Output Format Preferences

The Output Format preferences provide access to a variety of camera, image-format and other parameters that are normally scattered throughout several other property editors.

You can modify all of these parameters from the Output Format property editor, and then apply the changes to all applicable parts of the scene. For example, you can change the camera picture standard and then update all of the cameras in the scene as well as the relevant render options.

This allows you to quickly make global changes to the most common settings, such as those required to switch from the NTSC picture standard to the PAL picture standard.

To display: Choose File Preferences from the main menu. In the explorer that appears, click Output Format or its icon.

Preset

Lists output format presets. Choosing a preset automatically updates all of the settings in this property editor accordingly.

Save Custom Preset

After setting the parameters in this property editor to the desired values, you can save all of the current settings as a preset. The preset is added to the Preset list.

Clicking this button opens a dialog box from which you are prompted to choose a name for the new preset.

Camera

Picture Standard	Defines the standard camera format the camera will use. The Custom option activates the Picture Ratio parameter so that you can define your own camera output ratio.
Picture Ratio	Displays the picture ratio of the output camera. This parameter can only be edited if a Custom Picture Standard is selected.

Image Resolution

Resolution X	Sets the X resolution independently of the Y resolution.
Resolution Y	Sets the Y resolution independently of the X resolution.
Pixel Ratio	Sets the pixel ratio. This ensures compatibility of images with devices that use rectangular or square pixels.
Maintain Picture Ratio	Locks the X and Y Picture Ratio regardless of the chosen resolution values. For example, editing the X resolution will automatically change the Y resolution to maintain the same picture ratio.

Rotoscope Mode Only

Pixel Ratio	Sets the pixel ratio. This ensures compatibility of images with devices that use rectangular or square pixels.
Use Camera Pixel Ratio	When on, you can manually set the camera pixel ratio for rotoscoping; otherwise, the pixel ratio is set according to the camera format.

Field Rendering

Field rendering consists of rendering to two alternating fields of horizontal scanlines (odd and even) instead of rendering to frames. This reduces the strobing effect that results from fast-moving objects when rendering for video.

The even field of one frame is rendered, then the odd field of the next frame is rendered. This effectively doubles the frame rate. Note that, because of the dependence on frame numbers, sequences should start with an odd frame and end with an even one.

Note that you can set field rendering options in several places:

The settings in the Output Format preferences control the default for new scenes.
The settings in the Scene Render Options control an individual scene.
The Pass settings can override the scene's settings for that individual pass.

Enable Fields

Enables field rendering.

Interleave

Enables interleaving of fields.

Field Order

Specifies the field order for scenes rendered in field mode.

Lower Field First/Even (NTSC): Renders to fields using even dominance. This means that odd frame numbers contain the even fields. This is the dominance used by the NTSC and DV video standards.

Upper Field First /Odd (PAL and HD): Renders to fields using odd dominance. This means that odd frame numbers contain the odd fields. This is the dominance used by the PAL and HD video standards.

If you are using video in your scene, their field order must match the field order for rendering.

Time

Update Play Control

Automatically updates the Frame Step, Format, and Rate parameters in the Play Control property editor.

Default Frame Rate

For more information, see Setting the Scene's Frame Format and Rate [Viewing and Playback].

Frame Step	Sets the interval at which frames are played back in a viewport. A value of 2 causes the viewports to display only every second frame during playback.
Frame Format	Specifies the frame rate used in the scene. Choose from NTSC, PAL, Film, 30 fps, or Custom. If you select Custom frame rate, you must enter a value in the Frame Rate text box below.
Frame Rate	The frame rate of your scene in frames per second (fps). This option is only available if you select Custom frame rate from the Frame Format list.

Update Scene Elements

Apply Now

Opens the Output Format Dialog Box from which you can choose which scene elements to update with the changes made in this property editor.