You can use this feature to load a finished cut into FilmConvert, and render only the clips that were used. This saves time over rendering all footage prior to editing.
Please note, your complete timeline is not represented in Film Convert. This feature simply allows you to load the clips that are present in your timeline to simplify selecting the necessary clips.
The basic workflow is:
- Export an EDL or XML from your editing software
- Import the EDL / XML into FilmConvert
- Color and render your footage
- Save a new version of your project in your editor
- Re-connect the rendered footage in the editor
You can also render to DPX or TIFF and use the EDL / XML to create the timeline in external grading software. We won't cover that workflow here, but most of the same concepts apply.
Step 1: Export an EDL or XML from your editing software
For most software, this is as simple as selecting File > Export. FilmConvert accepts Final Cut 7 XML, Avid Filmscribe, CMX 3600 EDL and FCPX XML.
Step 2: Import the EDL / XML into FilmConvert
- On Tab 1, click the Import button at the bottom right
- Choose the folder which contains the source footage from your project
- Select whether to match Quicktime or R3D. If your timeline contains both, then you will need to perform the render twice
- Choose the EDL or XML format from the dropdown
- Choose the EDL or XML itself using the browse button
- Click load EDL / XML file
FilmConvert will then read the file, and search for the timeline clips in the chosen directory. At the end it will report on the number of matched clips. EDL and XML often contain extra rows that are not actually part of the timeline. FilmConvert may see these and report that it can't match them - this is usually ok. As long as the number of matched clips looks correct, you should be ok.
After the match is complete, hit close. The shot list should now contain the clips from your EDL / XML.
Step 3: Color and render your footage
Notes on EDL / XML rendering
- The Film Settings tab will contain the clips used in your timeline.
- You have access to the entire clip, regardless of where the in and out points were in your cut.
Step 4: Save a new version of your project in your editor
We recommend that you save a new version so that you don't mess up your original project.
Step 5: Re-connect the rendered footage in the editor
- This step is different for each of the editing platforms
- Some editors allow you to right click and select reconnect footage. If not, you will have to force a reconnection.
- To force reconnection, find the folder that contains the original source footage and rename it. Or if it's on a separate hard drive, eject that drive. This will prompt the editing software to try to find the missing footage, usually with a reconnection dialog box
- In the reconnection dialog box, select the folder where the footage from FilmConvert was rendered to.
- If the editor is smart, it will automatically reconnect all the clips in one go. Some editors might ask you to manually choose each clip.
Your timeline will now contain your cut with the FilmConvert look applied to it. You can then render out the finished product, or process and grade further using any other tools you have available.