Importing video

[Alan]

Hallo,

I used to like my CBPaint till I changed to a new Casablanca editor. I've experimented with TVPaint and I like it. 9.5 looks even better, congratulations. What I want to be able to do is transfer short clips of DV and HDV to TVPaint so that I can overlay it with animation. Now how do I get the clips across?

On the same computer I have Vegas Video and this captures from my Canon XH A1 both HDV and DV material via Firewire. This does not seem to be possible in TVPaint either through import through new in the project or through the video grabber. The video grabber does not seem to recognize my Canon XM1. If I try HDV through the Firestore FS4 I only seen to get the sound. Actually I'm getting quite confused with the number of things I've tried. Any Ideas?

Cheers Alan

[Alan]

Sorry I forgot to say I'm running Windows XP.

Alan

[Paul Fierlinger]

Alan, I know nothing about this issue because I don't import Camera JPEGs, but I do remember just recently reading an explanation to your question by Fabrice. Try search.

[ZigOtto]

I have no experiences with camcorders too, but you may have a look to this thread.
afaik, the videograbber grabs still image, not video.
can't you export an .avi file from your Cam to your HD (via a canon utility software),
then load this video file from your HD into tvpa ?

[Elodie]

Hi Alan,

First of all, only those Canon are compatible with TVP Animation :

PowerShot A10, PowerShot A20, PowerShot A30, PowerShot A40, PowerShot A60,
PowerShot A70, PowerShot A75, PowerShot A80, PowerShot A85, PowerShot A95
PowerShot A100, PowerShot A200, PowerShot A300, PowerShot A310, PowerShot A400,
PowerShot A510, PowerShot A520
PowerShot S10, PowerShot S20, PowerShot S30, PowerShot S40, PowerShot S45, PowerShot S50,
PowerShot S60, PowerShot S70
PowerShot S100, IXY DIGITAL, DIGITAL IXUS
PowerShot S110, IXY DIGITAL 200, DIGITAL IXUS v
PowerShot S200, IXY DIGITAL 200a, DIGITAL IXUS v2
PowerShot S230, IXY DIGITAL 320, DIGITAL IXUS v3
PowerShot S300, IXY DIGITAL 300, DIGITAL IXUS 300
PowerShot S330, IXY DIGITAL 300a, DIGITAL IXUS 330
PowerShot SD100, IXY DIGITAL 30, DIGITAL IXUS II
PowerShot S400, IXY DIGITAL 400, DIGITAL IXUS 400
PowerShot SD10, IXY DIGITAL L, DIGITAL IXUS i
PowertShot SD110, IXY DIGITAL 30a, DIGITAL IXUS IIs
PowerShot S410, IXY DIGITAL 450, DIGITAL IXUS 430
PowerShot S500, IXY DIGITAL 500, DIGITAL IXUS 500
PowerShot SD20, IXY DIGITAL L2 , DIGITAL IXUS i5
PowerShot SD200, IXY DIGITAL 40, DIGITAL IXUS 30
PowerShot SD300, IXY DIGITAL 50, DIGITAL IXUS 40
PowerShot SD400, IXY DIGITAL 55, DIGITAL IXUS 50
PowerShot SD500, IXY DIGITAL 600, DIGITAL IXUS 700
PowerShot G1, PowerShot G2, PowerShot G3, PowerShot G5, PowerShot G6
PowerShot Pro90 IS
PowerShot S1 IS, PowerShot S2 IS
PowerShot Pro1

Canon doesn't help us for the making of Canon plugin...

But if it works with Vega, maybe can you import your video from Vega, then export it in a video file (avi, QT, mpeg...) and import it again with TVP Animation =)

[Elodie]

Oops, you were talking about a canon camcorder, not a camera, isn't it ?

In that case, you have to know TVP Animation cannot import directly video, we only grab images from cameras, webcams or camcorders =)

[Alan]

Thanks very much for all your replies.

I'll try importing through the Vegas route, I used to be able to import video directly into CBPaint as it was part of the Cassi system. I expected TVPaint to be the same.

Alan.

[Alan]

What video file types does TVPaint like best and which ones maintain best quality through import to export?

Thanks Alan

[Paul Fierlinger]

As ZigOtto mentioned elsewhere, you can export your camcorder footage from Vegas either as a QT or AVI, both uncompressed (I prefer AVI) and import it into TVP as a new layer. Then create a layer on top of that one and trace away. You can lower the opacity of the imported footage with the layer's slider for easier tracing. Is this what you are looking for?

[Paul Fierlinger]

What video file types does TVPaint like best and which ones maintain best quality through import to export?

Thanks Alan

If you use uncompressed there will be no quality change. QT "Animation" is uncompressed. If avi, use Main Concept export in Vegas (MPEG-2)EDIT: Look for "Default Template" under Main Concept

[Paul Fierlinger]

Sorry, Alan. I got a little rusty on my Vegas exports. Just made a test myself now.
In Vegas "Render As" select Video for Windows (*.avi)
Template: Default Template (Uncompressed)
Highlight your footage and export to a folder.

In TVP select Open Project, browse to that folder and click on the avi
This will open your Import Footage Panel, select Layer or Clip in the Tabs and Import.
Now you're set to trace.

[Alan]

Thanks all, wonderful. I'll try all this out on Monday, I'm tied up for the rest of the day now.

Alan.