Automated "comp resize" and "add effect" in AE ?
by Brent Bye
on
Feb 26, 2008 at 8:01:11 pm
I'm trying to batch upres a large amount of DV clips using the Instant HD upres filter in AE.
I can import many clips at once, select them all and drag them to the 'new comp' icon to make proper length comps out of each clip. I can then select all the new comps and doubleclick them all to open them in the timeline. Here is were the batching options become limited.
I need to alter the comp setttings (Cmd + K) and upscale the comp to HD, then apply the Instant HD effect preset and add the comp to the render queue. Then rinse and repeat the same for hundreds of comps.
Is there any way of automating the process of resizing the comp, selecting the video layer, adding the effect (pasting may work here) and then adding to the render queue?
Any hints, Automator scripts or suggestions of tutorials would be great.
Re: Automated "comp resize" and "add effect" in AE ? by Dave LaRonde on Feb 27, 2008 at 4:12:00 pm
My company discourages the downloading of scripts, so I'm pretty clueless on that topic. But I do know a faster method than the one you're currently using:
• Import your clips into AE. If you know the length of the longest one, it will help a lot.
• Make ONE comp in the usual way. Make it HD resolution, and make it the length of your longest clip. Apply Instant HD, and get things right. Go to the out point of the comp and hit the n (for eNd) key. You've now limited the length of your work area, an important thing down the road.
• Duplicate the comp as many times as you need to make one comp for every clip.
• Use AE's Replace footage command to put a new clip into its corresponding comp. When you use the Replace footage command, the replacement footage takes on all the properties of the footage it replaces: scale, effects,etc. It does NOT become the same length as the footage it replaces. Go to the out point of the clip and hit n again.
• Repeat the above steps as necessary for all your clips.
Obviously naming the comps will be a big deal to keep things straight. You'll need to figure that one out for yourself. Now let's get ready to render!
• Go to Edit>Templates>Render Settings. Select the appropriate Render Settings, and make it the default for rendering.
• Go to Edit>Templates>Output Module. Select the appropriate Output Module settings, and make it the default for rendering.
• Add the FIRST comp ONLY to the Render Queue. Navigate to the folder where you want it and all subsequent files to be stored.
• Highlight all the remaining comps. Add all of them to the Render Queue. You're ready to go! Save that project right now!
Because you limited the Work Area on each and every comp, and because AE defaults to rendering the Work Area only, your clips will all be the right length. Because you set a default Render Setting and Output Module, AE automatically uses the settings you want. Because you set the destination folder for the first comp, all other comps will render to that folder.
Now hit the render button, go to bed, and arise in the morning with a completed batch render.
If somebody knows of a script that does all that stuff, I'll be reeeeally surprised. I like surprises.
Re: Automated "comp resize" and "add effect" in AE ? by Brent Bye on Feb 29, 2008 at 6:38:41 pm
Thanks for the response Dave.
The problem with that workflow (which is a great way to do it) is the manual step by step nature of it.
Unfortunately, I have over 2500 clips I need to upres and the process of doing either my previously mentioned method or yours would take me upwards of an entire week to apply by hand.
There are some potential solutions that some folks at AEnhancers.com have suggested.
Perhaps a starting point for a .jsx script that could automate either workflow.
I'll try and post back here if there is a result...
