Q: FCP 7 and image sequence at DVinfo.net

Paolo Ciccone · September 16th, 2009, 03:57 PM

Hello.
It's been a while since I looked at FCP and I was wondering if users of the latest release can tell me if FCP now supports image sequences directly, i.e. no conversion via QT Pro, straight import of a sequence of PNG or Targa into the timeline.

Thanks in advance.

Christopher Drews · September 16th, 2009, 04:27 PM

They added a function in preferences (attached), although I'd still use QuickTime Pro. So, to answer your question, it doesn't support it native like an Avid.

Paolo Ciccone · September 16th, 2009, 04:35 PM

Thank you Christopher, I forgot to mention the mode of importing, didn't think of importing as a series of independent pictures. I do a lot of work in 3D animation/modeling and for that we usually export the animation, which can take several hours to make, as a sequence of images. I switched to Premiere, among other reasons, because it supports image sequences, as clips, directly. Ad Apple releases new versions of FCP I keep an eye on it in case there are features that make the upgrade worthwhile.

Thanks again.

Christopher Drews · September 17th, 2009, 02:08 AM

I should mention one more tidbit:

Once you open the image sequence you only have to do a "Save As" to create a QuickTime in its native format. That, in turn, is opened in FCP and can also be edited in native. Also, you do have the option of QuickTime reference.

So, indeed, more steps than other NLEs but still editing in your native codec of the image sequence.

-C

Paolo Ciccone · September 18th, 2009, 12:02 AM

Hi Christopher.
Yes, I'm well aware of the procedure, I used FCP for years before moving to Premiere. The codec is not at all the concern here. The workflow is. Once you load a few thousand PNG files in QT Pro and export the clip in any codec you are waiting for a considerable amount of time while the clip is generated. In the course of making a 3D animation you end up doing that over and over again and it end up adding hours of "dead time". On top of that the export to QT file prevents the use of a technique that is used continuously in animation: the re-generation of a part of the sequence.

With an NLE that supports image sequences you have no delay. In fact, if the sequence remains the same, same file names, you get the timeline automatically refreshed after you generate the new frames.
I was just checking if FCP finally got that feature or not.
Thanks again.

September 16th, 2009, 03:57 PM	#1
Paolo Ciccone Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 1,116	Q: FCP 7 and image sequence Hello. It's been a while since I looked at FCP and I was wondering if users of the latest release can tell me if FCP now supports image sequences directly, i.e. no conversion via QT Pro, straight import of a sequence of PNG or Targa into the timeline. Thanks in advance. __________________ Paolo http://www.paolociccone.com Demo Reel

September 16th, 2009, 04:27 PM	#2
Christopher Drews Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 628	They added a function in preferences (attached), although I'd still use QuickTime Pro. So, to answer your question, it doesn't support it native like an Avid. Attached Thumbnails

September 16th, 2009, 04:35 PM	#3
Paolo Ciccone Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 1,116	Thank you Christopher, I forgot to mention the mode of importing, didn't think of importing as a series of independent pictures. I do a lot of work in 3D animation/modeling and for that we usually export the animation, which can take several hours to make, as a sequence of images. I switched to Premiere, among other reasons, because it supports image sequences, as clips, directly. Ad Apple releases new versions of FCP I keep an eye on it in case there are features that make the upgrade worthwhile. Thanks again. __________________ Paolo http://www.paolociccone.com Demo Reel

September 18th, 2009, 12:02 AM	#5
Paolo Ciccone Trustee Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 1,116	Hi Christopher. Yes, I'm well aware of the procedure, I used FCP for years before moving to Premiere. The codec is not at all the concern here. The workflow is. Once you load a few thousand PNG files in QT Pro and export the clip in any codec you are waiting for a considerable amount of time while the clip is generated. In the course of making a 3D animation you end up doing that over and over again and it end up adding hours of "dead time". On top of that the export to QT file prevents the use of a technique that is used continuously in animation: the re-generation of a part of the sequence. With an NLE that supports image sequences you have no delay. In fact, if the sequence remains the same, same file names, you get the timeline automatically refreshed after you generate the new frames. I was just checking if FCP finally got that feature or not. Thanks again. __________________ Paolo http://www.paolociccone.com Demo Reel

September 17th, 2009, 02:08 AM	#4
Christopher Drews Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 628	I should mention one more tidbit: Once you open the image sequence you only have to do a "Save As" to create a QuickTime in its native format. That, in turn, is opened in FCP and can also be edited in native. Also, you do have the option of QuickTime reference. So, indeed, more steps than other NLEs but still editing in your native codec of the image sequence. -C