look file utility?

[Sean Hellfritsch]

Is there any way to switch the .look file associated with a given clip without using the prospect 2k software? we purchased a temporary 3 month license which has now expired. the edit is complete, & we're doing all effects work now, so occasionally we come across a file with the wrong .look & need to swap 'em.
there has to be some sort of utility for this right??

[David Newman]

Here is a shell based tool that will do it:

http://www.miscdata.com/cineform/AVIHeaderUpdate.zip

If it is use for upgrading the header to the current version, so you will need version 3.2 of NEO Player installed.

> AVIHeaderUpdate filewithlookyouwant.avi

opened: M:\Bayer\Test\filewithlookyouwant.avi
Current Metadata :

(TIMC) Timecode string :
(REEL) Reel name :
(LOGC) Log comment :

(TAKE) Take number : 294
(SHOT) Shot number : 1
(SCEN) Scene number : 1
(CAMR) Camera number : 1
(PROJ) Project number : 1
(DATE) Shot date (yyyy-mm-dd) : 2007-09-08
(TIME) Shot time (hh:mm:ss) : 04:59:53

(COLM) Color Matrix (12 floats) : 1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,0
(WBAL) White balance (r,g,b) : 1.000,1.023,1.844
(LCRC) Lock file code : 0x17A71276
(PRCS) process flags : 13 ( Active WB LUT )


See the LCRC value, this is the look file unique code.

> AVIHeaderUpdate filewithlooktoset.avi LCRC=0x17A71276


If you want all files to be a particular look

> AVIHeaderUpdate *.avi -r LCRC=0x17A71276

the '-r' is an option to recurse directories.

[Sean Hellfritsch]

thanks David.

I'm using Neo Version 3.2.2.148. I believe the latest one. Are there any issues (or risk of damaging files) I should know about?

I'm going to give this a test & i'll let u know if i have any more questions.

[David Newman]

NEO 3.2.2.148 is fine. Yes, there is a small risk as this tool does modify the AVI themselves. Early versions had some problems with old files (older than yours), but I have seen any issues since. Backup the a few test AVIs, before batch processing whole directories.

[Sean Hellfritsch]

having some trouble.. here's my process:

place avi & "aviheaderupdate.exe" in same folder... (ie. E:\test)

type:
AVIHeaderUpdate E:\test\myfile.avi

nothing happens, line returns to "E:\test>"

i just typed AVIHeaderUpdate.exe & the guide came up. i see something about "updates to the new header".. is this needed?

i really appreciate your quick response & help, thanks!
-sean

[David Newman]

No idea. Need a small sample file that has this failure.

[Sean Hellfritsch]

i renamed my avi to something shorter & it seems to be working now. i was wondering if there is any way to track down what look files the codes are associated with.. for example, we made a series of "neutral" flat pass looks with variations on contrast & when i open a file & it tells me my look is "0xF2669F13"... i have no clue as to what look that represents.

thanks again!

[Sean Hellfritsch]

ah i figured it out...

went to the looks folder, found a .cflook file with the corresponding name of "0xF2669F13" (sans first two characters) and opened with notepad.. there i found the name "neutral 3" nestled amongst a sea of unintelligible script.


i think this helps me out with everything for now... i'll be back if anything else pops up.

i gotta ask though, how hard would it be to port this header update utility to a windows app with more mouse clicking & less command typing? i'm not allergic to the occasional dos prompt, but it seems that a proper gui would make for a very handy little program. we have a whole team of compositors working with this footage & i think i'm probably one of the few that feels comfortable operating under a command line.

sincere thanks again David for your super fast help!

[David Newman]

You have a simple GUI is Premeire, but your license has expired. There will be no GUI this utility, yet the is something much more useful under development.

[Agustin Goya]

Hi David!!!
Is there any script or tool to Enable/Disable active metadata using Neo Player?
I think this was possible using NEO 2k.
Thanks in Advance
Agustin

[David Newman]

I don't know what is in NEO Player, but it is limited, but it should be able to turn the looks off.

[Agustin Goya]

Thanks David!, Any idea how?
Agustin

[David Newman]

If the scripting is installed it will be the Start Menu -> Programs -> CineForm -> Tools

[Agustin Goya]

the scripts neo installs modify playback quality, but not active metadata

[David Newman]

Oh well, you can grab the scripts from a NEO 4K install, they will work on NEO Player.