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Unicycle Rob
Unicycle Rob
Known Participant
May 8, 2017
Answered

Auto Import After Image Sequence Multi Machine Render to Render Queue QuickTime

  • May 8, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 2527 views

Hello,
What I have set up is a Multi Machine Render on two computers. After they render out from AE as a Photoshop Image Sequence, I'd like After Effects to auto import the rendered image sequence to a comp to render back out as a QuickTime MOV file (Single Machine render).

My thinking is, I'd like to be able to leave my computer while it renders and not have to come back to set up the second render. Instead come back to have everything completed.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Tim Kurkoski

You don't need a script for this. You can do this with Post-Render Actions in the Render Queue:

Basics of rendering and exporting in After Effects CC

To specifically do what you're asking, to render an image sequence and then have that automatically sequence transcoded to a QuickTime file:

  1. Nest your original comp, Comp A into a new comp, Comp B. Make sure Comp B's frame dimensions, frame rate, and duration match Comp A. *** (There is an alternative method that may work better than nesting for some cases, see below.)
  2. Add Comp A to the Render Queue, set the Output Module to render to your chosen image sequence format. (TIFF, PSD, JPEG, etc.)
  3. In the Output Module settings, set Post-Render Action to Import & Replace Usage.
  4. Add Comp B to the Render Queue, set the Output Module to render your chosen movie file format. (QuickTime, etc.)
  5. Start the Render Queue.

*** The downside of nesting your comp for these steps is that if Comp A is already in use by other comps, this method will globally replace all instances of it. You may not want that. To work around this, create a placeholder (File > Import > Placeholder; make sure it's the same dimensions, frame rate, and duration as Comp A), and put that in it's own comp (again, make sure the dimensions, frame rate, and duration are the same). This time, for step 3, instead of opening the Output Module Settings dialog to set the Post-Render Action, twirl open the Output Module settings in the Render Queue; here you'll see the Import & Replace Usage option with a little pickwhip - use the pickwhip to choose the placeholder.

Other things to note about using Post-Render Actions to automatically transcode one output to another:

  • There was a bug in After Effects 13.5 though 14.1 where post-render actions did not evaluate until the entire render queue had completed, which breaks this workflow. That bug is fixed in After Effects 14.2 (the recent April 2017 release).
  • This works with multi-machine rendering, though only one machine can write the QuickTime file. (It sounds like you're already aware of this.)
  • You can also use Adobe Media Encoder to do the transcode work, but using a Watch Folder. This even works with image sequences, though if your frames take a long time to render you will want to adjust the value in AME's Preferences > General, so that it waits longer before assuming the render is complete. The default is only 0.2 minutes.

3 replies

Tim Kurkoski
Adobe Employee
Tim KurkoskiCorrect answer
Adobe Employee
May 8, 2017

You don't need a script for this. You can do this with Post-Render Actions in the Render Queue:

Basics of rendering and exporting in After Effects CC

To specifically do what you're asking, to render an image sequence and then have that automatically sequence transcoded to a QuickTime file:

  1. Nest your original comp, Comp A into a new comp, Comp B. Make sure Comp B's frame dimensions, frame rate, and duration match Comp A. *** (There is an alternative method that may work better than nesting for some cases, see below.)
  2. Add Comp A to the Render Queue, set the Output Module to render to your chosen image sequence format. (TIFF, PSD, JPEG, etc.)
  3. In the Output Module settings, set Post-Render Action to Import & Replace Usage.
  4. Add Comp B to the Render Queue, set the Output Module to render your chosen movie file format. (QuickTime, etc.)
  5. Start the Render Queue.

*** The downside of nesting your comp for these steps is that if Comp A is already in use by other comps, this method will globally replace all instances of it. You may not want that. To work around this, create a placeholder (File > Import > Placeholder; make sure it's the same dimensions, frame rate, and duration as Comp A), and put that in it's own comp (again, make sure the dimensions, frame rate, and duration are the same). This time, for step 3, instead of opening the Output Module Settings dialog to set the Post-Render Action, twirl open the Output Module settings in the Render Queue; here you'll see the Import & Replace Usage option with a little pickwhip - use the pickwhip to choose the placeholder.

Other things to note about using Post-Render Actions to automatically transcode one output to another:

  • There was a bug in After Effects 13.5 though 14.1 where post-render actions did not evaluate until the entire render queue had completed, which breaks this workflow. That bug is fixed in After Effects 14.2 (the recent April 2017 release).
  • This works with multi-machine rendering, though only one machine can write the QuickTime file. (It sounds like you're already aware of this.)
  • You can also use Adobe Media Encoder to do the transcode work, but using a Watch Folder. This even works with image sequences, though if your frames take a long time to render you will want to adjust the value in AME's Preferences > General, so that it waits longer before assuming the render is complete. The default is only 0.2 minutes.
    Unicycle Rob
    Unicycle RobAuthor
    Known Participant
    May 9, 2017

    Also I'm a little confused what Adobe Staff meant when he/she wrote:
    "...this method will globally replace all instances of it..."

    Tim Kurkoski
    Adobe Employee
    Tim Kurkoski
    Adobe Employee
    May 9, 2017

    Christ-Fowel  wrote

    Also I'm a little confused what Adobe Staff meant when he/she wrote:
    "...this method will globally replace all instances of it..."

    What I meant is that Post-Render Action: Replace Usage, if set to replace the rendered comp, will replace all instances of that comp in your project. Not just the instance created if you followed the instructions.

    Example: your Comp A is used in Comp B and Comp C. By rendering it with Replace Usage, Render A will replace Comp A inside of Comp B and Comp C.

    That may or may not be what you desire, which is why I described the alternate method of creating a placeholder.

    Szalam
    Community Expert
    SzalamCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 8, 2017

    I would recommend against using After Effects for this. If you are just taking an image sequence and making a deliverable out of it (or even a different production format), you should be using the Adobe Media Encoder. You can set up watch folders with it and everything.

    Unicycle Rob
    Unicycle RobAuthor
    Known Participant
    May 9, 2017

    Szalam,

    I'm getting that AME is faster then AEs Render Engine?

    So I should do what Adobe Staff has suggested with AME instead of AEs Render Engine?

    Adobe Staff,

    Thank you, this way worked!

    Szalam
    Community Expert
    SzalamCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 9, 2017

    It's not necessarily faster, but you can work in After Effects on a different project while AME churns away in the background. Or you could have a different machine in your office set to use AME on a watchfolder so your production machine doesn't even have to do that step.

    It's really dependent on your workflow.

    Unicycle Rob
    Unicycle RobAuthor
    Known Participant
    May 8, 2017

    I came across something that may work. Has anyone tired this? Is this legit?

    Link:
    Smart Importer script (for importing image sequences) - AE ENHANCERS

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