Resizing Frame

[kalari Jack]

Hey,

What is the best way to resize frames in RedCine X? I realise that in the export option you can choose a desired output but what if you want to change the format itself? Ie go from 16:9 to 2:1. Is that possible?

I've tried adjusting the settings in the 'Framing Presets' but it doesn't seem to do anything to the footage that I can see.

I remember the old RedCine used to have a rather straightforward option of previewing the framing options.

Thanks in advance,
K

 

[Brandon Kraemer]

I remember the old RedCine used to have a rather straightforward option of previewing the framing options.

Yes, it was very intuitive and visually easy to grasp. Gave you a WYSIWYG view of your cropping or letter-boxing. This is an important feature that I would like to see put back in. Since I can't see what I'm doing in that regard, I handle that in another application.

 

[kalari Jack]

Since I can't see what I'm doing in that regard, I handle that in another application.

Yes, really liked how simple it used to be. Now with the framing options, although it gives you the settings, it doesnt appear to work.

Brandon, what application do you use for resizing? I have footage thats been shot on 16:9 that I would like to covert to 2:1.

Cheers,
K

 

[Brandon Kraemer]

I will usually transcode at 2k, 3k, 4k... which ever is going to give me enough resolution to accommodate the reframing done in offline, then bring them into FCP and scale and position to match, then send to Color for grading. Color grades the whole plate (ie. 4k) and then sends it back to FCP with the correct scaling on.

Other times I will have auto-ducked my offline to AE already and I will bring in the plates directly or via duck so roto or compositing can begin... scaling done in AE. In this workflow, i color grade at and render out at the full frame size with no resize, then relink my plates in AE with the color renders.

 

[kalari Jack]

I will usually transcode at 2k, 3k, 4k... which ever is going to give me enough resolution to accommodate the reframing done in offline, then bring them into FCP and scale and position to match, then send to Color for grading. Color grades the whole plate (ie. 4k) and then sends it back to FCP with the correct scaling on.

Other times I will have auto-ducked my offline to AE already and I will bring in the plates directly or via duck so roto or compositing can begin... scaling done in AE. In this workflow, i color grade at and render out at the full frame size with no resize, then relink my plates in AE with the color renders.

I'm a little frustrated at my own workflow. Trying to do the whole thing in 'offline' and 'online' but started to think that it might be more trouble that its worth.

The project I'm working on at the moment is a short film, and it needs some heavy grading but trying to do the primary grade on colour before the edit has turned out to be a problem since RedCine X is taking way too long to render the scene.

I guess my question is this. Do you think its better just to put the footage through RedCine first and just be patient with the render or should I try do it with the more complicated workflow of 'offline' and 'online'?

Also, If I was to render out of RC first should I export it as 4k to get the best out of colour in the end?

Cheers Brandon,

 

[Brandon Kraemer]

I'm a little frustrated at my own workflow. Trying to do the whole thing in 'offline' and 'online' but started to think that it might be more trouble that its worth.

The project I'm working on at the moment is a short film, and it needs some heavy grading but trying to do the primary grade on colour before the edit has turned out to be a problem since RedCine X is taking way too long to render the scene.

I guess my question is this. Do you think its better just to put the footage through RedCine first and just be patient with the render or should I try do it with the more complicated workflow of 'offline' and 'online'?

Also, If I was to render out of RC first should I export it as 4k to get the best out of colour in the end?

Cheers Brandon,

I highly recommend the offline/online workflow... using RCX to do your actual grade I would not recommend. I would do the cut using QT wrappers, either off the camera or generated by RCX, then transcode only your selects (once cut is locked) using the REDLog gamma curve, and at what ever your maximum needed resolution is. If your finishing at 4k, that is 4k. If your finishing at 1080, I'd recommend 2k. If your reframing shots, doing blowups... then you have to factor that in. Your not really going to get any benefit in the grade by having more resolution. Note that you almost always need to add sharpness in the color grade software to red footage.

 

[kalari Jack]

Thanks Brandon.