res color graded version of my film back into AVID is this:
Avid compresses all imported files unlike FCP and Adobe Premiere. I don't want the quality of the color graded film to be altered in AVID, so I decided to do a Final Cut Export of the new color graded version. When I tried using AVID to export a cut of the color graded film, the quality is much much darker and I hate it.
Also, I have a letterboxed high resolution, color graded film. AVID only allows 16:9 aspect ration exports, nothing larger. This is why I decided to use FCP for the final export.
I just wish I could export the subtitles track from my AVID project sequence and bring it into FCP for the Final Export. Somehow it exports with a black background. I presume you need to export subtitles as an alpha channel. Otherwise, how do I get the subtitles track exported solo and appear transparent (no black background)?
Is this clearer? Thanks.
Ok, step by step questions.
glachhu: Also, I have a letterboxed high resolution, color graded film. AVID only allows 16:9 aspect ration exports, nothing larger.
Also, I have a letterboxed high resolution, color graded film. AVID only allows 16:9 aspect ration exports, nothing larger.
What - exactly - is the file size that you recieve from the color correction session? And by that I mean pixel dimensions and pixel aspect ratio.
What is the codec of this file?
What were the levels of this color correction - Video or Data? If you do not know the answers to these questions, the colorist should be able to help answer them.
Jef
_____________________________________________
Jef Huey
Senior Editor
glachhu:Avid compresses all imported files unlike FCP and Adobe Premiere.
You can AMA link to the CC'd version and there should be no recompression and no color change. Alternately, if the CC'd film is an Avid-native codec you can fast import with no recompression or color change.
glachhu:When I tried using AVID to export a cut of the color graded film, the quality is much much darker and I hate it.
If you do all imports/exports set to 601/709 levels, Avid will not touch the color, even if it's actually RGB.
glachhu:I just wish I could export the subtitles track from my AVID project sequence and bring it into FCP for the Final Export. Somehow it exports with a black background. I presume you need to export subtitles as an alpha channel. Otherwise, how do I get the subtitles track exported solo and appear transparent (no black background)?
Generally, you should use the subcap generator to make subtitles, not the title tool. (If you do not have very many you can still cut and paste.) Then you can export to a number of different standard subtoitle formats.
Another option is to simply export your subs with a black background and luma key them over your movie in FCP.
glachhu:Is this clearer? Thanks.
It is, but you can still refine your workflow a bit. Best of luck.
smrpix:If you do all imports/exports set to 601/709 levels, Avid will not touch the color, even if it's actually RGB.
I must be doing stuff wrong then Becasue I export and import 601/709 and it looks darker all the time. Im just saying you can tell a difference after exporting
Please answer jef's earlier question regarding regarding codec, raster size, color space and pixel aspect ratio for each step of your process -- Resolve, Aviid and FCP.
i suspect there are discrepancies.
And to be clear it's not normally the correct workflow to import into MC. Rather AMA.
And to export there are methods to avoid QT issues.
But as others have said we need more information on just what you have and the steps involved.
Alternatively I'd be looking for a local Posthouse to help if it's important.
Broadcast & Post Production Consultant / Trainer Avid Certified Instructor VET (Retired Early 2022)
Still offering training and support for: QC/QAR Training - Understanding Digital Media - Advanced Files * Compression - Avid Ingest - PSE fixing courses and more.
Mainly delivered remotely via zoom but onsite possible.
T 07581 201248 | E pat@vet-training.co.uk
glachhu:I need to export a subtitle track from a film to place over a color corrected version of the film
Hi glachhu,
there is no way to get the alpha channel out.
But what you could do is export the complete Title (are they white ?) Export Quicktime Reference.
Or if you need more Quality (Animation Codec).
And then you could use a compositing Software After Effects or any other App that is availeble to compose
the title on top of the video without affecting the color of the video.
It works perfekt if the text is white or black. With transparencies you need to experiment.
You could even use AVID FX for this task.
Transfer the Titles to AvidFX and import your CC.movie there.
On the other hand there should be no color or luma shifting if you import.
Sometimes it also depends on which monitor you are watching? Did you reference the clip on a HD Broadcast LED,LCD?
Was everything only done on the "normal" computer monitor?
And do you have still time , so you can ask a tutor?
And a very good thing would be if you could provide so screenshots that show the difference.
i hope this helps you
Hi ,
i just tested it :
Ich you transfer your title to AvidFX with the title matte effect, then you can "export" the titles that you did in the
avid as "TGA" .
You have to delete the black background in AvidFX if there is.
Then go to file>export>moviefile or cmdM
In the dialog select "TGA" as "Movie TYPE"
i used "straight" as Alpha.
press ok and then it renders.
In After Effects just import as sequencial file (you have to tell AE that this is a movie)
you do this in the import menu.
And then you apply the alpha clip to the video that you got from you Color correcter.
I think you even could do it on his machine if he has time ....
This would be the savest thing to do.
so it was exciting to research this. my first atempt to solve something with AvidFX
i llike it.... its nice....
i hope this helps you !
peter
Not exactly what you are asking for, but it may give you some ideas for future jobs with subtitles
http://avidtips.in/boris-tv-episode-152-import-manipulate-subtitles-avid-fxboris-red/
Regards
Douglas
marianna.montague@avid.com
Hi Doug,
nice one!
very good.
and thanxs for those excellent tutorials you do....
from hamburg
kind regards peter
Hi Glachhu,
you can export your subtitle track from AVID using alpha channel following this steps:
Export as Quicktime Movie.
Click on "Use marks", "Use selected tracks" and "Include Inactive audio tracks".
Mark "Custom" and click on the button "Format Options".
It opens a new tab of settings.
In Video Settings you have to go to settings, and then in "Compression Type" clic on "Animation".
After, in "Compressor" click on "Millions of colors", and 100% quality. Click on "Accept".
And that's it!!!
Hope this helped you!!
Pipa
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