The following procedure illustrates a possible workflow for source grading for complex projects that include multi-layer timelines with numerous effects, transitions, etc. Since Wiretap flattens the timelines it imports from a Visual Effects and Finishing application, for complex projects, it is worthwhile creating a new single-layer timeline in the Visual Effects and Finishing application. In this way, all the material needed by the Effects and Finishing artists can be made available.

Workflow for simple source grading

1. In Smoke, capture and import media from the off-line editor as a timeline.

   For greatest flexibility in the colour grading process, capture the material in A-mode or C-mode—that is, in ascending timecode sequence.

2. Create a timeline in Smoke that is especially for grading in Lustre, containing all the clips in a single video layer.

   This can be accomplished most easily by selecting all the source clips needed in the clip library reel and performing a Load and Join operation.

3. In Lustre, use Wiretap to import the timeline created in the above steps.
4. Grade the sources in the imported timeline, then render it back, via Wiretap.

   The rendered clips contain the updated grading but the same tape name and timecode information as the original clips.

5. In Smoke, create a copy of the multi-layer timeline—that is, the destination timeline.
6. Save the unlinked timeline to the clip library where Lustre has rendered the media, and relink.

   The multi-layer timeline now contains the graded clips.