a Avid 3D v2.1 ReadMe for the Windows XP Operating System Important Information Avid recommends that you read all the information in this ReadMe file thoroughly before installing or using any new software release. This document describes what s new and fixed in Avid 3D 2.1, some important hardware and software requirements that you should know about, as well as all hardware and software limitations relating to this release of Avid 3D. Contents If You Need Help.............................................. 2 New and Fixed for Avid 3D 2.1.................................... 3 What s New............................................... 3 What s Fixed.............................................. 4 What s Updated............................................ 4 Hardware and Software Requirements............................. 5 Supported Operating System................................. 5 Minimum System Requirements............................... 5 Installing, Licensing, and Configuring Avid 3D.................... 5 Movie Codecs............................................. 7 Avid Editor Projects and Avid 3D Formats....................... 7 Hardware and Software Limitations............................... 14 Working with Digital IO, Avid Editors, and Avid 3D................ 14
AAF/MXF: Exporting AAF/MXF Files from an Avid Editor to Avid 3D... 16 Interface and Keyboard Shortcuts............................. 18 File Import and Export...................................... 19 Animation Marking......................................... 19 Rigs..................................................... 19 Library Panel.............................................. 20 Tools and Options Panel.................................... 22 Rendering, Previewing, and Flipbook........................... 22 AAF/MXF Output.......................................... 24 Memory and Performance................................... 25 Technical Support Information.................................... 26 If You Need Help If you are having trouble using Avid 3D: 1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task. It is especially important to check each step of your workflow. 2. Check this ReadMe file for the latest information that might have become available after the documentation was published. 3. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your hardware for maintenance or hardware-related issues. 4. Visit Avid Online Support at www.avid.com/support. Online support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Search the Knowledge base to find answers, to view error messages, to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read/join online message-board discussions. 5. For Technical Support, please call 800-800-AVID (800-800-2843). For Broadcast On-Air Sites and Call Letter Stations, call 800-NEWSDNG (800-639-7364). 2
New and Fixed for Avid 3D 2.1 New and Fixed for Avid 3D 2.1 What s New Support for HD (High Definition) projects. This includes new camera formats of HDTV 1080 and HDTV 720, and a new Frame Format of 59.94 fps. Support for 10 bit AAF (DNxHD 220X, DNxHD 185X, DNxHD 175X, DNxHD90X, and SD 1:1 10b). Support for DVCPro HD compression (DV100). Support for SD JPEG compression (20:1, 10:1, 3:1, 2:1, 35:1, 28:1, and 14:1). Retime Animation buttons in the Animation tools panel. These let you retime the animation for marked parameters of selected objects, all animated parameters of selected objects, or all animated parameters in the whole scene. Modeling Tools panel. These tools let you reset and freeze geometry editing operations, draw and edit curves, create geometry by extruding or revolving from curve, edit geometry by beveling, subdividing, and simplifying, smooth geometry, and modify geometry with boolean operations. Fold deform wraps the extremities of an object towards an axis. You can control the axis, the type of fold (linear or spherical/cylindrical), and the degree of folding in the primary and secondary planes. Support for importing the Autodesk 3DS (*.3ds) and OBJ (*.obj) file formats. Selection tool buttons added to the Avid 3D control bar at the top of the interface. These tools include Select Edge, Select All Objects/Components, and Deselect All Objects/Components. Delete Unused Clips button in the Clips section of the Scene Explorer. Text-on-path rigs in the Convert Text section on the Text Tools panel, convert selected text blocks into character hierarchies that can be animated along a specified path. Parameters are provided to control the characters' position and orientation relative to the path, as well as to create offsets between successive characters. Titling Samples are available from the Titling section of the Sample Projects library. You can also import your own customized titles from Microsoft Excel by clicking the Import Titling button in the Text Tools panel. An Alpha Premultiply checkbox in the Render Type tab of the Rendering Options property editor. This option is turned off by default. You can now turn on the alpha premultiply option if you need to composite later on in an application that supports premultiplied alphas. Other new tools include hierarchy parent/cut and autoscale for imported models. 3
What s Fixed Progressive AAF movies can now be rendered with DV50 compression. Digital Output for Standard Definition (SD) now displays the render view on the monitor when using Preview Render. Digital Output for Standard Definition (SD) automatically switches to render view and displays the rendered image (after each field, if applicable) on the monitor when rendering the sequence. The View Output option for Digital Output is set by default to 3D View B, however Avid 3D will now remember the last value that was set during the session and when the application is re-opened it will set the view output to that view. Corrected the user interface label for the Lower Field First option in the AAF and MXF Options tab of the Rendering Options property editor: Lower Field First now only refers to NTSC. When you set the Render Type (in the Render Type tab of the Rendering Options property editor) to anything other than mental ray, the Quality is automatically set to Medium to avoid long render times. Improved viewport status messages. Improved interaction when using Wacom Stylus with on-screen parameters. What s Updated AAF/MXF files of any video resolution that are supported by the Avid editors, can be imported into Avid 3D. Please note that AAF/MXF files destined for use in Avid 3D 2.1 should be generated with the following versions of the Avid editors: - Avid Media Composer Adrenaline HD Version 2.1 - Avid NewsCutter Adrenaline Version 6.1 - Avid Xpress Pro HD Version 5.1 - Avid NewsCutter XP Version 6.1 NOTE Using MXF media from other versions may cause the AAF file to appear in Avid 3D as Unknown Format. For more information refer to the AAF/MXF: Exporting AAF/MXF Files from an Avid Editor to Avid 3D section. 4
Hardware and Software Requirements Hardware and Software Requirements The following section describes the Avid 3D hardware and software requirements. For the most up-to-date information about hardware and software requirements, go to www.avid.com. Supported Operating System Avid 3D supports the Windows XP Professional operating system with Service Pack 2. - After you install Windows XP SP2 and you run Avid 3D, the following warning message may appear: Windows Security Alert: Windows Firewall has blocked the running of "3D" by Softimage. It is recommended that you choose the Unblock 3D option. Minimum System Requirements At least 512 MB of memory is recommended when using Avid 3D. Installing, Licensing, and Configuring Avid 3D Installation Notes Install the Avid 3D software before connecting the dongle to your system. If you install Avid 3D (in the default configuration) as part of an Avid application suite, the Digital IO driver for Avid 3D gets installed by the Avid Editor, overwriting any previously installed DIO. The standalone version of Avid 3D installs the Digital IO driver itself, but only if it does not detect a DIO installed already on the system. If Avid 3D finds an existing and matching version of the DIO driver, it will reinstall the DIO (to ensure all minor updates are included). In the case where the versions do not match, the DIO installation is aborted, and Flamethrower error messages will appear when you start Avid 3D. Exiting the error messages without updating the firmware or the driver allows you to use Avid 3D, but not the DIO. DIO version mismatches occur if there are other applications that use the DIO, hence the DIO has already been installed for use with those other applications. The easiest solution is to upgrade all applications that use the DIO to versions that are compatible. If you want to use the DIO with only Avid 3D (and not the other applications any more), run Add/Remove Programs and uninstall the Avid DIO Runtime, then install the DIO Setup included with Avid 3D. The driver can be found in the <System drive>\program Files\Common Files\Avid\ folder. 5
Uninstall any previous versions of Avid 3D before installing Avid 3D 2.1. You may want to make copies of any files you have added to the AVID3DDATA or AVID3DMEDIA projects, such as images or videos (these files will not be deleted during the uninstall process so you can also copy them afterwards). You should only copy files that you have created or modified and not the entire project directories as improvements to these projects have been made in the current release. Installing Avid 3D 2.1 will add a new version folder to your users directory, C:\users\<user name>\softimage\avid3d_2.1. If you have set preferences and options, or built project lists that you want to keep, you can copy the appropriate files from your version 1.6 users folder to the new version 2.1 folder. - If you've made changes to the options in the Tools and Options panel, copy the file default.xsipref from your 1.6 users folder to your 2.1 users folder. - If you've created your own project files, copy the file default.xsiproject from your 1.6 users folder to your 2.1 users folder (this will add any User projects to the current project list and won't affect the default Factory list). You could also add your projects by pressing the Add Project button in the Project Manager. However, you can only add projects one at a time in this way. Licensing Notes The following License Failure error message may appear when you start Avid 3D: "Error: there is no interactive license available to run Avid 3D". Workaround: Check that the dongle is connected to your system. If it is, you may need to re-install the dongle driver: 1. Reboot your system. 2. Install the dongle driver found in the Avid 3D install path under *\Application\Drivers\Setup.exe. 3. Reboot your system and re-start Avid 3D. Graphic Cards, Drivers, and Configuration Notes The supported NVIDIA Quadro graphic cards require video driver 67.22. NOTE For updated information on other qualified and supported platforms, go to the Avid 3D product page on Avid.com and click System Requirements. On non-supported graphic cards such as the Quadro FX 3000 or FX 3400, Avid 3D may crash because of an OpenGL conflict with the graphic card. Workaround #1: Install the latest driver from NVIDIA. Workaround #2: Uninstall QuickTime and reinstall it using the Custom Installation option. Choose QuickTime Essentials, QuickTime Authoring. Do not choose Internet Extras. After the custom install of QuickTime is complete, start Avid 3D and choose Video Library > Samples > Video 2. QuickTime will open a dialog box from where you can install Internet Extras. 6
Hardware and Software Requirements On most other non-supported graphic cards, it is recommended that you install the latest graphic card driver from that video card manufacturer. Digital IO for Avid 3D uses the driver that gets installed in the <System drive>\program Files\Common Files\Avid\ folder. See Installation Notes in the previous section for details about how the DIO driver gets installed. Avid 3D will not start if your system is not running in Small Fonts mode. To change the display settings: 1. Right-click on your desktop and choose Properties. 2. On the Settings tab, click the Advanced button. 3. On the General tab, set the Display DPI setting option to Normal size (96 DPI). 4. Click Apply and then OK. Movie Codecs The recommended codecs to use when creating movies in the AVI and QuickTime formats are as follows: For AVI, use Microsoft Video codecs. For QuickTime, use the Sorensen codec. NOTE Note that the list of codecs you can choose from is dependent on the codecs available on your system. Avid Editor Projects and Avid 3D Formats For rendering out of Avid 3D, the following Standard Definition video resolutions are available: Uncompressed (1:1) NTSC and PAL (interlaced and progressive) 8 bit Uncompressed (1:1 10b) NTSC and PAL (interlaced and progressive) 10 bit NOTE: Uncompressed NTSC and PAL progressive resolutions will work only with Avid Adrenaline editors. DV25_411 NTSC (interlaced and progressive) DV25_411 PAL (interlaced) DV25_420 PAL (interlaced and progressive) DV50_422 NTSC and PAL (interlaced) 7
For rendering out of Avid 3D, the following High Definition video resolutions are available: DNxHD 220X DNxHD 220 DNxHD 145 DNxHD 185X DNxHD 185 DNxHD 120 DNxHD 175X DNxHD 175 DNxHD 115 DNxHD 90X DNxHD 90 DNxHD 60 DVCPro HD (HV100) 8 Avid make manage move media
Hardware and Software Requirements Use the following charts to set Avid 3D's Rendering and Time options to render video out to your Avid editor projects: Xpress Pro Editors Avid 3D Project Render Options Format Time Options Frame Format AAF/MXF Compression Fields NTSC 30i NTSC D1 720 486 (4/3, 16/9) NTSC (29.97 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) Lower first NTSC DV 720 480 NTSC (29.97 fps) DV25, DV50 Lower first NTSC 24p NTSC D1 720 486 (4/3, 16/9) Film (24 fps) 35:1 28:1 14:1 NTSC DV 720 480 Film (24 fps) DV25, DV50 NTSC 23.976p NTSC D1 720 486 (4/3, 16/9) 23.976 fps 35:1 28:1 14:1 NTSC DV 720 480 23.976 fps DV25, DV50 PAL 25i PAL D1 720 576 (4/3, 16/9) PAL (25 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) DV25 DV50 PAL 25p PAL D1 720 576 (4/3, 16/9) PAL (25 fps) DV25 DV50 35:1 28:1 14:1 PAL 24p PAL D1 720 576 (4/3, 16/9) Film (24 fps) DV25 DV50 35:1 28:1 14:1 Upper first 9
Xpress Pro Editors HD 1080i 59.94 Avid 3D HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 NTSC (29.97 fps) DNxHD220 DNxHD145 DVCProHD (DV100) Upper first HD 1080i 50 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 PAL (25 fps) DNxHD185 DNxHD120 DVCProHD (DV100) HD 1080p 25 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 PAL (25 fps) DNxHD185 DNxHD120 HD 1080p 24 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 24 fps DHxHD175 DHxHD115 Upper first HD 1080p 23.976 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 23.976 fps DNxHD175 DNxHD115 HD 720p 59.94 HD 720 16/9 1280x720 59.94 fps DNxHD220 DNxHD145 DVCProHD (DV100) HD 720p 23.976 HD 720 16/9 1280x720 23.976 fps DHxHD90 DHxHD60 DVCProHD (DV100) Adrenaline Editors Avid 3D Project Render Options Format Time Options Frame Format AAF/MXF Compression Fields NTSC 30i NTSC D1 720 486 (4/3, 16/9) NTSC (29.97 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) 20:1 10:1 3:1 2:1 NTSC DV 720 480 NTSC (29.97 fps) DV25 DV50 Lower first Lower first 10
Hardware and Software Requirements Adrenaline Editors Avid 3D NTSC 24p NTSC D1 720 486 (4/3, 16/9) Film (24 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) 35:1 28:1 14:1 3:1 2:1 NTSC DV 720 480 Film (24 fps) DV25 DV50 NTSC 23.976p NTSC D1 720 486 (4/3, 16/9) 23.976 fps Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) 35:1 28:1 14:1 3:1 2:1 NTSC DV 720 480 23.976 fps DV25 DV50 PAL 25i PAL D1 720 576 (4/3, 16/9) PAL (25 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) DV25 DV50 20:1 10:1 3:1 2:1 Upper first 11
Adrenaline Editors Avid 3D PAL 25p PAL D1 720 576 (4/3, 16/9) PAL (25 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) DV25 DV50 35:1 28:1 14:1 3:1 2:1 PAL 24p PAL D1 720 576 (4/3, 16/9) Film (24 fps) Uncompressed (1:1 MXF) Uncompressed 10 bit (1:1 10b MXF) DV25 DV50 35:1 28:1 14:1 3:1 2:1 HD 1080i 59.94 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 NTSC (29.97 fps) DNxHD220X DNxHD220 DNxHD145 DVCProHD (DV100) Upper first HD 1080i 50 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 PAL (25 fps) DNxHD185X DNxHD185 DNxHD120 DVCProHD (DV100) HD 1080p 25 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 PAL (25 fps) DNxHD185X DNxHD185 DNxHD120 HD 1080p 24 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 24 fps DNxHD175X DNxHD175 DNxHD115 Upper first HD 1080p 23.976 HD 1080 16/9 1920x1080 23.976 fps DNxHD175X DNxHD175 DNxHD115 12
Hardware and Software Requirements Adrenaline Editors HD 720p 59.94 HD 720p 23.976 Avid 3D HD 720 16/9 1280x720 59.94 fps DNxHD220X DNxHD220 DNxHD145 DVCProHD (DV100) HD 720 16/9 1280x720 23.976 fps DNxHD90X DNxHD90 DNxHD60 DVCProHD (DV100) Notes about formats If you try to view an AAF file rendered with a compression format that is not supported by the project type, the AAFs will appear in the Avid editor as "Wrong Format". If you try to import an AAF file rendered with a frame rate incompatible with the Avid editor s project frame rate, the "Exception: File Edit Rate not equal to Project Edit Rate" message will appear and the file will not be imported. If you try to mix progressive clips with interlaced clips in the Avid editor, you will be warned that Mixing progressive source clips in an interlaced project can lead to problems with scrolling titles, digital cut, and video export. AAF files generated using Avid 3D 2.1 are not supported for use with previous versions of Avid Editors. Please upgrade to Avid Xpress Pro HD Version 5.1 or Avid Media Composer Adrenaline HD Version 2.1 editors. 13
Hardware and Software Limitations This section describes hardware and software limitations relating to Avid 3D. Working with Digital IO, Avid Editors, and Avid 3D --> To display images on the client monitor correctly, the application sending images through the Digital IO device must maintain focus. --> When working with applications that share the Digital Output, you may notice that Avid 3D no longer seems to be sending images from 3D View B to the client monitor. This can occur when switching between applications while Avid 3D is rendering and can cause the Avid 3D View output option to remain set to Render view. Workaround: Verify that the View output is set to 3D View B and not Render view. --> When working with more than one application that uses the Digital Output, you may notice that Avid 3D loses focus and Windows switches to the other application. Workaround: 1. On the Windows Desktop right-click on the Avid 3D icon. 2. Choose Properties. 3. Switch to the compatibility tab. 4. Toggle on "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 2000. 5. Click Apply. --> High Definition is not supported in Avid 3D for output to an HD monitor. You can display HD through the Standard Definition 4:3 signal on the client monitor using the 16:9 setting. However, the image displayed will not fill the full frame. When rendering HD sequences, the Render view will not be displayed on the client monitor. If viewing HD images on an SD monitor that only supports 4:3 aspect ration, the images will be stretched. --> When previewing HD images, the render view will display your HD image on your computer monitor within scrollbars. Wait for the preview to complete rendering, then enlarge the view as much as possible for your screen resolution. The resulting image will be displayed on the client monitor. Use the scrollbars to update the display on the monitor. 14
Hardware and Software Limitations --> The first time you run Avid 3D, it starts with the Digital IO set to display NTSC (Monitor type) and 3D View B (View output). Avid 3D does not automatically detect whether your monitor is PAL or NTSC. If you change these settings, and exit, when you re-open Avid 3D it will remember the last settings used. --> Flipbook reads the Display preferences to identify which monitor type to use for the Digital Output. If you are working in PAL and using Flipbook, set the Monitor Type in the Display Options to PAL. Then you must exit and reopen Avid 3D so that the PAL monitor type is saved as the preference. You can now open the flipbook and it will use the PAL monitor type. --> It is recommended that you switch between NTSC and PAL display when only one application using the Digital Output device is running. To reset the Digital Output display: 1. Exit the application that is using the Digital Output device. 2. Cycle the power on the Digital Output device (disconnect the power connection and reconnect it). 3. Re-start the application. --> The Avid editor loses communication with a Digital I/O device when toggling to and from Avid 3D. When you toggle back to the editing application from Avid 3D, a "Communication Error has occurred..." message appears. Click OK. Enable Check Decks in the Capture Tool to regain control of the Digital I/O device. --> Digital I/O to a client monitor is only supported in Avid 3D via a Mojo or Adrenaline Digital I/O device. 15
AAF/MXF: Exporting AAF/MXF Files from an Avid Editor to Avid 3D Versions Supported --> AAF/MXF files of any video resolution that are supported by the Avid editors, can be imported into Avid 3D. Please note that AAF/MXF files destined for use in Avid 3D 2.1 should be generated with the following versions of the Avid editors: - Avid Media Composer Adrenaline HD Version 2.1 - Avid NewsCutter Adrenaline Version 6.1 - Avid Xpress Pro HD Version 5.1 - Avid NewsCutter XP Version 6.1 Media Creation Settings --> The media creation settings in your Avid editor project must be set to MXF (Apply All). OMF is not supported in Avid 3D. If you are using OMF, you must enable Transcode Media in the Export Settings for Avid 3D Video and set it to the appropriate resolution. Send To and Export Settings --> From your Avid editor, export your AAF sequences to <Avid3D Install Path>\Data\AVID3DMEDIA\AvidMedia and they will appear in the InComing from Avid Editors section of the Video Library in Avid 3D. In the Send To Avid3D dialog box, this path is referred to as the Destination path and it is set automatically to the AvidMedia folder. The destination path is built based on the location of the 3d.bat file specified by the Auto Launch Application option. --> In the Export Settings - Export Methods, the Embed and Embed and Consolidate options are not supported in Avid 3D. Using these methods will cause the AAF to appear as an unknown format in Avid 3D. --> In the Avid Editor, if you are using effects, such as mattes, make sure Render Effects is toggled on for Export Settings - Avid3D Video before you export, otherwise the MXF file will not be created and it will appear in Avid 3D as Unknown Format. --> When using Send To Avid3D and Auto Launch be sure that you do not already have an Avid 3D session running. Running multiple sessions of Avid 3D may cause your system to run out of memory and possibly crash. 16
Hardware and Software Limitations --> When using Send To Avid3D, Auto Launch and Auto Load, the View B Camera in Avid 3D may not switch automatically to the Framed Clip camera. Workaround: Click the viewport s Views menu and choose libcam_persp_planebug Camera to manually switch the camera view. In and Out Mark Points and Locators --> Setting invalid In and Out Mark points will cause AAF files to appear as an Unknown Format in Avid 3D. Invalid In and Out Mark points can be caused, for example, by setting the In Mark after the last frame of the clip or setting the Out Mark before the In Mark on the clip. --> In and Out Marks are not supported when using Transcode in the Export Settings for Avid3D Video in your Avid editor. --> AAF files exported from an Avid editor, where the In and Out Marks are on the same frame, will not load into Avid 3D. To export a single image from an Avid editor for use in Avid 3D, use Export > Windows Image > NTSC or PAL, and choose the Softimage.pic file format. --> Locators in AAF/MXF files are not supported in Avid 3D. Frame Rates and Projects --> When working with projects using any other frame rate than 29.97 frames per second, it is important to set the Default Frame Rate in Avid 3D before importing (dragging and dropping) your AAF files into a 3D view. In these cases, start Avid 3D, set the frame rate you want to work with and then exit Avid 3D. You will then be able to use Auto Launch and Auto Load from the Avid editor. Otherwise, you may want to use only Auto Launch and not Auto Load, as Auto Load will load your AAF into an Avid 3D scene using the current default frame rate of Avid 3D, which may not be the frame rate appropriate for your AAF file. Note that by default the frame rate in Avid 3D is NTSC 29.97. 17
Interface and Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts --> Using the keyboard shortcuts for the camera, transform, selection, or editing tools may cause the buttons on the Control bar (at the top of the application window) not to refresh. Workaround: Move your mouse cursor over the buttons to refresh them. --> You might have to press the Select button (or the S key) twice to activate to the Select tool. --> Pressing the spacebar or the Enter key (multiple times) will cancel an in-progress render. Viewing and Manipulation --> You cannot duplicate points or polygons in Avid 3D. --> The views in the multi-purpose editor may not update to show current information immediately. Workaround: Select the object in the viewport or in the library panel s scene explorer. --> Any object, rig or scene element that appears under the on-screen parameters display area (in View B) cannot be selected or manipulated through the on-screen display. You have to select or manipulate them in an area of the 3D view that is not being used by the on-screen parameter display. Dual Monitor Layout --> When using the dual monitor layout, the four 3D views (viewports) may not appear equally spaced. Resize them by clicking and dragging on their dividers. When you restart the application, their size will be remembered from your last session. --> Using the dual monitor layout, when opening or dragging and dropping scenes into the 3D views, the camera may not be set correctly. Switch to the correct camera by clicking on the views menu in the viewport s titlebar and choosing the correct camera. 18
Hardware and Software Limitations File Import and Export File > Import > Import 3ds --> Do the following before importing an Autodesk 3DS file (*.3ds) into Avid 3D: - Reset/Freeze all transformations in 3D Studio before importing, otherwise objects that have negative scaling or pivots may not import correctly into Avid 3D. - Verify that the names of all objects are unique. If any two objects have identical names, they will not import into Avid 3D. File > Export > Model --> When exporting multiple objects as a model, you should create a hierarchy first and then export the hierarchy as a model. Otherwise only the first object selected will export in the model. --> Exporting geometry created from curves (extrusions or revolutions) as models, will remove the extrusion or revolution parameters. Save the geometry as a scene file instead of exporting as models, if you think you will need to further edit these parameters. Animation Marking Rigs --> If one of the Transform (Scale, Translate, or Rotate) tools is active, you cannot change the animation marking in the onscreen parameters. Workaround: You must activate the Selection tool first, then mark the parameters. --> Rigs and presets may not appear with the correct textures when you create new projects. You can re-texture them as you like by dragging and dropping new textures or presets on them from the Library panel. --> To add an object to a rig (as opposed to replacing the selected placeholder object), you must hold down the Ctrl key, drag and drop the object to be added, and then release the Ctrl key for the addition to be made properly. Otherwise, if you release the Ctrl key before initiating the drag and drop, the Ctrl key modifier will be ignored and the placeholder object will be replaced (default behavior). 19
--> If you have created scenes using the light rig from previous versions of Avid 3D, loading the scene and editing the light rig s onscreen parameters in Avid 3D 2.1 will cause the parameters to snap to lower values. Workaround: Load the scene and take note of the light rig s parameters. Then, delete the light rig and drag and drop the updated light rig from the Lights section of the Object library. Library Panel Object and Model Libraries --> Some objects in the libraries were created using surfaces and not polygons. You cannot use the polygon selection tools on these types of objects. --> There are some restrictions when importing EPS files. Please refer to the online help, under "Preparing EPS Files for Import" for more information. --> There is no way to cancel the import of a model from the library. --> If you created a scene using the Soft-drink can model from the Object library in previous versions of Avid 3D, you will not be able to reload this model into Avid 3D version 2.1. Workaround: Open the scene and drag and drop the new Soft-drink can model from the Object library. You will have to re-texture and re-animate it. --> When dragging and dropping images onto particle models from the Object library, the viewports may not refresh. Workaround: Draw a render region to refresh the views. Materials and FX Library --> When working with multiple textured primitives, you may find that the objects share textures (for example, when you drag and drop an image onto an object and more than one object updates). Workaround: 1. Select the object for which you want to update the image texture. 2. Open the multi-purpose editor, and click the Material and FX Properties tab. 3. Select the Image node and choose New > New From File next to the Texture Image text box. Select the image you want to have applied to the object and click OK. --> When dragging and dropping materials (such as colors) onto textured objects or text, choosing Object in the Select_Cluster dialog box will apply that material to only those parts of the object that are not contained in clusters. 20
Hardware and Software Limitations --> A volumic effect can only be applied to spotlights. Drag the volumic effect directly onto a spotlight object or onto an empty area of the 3D view to apply the effect to all spotlights in the scene: - If the spotlight is selected in branch mode, the drag and drop will not work. Workaround: Deselect the spotlight and drag the effect over it. - If there is geometry surrounding the spotlight the drag and drop may not work. Workaround: You can hide the geometry, apply the volumic effect, and then unhide it. Use the H key to hide and unhide. --> Some effects are not displayed in the viewports. These include some material, light, and camera effects. You can see the results of these effects by drawing a render region or clicking the Preview Render button. Video (and Audio) Library --> If an AAF video clip appears on the InComing from Avid Editors section of the Video library as "Unknown Format", verify that the MXF file was created correctly and that it can be found in the location where it was created. Refer to AAF/MXF: Exporting AAF/MXF Files from an Avid Editor to Avid 3D in the previous section for other cases that cause the AAF to appear as "Unknown Format" in Avid 3D. --> Audio is not supported with AAF files. However, you can use the Avid 3D Audio Export Settings to export.wav or.aif files to Avid 3D. Alternatively, you can drag and drop audio files (WAV and AIFF) directly into a 3D view. Playback will play every frame, unless you switch to realtime (toggle the All button in the playback controls to RT), which will drop frames but play back in realtime. Note that once you have loaded an audio file of a given sampling (44.1 khz or 48 khz, for example) then any other file with a different sampling will not load. That is, for a given session in Avid 3D you can only load audio files of the same sampling rate up until you exit Avid 3D. Additionally you may drop an AVI with sound into the function curve editor (found in the multi-purpose editor), this will load only the sound from that AVI into Avid 3D. Supported Audio Formats for Export into Avid 3D Sample Rates Sample Bit Depth Audio Format Channels 44.1 khz, 48 khz 16 bit Wave, Aiff-c Stereo, Mono 21
Tools and Options Panel Transform Tools Text Tools --> When modifying your object hierarchy in the viewports, you must node-select objects that you intend to parent or cut using the Modify Hierarchy tools. If you use these tools with branch-selected objects, you may get unexpected results in the structure of your hierarchy. To edit your object hierarchy in node or branch mode, you can cut and parent in the scene explorer by dragging and dropping. --> Once you create a text rig from text, you can no longer edit the text. --> If you apply a material to a text block, you will not be able to apply a texture to it later. --> When creating text, the combination of some fonts with a particular font size and the Size Ratio parameter set to 1, may cause the text to flip horizontally. Avoid these combinations. Modeling Tools --> Modeling with Add Point to Curve Tool: Adding points to a curve collapses the curve to the center of the world (becomes a circle radius = 1.8 points). Workaround: Avoid drawing points too closely together. If the problem occurs, click the Undo button and continue adding points. Display Options --> The spot light cone is not viewable in OpenGL mode. To use the spot light cone manipulators, set the viewport display type to anything other than OpenGL. Rendering, Previewing, and Flipbook Rendering and Preview --> Particles do not render in fields. The output for both fields is identical. --> When rendering using the Low Quality (Textured) setting, the rendered images will display curves, control objects, and rig handles. If you do not want these to appear in the render, you can turn off the display of these attributes using the Display Filters on the Display Options tab. 22
Hardware and Software Limitations Flipbook --> Rendering Quality is not saved with the scene. You will need to reset this option when you reload a saved scene. --> The Render View cannot display images that are larger than the screen resolution: [1] When rendering High Quality (mental ray) HD formats the images will not be displayed. [2] When rendering Low Quality (OGL, Textured) HD formats the images will be partially displayed. --> When rendering 16:9 formats in Low Quality (or when using render types other than Mental Ray), the Render View window aspect ratio will appear as 4:3 instead of 16:9. This is only a display problem; the images rendered to disk will use the correct format. --> Preview Render will display Image Based Lighting whether or not it is toggled on or off in the Rendering Options. --> It is recommended that you close the Render View window before making changes to the Format options in the Render Options dialog box, particularly if you are switching between 4:3 and 16:9 formats. Resizing the Render View window after making such a change may cause refresh issues in both the Camera View B viewport as well as the Render View window. Workaround: 1. Close the Render View window. 2. Edit the Render Options. 3. Click the Render Preview button again. --> To playback a sequence in flipbook immediately after rendering, toggle on the Playback sequence after render checkbox on the Frames Output tab of the Rendering Options property editor. --> You can view rendered sequences output to monitor by opening the flipbook (fifth button on the Render and Preview panel in the lower left side of the interface) and toggling on the Digital IO - Output to Monitor check box when starting the flipbook. --> Flipbook reads the Display preferences to identify which monitor type to use for the Digital Output. If you are working in PAL and using Flipbook, set the Monitor Type in the Display Options to PAL. Then you must exit and reopen Avid 3D so that the PAL monitor type is saved as the preference. You can now open the flipbook and it will use the PAL monitor type. 23
--> To avoid memory and performance problems, close the flipbook before starting another render or continuing on to do other work in Avid 3D. --> On systems with NVIDIA graphic cards, sequences may be distorted in flipbook when the zoom is set to 50%. Workaround: Set the Shrink on Load parameter to 2 in the Open Images dialog box rather than using the Zoom tool in flipbook. --> If your system is running low on memory, Flipbook may no longer display an alpha channel when you press the a key. Workaround: Save your work. Exit all applications running on your system and restart Avid 3D. AAF/MXF Output --> Render AAF sequences out to your Media Drive in the \Avid3D OutGoing folder (D:\Avid3D OutGoing\). Add a bin in your Avid editor project called "Avid3D InComing"; the Avid editor will scan the OutGoing folder and import any new AAF files it finds. Note that some sample scenes have been saved with specific paths and you may need to change this field manually to \Avid3D OutGoing. --> Custom resolutions (Render Options > Format) are not supported when rendering AAF files. --> If you get the "Error writing movie AAF" error message after rendering, do the following: - Check the disk space on the media drive on which you have selected to create the movie. - Verify that the render options settings match those for the project type and that you have not chosen a custom format. - Verify that you have permission to write files to <media drive>\avid MediaFiles\VideoStorage\Avid3D. --> When Rendering AAF files with alpha, ensure that the Frames Output format supports alpha. By default this is set to the Softimage.pic format which does support alpha. However, if you were to switch to.jpg format for example, and rendered an AAF with alpha enabled, the alpha would not be created as the original images (.jpg) do not support alpha. Always make sure you are working in the correct format. --> Activate the Render Video Fields checkbox (select Lower Field First for NTSC or Upper Field First for PAL), when rendering AAF files destined for use with interlaced projects. 24
Hardware and Software Limitations --> Deactivate the Render Video Fields checkbox when rendering AAF files destined for use with progressive projects. NOTE For more information refer to the charts in the Avid Editor Projects and Avid 3D Formats section. Memory and Performance --> Certain features will consume more memory than others. Among these are creating beveled text with a large number of characters and using many videos as textures. If you find that Avid 3D is performing poorly, you should close other applications that are running and that consume memory, while working in Avid 3D. --> If Avid 3D begins to behave inconsistently, it may be running low on memory. Workaround: Save your work, exit the application, and then restart Avid 3D. 25
Technical Support Information Most products feature a number of coverage options. Avid Assurance service offerings are designed to facilitate your use of Avid solutions. Service options include extended telephone coverage, automatic software maintenance, extended hardware warranty, and preferred pricing on replacement parts. For more information regarding Avid s service offerings, visit www.avid.com/support or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843). Program availability and details might vary depending on geographic location and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or your local Avid Reseller for complete program information and pricing. However, if you need help locating an Avid office or Avid Reseller near you, please visit www.avid.com or call in North America 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843). International users call 978-275-2480. 26
Copyright and Disclaimer Copyright and Disclaimer Product specifications are subject to change without notice and do not represent a commitment on the part of Avid Technology, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement. You can obtain a copy of that license by visiting Avid's Web site at www.avid.com. The terms of that license are also available in the product in the same directory as the software. The software may not be reverse assembled and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following United States Patents:Avid products or portions thereof are protected by one or more of the following United States Patents: 4,746,994; 4,970,663; 5,045,940; 5,063,448, 5,245,432, 5,267,351; 5,309,528; 5,325,200; 5,355,450; 5,396,594; 5,440,348; 5,452,378; 5,467,288; 5,513,375; 5,528,310; 5,557,423; 5,577,190; 5,584,006; 5,627,765; 5,634,020; 5,640,601; 5,644,364; 5,654,737; 5,701,404; 5,724,605; 5,726,717; 5,729,673; 5,731,819; 5,745,637; 5,752,029; 5,754,180; 5,754,851; 5,781,188; 5,799,150; 5,812,216; 5,828,678; 5,842,014; 5,852,435; 5,889,532; 5,912,675; 5,930,797; 5,966,134; 5,977,982; 5,995,079; 5,999,190; 6,011,562; 6,014,150; 6,023,703; 6,031,529; 6,091,422; 6,154,221; 6,157,929; 6,160,548; 6,167,404; 6,192,388; 6,208,357; 6,226,005; 6,310,621; 6,317,142; 6,353,437; 6,400,368; 6,466,214; 6,469,702; 6,473,094; 6,532,043; 6,539,163; 6,552,731; 6,553,140; 6,570,578; 6,573,898; 6,621,504; 6,664,966; 6,686,918; 6,747,705; 6,806,879; 6,813,622; 6,847,373; D352,278; D392,267; D392,268; D392,269; D395,291; D396,853; D398,912. Other patents are pending. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of Avid Technology, Inc. Copyright 2004 Avid Technology, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Printed in USA. The Avid 3D application uses JScript and Visual Basic Scripting Edition from Microsoft Corporation. Attn. Government User(s). Restricted Rights Legend U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS. This Software and its documentation are commercial computer software or commercial computer software documentation. In the event that such Software or documentation is acquired by or on behalf of a unit or agency of the U.S. Government, all rights with respect to this Software and documentation are subject to the terms of the License Agreement, pursuant to FAR 12.212(a) and/or DFARS 227.7202-1(a), as applicable. Trademarks 888 I/O, Adrenaline, AirPlay, AirSPACE, AirSPACE HD, AniMatte, AudioSuite, AudioVision, AutoSync, Avid, Avid DNA, AVIDdrive, AVIDdrive Towers, Avid Mojo, AvidNet, AvidNetwork, AVIDstripe, Avid Unity, Avid Xpress, AVoption, AVX, CamCutter, ChromaCurve, ChromaWheel, DAE, D-Fi, D-fx, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, DigiDrive, Digital Nonlinear Accelerator, DigiTranslator, DINR, dotxsi, D-Verb, Equinox, ExpertRender, FieldPak, Film Composer, FilmScribe, FluidMotion, HIIP, HyperSPACE, HyperSPACE HDCAM, IllusionFX, Image Independence, Intraframe, is9, is18, is23, is36, Lo-Fi, Magic Mask, make manage move media, Marquee, Matador, Maxim, MCXpress, Media Composer, MediaDock, MediaDock Shuttle, Media Fusion, Media Illusion, MediaLog, Media Reader, Media Recorder, MEDIArray, MediaShare, Meridien, MetaSync, NaturalMatch, Nearchive, NetReview, NewsCutter, Nitris, OMF, OMF Interchange, OMM, Open Media Framework, Open Media Management, ProEncode, Pro Tools, QuietDrive, Recti-Fi, RetroLoop, rs9, rs18, Sci-Fi, Softimage, Sound Designer II, SPACE, SPACEShift, Symphony, the Avid DS logo, the XSI logo, Trilligent, UnityRAID, Vari-Fi, Video Slave Driver, VideoSPACE, Xdeck, and XSI are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. inews, inews ControlAir, and Media Browse are trademarks of inews, LLC. Digimation and Digimation Model Bank are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Digimation, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. mental ray and mental images are registered trademarks of mental images GmbH & Co. KG in the U.S.A. and some other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. GOT FOOTAGE? Editors Filmmakers Special Effects Artists Game Developers Animators Educators Broadcasters Content creators of every genre Just finished an incredible project and want to share it with the world? Send us your reels and we may use your footage in our show reel or demo!* For a copy of our release and Avid s mailing address, go to www.avid.com/footage. *Note: Avid cannot guarantee the use of materials submitted. Avid 3D Read Me 0130-07007-01 March 2005 27
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