Avid® MetaFuze™ v2.
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Contents Legal Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Using This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 If You Need Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 2 Avid MetaFuze Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Scan Folders Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Group View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Detail View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Details of a group... . . . . .
Using This Guide This manual is intended for Avid® MetaFuze™ users from beginning to advanced levels. Unless noted otherwise, the material in this document applies to the Windows®, Linux® and Macintosh® operating systems. It covers the features and hardware of all models and applies to all operating systems. Therefore, depending on the hardware model that you have purchased, your system may or may not contain certain features and hardware that are covered in the documentation.
Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action Ctrl+key or mouse action Press and hold the first key while you press the last key or perform the mouse action. For example, Command+Option+C or Ctrl+drag. If You Need Help If you are having trouble using your Avid product: 1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide. It is especially important to check each step of your workflow. 2.
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1 Using Avid MetaFuze Avid ® Metafuze™ provides a complete offline-to-finish file-based workflow when used in conjunction with Avid Media Composer® and Avid DS. Metafuze allows the generation of MXF media from DPX, R3D, TIF, JPG, AVI and QuickTime files, which can be offlined in Avid Media Composer, conformed for finishing in Avid DS.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze ACQUISITION CG OFFLINE EDITING (OPTIONAL) DIGITAL CAMERA OUTPUT & DISTRIBUTION TAPE Export TIF files Avid MetaFuze TIF FILM HIGH-RES EFFECTS & FINISHING DPX Scan or transfer to DPX Output High-res files Avid Media Composer Avid DS Import MXF R3D 1 Group highres files into MXF files 4 HD 4:4:4 HD 4:2:2 NTSC PAL QuickTime Output to tape or file EDLFILE EDL 2 Edit and produce final AFE 3 DPX CINEON (2K, 4K) Conform AFE Link or capture original files RECORDER FIL
Opening a Project in MetaFuze Step 3: Conform AFE On Avid DS, you can conform the AFE and connect to the original DPX/R3D/TIF files. In the case of DPX files, necessary information such as KeyKode™ (key number) and timecode is inserted as metadata into the DPX file during the scanning process. If the DPX files do not contain the timecode information, the ALE is required in order to make the necessary correspondence to the associated DPX files.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze Customizing the MetaFuze Window The views and toolbars within MetaFuze can be moved to a different position within the window, or can be “torn off” and dragged outside of the main window. In addition, the columns in the Groups view can be rearranged or removed as necessary. Click and drag a view by its title bar. Select an existing preset view (if any). Shaded blue area will appear to indicate where the view can be dropped. Click to save your column settings to a preset.
Scanning your Folders 2. Drag the view to any position within the window where you would like to place it. The cursor position determines the destination. If another view exists in that location, it will automatically move over, and a shaded blue area will appear to indicate where your selection can be placed. Release your mouse to drop the selection into place. n Some views can be undocked from the main window by clicking and dragging their title bar outside the main window.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze 3. In the list of available folders, select a folder name, and click the Add Folder button to add the folder to the Selected paths list. Add folder button Select a path in the list and then click this button to refocus your Available folders view to this path. Remove folder button 4. Select and add as many folders as you want. 5. Option. You can reorder the selected paths using the Up and Down Arrow keys. 6. Option.
Transcoding your Files 10. If you want to specify the type of files to search for, then click the File Types button. Select only the file types that you need. This filters out any unwanted file types and makes the scanning process much faster. 11. Select the other options as necessary. 12. Click the Scan button to begin scanning your files. MetaFuze scans the list of selected paths and forms groups based on the options you have selected.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze Drag right or left to enlarge/shrink viewer sizes. To reset size, right-click on any viewer and select Auto-adjust. Source viewer Output viewer Group view Expand tree to show individual files within group Select a scanned group n Detail view An XML command script can also be used in the Avid MetaFuze console mode to automatically create a list of files for transcoding. For more information, see “Transcoding your Files in a Batch” on page 27.
Transcoding your Files The Source viewer displays the original images. 3. In the Detail view, you can experiment with the Format and Conversion Mode options to set the best image format and aspect ratio for your output MXF—see “Detail View” on page 41 for definitions of the different settings. The Output viewer shows you how the image will appear based on the transcoding settings in the Details view. 4. If you need to select a LUT for your files, click the LUT field in the Detail view.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze n You can also create a new transcode job from another transcode job. Simply select the transcode job, change any detail settings, and then click the New Transcode button. The new job will inherit the settings from the original transcode job. 8. Select this new transcode job, and in the Detail view, set the necessary transcode options—see “Detail View” on page 41. 9. In the Detail view, click on the Folder option, and specify a location where the transcoded MXF media is to be saved.
Transcoding your Files For Avid Media Composer you must use the Over/Under mode with left eye on the top, and right eye on the bottom. MetaFuze can also combine left and right eyes in Side by side, Anaglyph, and Interlaced modes, which are all supported in Avid DS. To create a stereoscopic group: 1. Scan the appropriate folders as described in “Scanning your Folders” on page 15. 2. In the Groups view, select the folders for the left and right eyes.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze Burning-in Information on the Frames Burn-in data is typically used only for the offline stage of a project. It is useful as it provides visual feedback for logging and tracking footage. In the Detail view, you can select a data field to burn-in on your images. If you want to burn in more than one field, however, you need to use the Burn-in Editor. To open the burn-in editor: 1. Select the scanned group and click the Burn-in button on the toolbar.
Configuring the MetaFuze Transcoder To add a line break, select the field from the Data list. To create a separate group of fields and place it on a different part of the image, select the field . 6. Click the Save button to save your settings. 7. Click Close to close the burn-in editor.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze Using LUTs in MetaFuze A Lookup Table (LUT) is a file that contains a conversion table used to map an input color value to an output color value. When transcoding your files into playable MXF media, you need to set the LUT that came with your footage so that the proper color values are retained throughout the online editing process.
Using LUTs in MetaFuze 5. Browse to the folder where the LUT is located, and click Open. The LUT is now available as a choice within MetaFuze. 6. Click Close. Modifying LUTs You can edit or create LUTs from the industry LUTs that are provided by MetaFuze. To edit a LUT: 1. Select the group for which you want to modify the LUT. 2. Click the Edit LUTs button at the bottom of the main view. n This button is only enabled when you are working with a group of DPX or Cineon files. 3.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze The new LUT is added to the list and will be used for the group that you have selected. n These values can be associated with any group within the current project. 8. Click Close. Exporting a LUT You can save the LUT settings and export them for use with other MetaFuze groups or external applications. To export a LUT: 1. Select the group whose LUT settings you want to export. 2. Click the Edit LUTs button at the bottom of the main view. 3. Select the LUT that you want to export.
Transcoding your Files in a Batch Creating an XML Batch File to Transcode Files Before you create the XML batch file, you need to have already scanned your folders and created the necessary transcode jobs. With the batch file, each of these jobs is converted into a separate MXF file. To create the XML batch file: 1. In the Group view, select the transcode job that you want to convert. 2.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze To create an XML file with a third-party application: 1. Generate the .xml and .xsd with MetaFuze. 2. Open the .xml file with Liquid XML Studio from Liquid Technologies (you can download the freeware from http://www.liquid-technologies.com/). 3. Edit your file with Liquid Studio. 4. Use the Validate function in Liquid Studio to validate your .xml file against the .xsd. 5. Option. Open the .xsd with Liquid Studio to find the correct enumeration values. Once you have a valid .
Transcoding your Files in a Batch - H:\Public\GraphicsFiles\Still Seq\DPX\253\154_213C-2_B_03\368842.dpx H:\Public\GraphicsFiles\Still Seq\DPX\253\154_213C-2_B_03\368843.dpx H:\Public\GraphicsFiles\Still Seq\DPX\253\154_213C-2_B_03\368844.dpx H:\Public\GraphicsFiles\Still Seq\DPX\253\154_213C-2_B_03\368845.dpx H:\Public\GraphicsFiles\Still Seq\DPX\253\154_213C-2_B_03\368846.dpx H:\Public\GraphicsFiles\Still Seq\DPX\253\154_21
1 Using Avid MetaFuze Z:\Project_Documents\VT009_A_09_13_08_04_S01.mxf VT009_A_09_13_08_04_S01 09 SPIRIT-4K DATACINE 09:13:08:04 false 35.4 KU828579-6839+07 64 2048 1165 1.
Importing MXF Files into Avid Media Composer To export an ALE: 1. Use Ctrl-click to select all the transcoded files that you want to include in your ALE. 2. Click the Export ALE button. 3. Save the file in an appropriate location. Importing MXF Files into Avid Media Composer To import MXF files into Avid Media Composer, you can import the ALE created by MetaFuze and link to the associated MXF files. On the other hand, you can simply open a bin via the Media Tool and select the MXF files one at a time.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze To import an MXF file using the Media Tool: 1. In Avid Media Composer, select Tools > Media Tool. 2. In the Media Tool Display window, select the Media Drive where the Avid MediaFiles folder is located. For example, Video U320 (G:). The list of Projects will include the name of the MetaFuze project in which you transcoded your files. (Avid Media Composer finds this name in the metadata of the MXF file). 3.
Exporting the AFE File from Avid Media Composer To export an AFE from Avid Media Composer to Avid DS: 1. Right-click the sequence and select Send To > Avid DS. The Send To: Avid DS dialog box opens with the default export template. 2. Optional: Change the file name. 3. Click Set to browse to the driver and folder to which you want to export the sequence, and click OK. 4. Select Export Settings 1. All current settings are displayed in the summary panel below. 5.
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2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Scan Folders Dialog Box The following table describes the options available in the Scan Folders dialog box. Option Description Available folders Allows you to browse to the folder where your source files are located. The folders can be on your local workstation or on a remote storage. (For remote storage, you might need to use the full pathname, e.g. \\\). Press the Enter key after typing in the path name.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Option Description No merge Searches for file patterns for each item in the selected paths list, as well as their subfolder levels. Unique groupings are formed for each level. selected path selected path Merge across subfolders In this example, 15 searches are done. For each item in the selected paths list, searches for file patterns down through all the subfolders. Unique groupings are formed for each selected path in your list.
Scan Folders Dialog Box Option Description Merge all Searches for file patterns and forms groupings across all folders in your list of selected paths. selected path selected path n In this example, 1 search is done. For all the preceding merge options, duplicate files are discarded in each grouping and only the most recent is kept. Include subfolders Scans all subfolders in the list of selected paths as shown in the preceding examples.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Group View The Group view shows data columns for all possible objects—a group, single-frame file, or transcode job. When you select an object, only the fields that are pertinent to the selected object will display under the appropriate columns (and in the Detail view on the right). The following table describes the information columns available in the Group view. * A single asterisk beside a value indicates that a pattern has been found against this criteria item.
Group View Column Description KN Start The key number found in the first file of the group . If key number metadata was found in the source file, then this field cannot be changed. If the key number was not found in the source file, you will be able to enter a key number if necessary. Set Tape Info This option is always selected. Tape information metadata is automatically embedded in the MXF. Tape Name The source tape name. For some file types, this name can be changed if necessary.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Column Description Conversion mode Lets you select the aspect ratio that will be used during conversion. When converting between film/HD and NTSC formats, you must make sure that the aspect ratio is respected. Film/HD uses the aspect ratio of 16:9, while NTSC/PAL uses 4:3. Choose the mode that will be used for final output. Anamorphic If your images are 16:9, they are stretched vertically to fit into a 4:3 NTSC frame.
Detail View Column Description Resolution The resolution quality of the image being extracted by the RED parser. The higher the resolution, the slower the encoding process. Import Settings You may use Avid DS or a third-party tool to simulate the “look” of your images. These settings (such as black levels, brightness, etc.), can be saved to a file, and applied within MetaFuze to the entire group of images when generating the MXF file. Such an example is the .
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Details of a group... Field Name Description Name Name of the group. Folder Name of the source folder where this group was found. Project Lets you enter a name for this project. This name should be meaningful or correspond to the name of your project in your Avid editing application. Film Type Displays the film type found in the source media. If this metadata is not found, then the default is set to 35 mm 4 perfs.
Details of a file... Field Name Description Conversion mode Lets you select the aspect ratio that will be used during conversion. When converting between film/HD and NTSC formats, you must make sure that the aspect ratio is respected. Film/HD uses the aspect ratio of 16:9, while NTSC/PAL uses 4:3. Choose the mode that will be used for final output. Anamorphic If your images are 16:9, they are stretched vertically to fit into a 4:3 NTSC frame.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Details of a transcode job... Field Name Description Name Displays the name given to the transcode job. Folder Lets you specify the destination folder for the MXF file. If you will be using this media on a Avid Media Composer workstation, you can save the media directly to a shared media folder. Select the appropriate drive, and make sure that you save the media in a path name \Avid Media Files\MXF\1\.
Details of a transcode job... Field Name Description TC Start The timecode found in the first file of the group. The start timecode can be changed if necessary, and the end timecode will automatically be adjusted. TC End The timecode found in the last file of the group. Burn-in Lets you select metadata for burn-in. If you want to burn-in more than one field, see “Burning-in Information on the Frames” on page 22. Format If a frame rate was not detected in the source media (e.g.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Field Name Pillars Description Select this option to preserve the aspect ratio when going from NTSC to HD. The 4:3 image is placed in the center of the 16:9 HD frame and black bars are added to the left and right sides of the image. LUT Enter the type of Lookup Table to be associated with these files. (Only available for DPX file types.) Status Indicates if the job has been transcoded or not. Eye Enter the appropriate text to indicate the left or right eye frames.
Details of R3D groups or transcode jobs... Details of R3D groups or transcode jobs... The following additional options are available when you select groups or transcode jobs that have R3D files. Field Name Description Chroma Select the level to filter the noise of the chroma component. Debayer Select the amount of detail correction in the debayering process. OLPF Select the OLPF (Optical Low Pass Filtering) level. This value can be set before capturing or linking.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Burn-in Editor Dialog Box The following table describes the options available in the Burn-in Editor dialog box. Field Name Description Burn-in Preset The name of the file where the settings are stored. Save button Click this button to create a new preset, or save changes to a selected preset. Delete button Click this button to delete a selected preset. Import Import a burn-in preset file (.xml). Export Export a burn-in preset file (.xml).
Transcode Configuration Options Transcode Configuration Options If you have a multiprocessor machine, you can set the number of threads that can be used by MetaFuze. Increasing the number of processing threads generally provides greater performance, but it may decrease the power of other applications that are running simultaneously.
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