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# Working with EDL, ALE, and Cutlist Files

You can automatically recreate a timeline as it was edited during the offline editing stage of post-production provided you have all the source footage that was used, and a CMX3600-formatted EDL, ALE, or Cutlist file that describes how the source footage is arranged in the timeline. The process of rebuilding the timeline is called assembling.

When Lustre loads an EDL, ALE, or Cutlist file, it builds the timeline based on the following information:

- Source In/Source Out timecode or Record In/Record Out timecode.
- Tape/reel name. If the Use Reel Name button is enabled, Lustre verifies that the sources come from the correct tape. The tape name is part of the file path, and is always located one level above the resolution directory. For example, if the source files are located in .../Scans/myclip/001/2058x1556/… , then the tape name is 001.
- Source table. The source table enables the support of EDL reel names longer than eight characters.
- Dissolves. When Lustre finds a dissolve in the EDL, ALE, or Cutlist file, it places a dissolve of the specified duration at the appropriate transition.
- Speed changes. When a speed change is encountered in an EDL, ALE, or Cutlist file, the speed of the appropriate event is adjusted in the timeline using the Retime option.

To assemble an EDL, ALE, or Cutlist file, the system matches shot timecode values to source timecode in the EDL, ALE, or Cutlist file. Shot timecode values can be interpreted using two methods:

- By reading the timecode from the DPX file header. This method is intended for file formats (such as DPX files) that can contain embedded timecode values in the file header.
- By converting the shot's filename into timecode. The filename is established during the film scanning process.

The following table illustrates how a filename is converted into timecode.

Filename | Timecode 25 fps
--- | ---
00000.dpx | 00:00:00:00
00024.dpx | 00:00:00:24
00025.dpx | 00:00:01:00
00060.dpx | 00:00:02:10
00600.dpx | 00:00:24:00
06000.dpx | 00:04:00:00
06001.dpx | 00:04:00:01

#### Topics in this section

- EDL Display and Functionality
- EDL and Keycode Assembly Workflow
- Example of a Possible CDL Workflow
- Adding CDL Data to an EDL File
- Importing an EDL, ALE, or Cutlist File
- Assembling an EDL
- Match Grade
- Exporting Shots to an EDL
- Keycode Assembly
- Metadata Maintained for Missing Shots