rendering Autodesk AVIs for best quality

rs170a wrote on 10/11/2005, 6:10 AM
I got a number of AVI files from one of our CAD/CAM instructors. These are AVIs that were created using Autodesk Inventor. Unfortunately, due to their lack of video knowledge, the files were rendered using the Cinepak codec (ugh!!). Even worse, they're only 15 fps. They'd like me to burn these to a DVD for demo purposes. Vegas can handle the files without problems but I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to maximize the output quality. You know, make a silk purse from a sow's ear :-)

Mike

Comments

fldave wrote on 10/11/2005, 6:47 AM
Best would be to rerender them with better settings. Have the instructor's students each take one to rerender as a class project.
rs170a wrote on 10/11/2005, 7:04 AM
Best would be to rerender them with better settings.

I've told the instructor to render using the "uncompressed avi" option in the future but, unfortunately, these were files from last year's projects so I'm stuck with what I've been given :-(
I'm using "Best" mode for the mpeg render but thought someone might have some other ideas.

Mike
apit34356 wrote on 10/11/2005, 7:08 AM
Mike, 15fps,( usually progressive) avi for CAM/CAD rendering is very common. Just load it in vegas and re-render to the proper frame rate using smart sampling to 24fps,(progressive) avi. This should help with motion in the frames. Touch up footage using color filters, you may need to add a little noise, use some blur to create DOF, etc..... Now that ADVD can handle 24fps files, no need to go to 30fps, unless other issues demand it.
rs170a wrote on 10/11/2005, 7:12 AM
Thanks apit34356. I'll give that a try. I just discovered that Inventor files can be imported into 3ds Max. I think they have access to this program so I'll suggest that to them as well.

Mike
fldave wrote on 10/11/2005, 7:12 AM
You might try rendering one out to uncompressed avi, then experiment with that. Try to use a gaussian blur to smooth out the artifacts, or levels might work better. Probably depends if they are skeletons or skinned objects.
farss wrote on 10/11/2005, 7:23 AM
Just a wild guess here but I would have though going from 15fps to 30fps progressive in 60i would be your best possible option.
But if you can import the source files into another app and render at a decent frame rate and res would sure be your best option, possibly 3ds will also let you add motion blur to get things looking better as well.
Bob.
apit34356 wrote on 10/11/2005, 7:32 AM
Farss, normally 15p to 60i would make sense. But with a CAD 15"p" fps , usually a lot of work is required, per frame, to make it look good or "somewhat" real. Working on 24p vs 30p can make a project a one-man crew can do.
rs170a wrote on 10/13/2005, 12:26 PM
Just an update here. I took apit34356's suggestion and rendered it out at 24p. The difference (compared to 30i) was noticeable. Thanks again.
Now to get them to bounce the files over to 3DS for a "real" render :-)

Mike