Hello

I started a 3D animation movie. I created a 1080p/24 project. I have to ingest sequential files from CGI to my Avid, from layout to multiple versions of animated seq.

With R&D team, we would like to automate the process, while there will be numerous of images to load, anywhere in the SAN, and with no "editor-friendly" names...

We think of create an ALE with all new shots to import, with the path where to find the sequential files into the server (in the "UNC Path" column ?), and an appropriate name. But after importing the ALE file, when I try to batch import seq files, the file location don't appear in the window, so I have to locate manually all seq files. Is there a way to automate this process, even if shots within the same ALE file are not physically in the same folder on the server ?

When I manually import seq files, the location appear in UNC Path column. Even if I delete this info, if I try to batch import, Avid "remember" the original path. But my purpose is to tell Avid, when I first import shots, where to find them automatically. In other words, create a Batch Import List.

Ideas ?

Or maybe do you think of total different workflow ? As we just started the project, any ideas are welcome.

Thanks

Bertrand

Bertrand,

I am not aware of any way to "automate" the initial import of sequential files. And it's a shame that the ALE idea didn't work because that would indeed save a lot of grief. On Import the path to that file will remain the same until you instruct Avid differently. So if you Import from drive X, delete the file and the file is no longer on drive x but on drive Y, Avid cannot understand that you have moved it. It seems that you need to always instruct Avid where first to find a file and sadly that is a manual operation.

This is not a new complaint or problem.

Check this thread for more info:

http://community.avid.com/forums/p/29582/166372.aspx#166372

Neil

Thank you for the response

So I'm not the first one to have this problem ! And since 2006 (date of your first post), no update of this function ! And I didn't think about crashes during import (a "log errors and continue importing" option would be a good idea !)...

Any help with Avid team ?!?

Hi Bertrand,

are you able to export an AAF from your cgi-dept.? If you export it linked to the current media and not embedded, Avid doesnt lose the UNC-path and you can batch import it....

This is how I transfer stuff with my Maya- and Aftereffects-workmates and it works perfect....

Chris

Thank you very much Chris, it seems to be a very good idea !

I submit this post to R&D-dept and wait for news...