Bleding HDRx in After Effects

[Justin Kirchhoff]

UPDATE: After further tests, we found placing the X Track between to A Tracks yields a better result. Post #7 shows the results.

Doing a few of our own HDRx tests here at Digital Shakedown, we found a formula that has worked for us. Thanks to Michael Zaletel for the HDRx files that are hosted on our website here: http://www.digitalshakedown.com/reduser

Starting in RC-X, we conformed the A Track and X Track separately into 10bit DPX sequences from the same clip using REDCOLOR 2 and REDLogFilm. We made no other changes to the sequence other than changing the color and gamma settings.

In After Effects, we put both of the tracks into the same composition. Notice how we have the A Track "sandwiched" between 2 X Tracks. Following Local Hero's example, we needed to create an After Effects version of luma matte's and grading.

We applied an inverted luma matte to the A Track:

Inverted Luma Matte on A Track:

A Track before the Inverted Luma Matte:

X - Track with REDLogFilm and REDCOLOR 2:

We then pre-composed all tracks into a single composition and applied a Calculations curve along with slight Levels adjustments:

The following clip is the result. Amazing. Before and After:

 

[jake blackstone]

If you're using AE 5.5, there is no need to use RCX. AE 5.5 can read Epic HDRx and provide separate A and X tracks.

 

[Mark Pugh]

For ease of use, and quick decent-looking dailys, RCX needs to be able to perform these Luma- matte functions, with a simple interface like the slider, and preset blend settings.
Or someone needs to write a stand-alone application that can do it, and batch- convert.

Having to go into After-Effects to perform these routing operations, as good as the results are, is a real handicap.
Results are great in AE, but it puts a big asterisk next to HDRX in terms of needing a fiddly comping operation.

 

[Justin Kirchhoff]

For ease of use, and quick decent-looking dailys, RCX needs to be able to perform these Luma- matte functions, with a simple interface like the slider, and preset blend settings.
Or someone needs to write a stand-alone application that can do it, and batch- convert.

Having to go into After-Effects to perform these routing operations, as good as the results are, is a real handicap.
Results are great in AE, but it puts a big asterisk next to HDRX in terms of needing a fiddly comping operation.

Mark, I agree with you. RC-X is a great program to work with and it's come a very long way since the beginning, but there are still tools that could be implemented that people would use, especially for HDRx. Let's wait and see what Graeme comes up with for next weeks RC-X update before we hold our breath.

After Effects could be tedious to work with doing this blending with HDRx footage, but as with any workflow, establishing what needs to be done BEFORE any post production is started is absolute. I wouldn't have shot anything and brought it into post without knowing what I needed to do first. Wasted time and money for the client.

I'm happy with these results so far. I do 90% of my RED grades in After Effects anyways, and once my EPIC-X is delivered, I'll be switching over to Adobe full time for everything RED. Seems to be the right choice at the moment, especially considering the workflow is seamless between Premiere and AE.

If you're using AE 5.5, there is no need to use RCX. AE 5.5 can read Epic HDRx and provide separate A and X tracks.

CS5 would be great to work with. I'm hooked on CS4 at the moment.

 

[jake blackstone]

For ease of use, and quick decent-looking dailys, RCX needs to be able to perform these Luma- matte functions, with a simple interface like the slider, and preset blend settings.
Or someone needs to write a stand-alone application that can do it, and batch- convert.

Having to go into After-Effects to perform these routing operations, as good as the results are, is a real handicap.
Results are great in AE, but it puts a big asterisk next to HDRX in terms of needing a fiddly comping operation.

Routine dailies type HDRx controls in RCX are not that bad. Luckily, the bug of not remembering the HDRx settings in the timeline had been finally fixed. The new Magic Motion controls are coming, but not much info on that exist at this time. All others are still working on their HDRx implementation, as SDK hadn't been finalized. Also, Scratch's implementation is not too difficult to use, if needed. The settings for luminance keying can be copied and pasted, if needed...

 

[jake blackstone]

CS5 would be great to work with. I'm hooked on CS4 at the moment.

If you're planning to work with Epic images, AE 5.5 is a must.

 

[Justin Kirchhoff]

After further experimentation, we found better results!

Taking the X Track and "sandwiching" it between 2 A tracks, you can pull a luma matte on the X track to get better results:

A Track:

X Track:

X Track After Luma:

A and X Tracks Combined - No Grade:

A and X Tracks Combined - With Grade

 

[Justin Kirchhoff]

If you're planning to work with Epic images, AE 5.5 is a must.

I'll be using AE CS5.5. I'm implementing the tools I have at my disposal right now. CS 4 works with EPIC images just fine, just not natively at the moment...

 

[Jaakko Rinne]

Thanks for sharing your technique, Justin. I toyed around with some of my own test footage today and got fairly usable results quickly with the X sandwiched between the A tracks. Some shots worked better after I threw in a curve adjustment to either or both of the topmost layers, but mostly it just worked with no tinkering.

 

[Justin Kirchhoff]

Thanks for sharing your technique, Justin. I toyed around with some of my own test footage today and got fairly usable results quickly with the X sandwiched between the A tracks. Some shots worked better after I threw in a curve adjustment to either or both of the topmost layers, but mostly it just worked with no tinkering.

I'm happy to know you got decent results Jaakko. I haven't shot much HDRx since I've had the EPIC. I haven't needed to. But knowing that there are techniques out there that work is very helpful.

 

[Michael Thompson]

when I open my hdrx file in AE 5.5 it doesnt seperate the tracks for me