#MAC/AVID, JPEG & 3DS
4 messages in this thread
Are there any cross platform file format experts that can
answer a few questions ?
I need to edit some 3DS generated animations with an Avid "Media Suite Pro".
This runs on a MAC and outputs the edited material realtime to tape.
It seems absurd to use analog source animation material generated on a PC and
redigitize from tape, to get it into the Avid format.
My questions are:
1) Is the JPEG output from 3DS binary compatible with the MAC ?
(I thought this was a binary spec., but Avid support people
disagree !)
2) Is the PICS animation format used by Avid an open standard ?
(There is some speculation that this is a series of numbered
PICT image files?)
3) Avid uses the term "Motion JPEG". (not to be confused with MPEG)
Is this just a series of JPEG images combined for motion ?
4) My first obvious choice for a common binary format was TGA; but
so far Avid has not been able to tell me how to convert TGAs to
their PICS format. Any insight on this ?
I would appreciate any help; I can get on this. Thanks in advance !
John
Hello John,
JPEG files from 3DS can be readed from any Macintosh program I have, including
Photoshop, Painter and Illustrator. Don't know about the Media suite, though.
ana /krazy images
John,
The AVID motion JPEG file is a customized format for their media suite and
other MAC programs. The JPEG that 3DS creates is a different flavor.
You can accomplish what you are trying to do by translating between TGA and PIC
or PICS format. The program you need to do this is called "debabelizer" by
equilibrium technologies. Call them at 415-332-4343.
<< 2) Is the PICS animation format used by Avid an open standard ?
(There is some speculation that this is a series of numbered
PICT image files?)>>
This would be the only problem, if AVID has customized the PICS format as well.
IF so, Debabelizer also converts to a half dozen other digital MAC formats, I'm
sure you could find one that will import.
-Brian
1. Are you having trouble moving 3DS JPG files to the Mac?
2. Yes, PICS is used by many Mac programs, but it's rare on PCs. It is a
stream of PICT resources.
3. Yes, "motion JPEG" is a stream of separate JPEG images.
4. Check out a Mac program called DeBabelizer, it performs lots of handy
animation and image file conversions.