Importing and Soft-Importing Video Files

Inputting and Outputting Media > Importing Media Files >

Use the Import Image menu to import or soft-import one or more QuickTime movies or MXF media files to the current clip library. Both video and audio tracks are supported.

Audio files that are not 48 KHz are automatically resampled to 48 KHz on import. For video files that contain an alpha channel, you can maintain the alpha channel in the imported clip for use in compositing.

Before importing any MXF P2 content, ensure that the P2 recording devices that are used are set to record clip metadata in Type 2. This allows important metadata, such as the User Clip Name, to be assigned properly in the MXF file.

Note that you cannot import or soft-import MXF P2 content that contain 2:3 or 2:3:3:2 pulldown, or variable framerates (such as from Varicam cameras).

A QuickTime or MXF video file can be encoded with any of a number of different codecs. During import, the codec flag and other detected metadata for a supported movie appears in the Movie Attributes area. Note that there are some codecs that will display, but are not supported. Otherwise, a message appears indicating that the movie cannot be imported.

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NoteTo import files created using unsupported video file formats or codecs, you can use Cleaner XL to encode the files into a supported format. For example, use Cleaner XL to import video as a sequence of compatible still images. See the guide, Using Cleaner XL with Autodesk Visual Effects and Finishing Applications.

To import or soft-import a QuickTime movie or MXF media file:

From the Library menu, click Import Image and select a destination reel.
From the File Format box, select the format of the clip that you want to import.
Browse to the directory containing the video files that you want to import, and then select the files.
TipIf the files that you want to import do not use the default extension, they do not appear in the browser. Enter the extension of the files in the Ext: field and they will appear in the browser. To view all files in the current directory, enter a blank extension.
Optional: Enable Scan Subdirectories to display all the subdirectories and their contents.
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.

NoteCertain options are disabled if you choose to soft-import the media.
If you are importing MXF files, select whether you want to import only a single file or the entire P2 content.
P2 content includes all of the associated audio files, which are embedded in the timeline. To import audio only select Essence from the MXF Options box. Use the P2 option only when importing the entire structure.
Adjust any other properties in the Clip Media, Clip Metadata, or Processing groups. See About the Import Image Menu Options.
NoteA clip that is imported using an unsupported frame rate is converted to the frame rate specified for the current project. This causes the clip to appear out of sync with its audio. A comment specifying the original frame rate is added to the clip notes, providing the ratio needed if you choose to re-time the video.
In the Movie attributes area, ensure that the codecs used in the video file are displayed.
During import, the codec flags for video and audio, and other detected metadata for a supported movie appears in the Movie Attributes area.
Click Load.
The video files are imported to the desktop and to the specified library reel.