Containers, matte containers and multi-channel clips are a convenient way of grouping elements on the timeline. They can each
be represented in the timeline as a single element.
- A container is composed of multiple versions of the same shot with different grades or multiple shots.
- A matte container is composed of a primary track and one or more external mattes.
- A multi-channel clip is a source clip that contains one or multiple matte channels.
Note the following functionality while working with containers, matte containers, and multichannel clips:
- Containers, matte containers and multi-channel clips can be part of a sorted selection. When a timeline is sorted, it is not
possible to enter inside the containers.
- You can apply retime effects on containers, matte containers and multi-channel clips. All shots inside a container get the
same retime effects. When you drag and drop clips to a container, the shots you add also get the same retime effect.
- You can collapse a selection of shots, containers, matte containers and multi-channel clips. When the timeline is collapsed,
the matte media in matte containers and multi-channel clips are still available for grading, but you cannot enter inside these
timeline segments when they are collapsed.
- You can remove containers and matte containers on multiple selections.
Matte Workflow
You can import mattes like any other source clip. Use one of the following workflows with externally generated mattes:
- Use a matte container created in Lustre and import a matte as a source clip.
- Use multi-channel clips when you want to add matte channels to a source clip and share this footage with multiple timelines
in Lustre. These clips can be created from Lustre or generated outside the application using the Autodesk Wiretap Gateway
XML schema.
- Use a matte container created in Smoke 2013 and Flame 2013 through Wiretap.
NoteThe legacy external matte workflow that required the manual modification of matte files to match the source footage file name
and location is now obsolete. You cannot load mattes that were created prior to Lustre 2012. You must recreate them.