Softimage and the Perception Video Recorder Naming conventions - Using Softimage 3.7 in conjunction with the Perception Video Recorder and what software will accomplish it.
The Perception video recorder is PC card device which allows you to compile rendered images from Softimage 3D (or any other program which generates a sequence of individual images in any of the appropriate image formats). But, it is not that straight forward. There is still a lot of questions regarding the incompatibility of the naming conventions used by each program.
You have a few options for getting your files into the Perception Video Recorder.
1) By using NT Explorer, you can drag and drop your final rendered frames (with the Softimage numbering system) into the "spool" directory on the P: drive. The PVR is able to re_order the files, but only if the sequence start at 1 or 0. This is the feedback from the Softimage Newsgroup. Unfortunately, it won't work with my setup! I must use one of the following.
2) You can render directly into the PVR drive if you use the post frame script called AddZeroPF.exe. (which pads the files with zeros). This method allows you to begin with any frame number.
3) You can pad frames with third party software. Then drag and drop them into the PVR drive.
The following discusses "padding" which in some cases you may have to resort to when using the PVR.
One of the most common issues arising out of compiling Softimage 3D images is the correct numbering of the finished frames. Softimage does not automatically "pad" the numbering of the images as is required by some programs.
The Perception Video Recorder requires a set number of digits in the numbering sequence i.e. filename0001.tga. If your files have not been "padded" then the compiled sequence will be frame.1.pic, frame.10.pic, frame.11.pic .... totally out of sequence.
What you need from Softimage is this "padded" sequence i.e. frame.00001.pic, frame.00002.pic, frame.00003.pic ....
You have a few options for achieving this "padding":
AddZeroPF.exe, (it can be found in the standalones section in www.softimage.com). To use simply enter "AddZeroPF.exe" this name in the postframe script dialogue box (in my machine I need not enter the full path, just "AddZeroPF.exe"). The output files will now be padded with a usable sequence.1. Softimage has a postframe script for NT called
OR
2. Use a program like Renameri.exe, (which can be found at on the web as DPS Renamer). It is a very small program, strictly for padding your files. Just render out your frames as usual within Softimage and then using this program, select all of the field and process. The output files will now be padded with a usable sequence.
Rendering options for the Perception Video Recorder and their advantages and disadvantages:
The Perception Video Recorder requires that the image files be in an acceptable image format (i.e. targa, pic, bmp, etc.). However, loading the images directly via the program interface does not allow the import of Softimage .pic files. This method requires a different format - like targa.
1. If you use AddZeroPF.exe then you can either render to your default folder in your project (or to another folder in any hard drive) and convert them with the standalone Soft2tga (click here for usage information). The advantage of this method is that you will always have your original Softimage files and can archive them in case of an emergency.
2. The other option is to render directly to the Perception Video Recorder drive without converting to Targa. To do this use the AddZeroPF.exe postframe command as detailed above. And set your "rendered to" directory to the Perception Video Recorder hard drive folder into which you will render.
Note that your first frame will stop the rendering process because a folder will be created with the name of that file! You will need to start the render again. This time all will go well. The advantage to this method is that your files will not take any hard drive space because it is going direct to the special Perception Video Recorder disk. It also eliminates having to convert or pad with separate programs. The disadvantage is that you no longer have original Softimage files to archive for an emergency.
3. There is a third option. You can use the method described above (without converting to Targa), but render to your usual hard drive and drag them into the Perception Video Recorder hard drive. The advantages and disadvantage are obvious. Just make sure that you drag them into the correct folder. Since they are Softimage image format they must be placed into the P:/pic/disk4/project folder. Where P: is the Perception Video Recorder drive, pic is the Softimage format image folder, disk4 (may be named differently), and project folder is your own name. When the files are dragged over a new folder will be created in the project folder. The "project folder" is created from within the Perception Video Recorder program.
Tips and Hints
1. Backing up or archiving your complied animations from the Perception Video Recorder. According to DPS, you can backup to tape directly by using the standard backup program shipped with NT4.0.
2. Conversion to AVIs. I have found good success with Softimage's standalone program but only in the uncompressed mode (A requestor will popup with compression options). Otherwise, I would use Premiere or Debabalizer.
3) Recording settings. Be sure that you check this item from within the Perception Video Recorder program. This will determine the output image quality.
4) Be sure that you optimize your hard disk occasionally and only from within the Perception Video Recorder program.
5) Color Bars. It is always good to have a colorbar file in your Perception Video Recorder folders. Make a project called 'bars' and load in this image of a standard color bar. Make sure that it is full screen. Use the Horizontal and vertical Auto size options in the Import/Export settings. Also keep a handy super black image as well. Put the bars at the head of all your tapes.
6) What should I do with my original Softimage frames? Some people feel that after converting to Targas it is OK to delete the original .pic files. I strongly disagree. Remember that Softimage ships with a number of great standalone programs that can only work with .pic files. If you need to use any of these - Targas won't do. Back up the rendered files to tape and charge the client for the media.
7) Organization of Perception Video Recorder files. I have had great success with a particular method for organizing my projects in the Perception Video Recorder. I always keep a project called "tests" and a project called "bars." The later contains bars and a black slate. The former is where I render all of my tests. This makes it easy to delete unwanted tests on a periodic basis, without having to go through several project folders searching for the tests to delete.
8) Soft2tga is a standalone program which will convert your files to TARGA images for the Perception Video Recorder or other uses. To use it simply open a soft command prompt window and change directories until you get to the folder containing the Softimage files. Enter >Soft2tga frame final -s 1 300 1. Where you give the: command, the file name, the resulting name, the sequence command (-s), the first frame, the last frame, and the step.
9) Naming your files before your render in Softimage3D and/or Particles can make life easier when working with the Perception Video Recorder. The file names are truncated in the interface of the PVR. And so if any of your rendered file names are similar i.e. "Scene1" and "Scene2" you won't be able to readily identify these in the interface. Try to name your renders with some sort of identifier at the beginning of the name as opposed to the ending i.e. "1aScn" Vs "Scene1a."
10) Remember that if you use the post frame script "AddZeroPF.exe" (or do any padding to the files) you will not be able to use the Softimage standalones like "soft2tga."
Disclaimer: Use the above information at your own discretion. I am not responsible for any claims for damages.
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This page was last modified on: 05/21/05
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