Editing MXF files directly with After Effects?

F

FilmBoy77

Veteran
Somebody told me that AECS3 can edit MXF files directly is this true? Or is Automatic Duck needed for this?

If so, what's the advantage to doing after effects work directly to mxf files? does this mean i can edit my mxf files and when i import it into FCp my effects will already be in the footage?
 
Yes, After Effects CS3 can directly import and work on MXF files. You need to download the latest update from Adobe's website.

If you want to integrate with FCP, I'd recommend getting MXF4QT, so you won't have to ever convert to quicktime, you can keep the file in its native MXF format at all times.
 
nice. thanks barry.

i went to the MXF4QT website and didn't see any pricing...is this free? so this eliminates having to use Automatic Duck then correct?
 
I don't use FCP and don't use Automatic Duck, so I can't comment as to whether it would eliminate it or not. MXF4QT is meant to allow direct import of MXF files, so at the bare minimum it would eliminate "Log & Transfer".

It's not free, the top-of-the-line pro HD/SD import module is 399 Euros.
 
not really familiar with automatic duck either but it sounds like a better choice if you're in the US being that it's only $495USD. cheaper than $399EUR
 
okay i downloaded the latest adobe update, installed it, restarted my computer and when i go to import any MXF files it's unavailable or kinda grayed out and wont let me import it.....am i doing something wrong?
 
just bought a new intel mac last week with leopard and installed all my adobe software on it and the AE CS3 update won't work and neither will the rest of the adobe updates....it keeps stalling out about 3 mins after it starts to install....has anybody had this issue??

i've had no issues with any updates from FCP or any other software i have.
 
MXF4QT = native MXF integration on the Mac
Automatic Duck = Project exchange support.

Benefits with AE 8.0.2 CS3 and MXF4QT:

• MXF OP-Atom P2 AVC-Intra support
• General OP1a support (XDCAM and others)

MXF4QT and Automatic Duck can greatly work together, e.g. when exchanging native P2 projects between Avid and FCP.
 
Barry_Green said:
Yes, After Effects CS3 can directly import and work on MXF files. You need to download the latest update from Adobe's website.

If you want to integrate with FCP, I'd recommend getting MXF4QT, so you won't have to ever convert to quicktime, you can keep the file in its native MXF format at all times.
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Why not work on the mxf files native in AEFX and render out a QT to use in FCP. ie. An 'intermediate' type workflow.
 
finally got the damn update to install, lol...

shooter that's what i initially thought i would do, but for longer projects like features, that's a lotta exporting to QT.
 
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FilmBoy77 said:
finally got the damn update to install, lol...

shooter that's what i initially thought i would do, but for longer projects like features, that's a lotta exporting to QT.
Click to expand...


Usually the workflow would be only the sfx shots go to AEFX after the offline edit ... not the entire movie. Whichever way you still have a lot of to and fro between NLE and AEFX and intermediates can be a way of keeping things organsied.
 
i see where you're coming from. i was thinking more in terms of color grading and not just special fx. AE's color correction is way more powerful than FCP, especially since i use photoshop on a regular basis the interface and tools are similar.
 
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