CreatePreview > change codec

[MehdiZangenehBar]

Is it possible to change output codec of CreatePreview output?

[denisT.MaxDoctor]

Can this be done through the user interface? I guess not...

So the only way I can see is to try changing the output file extension. I've never tried it, but it might be possible to change the codec that way. You will tell us later...

[denisT.MaxDoctor]

In any case, the right thing to do is to simply convert the AVI preview to what you need. There are some built-in .NET and Qt methods and classes for that now.

[MehdiZangenehBar]

The codec that my customer wants is H264

[MehdiZangenehBar]

The file format will not effect the codec. it is just a container.

[MehdiZangenehBar]

Converting will take some time I guess,...
If we couldn't find the solution, maybe converting image sequences to video using ffmpeg.exe would be solution.But syncing and trimming audio would be another challange.

[MehdiZangenehBar]

The latest chosed coded setting will be loaded somewhere in user ini file right? maybe we be able to change it before preview?

[denisT.MaxDoctor]

is there any way to specify a codec in the INI?

[domo.spaji]

Only video format in Max is AVI.

Setings for AVI are in avi.cfg file (somewhere in ENU), normally changed in user interface (save file-settings)

There is no H264 for AVI in Max.

You would have to bring new plugin for whatever format with that codec.

Save preview as uncompressed AVI and compress it outside of Max.

I'm using some 1 click FFMPEG app

[MehdiZangenehBar]

Yes, the file getdir #plugcfg + "\\avi.cfg" is the only file that will change after we change the codec setting. But we have some problems:

1. File is encrypted.
2. Strange thing is if we replace it with the old file, the setting is still the same and wouldn't change.

[MehdiZangenehBar]

What is "1 click FFMPEG app"?

[MehdiZangenehBar]

After replacing the avi.cfg file, if we restart the max, setting will be updated, so we need to force max to reload.

[denisT.MaxDoctor]

I agree ... try FFmpeg first. If it works for you, use it with a "command line" or use the source code from their site.

[MehdiZangenehBar]

Yea, another reason for this is "autoplay" which is not possible to disable it for the versions before 2024, and it will curropt the batch process.
OK, lets get back to ffmpeg, how we can handle the audio? is it possible to render out audio only from Max?

[MehdiZangenehBar]

We have a big problem, autoplay will execute the final result even for image formats! I don't want it! any method to disbale this?

[MehdiZangenehBar]

Do we have access to the CreatePreview source code in SDK?

[denisT.MaxDoctor]

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@MehdiZangenehBar wrote:

Do we have access to the CreatePreview source code in SDK?

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If you're asking about autoplay verification see SetPlayPreviewWhenDone and GetPlayPreviewWhenDone in SDK (maxapi.h, Interface19)

MXS: 

preferences.playPreviewWhenDone

[domo.spaji]

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@MehdiZangenehBar wrote:

What is "1 click FFMPEG app"?

https://codecpack.co/download/Mp4-Video-1-Click.html

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What problems you can have with auto-play except if you want to immediately delete result file/s?

[MehdiZangenehBar]

Is it possible to use it with command-line?

[MehdiZangenehBar]

is it possible to replace avi.cfg and force Max to reload it?