Creating Movie Files - Concepts

The Create Movie File command allows AGi32 users to export animations created in Render mode to industry standard movie file format (AVI), complete with textures, ray trace and radiosity capabilities.

Tips for creating movies successfully

Terminology

Selecting Animation Points to include in the movie

By default, all the Animation Points in the selected scene are included in movie. To only use a specific selection set (e.g. to append additional frames to an existing image set) select the points to be included in the Animation by changing the Status of all non desired points to Off, before clicking the Create Movie File button.

Production Details

Generate Images and Movie File

This is the default option which generates both the frames used in the movie file and the resulting movie file in one step. The current Render View is automatically resized to match the selected frame size and aspect ratio.

Note: The default aspect ratio of AGi32 Render Views is 1.5:1. Choosing a frame size with a different aspect ratio (e.g. 1280 x 720: aspect ratio 1.78:1) may cause more or less of the rendered environment to be visible in the generated movie. The 720 x 480 and 352 x 240 Frame Sizes maintain a similar 1.5:1 aspect ratio, which will result in minimal change in the generated movie. To use a Frame Size with a different aspect ration successfully, it may be helpful to resize your current AGi32 Render View to the same aspect ratio.

For radiosity images, the Frame size must be equal to or smaller than the current resolution setting. You must increase your screen resolution to generate larger images or ray trace them instead.

During the on screen image production, the leading and trailing images are not displayed on screen. In addition, Pause sequences requiring additional frame generation are also not displayed on screen.

To work on other applications while generating the movie frames, minimize the Animation dialog, which will in turn automatically minimize AGi32 during this process. Clicking Cancel will terminate the image generation process.

At the end of the image generation process, an Image information (Image.ini) file is created describing the image data. In addition, the resulting AVI file with leading/trailing images and any pause sequences is created as well.

Note: If the image creation process is canceled, an Information file is not created and a movie cannot be generated at a later time from the remaining images.

Generate Images Only

This option generates images only for a user defined Frame Range. This option may be desirable if you want to: (1) Use the images in another application (e.g. video editing software, see Advanced Options below), (2) Break the task into multiple parts (see Advanced Options below) or (3) Generate movies using the same images with different codecs.

The generated images are saved in a subfolder of your job file destination folder: <job filename>_MovieFiles\Images_Scene_1.

If the specified Image Folder already contains previously generated images, AGi32 will check the existing Image Information file to ensure that the Image Setup parameters match (e.g. same frame size, frame rate, etc.). We strongly urge you to use the same parameters across all generated images in the same folder, so that when a resulting movie is created, the images match up well and create a harmonious result. If AGi32 detects that the Image Information File parameters do not match the current parameters, an option is displayed allowing you to change the current parameters to match the existing ones.

Note: The default aspect ratio of AGi32 Render Views is 1.5:1. Choosing a frame size with a different aspect ratio (e.g. 1280 x 720: aspect ratio 1.78:1) may cause more or less of the rendered environment to be visible in the generated movie. The 720 x 480 and 352 x 240 Frame Sizes maintain a similar 1.5:1 aspect ratio, which will result in minimal change in the generated movie. To use a Frame Size with a different aspect ration successfully, it may be helpful to resize your current AGi32 Render View to the same aspect ratio.

For radiosity images, the Frame size must be equal to or smaller than the current resolution setting. You must increase your screen resolution to generate larger images or ray trace them instead.

During the on screen image production, the leading and trailing images are not displayed on screen. In addition, Pause sequences requiring additional frame generation are also not displayed on screen.

To work on other applications while generating the movie frames, minimize the Animation dialog, which will in turn automatically minimize AGi32 during this process. Clicking Cancel will terminate the image generation process.

Note: If the image creation process is canceled, an Information file is not created and a movie cannot be generated at a later time from the remaining images.

At the end of the image generation process, an Image information (Image.ini) file is created describing the image data.

Generate Movie Only (From Existing Images)

This option generates a movie using existing images from a user defined folder. These images must have been generating using AGi32, as AGi32 uses the Image Information File (Image.ini) to generate the subsequent AVI movie file. This option may be desirable if you want to: (1) Assemble images generated by multiple computers (see Advanced Options) or (2) Generate movies using the same images with different codecs.

By default, the Image Folder listed corresponds to the previously specified Image Folder location and name, however, you may select any Image Folder that contains images generated by AGi32 and a corresponding Image Information File.

The AGi32 file correlated to the selected Image Folder needs not be opened, only the generated images and Image.ini information are used.

To work on other applications while compiling the frame images into the movie, minimize the Animation dialog, which will in turn automatically minimize AGi32 during this process. Clicking Cancel will terminate the movie compilation process.

At the end of the movie compilation process, the resulting AVI file with leading/trailing images and any pause sequences is created.

Image Setup Details

Scene selection - Specify the scenes to include in the production. This functionality allows you to select which scenes to use and even reorder them.

Frame Size - Production time is dependent on the Frame Size selected, especially for Raytraced images. AGi32 provides many standard frame sizes to choose from, in addition to a custom frame size. To use a Custom Frame size, choose Custom and enter the Frame Width and Height to generate. Note: Custom Frame Sizes must be between 120 and 1280 pixels (anything larger or smaller may not be supported by the codec and/or movie player).

For radiosity images, the Frame size must be equal to or smaller than the current resolution setting. You must increase your screen resolution to generate larger images or ray trace them instead.

Frame Rate - The Frame Rate (Frames per second - fps) indicates how many frames to generate in between Viewpoints or at Pause Intervals. For example, a 20 second movie with a Frame Rate of 15 (15 fps) would require 300 frames to be generated. Higher frame rates generally result in smoother playback but with a longer production time and larger AVI file sizes. Conversely, lower frame rates result in smaller AVI files and shorter production times, but may also playback with "choppy" animation. Experiment with simple movies to see which Frame Rate suits your production style best.

Image Type - Specify whether to use Radiosity or Raytrace (hybrid radiosity and raytrace method) images.

Radiosity images will generate more quickly, but will not include specular surfaces, raytraced clouds, crisp shadows or other raytrace image benefits. Any of the Display Properties parameters may be applied to Radiosity images, including pseudocolor, display scale, exposure settings and antialiasing, by clicking on the Display Properties button. Applying Antialiasing to Radiosity images will result in less jagged lines, but slightly longer production times.

Raytrace images may produce the most visually stimulating movies (including effects such as raytraced clouds for daylighting productions, specular highlights, crisp shadow lines, etc.) but at a cost of high production times, especially for large Frame Sizes. Any of the Raytrace Parameters may be applied by clicking on the Set Parameters button.

For long productions, you may consider breaking the production into multiple parts on multiple computers, a process known as render farming (see Advanced Options below).

Playback - Specify either Movie or Slideshow playback. Movie playback generates the production frames using the animations between the animation points as well as the animation points themselves. Slideshow playback only includes the defined animation points at the Specified Display Interval.

Image Folder - The folder location of production image files is determined by the ‘MoviesFiles’ folder specified in Tools-System Settings-File System. By default, this is specified as < Same Folder As Job File >. Within the job file specific MovieFiles folder,there lies a subfolder containing the generated image files. This subfolder is the Image Folder defined in this text box.

File Structure Within The Job Files Folder ([] – Denotes folder):

[<Filename>_MovieFiles]

[Images_<Image Folder>]

Image.ini

Frame_1.jpg > Frame_N.jpg

Example (Job File = Job1.a32, Image Folder = Scene1):

[Job1_MovieFiles]

[Images_Scene1]

Image.ini

Frame_1.jpg > Frame_N.jpg

The Image Folder name is initially specified to correspond to the selected scene names but can be changed as desired. For example: If you select scenes ‘Scene’ and ‘Orbit’, the Image Folder will default to ‘Walk1_Orbit’.

Movie Setup Details

Movie Name - Specify the name of the generated AVI movie file to be located in the job file specific MovieFiles folder. The Movie Name is initially specified to correspond to the selected scene names but can be changed as desired. For example: If you select scenes 'Walk' and ‘Orbit’, the Movie Name will default to ‘Walk_Orbit’.

Codec - The selection of a proper codec is a paramount choice to ensure adequate movie playback results affecting quality, file size and usability. All video codecs found on your computer are listed and available for selection; however, this does not ensure that all of the codecs listed will work properly or even work at all. Some codecs are unreliable, some require special licenses to use while others work on some computers but not on others. For example, if you encode a movie with a codec requiring a special license or software purchase, sharing this same movie may result in your client not being able to view it unless they purchase said license or software for additional fees. In addition, some codecs may require certain versions of multimedia players or specific plugins/patches to your operating system to playback. In short, you will want to experiment with different codecs to see which ones work best for you and your clients. In the Tips section, at the top of this document, you will see a short list of codecs we have had successful results with in our office. If these codecs exist on your computer, you may wish to try them first.

Many codecs include a Properties dialog. If your selecting codec has a Properties dialog, the Properties button will be enabled. These dialogs may contain basic descriptive information or include additional settings (such as compression level).

Note: Codec property dialogs are not generated by AGi32 and are not supported by Lighting Analysts, these are part of the codec itself. To gain more understanding of the settings available for a specific codec, contact the codec author or supplier directly.

Movie Playback - Once the production process is complete, the AVI file is saved in the specified MovieFiles folder and may be played with any multimedia software program (such as Windows Media Player, Apple's Quicktime player, etc.) Navigate to the movie folder, double click on your AVI to start it with your default movie player, or open the desired movie player, then load the AVI file you just created.

Additional Images

The Additional Images tab allows you to specify a leading and/or trailing image to append to the beginning and/or end of your movie (e.g. introduction and credits). These images are added to the following production types: Generate Images and Movie File and Generate Images Only.

To specify, select the Leading and/or Trailing selection box, choose the desired Image file (in BMP, JPG, PNG or WMF format) and image duration in seconds.

To see the selected image in more detail, click on the thumbnail preview to enlarge it (click again to return to the Additional Images tab).

For best results, Leading and Trailing images should be the same size as your current frame size or larger with the same aspect ratio (width:length). This will minimize ‘pixilation’ which occurs when an image is re-sampled to fit the specified frame size. For example: If your Frame Size is 720x480, your Leading and Trailing images should also be 720x480 or larger with the same aspect ratio, e.g. 960x640 pixels

Leading and Trailing images are added to the Movie Length and Total Number Of Frames (see Statistics). For example: A Leading image defined as having a duration of 3 seconds would account for the first 45 frames of your movie (assuming a frame rate of 15 fps).

Summary

The Summary display on the right side of the Create Movie File dialog gives you a quick reference of your specified movie. As the Image Setup variables are changed, the Summary statistics will update automatically to reflect your current image selections. When generating a movie only production, the summary reflects the settings of the previously generated images, as obtained from the Image Information File (Image.ini) in the selected Image Folder.

Advanced Options

Using Generated Images And/Or Movie Files In 3rd Party Video Editing Software

The generated images and/or movie files produced in AGi32 may be imported and used in conjunction with 3rd party video editing software. This allows you take advantages of additional features of those programs (add audio, annotate images, create DVD, etc.)

When loading images files into 3rd party video editing software, each generated image from AGi32 represents a frame in the final movie. The Frame display interval (within video editing software) should be set to 1 / Frame Rate (check your video software to see if it supports small displays intervals, e.g. 1/30 = 0.033 seconds per frame).

Render Farming

When generating long or complex movies, it may be useful to break the task into multiple parts on multiple computers. This process is often referred to as ‘rendering farming’. To do this, you need multiple computers (with AGi32 installed) connected to a central source (network server). Here are the necessary steps:

  1. Copy the AGi32 Job file to a central location on the server
  2. MovieFiles folder should be specified as <Same as Job File> and Image Folder name should be consistently specified across all computers.
  3. Decide how the task is to be split (e.g. Computer #1 – Generate images 1-200, Computer #2 – Generate images 201-400, etc.)
  4. Open the AGi32 Job file on one of the computers (bypass the ‘File is already in use message’)
  5. Open the Movie dialog and select Generate Images Only. Specified the desired range per Step #3. Set Image parameters as desired.
  6. Start generating images on ONE computer (this will establish the existing image parameters for all other computers to use)
  7. Repeat Steps #4 and #5 for each computer. The program will check your current image parameters against the existing image parameters and give you the option to change your settings to match (e.g. frame size, frame rate, etc.). Generating images with different parameters in the same folder can cause undesirable results when creating a movie from those images
  8. Once the images are generated, select to Generate Movie Only on one of the computers (select the appropriate folder)