User Guide

CHAPTER 2
66
Preparing and Importing Footage
• Set the pixel dimensions to the resolution you will use in After Effects. If you plan to scale
the image over time, set image dimensions that provide enough detail at the largest size
the image has in the project. The maximum resolution you can use in After Effects is
30,000 x 30,000 pixels. For D1 or DV, see “Using square-pixel footage for output to D1 or
DV NTSC” on page 89.
• Specify an even-numbered resolution for files imported into compositions that also use
even-numbered resolution, and odd numbers for compositions using odd-numbered
resolution. See the Adobe Web site for technical papers with more information.
• Crop the parts of the image that you do not want to be visible in After Effects.
• Correct the contrast and color balance for broadcast video, if necessary.
• Create an alpha channel if you want to designate areas as transparent.
• If final output will be broadcast video, avoid using thin lines (such as 1-pixel lines) for
images or text because they may appear to flicker. If you must use thin lines, add a slight
blur so the line or text displays on both video fields instead of flickering between them.
• Save the file using the correct naming convention. For example, if you plan to import the
file to After Effects on a Windows system, save the file using a three-character extension. If
you plan to import the file to a Mac OS, use a name of 31 characters or fewer.
• Make sure that the file format is supported on the operating system you plan to use.
For information on preparing and importing interlaced motion video to After Effects,
see “Preparing motion footage for import” on page 83.
Working with higher image resolutions
After Effects supports a maximum image resolution of 30,000 x 30,000 pixels for import-
ing and rendering files. Resolution refers to the dimensions (width and height) of an
image measured in pixels. When you work with higher resolutions, you can use a wider
variety of formats, such as IMAX frames (4096 x 3002 pixels), full-aperture/silent frames
(4096 x 3112 pixels), and other large-format media.
When working with high-resolution images, consider the following:
• All input and output modules in After Effects support increased resolutions except PICT
(4,000 x 4,000 pixels), BMP (16,000 x 30,000 pixels), and PXR (30,000 x 16,000 pixels).
UG.book Page 66 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM