I'm exporting a scene from Avid timeline, importing to After Efects, rendering QT animation, and then importing back to Avid. Avid export and import settings are both 601. There is no 601/RGB choice at any step in After Effects that I know of, so as far as I can tell I have done everything right.

But the color in the re-impoted footage is less saturated than the orginal.

Is there another setting someplace in After Effects that I'm missing?

EDIT
If I export at 601 and then re-import the same clip wihout even taking it into After Effects, the color is still off. So it has nothing to do with After Effects. ????

Try exporting and importing and RGB levels. If you export as 601 I believe it stretches the levels on the way out.

I did try RGB export and import and there was no change.

I have determined that the problem is in the export from Avid. Any type of QuickTime file I export has the same washed-out look. If I import a QuickTime file from some other source the levels are fine.

Bump... help! Every QT export, not matter what codec (H264, MP4, animation, uncompressed, DNxHD, Meridian, I've tried most of them), is too light. Some are a little different from others but basicaly they all are lighter than the orginal.

Try exporting a TIFF sequence to and from AE to bypass Quicktime all together. Google "QT gamma shift" and you will see more people with the same problem. Some QT versions have it, some don't.

have you tried exporting a QT Reference movie and opening that in AE?

pjletofsky:

have you tried exporting a QT Reference movie and opening that in AE?

I have done that in the past and I think it works. But this is an HDV project and I have to transcode to DNxHD before making the QT ref so it's alot more time consuming. It IS a workaround, but I'd like to get at the root of this problem without having to do that.

rebusfilm:

Try exporting a TIFF sequence to and from AE to bypass Quicktime all together. Google "QT gamma shift" and you will see more people with the same problem. Some QT versions have it, some don't.

I searched but found only people with playback problems related to video overlay settings.

I am on QT version 7.2 and I see Apple has a new version, I may try that. Or maybe try going back to a previous - 7.1 or something(?)

I wouldn't update to any version of QT on the PC that Avid hasn't recommended. It can cause real havoc.

I transcoded to DNxHD and exported that... the problem is still there.

I have had similar problems and here is my work around.

 

I do a quick low/medium rez export of my Avid Sequence marking an in and out where I want the effect to occur to a Quicktime file.

Then, I import that exported file into AE as the bottom layer to be used only for reference.

I then do all of the compositing in AE

When I am ready to render my AE composition, I turn off the video layer imported from the Avid Export and use an Alpha Channel in the render settings. In the Video Output, choose RBG+Alpha and Millions of Colors+.

Then, I go back into Avid and import what I just exported from AE with the Alpha Channel and then add a new video track and cut it into the sequence at the exact place where I originally exported it.

 

With my experience, it seems that whenever you import and export video files back and forth, something always changes. Doing it this way, you are using what you have already cut into your sequence.

 

Hope this helps!!!!

 

Jim

That's the method I use if I am creating effects that do not directly manipulate my original video. There is certainly no reason to export and import footage if the footage istelf is not going to be changed.

 However in this case I am using an effect that changes the perspective on the video. 7 vertical panels appear and they swing shut. The video is on the surface of the panels and each slice turns in perspective with its panel, along with reflections and motion blur.

I have found a way that works, thanks to a suggestion earlier in this thread - Exporting as a TIFF sequence from Avid. And contrary to conventional wisdom, there is no visible difference between my original footage and the exported/imported footage. This helps immensely because all I need to export now from AE is the 1-2 second piece that is actually affected, then I can go back to the original footage in Avid. I don't even have to wait for the next cut. This speeds production significantly and is working perfectly!

Here's a summary of the facts:
QuickTime exports from Avid using any codec are too light.
QuickTime exports from After Effects are a perfect match to the original.
QuickTime imports to After Effects are also a perfect match to original.

So, the only variable in the color levels issue is Avid.

Is anyone else having this issue?

I have found a workaround using tiff exports but it is still aggravating not to be able to export anything directly from Avid wth correct color levels, for example a simple mp4 export for web posting.

I've been watching your progress in this thread but haven't had much to add. I just wanted to let you know that we transfer between the avid and AE all day every day and have seen no difference whatsoever in color levels.

Only difference is we're an all Mac shop so there are a few variables.

rfmeredith:

IIs there another setting someplace in After Effects that I'm missing?

What version of AE are you using?
CS3 is the first version of AE that will manage color space. Manage or muck up depending on your settings. The settings are under file > project settings > working space. Set this to 'none' while your trying to track done the problem, the last thing you need right now is more variables.

There are too many variables here:
1. Avid export settings.
2. Avid import settings.
3. AE - project working space
4. AE clip - color management

The first step is to take AE out of the equation, make sure your export and import settings in Avid are correct. Next make sure the color management is turned off in AE - do some more tests.