VEGAS 8.1 and Adobe After Effects at DVinfo.net

Chris Swanberg · January 21st, 2009, 07:59 PM

I am still on the steep learning curve on Vegas 8.1 on a Vista 64 machine. I have seen some work done using Adobe After Effects, and liked what I saw.

I looked to see if there were any posts here to answer this and came up empty so here goes: Can I use AE with Vegas 8.1, and do Vegas and AE play together well?

Assuming the worst, any other suggested AE-like programs that do?

Thanks

Chris

Jeff Harper · January 21st, 2009, 08:08 PM

If you're asking if the two programs can co-exist on the same computer, the answer is yes, they will both be fine with no problems.

However the two programs do not connect or work together in anyway. Anything you do in After Effects must be rendered out, usually in a uncompressed .avi file I believe, then brought into Vegas.

Adobe Premier does work with AE to some degree, I believe, but for the details on that you should try the Premier forum.

If I am mistaken on any of the above, someone will likely come along and correct me. I have AE CS3 but I am just playing with it and have not even rendered out the first thing with it, so my knowledge is very limited on the subject, but I believe I am correct above.

Chris Swanberg · January 21st, 2009, 08:49 PM

Thanks Jeff... my question may be a little naive, but my understanding of how AE works is too. What I interpret you to be telling me is that I would need to go back and forth between AE and V8.1 and move clips back and forth between them.

David Warrilow · January 21st, 2009, 08:56 PM

Hi Chris,
Vegas and AE can work together without rendering out an uncompressed version of your timeline. A vegas project can be saved as an '.aaf' file (IN VEGAS: - FILE->SAVE AS->) and then using the file-type drop down at the bottom choose "Edit Protocol Compliant AAF File" and save it somewhere you can find it.

This aaf file can then be opened in AE and you have a duplicate of your timeline as a composition in AE. There are some caveats; transitions will not come across so at the moment, you can only export a CUTS ONLY time line.

Another issue is, (and I'm scratching my head over this puppy) Vegas 8.1 DOES NOT HAVE THE SAVE AS .AAF FILE FEATURE. Why? You got me - but until 8.2 or some other update comes along to correct this, you can only get an .aaf out of Vegas if it's 8.0c or before. That's what I've been playing with, using 8c to do the edit, export aaf to After effects for the grade and CC - and then render out an uncompressed master.

Someone of greater experience and knowledge may be able to add to this in relevant ways but that's how it's panning out for me at the moment.
Cheers,
David.

Chris Swanberg · January 21st, 2009, 10:40 PM

Thank you David, that was exactly what I was wanting to know. What version of AE are you using btw?

David Warrilow · January 21st, 2009, 11:29 PM

Chris,

I'm using CS3. I also note there is another option for aaf files called 'Avid Legacy AAF'. This works aswell - I haven't yet tested them off against each other to see which is a better or more accurate translation. When opening the aaf file in AE you'll find a folder in your project window. Inside there you'll find a ready made composition that has your footage all in sequence.
Regards,
David.

Matthew Ewing · January 22nd, 2009, 05:02 PM

Yes they work great on the same machine.
I have Sony Vegas Pro 8 and the Adobe products, Premiere CS4,After Effects CS4 so forth and I sometimes render in Vegas and then put my footage through Adobe media encoder and Encore. I find these products superior to DVD Architect ( just personal opinion ). I have 64 bit Vista Ultimate and have 6GB Ram. Adobe After Effects and well the Adobe collection really loves a high amount of Ram.

I only just bought the Adobe collection last week so I am by no means an expert yet. Premiere is proving to be a large learning curve for myself.

Jeff Harper · January 23rd, 2009, 05:44 AM

Matthew, I agree on Encore being a great program, but it is indeed a tough learning curve!

January 21st, 2009, 07:59 PM	#1
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	VEGAS 8.1 and Adobe After Effects I am still on the steep learning curve on Vegas 8.1 on a Vista 64 machine. I have seen some work done using Adobe After Effects, and liked what I saw. I looked to see if there were any posts here to answer this and came up empty so here goes: Can I use AE with Vegas 8.1, and do Vegas and AE play together well? Assuming the worst, any other suggested AE-like programs that do? Thanks Chris

January 21st, 2009, 08:08 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	If you're asking if the two programs can co-exist on the same computer, the answer is yes, they will both be fine with no problems. However the two programs do not connect or work together in anyway. Anything you do in After Effects must be rendered out, usually in a uncompressed .avi file I believe, then brought into Vegas. Adobe Premier does work with AE to some degree, I believe, but for the details on that you should try the Premier forum. If I am mistaken on any of the above, someone will likely come along and correct me. I have AE CS3 but I am just playing with it and have not even rendered out the first thing with it, so my knowledge is very limited on the subject, but I believe I am correct above.

January 21st, 2009, 08:49 PM	#3
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Thanks Jeff... my question may be a little naive, but my understanding of how AE works is too. What I interpret you to be telling me is that I would need to go back and forth between AE and V8.1 and move clips back and forth between them.

January 21st, 2009, 08:56 PM	#4
David Warrilow Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 106	Hi Chris, Vegas and AE can work together without rendering out an uncompressed version of your timeline. A vegas project can be saved as an '.aaf' file (IN VEGAS: - FILE->SAVE AS->) and then using the file-type drop down at the bottom choose "Edit Protocol Compliant AAF File" and save it somewhere you can find it. This aaf file can then be opened in AE and you have a duplicate of your timeline as a composition in AE. There are some caveats; transitions will not come across so at the moment, you can only export a CUTS ONLY time line. Another issue is, (and I'm scratching my head over this puppy) Vegas 8.1 DOES NOT HAVE THE SAVE AS .AAF FILE FEATURE. Why? You got me - but until 8.2 or some other update comes along to correct this, you can only get an .aaf out of Vegas if it's 8.0c or before. That's what I've been playing with, using 8c to do the edit, export aaf to After effects for the grade and CC - and then render out an uncompressed master. Someone of greater experience and knowledge may be able to add to this in relevant ways but that's how it's panning out for me at the moment. Cheers, David.

January 21st, 2009, 10:40 PM	#5
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Thank you David, that was exactly what I was wanting to know. What version of AE are you using btw?

January 21st, 2009, 11:29 PM	#6
David Warrilow Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 106	Chris, I'm using CS3. I also note there is another option for aaf files called 'Avid Legacy AAF'. This works aswell - I haven't yet tested them off against each other to see which is a better or more accurate translation. When opening the aaf file in AE you'll find a folder in your project window. Inside there you'll find a ready made composition that has your footage all in sequence. Regards, David.

January 22nd, 2009, 05:02 PM	#7
Matthew Ewing Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mankato,MN Posts: 45	Yes they work great on the same machine. I have Sony Vegas Pro 8 and the Adobe products, Premiere CS4,After Effects CS4 so forth and I sometimes render in Vegas and then put my footage through Adobe media encoder and Encore. I find these products superior to DVD Architect ( just personal opinion ). I have 64 bit Vista Ultimate and have 6GB Ram. Adobe After Effects and well the Adobe collection really loves a high amount of Ram. I only just bought the Adobe collection last week so I am by no means an expert yet. Premiere is proving to be a large learning curve for myself.

January 23rd, 2009, 05:44 AM	#8
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Matthew, I agree on Encore being a great program, but it is indeed a tough learning curve!