Hey guys, I havn't been around for a while, but I'm doing some video work in Carrara 3 on XP. My goal is simple, I need to create some short animations to use in DV video project I'm working on in Premiere. I can't get Carrara to output a DV codec AVI file. I have DV codec installed, they show up in other 3D & video programs, but not in the options list of compression in C3? Is it me or my system, or am I doing something wrong here. I am experienced with Digital video & Premiere.. Thanks kaom

I'm no expert in what you're doing but can't you render the animation as numbered stills? Carrara will number these using Premiere convention and then you can just import them into Premiere.

or even render as full frames, and then compress it in premiere with the codec you need?

Render to stills and then any issues with your render, and you can re-start it from the last good frame. Always the safest and considered the 'pro' way to go about it. The least amount of steps of compression, the better the end product.

Thanks guys, I think numbered stills is the way to go, definately the highest quality output., but I'm still confused as to why Carrara won't render to Microsoft DV AVI. I thought it use to do this, I swear I remember it.. thanks, kaom

I know it does Quicktime.. which will import to Premiere... I think. I beleive that Microsoft wants big $$$ for the code to AVI so a lot of software packages wont/cn't pay for it.... I'm not sure, just a guess so Don't go off if I'm wrong :)

Hmmm... My problem is, When you work with DV format AVI's, Premiere likes to deal only with those files, as far as importing goes, if I import a Quicktime file into a DV project, Premiere punches me in the face and I get to restart...I also have the Mainconcept DV codec installed, but it doeasn't show up in Carrara either.. Numbered stills are my only hope for now, but they will work fine, I'm just trying to do it the hard way as usual.. he-heh.. Thanks guys, kaom

yaa well.. you're on a Wintel machine... you are doing it the hard way!! GET A MAC!! lololololo,lol.... {waving arms wildly up in the air while walking of into the distance laughing.....} OK not starting the whole Mac/PC flame war here... just had to have a laugh... so laugh... don't get upset :)

If I could afford a new loaded Powerbook, I'd buy one. Until they have a version of Rhinoceros for Mac, I will have to live in a PC world.. For video work, a Mac would definately be nice. I used to work on a Mac at my last job, for some things it was great, for some things it was hell. Personally, if I had the choice, I'd own both....

I have no trouble rendering out to a Sony DV Codec with Carrara. You have to be sure you're using the proper aspect ratio -- 720 x 480 -- in Carrara, otherwise it does bump back saying it's impossible.

Hmm... I have the Mainconcept DV codec installed, and the default one that came on my computer for the built in firewire card. I know they are there and working, because I am able to capture/edit DV video. And other programs are able to use them.. I'm using Carrara 3.04.. No DV compression shows up in theoptions box for AVI files. Exporting as a numbered filmstrip work fine, but I wish I could just export as what I needed... Don't I need to render at 720 x 534 since I'm rendering with square pixels in Carrara? When I make stills in Photoshop or Illustrator for use in Premiere DV projects, I make them 720 x 534, then it gets squashed in Premiere to the right height. Otherwise round things don't stay round.. But I love it....... thanks

Ah, square pixels, rectangular pixels, etc.... There are a ton of options. 720 x 480 is the MS DV size as well as the Sony Codec size. Certain products use 720 x 486. In Photoshop you can view the pixels as rectangular, even though Photoshop doesn't handle rectangular pixels. It helps keep things round. Carrara will render in rectangular pixels, too! I dont' have it open in front of me right now, but it's in the render settings. I think it's called "pixel aspect ratio." Set it to .9 for DV aspect ratio pixels. If you're rendering for DV Codec 16:9 widescreen, set it to 1.2. Hope that's helpful! - Dex

How do you deal with rectangular pixels in Photoshop? I thought it was square pixels in Photoshop. Now I'm confused. So should I make my document 720 x 534 or 720 x 480 in Photoshop if I'm creating a title or something? Thanks, 'kaom

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