Importing DPX File Sequences for Data Conform
 
 
 

The following workflow is designed specifically to accommodate importing or soft-importing DPX sequences generated from a film scanner. This allows you to import DPX sequences originating from different film reels in a single step. You can efficiently batch-capture file-based media in preparation for data conform from an EDL. The imported clips all have the correct source keycode, timecode, and tape name, making it easy to load your EDL and assemble the timeline for conforming and finishing.

To import DPX file sequences for data conform:

  1. From the Library menu, click Import Image and select a destination reel.
  2. In the Import Image menu, browse to the top-level directory that contains all the subdirectories and image sequences that you want to display.

    Typically, all DPX sequences generated by a film scanner reside in a top-level <project> directory, sorted into subdirectories corresponding to tape name, resolution, and sometimes clip name, as follows: ./<project>/<tape>/<resolution>/*.######.dpx

  3. From the Format box, select the DPX image type.

    You can select any single, supported image type. The default type for image files is DPX because this is a DI standard that embeds source metadata in the file header.

    Show small imageShow large image

  4. Optional: Enable Filter and enter the appropriate criteria to focus your search.

    The criteria is checked against the entire path. For example, if you enter *2048*, the filter will list only those sequences that reside under a directory path containing the string “2048”. In this case, only 2K sequences are displayed while everything else, such as 1K proxies or thumbnails, is filtered out.

  5. Enable Scan Subdirectories.

    Show small imageShow large image

    The directory scan begins. This may take some time to complete, depending on the size and quantity of subdirectories and files.

    When the scan is complete, the Files list displays all detected files with the directory path relative to the top-level directory. The list is sorted alphanumerically by path and filename.

    Show small imageShow large image

    (a) Subdirectories in the scanned directory  (b) All nested subdirectories with full path  

    TipFor long filenames that may be clipped in the browser, hold down the Alt key while hovering over the filename. This displays the full filename in a floating window.

    The results of the scan remain until you browse upwards to another directory, in which case the Scan Subdirectories option gets disabled.

  6. Select the images that you want to import.
  7. From the File Timecode box, select File Header Timecode.

    This will set the source timecode of the imported clip based on the timecode information in the DPX image file header.

  8. From the Keycode box, select File Header Keycode.

    This option allows DPX files that contain keycode data to be imported with their keycode data intact.

    NoteFor 35mm / 3 perf and 35mm /4 perf keycode, both perforation and frame offset modes can be read from the DPX files. For all other film gauges, only frame offset mode can be read.
  9. From the Framerate box, select File FCM.

    This option allows you to detect and use any existing framerate information in the DPX file to create the clip.

  10. From the Film Gauge box, select the gauge corresponding to the source film from which the images originated.

    This value is necessary because keycode values are assigned to each frame of the sequence differently, depending on the film gauge.

  11. Set the tape name for the imported clips.

    You can either infer the tape name from a directory name or read the tape name from a DPX file header. Do one of the following:

  12. Specify a LUT to remap specific pixel values when you import the DPX images. See Colour Management with LUTs.

    Show small imageShow large image

  13. Optional: Perform any resizing operations.

    When you disable the Resize button during import operations, the aspect ratio of the clip reverts to default. See Processing Group.

  14. Enable Soft-Import if you want to import a reference to the media, but you do not want to store the media on the local storage.
  15. Optional: Select a queueing option from the Add To Queue box.

    Show small imageShow large image

    If you soft-import clips you can generate proxies in the background. This gives you the ability to assemble the timeline while proxy generation is taking place. See Importing and Soft-Importing in the Background.

  16. Click Load.

    After you have imported or soft-imported all the sequences, you can import the corresponding EDLs to assemble a clip with unlinked media, then relink the clip to the DPX files in the reel.