Express Dailies User Guide - Colorfront

Express Dailies User Guide

Colorfront Express Dailies™ User GuideDocument revision 1.1 Copyright © 2012 Colorfront.2012.09.05. All Rights Reserved.

Colorfront 1 Express Dailies User Guide

Table of Contents

1 Express Dailies Introduction......................................................................................................41.1 About Express Dailies....................................................................................................4

1.2 Accessing Express Dailies Website...............................................................................41.3 Contacting Customer Support......................................................................................4

2 Installation and Configuration..................................................................................................52.1 System Requirements...................................................................................................5

2.2 Hardware Setup...........................................................................................................52.3 Installation...................................................................................................................6

2.4 Licensing......................................................................................................................73 Using Express Dailies...............................................................................................................9

3.1 Creating a Project.........................................................................................................93.1.1 Camera Type and media format...............................................................................9

3.1.2 Color space and color processing.............................................................................93.1.3 FPS........................................................................................................................10

3.1.4 Path.......................................................................................................................103.1.5 Copy Project...........................................................................................................10

3.2 User Interface..............................................................................................................113.3 Metadata....................................................................................................................12

3.4 Color Correction..........................................................................................................133.5 Adjusting the Framing / Zoom...................................................................................14

3.6 Setting Up Burnins......................................................................................................153.7 Rendering...................................................................................................................18

3.8 Audio Sync.................................................................................................................203.9 QC...............................................................................................................................21

3.10 Command Line Rendering........................................................................................223.11 Preferences...............................................................................................................23

3.11.1 Base......................................................................................................................243.11.2 Grade...................................................................................................................24

3.11.3 Encode.................................................................................................................243.11.4 Audio...................................................................................................................25

3.11.5 Gui........................................................................................................................273.11.6 Video....................................................................................................................28

3.11.7 QC........................................................................................................................293.11.8 Red......................................................................................................................30


3.11.9 Copra...................................................................................................................303.11.10 Paths...................................................................................................................31

4 Shortcuts................................................................................................................................334.1 Exiting and Save.........................................................................................................33

4.2 User Interface.............................................................................................................334.3 Navigation .................................................................................................................33

4.4 StillStore Navigation..................................................................................................344.5 Looks.........................................................................................................................34

4.6 Metadata/Sync..........................................................................................................344.7 QC..............................................................................................................................35

4.8 Editing.......................................................................................................................354.9 Setting Tool Parameters............................................................................................35

4.10 Text Editing..............................................................................................................364.11 Shortcuts on MacBook Pro........................................................................................36

5 APPENDIX A...........................................................................................................................386 APPENDIX B...........................................................................................................................39


1 Express Dailies Introduction

1.1 About Express DailiesExpress Dailies is a powerful and easy to use mobile post-production system for transcoding, archiving, QC and deliverables. Express Dailies sets the bar for functionality and performance, based on Colorfront’s industry leading image science technology and color tools.

1.2 Accessing Express Dailies WebsiteAll of the information with regard to Colorfront Express Dailies software application can be found at Colorfront Express Dailies website, http :// www . expressdailies . com /

1.3 Contacting Customer SupportColorfront Express Dailies Support availabilities are:

Web: support . colorfront . com Email: [email protected] (US): +1 310 736 1036Phone (EU): +36 1 880 3970Skype: Colorfrontdev

If you face any troubles, send the followings to Express Dailies Support.

● ExD log file from /Users/<current user> directory● OS X crash log file● Project database dump as follows:

- Go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin/- Select your project on the left - Click "Export" tab - Check "Save as file" in and click GO button in the bottom right corner- Save .sql file


http://localhost/phpmyadmin/

http://support.colorfront.com/





http://www.expressdailies.com/








2 Installation and Configuration

2.1 System Requirements

Operating system: The Colorfront Express Dailies (ExD) software requires 64-bit OS X operating system version 10.7.3 or higher.IMPORTANT NOTES:

● 64-bit kernel must be set, otherwise CUDA driver will not work.● Installation of third party software, eg. Avid Media Composer 5.5 may revert the kernel

back to 32-bit. In this case, set kernel back to 64-bit.

Workstation/laptop: The supported platforms are the MacPro4,1 MacPro5,1 (2009, 2010) and MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Memory: Minimum 12GB RAM, recommended 24GB.

Graphics: The system requires NVIDIA Quadro 4000 card for Mac. For the higher performance please install an additional Geforce GTX580 3GB RAM card, or Geforce GTX680 2GB/4GB RAM card.IMPORTANT NOTE: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 680 works only on Mac OS X 10.8.

Storage: The ExD software uses open storage for media, and the system should have fast enough storage for real-time playback.

Control panel: The Tangent Wave and Element panels are supported.

Optional: RED Rocket, DVS Atomix/Atomix LT, AJA Kona 3G, Blackmagic DeckLink video cards are supported.

2.2 Hardware Setup

Slot#1 Slot Type Card

1 PCIe2 x16 NVIDIA Geforce GTX 580 3GB RAM, orNVIDIA Geforce GTX 680 2GB/4GB RAM

2 PCIe2 x16 NVIDIA Quadro 4000 for Mac

3 PCIe2 x4 Storage Card like Fiber, SAS, etc [optional]

4 PCIe2 x4 Red Rocket/DVS Atomix/AJA/Blackmagic


[optional]

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are 2 power cables in the Mac, and on the graphics card you have two 6 pin (one on the Quadro 4000 and one on the GTX 580/GTX 680 4GB card), and one 8 pin connectors. The 8 pin connector requires the higher power, so you should connect one of the cables to the 8 pin connector with a 6-to-8 converter. The other line should have the Y cable, and one side should be connected to the Quadro 4000, the other to the GTX 580/GTX 680 4GB 6 pin connector.

2.3 Installation

Files

Installer Package Name Comment

ExDxxxx.pkg Express Dailies software installer

AvidCodecsLE2.3.7.pkg.zip Avid QuickTime codec 2.3.7 installer

xampp-macosx-1.7.3.dmg XAMPP installer

XQuartz-2.7.2.dmg X11 for Mac OS X 10.8

cudadriver-4.1.29-macos.dmg CUDA driver for Mac OS X 10.7.4 on Mac Pro

cudadriver-5.0.17-macos.dmg CUDA driver for Mac OS X 10.8 on Mac Pro and MacBook Pro Retina

cudatoolkit_4.1.28_macos.pkg CUDA toolkit for Mac OS X 10.7.4, 10.8 on Mac Pro and MacBook Pro Retina

Retail_270.00.00f01.dmg NVIDIA driver installer for Mac OS X 10.7.3

Retail_270.00.00f06.dmg NVIDIA driver installer for Mac OS X 10.7.4

Blackmagic_Desktop_Video_Macintosh_9.5.2.zip

Blackmagic DeckLink driver

AJA_Kona3G_NDD_10_3_1.zip AJA Kona 3G driver

RED_Rocket_Installer_v1.4.19.zip RED Rocket v1.4.19 driver, 1.1.16.5 firmware

dvs4.1.0.0_mac.zip DVS Atomix driver 4.1.0.0

Installation1. Update the Mac OS X to at least the version 10.7.4, or above

1a) On Mac OS X 10.8, set 'Allow applications downloaded from' to “Anywhere” under System Preferences/Security & Privacy


2. On Mac OS X 10.8, install X11 - XQuartz-2.7.2.dmg3. Install the NVIDIA driver - Retail_270.00.00f06.dmg4. On Mac OS X 10.7, install the CUDA Driver – cudadriver-4.1.29-macos.dmg

4a) On Mac OS X 10.8, install the CUDA Driver – cudadriver-5.0.17-macos.dmg5. Install the CUDA toolkit - cudatoolkit_4.1.28_macos.pkg6. Install Avid QuickTime codecs - AvidCodecsLE2.3.7.pkg.zip7. Please install the XAMPP package. This will install PHP, MySQL, Apache on your system.

Make sure the Apache and the MySql services are running in the XAMPP control panel.8. If you have Red Rocket card present, latest driver as well as firmware need to be

installed. Please install or upgrade the firmware first, and the driver afterwards as follows:The Red Rocket cards need to be upgraded to firmware version 1.1.16.5 and to driver version 1.4.19. The driver package including the new firmware is downloadable from Colorfront's OSD download website. 1. Upgrade the driver first:

- Execute driver package" REDrocket_Driver_OSX_v1.4.19.0.pkg" from

../RED_Rocket_Installer_v1.4.19/RED_Rocket_MacOSX/ directory.2. Only after driver upgrade has successfully completed, upgrade the firmware as

follows:- Start "Install Firmware" from folder "REDrocket_OSX_firmware_1.1.16.5"

- Press "Y" for upgrading the firmware- When upgrade completed, shut down the machine. Note: machine must be

shut down, restart is not sufficient!- Reboot the workstation

9. If you have AJA card, install AJA Kona 3G 10.3.1 driver.10. For Blackmagic DeckLink video cards, install driver 9.5.2.11. If you have DVS Atomix card inserted, install DVS driver 4.1.0.0.12. Check the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" under

Preferences/Keyboard13. Check “Web Proxy Server” is disabled under

Preferences/Network/Advanced.../Proxies. 14. Finally, please install the Express Dailies software from the ExDxxxx.pkg file. You should

restart the system to be able to use it.15. Please check in the XAMPP controller that the mysql and the Apache daemons are

running16. NOTE: In order to run the database server must be reachable, by default it is localhost.

Make sure your firewall settings do not prevent this.

2.4 Licensing


Once the software and required components are installed, you are ready to receive the ExD software licensed. You need to request a valid license, by finding your host ID for your system, and emailing it to support @ colorfront . com .

To find your host ID, please start the ExD software by double clicking on the icon on your desktop. The system will look for a valid license, and if it is not found, it will write out your host

ID. For your convenience, the host ID is also copied to the clipboard. Email this host ID to receive the license. Once the license is received, please place it in the license subdirectory of your install

directory, as exd.lic. Now you are ready to start your first project.


mailto:[email protected]





3 Using Express Dailies

3.1 Creating a Project

One can create a project by clicking on the 'Create New Project' label, and then dragging a media file or folder into the ExD window. If a folder is dragged make sure it contains one type of media (typically a magazine or card).The system analyzes the media file or the contents of the dragged folder and displays the basic information extracted, such as FPS, camera format, color space. These are used to set up the project.

3.1.1 Camera Type and media format

The detected camera type is for information only, does not affect the way a project is set up. In any ExD project users can import media of any camera format.

3.1.2 Color space and color processing

From the format information and the source camera type the system can figure out the

colorspace of the dragged media. For formats – such as DPX files – where the color space cannot be determined the user can override the color space.

The color processing may be set to: ACES, Lin, Log or Arri Look

− ACES: corresponds to a IIF ACES color pipeline. All camera formats are handled with

their respective IDT (input device transform) automatically. This is the default setting. The color correction is executed in a special flavour of Log color space, and the output is

Rec709.

− Lin: a color pipeline is created where the color correction is done in the video color space,

output is Rec709.

− Log: a color pipeline is created where the color correction is done in the Log color space,

output is Rec709.

− Arri Look: a combination of a Printer Light color correction (Log) and a video color space

CDL color correction is created, compatible with the Arri Alexa color processing. Output is Rec709. One can import and export Arri Look settings using this configuration.

− Native: using this color pipeline ExD does not apply any colorspace transformation. Media is treated as-is. The user can apply either an input LUT or an output LUT

manually. To choose between in/out (the only difference is whether the CDL correction is applied after or before the LUT) open the grade tab of the preferences page and adjust

the corresponding setting. Using this pipeline LUTs can be imported. You can use the


following LUT formats: Luther ASCII (.txt), Autodesk Lustre LUT format (.3dl), OSD/ExD own 3dmesh LUT format (.3dmesh) and .cube.

3.1.3 FPS

The project FPS is initialized from the media metadata. This should be the physical framerate of

the recording camera. Currently there is one global framerate in any ExD project.

3.1.4 Path

Clicking on the path one can define the project folder structure. In the folder structure definition window one can change the folder hierarchy and the project root folder by clicking on the

corresponding path. Coloring of the metadata tokens in the folder structure definition and the corresponding example path should help verifying if the current folder structure is set up

correctly.

3.1.5 Copy Project

In order to copy the source material coming from eg. SxS cards fast, safely and checksum verified to your local or external storage, you can create 'Copy Project' in Express Dailies. To this, first, you need to have the data medium (eg. SxS card reader with SxS card inserted) connected to the Mac workstation, or notebook. After the source data medium is mounted, click on the 'Create New Project' label, and drag&drop the source media file or folder into the ExD window. On the project creation page, click the path and select 'ProjectBasePath/LabRoll' as project structure, as well as click the path itself under Project Root until you get the '/Volumes/' only highlighted in green. Now, the '/Volumes' is your project base path. Click Done to finish the path definition process, and start your project by clicking 'Launch Project' label.Once your copy project is created, you can enable or disable the checksum verification to the copied, as well as to the source material by 'Preferences/Encode/Copy With Verify' and 'Preferences/Encode/Copy Source Verify'.The primary and the secondary target location of the copy can be adjusted at 'Preferences/Paths/Copy Path' and 'Preferences/Paths/2nd Copy Path'.After you set the copy paths, enabled or disabled the checksum verification, you can start the copy process by checking only 'Master', as well as selecting 'Copy Original' as deliverable and 'Original' as version, then pressing 'Render' button, or Ctrl+R keys on the Out tab of the HUD.The result of the checksum verification is saved in text files, which can be found next to the copied and/or source labrolls after the copy finished.


3.2 User Interface

The user interface of Express Dailies focuses on the image itself, maximizing the image area on the screen. The application may run in a window allowing to drag-n-drop files to the window, or in full screen. Dedicated windows for specific tasks can be turned on/off if needed using shortcuts or using the menu. To activate the menu in full screen mode tap the mouse cursor to the top of the screen. For the available hotkeys jump to chapter 'Shortcuts'.

In Heads-Up display (HUD), you can adjust and apply the input camera parameters, do color grading and image repositioning, create burnin texts, and perform rendering.To show/hide Heads-Up display, either select 'Show/Hide HUD' from Window menu, or press 'H'.

Some of the most frequently used floating UI elements:

Window Shortcut Comment

Heads-up Display (HUD)

H Main interface to Express Dailies tools:

In: media metadata and debayering parameters

Color: slope / offset / power color correction

Zoom: resize and letterbox settings

Text: burnin and spoiler text setting

Out: render page

Timeline thumbnails

NumPad 1 Represents the current timeline

Lookstore Numpad 2 Global, daily and import lookstore (switch using colored buttons)

Audio waveform Shift+W Toggles the normal/zoomed audio waveform

Shots table Alt+T Basic metadata of the shots of the current


timeline

Audio table Alt+S List of currently loaded audio

Clip metadata Shift+U Shows all metadata extracted from the current shot

Color wheels NumPad 6 Shows current color correction state

Histogram/waveform

Ctrl+H Analyzes the current output image

For further details on these custom windows/panels refer to the corresponding chapter under Using Express Dailies.

Presets on HUD

● To define preset: select Color/Zoom/Out tab, click Preset, click the '+' button● To change preset: click Preset, select the defined preset● To preview preset: click Preset, press and hold down left mouse button while moving

mouse above the defined presets, release mouse button to select the preset● To rename preset: press Option key + left mouse click on the preset name● To delete preset: press '-' button and click the deletable preset

3.3 Metadata

There are different types of metadata handled by Express Dailies. All information related to image debayering/reconstruction is extracted from the camera raw files. These can be looked at or adjusted on the “In” page of the tool HUD. The parameters are initialized with data coming from the source files, and upon reset (press R twice) they revert to these values. The camera raw metadata is extracted upon loading a “(NEW)” magazine.

All the metadata extracted from the source image files can be displayed in the Clip Metadata View, press Shift+U. These values are interpreted or Altered by Dailies Express, they are presented in their original state.

Some basic metadata like CamRoll, Scene or Take can be entered/adjusted from within the application. Press E to display them, press . on the numpad to start editing them (press . again


to move from one metadata to the other). There are shortcuts to quicly copy these from shot to shot, see chapter 'Shortcuts'. If Scene/Take metadata is embeddded in the header of production audio, they populate the clips upon syncing.

3.4 Color Correction

There are 3 ways to manipulate the CDL (Slope/Offset/Power) color correction values: moving sliders, by gestures with the mouse and using a control panel like the Tangent Element panel.

The user can adjust the sliders in the “Color” section of the tool HUD. To have better precision and to be able to focus on the image one can press 1,2,3... 7 (when the Color tab is active) to attach the mouse pointer to sliders or group of sliders. When the sliders are highlighted the user can drag the mouse pointer on the screen to set master values (drag left/right) or set balance (move the mouse pointer). To finish this kind of interaction press the corresponding number button again, or press 0. One can also adjust the color correction using the Tangent Wave or Element panels. To see the color correction on the color wheels, turn on the color circle window (numpad 6).

To use a control panel make sure the panel type is properly set in the preferences page. [details on panel grading coming later]

To manage color correction versions and to copy looks from one shot to the other, thumbnail based timelines can be used. Press 1 on the numpad to turn on the bottom timeline, press numpad 2 to turn on the upper lookstore. The bottom timeline can be used for navigation by clicking on the thumbnails representing each shot. The timeline can be scrolled by mouse right-drag. A single click on the small images opens up a stack of color correction versions. A new version can be added by pressing End, one can revert to an old version by simply clicking on it.

The upper timeline currently contains 3 “shelves” to store stills with a corresponding color correction. To switch between the lookstores click on the small colored squares on the left side:

− green: the global stillstore of the project− blue: the date-specific lookstore of the project. Ipad grades are exported from this shelf.− red: import lookstore. Imported looks or CDLs are displayed here

To save a color correction to the lookstore simply drag a thumbnail from the bottom timeline to the upper lookstore. To apply a color correction from the lookstore, simply drag the still to the timeline. One can select a number of shots on the bottom timeline (Ctrl+click), thus multiple shots can be updated at once. There are also dedicated keys on the panels to do all there actions. To compare a saved still with the current image hold numpad-5.

Express Dailies support lift/gamma/gain type of grading. Depending on the color processing pipeline these adjustments may have different effect. When using Arri Look type of grading an


additional Printer Light tool is also available. To see the effect of the color correction, or to inspect the pixel levels one can turn on the waveform/histogram by pressing Ctrl+H.

To populate the “red” lookstore with imported looks please copy the look files to the “looks” folder. The supported look files are: .cdl, .ccc, Arri Look XML (in projects created with Arri Look pipeline), TIFF or DPX files. If the project color pipeline is “Native” then the user can use his or her own set of lookup tables, which can be placed here as well. The location of this date-specific folder is dependent of the current project structure:

Project Folder Structure Look Folder Path

projectRoot / Episode / Format / media projectRoot / Episode / looks

projectRoot / TransferDate / media projectRoot / TransferDate / looks

projectRoot / TransferDate / Format / media projectRoot / TransferDate / looks

projectRoot / TransferDate / Camera / media projectRoot / TransferDate / looks

projectRoot / Format / TransferDate / media projectRoot / looks / TransferDate /

projectRoot / LabRoll -

3.5 Adjusting the Framing / Zoom

Figure 3-1. Zoom tab on the Heads-Up Display


Express Dailies generates output of resolution up to HD. The operator should use the Zoom tool to adjust how the source images should be fitted into this HD frame. To change the pixel aspect ratio use the Aspect popup button, or the Custom slider below it.By adjusting the Zoom parameters only the current shot is affected. However, by pressing one of the Save buttons the operator can apply the setting to others shots:

Save to Selected: Zoom parameters are applied to highlighted shots of the current timelineSave to All: Zoom parameters are applied to all shots of the current timelineSave to Default: Zoom parameters are saved as defaults, so new images of the same format loaded will have identical settings

By selecting one of the letterboxing presets, or adjusting the Custom slider below the letterbox popup, one can create custom image aspect ratios by introducing black hold-out mattes.

NOTE: the letterbox settings are always global to the project, there is no need to save them.

3.6 Setting Up Burnins

Figure 3-2. Text tab on the Heads-Up Display


There are 7 locations in the picture where custom text burns can be added: top left, top center, top right, bottom left, bottom center, bottom right and a special “spoiler” text in the middle of the image. Using the six popup buttons one can easily add one of the predefined burnins to any of these locations. To adjust the distance of the text from the image borders use the Vert. and Horiz. sliders. The transparency, the background opacity and the font size can be also controlled with the corresponding slider/button.

The Spoiler text – often used for copyright notices – can be entered on the HUD, it's transparency and location can be set independently from the other burnins.

To allow the burnins to be only visible for a limited number of frames – called “Flash burnin” use the “Flash” slider. This slider controls the number of frame the text is visible for. -1 indicates that the text is visible for all frames. Open the Encode tab of the Preferences page to set whether the flash burnin is visible on the head of the shot, or on the head and the tail as well.

Custom burnins:

While the six popup buttons contains all the most frequently used presets, other burnins are also possible. By selecting “Custom” from the popup list, the operator can click in the burnin text on the image, and edit the text. Normal text added will display normally while keywords between $ characters will be interpreted by ExD. Normal text and keywords can be combined as well as seen in this example:

TC: $TCin$ → TC: 01:00:00:00$CamRoll$ / $Scene$ / $Take$ → A001 / 101A / 2$logo:<tga file name without extension>$ → Customized logo displayed

To customize your logo, copy 4 channels, non-compressed, premultiplied .tga file(s) to /Applications/ExD/logo directory. 'colorfront.tga' can be used as reference.

The list of available keywords:

Keyword Comment

$UniqueID$ Unique identity of the shot

$LabRoll$ The name of the current timeline (card/magazine)

$Length$ The length of the shot

$TransferDate$ Date folder


$CamRoll$ Camera roll (auto-filled for some cameras)

$Scene$ Scene metadata

$Slate$ Slate metadata

$Take$ Take number

$CameraFormat$ The media format

$ClipName$ The filename without extention and frame counter

$FileName$ Current filename

$TimeCode$ Source timecode on current frame

$LUTName$ Look applied through Arri Look metadata or within ExD

$EdgeTimeCode$ RED specific egde timecode on current frame

$AudioTC$ Audio timecode on current frame

$TimelineTC$ Timeline timecode on current frame, this is 00:00:00:00 on the first frame

$AudioFileName$ The name of the synced audio file without path

$CurrentDate$ Current date in the format mm/dd/yy

$TRT$ Total running time of the timeline

$LabRollList$ List of loaded cards

$CamRollList$ List of loaded camera rolls


$SceneList$ Scenes of the timeline

$SlateList$ Slate list

3.7 Rendering

Figure 3-3. Out tab on the Heads-Up Display

Four deliverables can be generated simultaneously, these are organized into groups:

Editorial deliverables:● Avid DNxHD 36● Avid DNxHD 115● Avid DNxHD 175● Avid DNxHD 175X● Avid DNxHD 444


● FCP ProRes HQ● FCP ProRes LT● FCP ProRes Proxy● FCP ProRes 422● FCP ProRes 444

Device:● iPod 640x360● iPad 1024x576● iPad 1280x720● iPad 1920x1080● AppleTV 1280x720● AppleTV 1920x1080● DVD 720x480

Web:● H264 1024x576● H264 1280x720● H264 1920x1080● Copra4 1920x1080● DAX|D3 360p● DAX|D3 720p● DAX|D3 1080p● PIX 720p● PIX 1080p

Master:● DPX 1920x1080● OpenEXR 1920x1080● TIFF 1920x1080● QuickTime 1920x1080● Avid DNxHD 175X● Avid DNxHD 444● FCP ProRes HQ● FCP ProRes 444● Copy Original

To enable/disable the rendering of any of the categories press the little blueish toggle button. To control the image content that ExD renders choose one of the options for each render group:

● Spoiler: graded Rec 709 image with Spoiler text and burn-ins (the latter can be turned off in the preferences page)


● Burn-in: graded Rec 709 image with burn-ins● Viewing: graded Rec 709 image without burn-ins● Grader: the graded image in the colorspace the CDL is applied (eg. a log image in Log

pipeline, ACES image in ACES pipeline)● Original: the camera original image, mostly some flavor of Log colorspace (LogC for

Alexa footage, Slog2 for the Sony F65 etc.)

Pressing the Render buttons launches the render process and also saves all color correction and metadata information. The location and the file name of the generated files can be specified in the Path tab of the Preferences page.

To generated metadata files such as ALE, or Arri Look XML there is no need to render. These files can be generated by a single button press, and they will be copied into the “Editorial” folder specified in the preferences.

Copy original

While these two “renderers” in the Master group look like just any other encoder, they work very differently. The Copy Original encoder does not do any image processing, it simply copies the source image files to the destination folder. In the Preferences page two such target folders can be specified. ExD is able to run checksum calculation and verification as well on these copy jobs, one can disable and enable these in the Preferences page as well. For more details refer to the Copy Project section.

3.8 Audio SyncUpon loading any “new” media ExD attempts to sync production audio based on matching picture and audio timecode. The audio files used for this step should be copied in the following

directory (depending on the current project folder structure)

Project Folder Structure Audio Path

projectRoot / Episode / Format / media projectRoot / Episode / audio

projectRoot / TransferDate / media projectRoot / TransferDate / audio

projectRoot / TransferDate / Format / media projectRoot / TransferDate / audio

projectRoot / TransferDate / Camera / media projectRoot / TransferDate / audio

projectRoot / Format / TransferDate / media projectRoot / WAV / TransferDate /

projectRoot / LabRoll -


If the production audio is copied to the specified folder after the media has been loaded into ExD, the operator can force the audio sync based on timecode again from the audio menu or by

pressing = . By default the Scene and Take metadata from the audio files are populated into the clip metadata, but this can be disabled in the preferences / audio tab.

To manually sync audio the files need to be copied to the audio folder. After opening the audio

table (from the menu or by pressing Alt+S) one can inspect the Scene and Take metadata in the broadcast wave header. If this metadata matched the Scene and Take metadata of the shots

(press E to see) one can simply press Q to link the audio to the current shot. If there is no such match one has to manually highlight one of the audio files in the table and then press Q.

To make the audio and picture run in sync manually please follow these steps:

● open the audio waveform (Shift+W) and locate the clap sound● mark this position on the audio waveform by either

park on that frame and press Ctrl+W click on the waveform to mark, ExD will snap to the closest peak

Ctrl+click on the waveform to disable snapping● after that navigate to the clapper frame in the image and press W

To verify the correctness of the audio sync the loop-play mode can be used by pressing

Shift+space. This will loop-play in the plus/minus 3 second window around the current timeline position.

3.9 QCThe QC window can be opened by pressing Shift+Q. In this window the operator can add shot-specific comments that are stored in the database. Press the + button to add a new comment.

To define the timecode of the issue hold Ctrl and press the timecode field with the mouse. To specify the location of the issue Ctrl+click on the image itself. The severity of the problem may

be indicated with the starts.

To add a comment simply click in the comment text area and type it in, or press one of the comment presets in the bottom row. To define the list of these presets open the preferences

page / QC tab and enter a list of the most common QC notes into the “QCComments” field, such as:

“Mic in picture,Crew in picture,Dust on lens,Mismatching video and audio TC,Reflection”


To generate a formatted QC report in PDF format open the URL: “localhost” in a web browser.

This will show the list of ExD projects. Clickin on the project and navigating to the “Generate PDF report” section one can generate a report for any day of the production. To replace the

current logo in the report with a new one simply replace the png file:Applications/xampp/htdocs/logo/logo.pngMake sure the file has permissions such that everybody can open it.

3.10 Command Line Rendering

The timeline can be also rendered from command line. For this, “render” section has to be added to the startup.xml first including information for the renderable timeline as follows:

<render type="Container"> <RenderOnly type="bool">1</RenderOnly> <ContainerTypetype="string" description="none,tape,vtroll,screener,cut,cut_handle,xml,uniqueid">tape</ContainerType> <ContainerValue type="string" description="absolute path of the ExD timeline xml to load">A1</ContainerValue> <Date type="string" description="Date of the tape container">0</Date> <Proxy type="bool" description="Load proxy or the main media">0</Proxy> <Selects type="bool" description="Load selected shots or all takes">0</Selects> <EncoderFile type="string" description="absolute path of the ExD encode xml to load"> </EncoderFile></render>

If you run Express Dailies with the newly created startup.xml file, then it will start the application in render mode.

In render mode only a small window will be shown and the rendering of the footage you defined by the above xml fields will be started automatically.

RenderOnly - It turns on / off the rendering mode. If you set it to “0” then the ExD will be

started in the regular interactive mode

ContainerType - It defines what needs to be loaded. Basically these are the settings you can find on the loading page of the interactive ExD. Possible values:


Value Description

cut Cutfile

xml ExD specific xml file

tape Regular tape or magazine

uniqueid Unique id list of shots. The unique id of a shot can

be found in the project database’s shot table.

screener Screener

cut_handle Cutfile with handle

Date - The transferdate of the footage. Typically the datefolder’s name.

Selects - This field controls if you want to load select takes or all takes.EncoderFile - You can provide the encode.xml file which describes the list of the deliverables.

If you leave this field empty then the project’s default encode.xml will be used.

You also need to specify the project’s name in the startup.xml using the ProjectName field under the startup section.

If you want to render different project, date and/or timeline, then you have to change the

following parameters in the startup.xml:- "ProjectName" under the startup section

- "ContainerType", "ContainerValue", "Date", and "Selects" under the render section

After the startup.xml is modified, ExD has to be executed with this xml file from terminal as follows:

/Applications/ExD/bin/ExD.app/Contents/MacOS/ExD -config /Applications/ExD/startup.xml

open /Applications/ExD/bin/ExD.app --args -config /Applications/ExD/startup.xml

3.11 Preferences

Preferences window can be opened from the Menu under 'ExD', or by Command + , .


3.11.1 Base

● Frame RateThe frame rate of the project can be set here. It is initialized based upon the dragged media. All media will be used with this frame rate in the project.

● Project Data NamesMetadata fields to identify shots can be defined here. Some European shows use 'Scene,Slate,Take' format. Default value: CamRoll,Scene,Take

● Date Format

Date format of the transfer date (eg. the date folder) specified here. Additional characters can be added to the end. Default value: D/M/Y

3.11.2 Grade

● Color of Imported StillsThe type of the reference image in the 'looks' folder: original ungraded or graded or the graded with viewing LUT Grade+LUT. Default value: Grade+LUT

● Auto Apply LooksAutomatic application of the looks can be enabled/disabled here. Default value: On

● LUT used in Native modeIt can be defined here that if the LUT is applied before (Pre LUT), or after (Post LUT) the color grading process. Default value: Post LUT

● Upload Looks To LUTBoxYou can enable or disable if the look is uploaded to the Colorfront LUTBox. Default value: Off

● LUTs Legal2LegalYou can enable or disable if the saved look works in legal to legal range. Default value: Off, meaning input and output signals are in extended (full) range.

3.11.3 Encode

● Copy With VerifyYou can enable/disable checksum verification process to the copied media. Default value: On

● Copy Source VerifyYou can enable/disable checksum verification process to the source media. Default value: On

● Output Tape Name


To define the Tape metadata in the generated MXF and ALE. Default value: SourceContainer

● AleSoundChannels

Sound channels number in ALE can be set here. Default value: 2

● AleAuxTCAux timecode field in the ALE can be set here. Default value: SoundTC

● Chapter Format

The chapter format for the DAX/PIX files can be set here. Default value: $Scene$/$Take$

● File Sequence NumberingThe numbering of the rendered file sequence (eg. TIFF, DPX) can be set here. Default value: From Source

● Flash BurninThe application of the Flash Burnin can be set here, if it will be applied to the head, the tail, or both of the shots. Default value: Head

● Apply Letterboxing

Set if the letterboxing is applied to the Burnin version, the Spoiler version, or both. Default value: Both

● Show Burnin on Spoiler

You can enable and disable if the burnins are displayed on the Spoiler version. Default value: On

● Preferred Output Frame Rate

The frame rate of the rendered materials can set here. It works for 23.976 and 24 projects only. Default value: 23.976

3.11.4 Audio

● MXF Audio

You can enable and disable if MXF audio files are rendered. Default value: On

● Playback VolumeThe playback volume can be adjusted here. Default value: 1.00

● Editor Mixdown


You can adjust the mixdown for the editorial deliverables here as follows.

Value Description

1,1 This means, you will have a stereo output with the first source channel mapped to both (1 and 2) audio channels

1,2,3,4 Generating a 4 channel audio with 1->1, 2->2, 3->3, 4->4

8,1,3 Generating a 3 channel audio with 8->1, 1->2, 3->3

1,3,1+2 Generating a 3 channel audio with 1->1, 3->2 and the mix of 1 and

2 into 3

1+2+3+4+5+6 Generating a single channel audio with a mix of the 6 input channels

sameAsSource Using the same audio channelsNote: keyword is case sensitive

Default value: 1,2

● Editor Bits Per SampleYou can adjust the audio sample bit rate of the editorial deliverables here. Default value:

16

● Device MixdownYou can adjust the mixdown for the device deliverables here. For details, see 'Editor

Mixdown' above. Default value: 1,1

● Audio Force Sample RateYou can force what sample rate the audio files should be handled. In some case the

sample rate in the header does not match the record rate in this case you can force it.The value -1 means use the rate from the header. Default value: -1

● Audio Play Pull

You can pull up and down the playback audio. It does not affect the rendered audio.The values -1, 0, 1 mean pull down, normal, pull up. Default value: 0

● Audio Playback Frame Delay

The delay in frame for the audio playback. It does not affect the rendered audio. Default value: 0


● Audio Timecode OffsetIf you want to sync the audio automatically based on the matching timecode in the video

and audio headers but there is a fix offset between them then you can compensate this delay. This value specified in frame numbers will be added to the audio timecode to

match the video timecode. Default value: 0

● Move Metadata At SyncWhen you sync the audio the metadata stored in the broadcast wave header can be

loaded if you have this setting on. This setting is useful for synchronizing manually based on the timecode visible on smart slates, as well as for synchronizing manually based on

the image and sound timecodes match. Default value: On

● Soundroll MetadataYou can set if the Soundroll metadata where comes, from the header of the WAV files, or

from the folder name where the WAV files are placed. Default value: WaveHeader

● Audio SourceYou can define if the source has embedded, or synchronized audio. Default value:

SyncedNote: embedded audio is parsed only from the QuickTime files.

3.11.5 Gui

● Show Audio Sync

You can enable/disable the audio synchronized indicator on the thumbnails on the timeline. Default value: On

● Show Circle Takes

You can enable/disable the circle take indicator on the thumbnails on the timeline. Default value: On

● Thumbnail OverlayYou can set the transparency of the audio sync and circle take indicator on the

thumbnails on the timeline. Default value: 50.00

● Color Circle Angle

Orientation of the color wheel can be set here. Default value: 0.00

● Background IntensityColor intensity of the main background can be adjusted here. Default value: 0.060000


● Trackball Sensitivity

Sensitivity of panel trackballs (default 100) can be set here. Default value: 100.00

● Encoder SensitivitySensitivity of rotational encoders can be set here. Default value: 100.00

● Jog Sensitivity

Non-linearity of the jog control on the panel can be set here. Default value: 100.00

● Start End Frame IndicatorYou can enable/disable the on-screen start and end frame indicator here. Default value:

On

● Panel Type

You can define here which panel type is used. Default value: Element

● Up/Down ArrowsYou can set the behavior of the Up and Down Arrow keys here. Default value: Clip

Fwd/Back

● Mouse Scrub DirectionsYou can set the direction of the mouse scrub here. Default value: Right Fwd

● Shot Table Columns

You can define which columns appear in the Shots Table. Default values: LabRoll,ClipName,Scene,Slate,Take,TCin,AudioTCIn,AudioFile,Length,TransferDate,Sel

ected,CameraFormat

3.11.6 Video

● Video OutVideo output resolution can be set here. Default value: HD

● Video Device

Video output device can be set here. Default value: DVS

● Clean Output


You can select if the video output displayed with, or without GUI through SDI output. Default value: On

● Output Port

You can select the video output port here. Default value: SDI

3.11.7 QC

● QC OperatorThe name of the QC operator can be set here.

● QC Comments

You can define the QC comments for quick-buttons here.

● QC Comment TimecodeType of timecode associated with the QC notes

● Director

The director’s name of the project represented in the QC report can be set here.

● Distribution ListDistribution list of the project represented in the QC report can be set here.

● Production CompanyThe name of the production company of the project represented in the QC report can be

set here.

● Production OfficeThe name of the production office of the project represented in the QC report can be set

here.

● TitleThe title of the project represented in the QC report can be set here.

● Transfer FacilityThe name of transfer facility of the project represented in the QC

● Delivered Format

The delivered formats can be listed here.


3.11.8 Red

● Decode Bit Depth

Bit depth of decoded images can be set here. Default value: 16bit

● Default MetadataDefault image processing setting can be set here. Default value: RMD sidecar

● Decode Mode

RED decode resolution can be set here. Default value: 1/2

● Use Rocket

You can enable/disable Red Rocket acceleration here. Default value: On

● Use RED CDLYou can enable/disable the use of RED CDL parameters. Default value: Off

3.11.9 Copra

● Colorist

The person who does the dailies grading can be defined here.

● CopraLogFileEnable/disable to create log file while generating and uploading.

● CopraRelease

Clip autorelease on COPRA server

● CopraRollNameRoll Name of clip on COPRA server ($LabRoll$ will be autofilled with LabRollName)

● CorpaPushNotification

Send push notification if server supports

● FTPEditorLoginEditor Login for Auto Upload to Copra Server can be set here

● FTPEditorPassword

Editor Password for Auto Upload to Copra Server can be set here.


● FTPServerThe Copra server can be set here: Copra DE,Copra US,Custom

● FTPServerCustom

IP or hostname of custom COPRA server, select {Custom} in FTPServer"

● FTPUploadUpload data via FTP to server after rendering finished

● SystemID

Identifier for this system ('$HOST$' will be autofilled with the systems hostname)

● SourceFormatSource footage format can be set here.

● SourceFormatCustom

User defined format

● QCOperatorMailQC operator's mail to be displayed in the QC report

● QCOperatorTel

QC operator's telephone number to be displayed in the QC report

3.11.10 Paths

● Render PathThe default render path can be set here. You can use 'Browse' button for browsing the

desired location.

● Editor Render PathThe render path for Editorial deliverables can be set here.

● Device Render Path

The render path for Device deliverables can be set here.

● Web Render PathThe render path for Web deliverables can be set here.


● Master Render PathThe render path for Master deliverables can be set here.

● Copy Path

The path of the file copy can be set here. For details, see chapter 'Copy Project'.

● 2nd Copy PathThe path of the second file copy can be set here. For details, see chapter 'Copy Project'.

● Burnin Logo Dir

The path for the burnin logo can be set here.Note: use 4 channels, non-compressed, premultiplied .tga files for logo


4 Shortcuts

4.1 Exiting and Save

Shorcut Function ESC Exit to load page with save

Shift+ESC Exit to load page without saveM Quick save of current grade version and metadata

4.2 User Interface

Shorcut FunctionH Heads up display for toolsG Jump between tools (activate next tool)Ctrl+H Toggle Analyzer WindowC Toggle Center/Fit image view modeRight-drag Pan imageCtrl+RightDrag Zoom imageCtrl+DoubleRight Reset pan and zoomNumpad 1 TimelineNumpad 2 LuxtoresNumpad 0+2 Switch between LuxtoresNumpad 3 Big timelineNumpad 4 Big LuxtoreNumpad 6 Color circleShift+Q QC windowCtrl+R Start rendering ('ESC' to stop a render running)

4.3 Navigation

Shortcut Functiondrag mouse Scrub timelinemiddle drag Absolute jump on timelineLeft Arrow Step frame backwardRight Arrow Step frame forward


Down Arrow Jump shot forwardPeriod Jump keyframe of the current tool forwardComma Jump keyframe of the current tool backwardSpace Playback start / stop toggleShift+L Loop mode on/off[ Goto first playhead] Goto second playhead\ Toggle between the playheadsZ Goto previous audio sync pointX Goto next audio sync pointJ Play backward, press again for higher speed playbackK Stop, hold down and press J or L for stepping a frameL Play forward, press again for higher speed playbackCtrl+A Select/deselect all shots

4.4 StillStore Navigation

Shortcut FunctionAlt + Shot Jump Stillstore shot jumpAlt + Frame Jump Stillstore page jumpAlt + Middle Mouse Stillstore "absolute" jump

4.5 Looks

Shortcut FunctionEnd Save current lookHome Compare current and last saved lookDelete Jump to previous saved lookInsert Jump to next saved lookNumpad 0+7 Save quick look 1Numpad 0+8 Save quick look 2Numpad 0+9 Save quick look 3Numpad 7 Load quick look 1Numpad 8 Load quick look 2Numpad 9 Load quick look 3

4.6 Metadata/Sync

Shortcut Function


Alt+S Audio table with metadataAlt+T Shots table with metadataShift+U Show clip metadataU Metadata windowE Show / hide scene/take entry displayShift+E Show / hide bottom timecode display (on by default in QC mode)Numpad . Start scene/take entryNumpad + Increment take numberNumpad - Increment scene number and resets take to 1Shift+Nmpd - Copy CamRoll metadata from previous shotCtrl+Nmpd - Increment CamRoll from the last shotNumpad / Set the 'PickUp' flagNumpad * Set the 'Selected' flagShift+W Toggles full and zoomed audio waveform (node by dragging in full mode)= Auto-Sync audio for the timeline based on timecodeShift + = Slip audio one frame forwardShift + - Slip audio one frame backwardCtrl + = Slip audio quarter of a frame forwardCtrl + - Slip audio quarter of a frame backwardN Toggle render flag for current shotShift+N Turn on/off render flags for all shots

4.7 QC

Shortcut FunctionShift+Q Show/Hide QC windowCtrl+click Set problem position on imageClick on TC Sets current timecodeCtrl+Q QC table

4.8 Editing

Shortcut FunctionShift+C Cut (notch) timeline in current position (new take)Shift+J Join two shots previously cutCtrl+Shift+D Delete shot

4.9 Setting Tool Parameters


Shortcut FunctionSlider Double Click Numeric entry1-9 If HUD active: control slider(s) by mouse drag on the image0 (or 1-9 again) Return to mouse navigation modeA Define start point of animation on current frameA (again) Define end point of animationShift+A Delete current keyframe (if parked on a constant region)

4.10 Text Editing

Shortcut FunctionCmd + V Copy the text of the System's ClipBoard to the actual TextEditorCmd + C Copy the entire content of the actual TextEditor to the System's ClipBoard

4.11 Shortcuts on MacBook Pro

Shortcut FunctionS New grade version save X Compare current and last saved lookA Jump to previous saved lookZ Jump to next saved lookD UndoF RedoAlt+C Selected flagP Pickup flagCtrl+1 TimelineCtrl+2 LookstoresCtrl+3 Timeline Storyboard View Ctrl+4 Lookstore Storyboard View Ctrl+5 Reference stillCtrl+6 Color circlesCtrl+7 Load quick look 1Ctrl+8 Load quick look 2Ctrl+9 Load quick look 3Shift+7 Save quick look 1Shift+8 Save quick look 2Shift+9 Save quick look 3Enter Start scene/take entry


“ Increment take number? Increment scene number and resets take to 1Shift+” Copy CamRoll metadata from previous shotCtrl+” Increment CamRoll from the last shot


5 APPENDIX A

Render speed references

Hardware● Mac Pro 5,1

● Processor 2 x 2.93 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon ● 24 GB 1333 Mhz DDR3 RAM

● 4 x Samsung SSD 830 Series Media 256.06 GB● NVIDIA Quadro 4000 for Mac

● NVIDIA Geforce GTX 680 4GB● NVIDIA Geforce GTX 680 2GB

● NVIDIA Geforce GTX 580 3GB

Operating System● Mac OS X 10.8

Software● Express Dailies Summer Release build 7297


Mac Pro 5.1, Mac OS X 10.8 - Q4000/GTX680 4GB PIX 2.8 720p DNxHD 36 DVD ProRes HQ

ExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, F65RAW, ACES 33-34 fps 34-35 fps 34-35 fps 32fps 29-31 fps 33-34 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, Prores 1080, ArriLook 56-58 fps 55-58 fps 64-67 fps 49-51 fps 45-46 fps 46-49 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, Prores 1080, ACES 56-58 fps 56-58 fps 64-67 fps 50fps 44-46 fps 46-49 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, ARRIRAW 1080, ArriLook 69-70 fps 69-70 fps 73-75 fps 54-56 fps 49-51 fps 53-55 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, ARRIRAW 1080, ACES 68-70 fps 66-68 fps 73-75 fps 53-55 fps 47-49 fps 51-53 fps


ExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, F65RAW, ACES 33-34 fps 34-35 fps 34-35 fps 30-31 fps 29-31 fps 33-34 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, Prores 1080, ArriLook 55-57 fps 56-58 fps 64-67 fps 49-51 fps 45-46 fps 48-50 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, Prores 1080, ACES 56-58 fps 56-58 fps 64-67 fps 47-49 fps 44-46 fps 46-50 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, ARRIRAW 1080, ArriLook 68-70 fps 68-70 fps 73-75 fps 52-54 fps 49-51 fps 54-56 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, ARRIRAW 1080, ACES 68-70 fps 68-70 fps 73-75 fps 54-57 fps 49-51 fps 53-55 fps


ExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, F65RAW, ACES 32-33 fps 33-34 fps 33-34 fps 30-31 fps 28-30 fps 33-34 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, Prores 1080, ArriLook 55-57 fps 57-59 fps 64-67 fps 49-51 fps 45-46 fps 46-49 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, Prores 1080, ACES 55-57 fps 57-59 fps 64-66 fps 47-49 fps 44-46 fps 46-50 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, ARRIRAW 1080, ArriLook 68-70 fps 69-71 fps 73-75 fps 54-57 fps 49-52 fps 54-56 fpsExD Summer, Build7297, From 4xSSD to 4xSSD, ARRIRAW 1080, ACES 67-69 fps 70-72 fps 72-74 fps 54-57 fps 49-52 fps 54-57 fps

PIX 2.8 + DNxHD 36

PIX 2.8 + DNxHD 36+DVD

PIX 2.8 + DNxHD 36


PIX 2.8 + DNxHD 36


6 APPENDIX B

Copyright Notices

• OpenEXR Software Development Kit

Copyright © 2004, Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilm EntertainmentCompany Ltd. Portions contributed and copyright held by others as indicated. All rights

reserved.http://www.openexr.com/license.html

• wkhtmltopdf

GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

Version 3, 29 June 2007

Copyright © 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.http://fsf.org/

• XAMPP

GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

Version 3, 29 June 2007

Copyright © 2009, Carsten Wiedmann. All rights reserved.

• ffmpeg

GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSEVersion 2.1, February 1999

Copyright © 1991, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.

51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USAhttp://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/lgpl-2.1.html

• Freetype 2.3.9, 2.3.5

GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

Version 2, June 1991

Copyright © 2008 The FreeType Project (www.freetype.org). All rights reserved.


Colorfront 110 On-Set Dailies User Guidehttp://www.freetype.org/FTL.TXT

• FTGL 2.1.3

GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

Version 2.1, February 1999

FTGL - OpenGL font libraryCopyright © 2001-2004 Henry Maddocks <[email protected]>

Copyright © 2008 Sam Hocevar <[email protected]>Copyright © 2008 Sean Morrison <[email protected]>

http://ftgl.sourceforge.net/docs/html/index.html

• Inconsolata font

SIL OPEN FONT LICENSEVersion 1.1 - 26 February 2007

Created by Raph Levien using his own tools and FontForge. Copyright 2006 Raph

Levien. Released under the SIL Open Font License, http://scripts.sil.org/OFL.

• Python 2.5.4 , 2.6

BEOPEN.COM LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PYTHON 2.0

Copyright © 2001-2012 Python Software Foundation; All Rights Reservedhttp://docs.python.org/license.html


http://www.freetype.org/FTL.TXT

Documents

Express Dailies User Guide - Colorfront