® Avid MetaFuze User’s Guide
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Contents Chapter 1 Using Avid MetaFuze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Film and High-Resolution Workflows using MetaFuze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Opening a Project in MetaFuze. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Customizing the MetaFuze Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Scanning your Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 third-party files (such as DPX, R3D, TIF and QuickTime), which can be offlined in Avid Media Composer, and conformed for finishing in Avid DS.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze 1 ACQUISITION 2 EDITING 3 HIGH-RES EFFECTS & FINISHING 4 OUTPUT & DISTRIBUTION TELECINE HD 4:4:4 Avid Media Composer Avid DS Link to high-res files via AMA SCANNER DPX FILM DELIVERABLES AFE Storage VIDEO DELIVERABLES (HD, SD, DVD, BLU-RAY) ALE CG TIF MXF R3D ARRI QuickTime Link to transcoded proxy files Avid MetaFuze Avid Storage Link to high-res source files This workflow shows you how to carry out editing and finishing on footage that is already in digital file
Opening a Project in MetaFuze Step 3: Conform AFE for finishing in Avid DS 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. 1 2 3 Element Description 1 View Click and drag a view by its title bar. The other views will rearrange to accommodate the new position for this view.
Scanning your Folders To move a view within the main window: 1. Select a view or toolbar that you want to move. To select a view, click its title bar. To select a toolbar, click the extreme left where you see the vertical dotted line. 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. Release your mouse to drop the selection into place.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze The folders can be on your local workstation or on remote storage. (To locate folders on a remote storage, you might need to use the full pathname, for example, \\\.) 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. Select a path in the list and then click the Focus button to refocus your Available folders to this path. 4. Select and add as many folders as you want. 5.
Transcoding your Files 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. Once the scan is complete, the main screen displays the list of groups that have been found in the selected paths. After groups have been found, you can proceed to transcode your files. n If you have selected the Show scanned information option, the Scan Details dialog box opens when all folders have been scanned. 13.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze 3 1 2 4 5 7 6 n 16 Element Description 1 Source viewer Displays the source image. 2 Output viewer Displays the image according to the selected output settings. 3 Splitbar Click the splitbar and drag it right or left to enlarge/shrink viewer sizes. To reset size, right-click on any viewer and select Auto-adjust. 4 Output Preset dialog Displays the output settings for the selected group. 5 Group view Displays all the scanned and/or transcoded files.
Transcoding your Files If you have scanned your files, the Group view at the bottom of the main window displays all groups that have been found. The Group view shows data columns for all possible objects — a group, single-frame file, or transcode job. However, when you select an object, the Detail view on the right will display only the fields that are pertinent to the selected object. You can customize the group view by adding or removing columns — see “Customizing the MetaFuze Window” on page 12.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze There are some fields that are critical to your overall conform workflow, such as key number, tape name, TC start, film type. If you change the settings of these fields in the transcode job, an icon will appear next to them to warn that they are different from the properties of the original scanned group.
Transcoding your Files The following shortcut keys are available when selecting transcode jobs and generating transcoded media: Option Keyboard shortcut To select all transcode jobs Ctrl-Shift-A To select and generate media for all remaining transcode jobs. Ctrl-Shift-T To select and regenerate all completed transcode jobs where Ctrl-Alt-A an MXF/GEN was already previously generated. Depending on the number of frames in the group, this process could take some time to complete.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze To change a setting for multiple files: 1. Multi-select the files. 2. In the Details view, change the setting that you want to apply to all the selected files. 3. Press Enter. Deleting Transcoded Jobs You can select and delete transcode groups whether they have been trancoded or not. To delete a transcode group(s): 1. Select the transcode group(s) that you want to delete. 2. Press the Delete key.
Transcoding your Files 3. Click the Create Stereo Group button. A new group is created containing the left and right eye groups. n If you need to change the order of the groups within the stereo group, you can break the group and start again (Actions > Breakup Stereo Group). Breaking a stereo group simply returns the left and right eye groups to the list of standard groups.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze To open the burn-in editor: 1. Select the scanned group and click the Burn-in button on the toolbar. The Burn-in Editor opens — see “Burn-in Editor Dialog Box” on page 45 for details on the settings in this dialog box. 4 5 2 1 3 Element Description 1 Data list Select the data fields that you want to display. 2 Position Select the horizontal or vertical position for the data. 3 Font Select the font and size for the text.
Configuring the MetaFuze Transcoder 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, and enter a name for the preset. 7. Click Close to close the burn-in editor. Configuring the MetaFuze Transcoder If you have a multiprocessor system, you can increase the number of processing threads that will be used by MetaFuze when transcoding single-frame files such as DPX, JPG or TIF.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze If a LUT was provided with the files you are transcoding, then you should import it into MetaFuze before transcoding the group. Setting a LUT After a folder has been scanned, you can set the LUT that will be used for transcoding the scanned files. To set a LUT: 1. Select the group for which you want to set the LUT. n This field is only available when you are working with a group of DPX or Cineon files. 2.
Using LUTs in MetaFuze 3. In the LUT Editor, select a Template type. 4. Click Create. A new dialog box opens with the settings of the template. 5. Adjust the values as necessary. n The Lock option links values to each other. Deselecting this option for an entry lets you set the values independently. 6. When you are ready to save the settings, click the Rename button. 7. Enter a new LUT Name and click OK. The new LUT is added to the list and will be used for the group that you have selected.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze 4. Click the Export button. 5. Select the folder where you want to place the file, and click Save. 6. Click Close. Importing Image Settings When transcoding R3D files, you can apply additional settings to enhance the “look” of your file. This is done via an RLX, RSX, or RMD file which contains settings that are very similar to a LUT.
Transcoding your Files in a Batch Transcoding your Files in a Batch You can automate the transcoding process by creating a batch file that lists all the groups to be transcoded. Before you create the batch file, you need to have already scanned your folders and created the necessary transcode jobs. An XML script file also needs to be created for each transcode job. This file holds all the detailed settings for the transcode job. All XML scripts can then be executed from one batch file.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze To create a batch file to run all the XML scripts: 1. Create a batch file (.bat) that includes all the XML scripts that you have generated. For example: cd C:\Program Files\Avid\MetaFuze Metafuze “C:\Documents and Settings\user\Desktop\filename.xml” Metafuze “C:\Documents and Settings\user\Desktop\filename2.xml” 2. Save the batch file. 3. To execute the batch file, simply double-click on it.
Importing MXF Files into Avid Media Composer When the ALE file is generated, it will also include source information that was found in the files, such as the timecode, keycode, frame rate, and tape name. However, no sequences or effects are exported. 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(s) in an appropriate location.
1 Using Avid MetaFuze To import an ALE file using bins: 1. In Avid Media Composer, right-click the bin, and select Import. 2. Browse to the folder where the ALE file is located, select the file, and click Open. The bin displays all master clips that have been imported. 3. In the bin, right-click the master clip(s), and select Relink. 4. In the Relink dialog box, deselect the following: - Relink only to media from the current project - Match case when comparing tape names. 5.
Linking to MXF or GEN Files in Avid DS 4. Make sure that only Master Clips is selected and click OK. Master clips are created in the Media Tool window for any MXF files associated with that project. 5. Drag the clip(s) to a bin and proceed with your editing. Linking to MXF or GEN Files in Avid DS To link to MXF files in Avid DS, you can simply open a project and link to the MXF files. You need to make sure that all your transcoded MXF files are located in the \VideoStorage or \MediaStorage folder as requi
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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 Lets you 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. Based on the paths circled in the above example, 15 searches are done. Merge across subfolders 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.
Group View Option Description Merge all Searches for file patterns and forms groupings across all folders in your list of selected paths. Based on the paths circled in the above example, 1 search is done. n 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 * A single asterisk beside a value indicates that a pattern has been found against this criteria item. However, since it was not the top item of priority in your grouping options, the files might not actually be contiguous for this criteria. ** A double asterisk beside a tape name indicates that the information has been generated by MetaFuze based on your entry. Some column headings have a little arrow at the top right.
Group View Column Description 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. 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.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Column 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. ISO Set the sensitivity of film light. The lower the number the lower the sensitivity of the film. Resolution The resolution quality of the image being extracted by the RED parser.
Details of a group... • “Details of a stereoscopic group or transcode job...” on page 42 • “Details of R3D groups or transcode jobs...” on page 42 Details of a group... Field Name Description Name Name of the group. Folder Name of the source folder where this group was found. 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. KN Start The key number found in the first file of the group.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Field Name Description Comment Enter any comments about the scene or footage. This may be useful for burn-in. Details of a file... Field Name Description Name Displays the name of the selected file. Folder Displays the name of the source folder where this file was found. Frame Info Displays the key number (if applicable), or the frame number. Details of a transcode job... Field Name Description Name Displays the name given to the transcode job.
Details of a transcode job... Field Name Description Transcode Audio Select the checkbox to generate MXF/GEN files containing the audio portion of the input files. n One MXF is generated per audio channel. If you have multichannel audio, then you will get as many audio MXF files as you have channels. Wav file Select the checkbox if you want to generate a WAV file containing the audio portion of the input files. The .
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Field Name Description Comment Enter any comments about the scene or footage. This may be useful for burn-in. Details of a stereoscopic group or transcode job... The following additional options are available when you select groups or transcode jobs that have stereoscopic files—see “Transcoding Files for Stereoscopic Editing” on page 20.
Output Preset View 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. ISO Set the sensitivity of film light. The lower the number the lower the sensitivity of the film. Black Level Adjust the black level.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Field Name Description Delete Delete a customized preset. n If any groups are using this preset, then they will use the default associated with this preset. Name If this is a user-created preset, you may enter a new name in this field. Color Space Currently only supports YCC. Bit Depth Lets you select the appropriate bit depth to be used during conversion. Format Lets you set the format for the output sequence based on supported formats for the scanned group.
Create XML Batch Dialog Box Field Name Pillars Video File Type Description Select this option is 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. Select the media format to which you want to transcode your files. You can choose between MXF and GEN formats. GEN media is the proprietary format for Avid DS.
2 Avid MetaFuze Reference Field Name Description Data A list of data fields that can be burned-in on your images. NEW LINE - inserts a line break between data fields. NEW GROUP - creates a new group of data fields. Group columns: Name Name of the selected data field. %Y Percentage offset on the Y axis. %X Percentage offset on the X axis. Horizontal Horizontal position of group. Vertical Vertical position of group. Font Font type to use for display. Size Font size to use for display.
Transcode Configuration Options Setting RED Transcode Options You have the option to change the format of the tapename for RED files that will allow for easier relinking to the source media in applications outside of MetaFuze. Once you choose the appropriate format, it will be used for all RED files that have been scanned/rescanned. Field Name Description Force Minimum Color Science Version The color science varies according to the firmware version of the camera that shot the footage.
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