#Render with AlphaSplit ?
13 messages in this thread
Folks,
I am rendering a long sequence from 3DS to the PAR. I will be adding
the Backround later when it is completed. I need to create an alpha of the
animation. I was wondering if Alpha Split is my answer. Is it possible to
render the animation to the PAR and send the alpha TGAs to a system drive at
the same time. I am trying to avoid rendering this thing in 2 passes. it's
about 1500 frames and I'm only getting about 300 a night on one machine.
Thanks in advance.
Brendan G.
Brendan:
>> I need to create an alpha of the animation. I was wondering if Alpha
>> Split is my answer. Is it possible to render the animation to the
>> PAR and send the alpha TGAs to a system drive at the same time.
Yes, alpha split is the answer, but it depends on the question! <bg>
3DS puts the alpha file to the same drive as the render file, so it doesn't
work with the PAR. The best is probably render both to your hard disk and then
copy the Targas to the PAR and delete them, saving the alphas.
Another thought is to create 32 bit Targas and store them on your hard disk,
then just use those to add the background. You'll get a higher quality final
image since you won't be compressing twice, but it will take up more disk
space.
Greg Pyros
Greg,
Thanks for the reply, I know minutes are valuable and scarce for you
these days, so I appreciate you loaning me a few . 🙂
>>3DS puts the alpha file to the same drive as the render file, so it doesn't
work >>with the PAR. The best is probably render both to your hard disk and
then >>copy the Targas to the PAR and delete them, saving the alphas.
>>Another thought is to create 32 bit Targas and store them on your hard disk,
>>then just use those to add the background. You'll get a higher quality final
>>image since you won't be compressing twice, but it will take up more disk
>>space.
I was afraid you might say that… Well with 880 frames rendered it's
back to the start. Probably better off there was one motion glitch that needed
adjustin'
I'll try a 100 frame test both ways and see if I can get away with the first
method to save space.
Thanks again.
P.S. Enjoy that 'BIG' vacation you have coming up..
Planning a cruise around the world ? <bg>
Brendan G.
world maybe
Brandon, I haven't actually tried this yet but your problem prompted the idea.
<g> Because VP has the capabilities of calling external programs it should be
feasible to create a batch file that would copy the rendered images from the
hard drive to the PAR but leave the alphas on your local drive. You can't copy
both to the PAR, because of the way it appends but it would be better than
having to keep everything on your local drive. Especially if your like me and
don't have much local space. If you need any help setting it up give a hollar.
I may play around with it tonight, but I think it'll be pretty easy to make
work.
DM
Dave,
<<Because VP has the capabilities of calling external programs it should be
feasible to create a batch file that would copy the rendered images from the
hard drive to the PAR but leave the alphas on your local drive.>>
Very interesting concept. I think I'll investigate this possiblity
myself.
If I come up with anything useable that can stream line this operation, I'll be
sure to put it up on deck here for anyone else who may have a similar need.
Thanks for the seed…
Brendan G.
Dave / Brendan:
>> Because VP has the capabilities of calling external programs it should
>> be feasible to create a batch file that would copy the rendered images
>> from the hard drive to the PAR but leave the alphas on your local drive.
This is done automatically in PAROUT.IXP, FYI!
Greg Pyros
Greg,
<<This is done automatically in PAROUT.IXP, FYI!>>
Hmmmmm…. sounds like a must have.
thanks for the tip.
B-
Sure Greg but a batch file is Free!
DM
Dave:
>> Sure Greg but a batch file is Free!
Yes, but if you want to save to the PAR while rendering, the only other
alternative is to have a dedicated machine, and that is a bit more expensive!
Greg Pyros
Greg, Ok – you've almost sold me. <g> How much do you charge for Parout and
will it run on a single machine and/or a network. Right now I have to manually
copy all my alpha splits to the Par and because they're so small I normally
don't mind. But saving that extra step may be worth the money. If Parout will
give me my animation and it's matte both on the Par in seperate files I'll
probably get it. If you would please E-mail me the price. Thanks much.
DM
Dave:
>> Ok – you've almost sold me.
So close yet so far away! :^)
>> will it run on a single machine and/or a network.
On a single machine it will copy out all your image files as you render, then
just do the mattes, network rendering to the PAR is what it was written for.
>> If Parout will give me my animation and it's matte both on the Par in >>
separate files I'll probably get it.
Remember the way the PAR works – it places each file on the next consecutive
place on the disk, so that you cannot copy out two different files at once
(image and matte, for example). However, what people do is run PAROUT to get
all the images out automatically, translate the alphas to 24 bit (the PAR can't
read an alpha file written by 3DS, FYI) by setting them up as a background or
Video Post process on the machine with the PAR and rendering them directly out.
Make sense? :^)
Greg Pyros
Greg, Hmmm, don't quite get you. First you said Parout, runnign on a single
machine, would copy the alphas after the fact. Which is exactly what I do now.
But then, later, you said the alphas would need to be re-run through VP. So,
basically it sounds pointless to run it on a single machine. I already have to
run the alphas back through VP to get them to 24 bit, so unless I'm missing
something Parout won't help me. It seems like it would save a lot of time on a
LAN though.
DM
Brendan:
Glad I was able to help!
>> Enjoy that 'BIG' vacation you have coming up..
Do I get a vacation? No one told me! Where do I sign? :^)
Greg Pyros