Multi Channel EXR export for Netflix Help!

[MattWilmshurst]

Hi all.

Having a few Export Multichannel clips issues.

I use timeline to build my exports (new version for matte layers). I export from Flame 2022.3.1.

My files are QCd in Nuke before Baselight and the guys are saying that - rgb channels are empty and the image was copied into another channel. ( is it to do with my slate ? )

Does anyone have a bomb proof way of doing this so I don’t keep returning these issues please ?

Thanks in advance,

Matt W

[MattWilmshurst]

bump

[slabrie]

Flame uses the first frame of the content you export to define if the content is RGB, RGBA or Multi-Channel. Since your slate does not have the same channel configuration as your content, I would recommend to remove the slate, export your content and then export your slate with the frame number preceding your first frame. 

Note that MediaHub expects the content of the first frame to represent the clip you want to import so after your slate will be exported, Flame will not be able to see the channels of your shot.

[MattWilmshurst]

Thanks for you reply @slabrie Wow ok. I have a lot of shots to export so I think exporting separate Slates isnt the best option for me. What would be your way of doing it?

i could make the slate the same format as the bulk of the content and extend the matte channel ?

[slabrie]

You should give it a try and see if it works for you.

[MattWilmshurst]

IS it the bit depth, colour space or Res that it doesnt like about the slate?

[slabrie]

All of the above.  MediaHub expect that all frame of a clip t have the same resolution, bit depth.  If you have an RGB slate followed be Mult-Channel content, MediaHub will see the clip as RGB.   If you have an HD slate and UHD content, the clip will be seen as HD and so on.

[MattWilmshurst]

Thanks. This is great to clarify. I will make sure that my slates are the same as the content and re-export. Should I run the Matte channel over the slate too ?

[MattWilmshurst]

also @slabrie naming wise. The shot has a name and each layer can be named separately ?

[slabrie]

You then need to make sure your slate has the same channel configuration and naming and the following frames.  If your shot has 4 RGBA pairs with various naming, the slate has to have the same amount of RGBA pairs and naming.

Same resolution, compression, if any, and frame rate. 

[MattWilmshurst]

Interestingly if I hard commit the slate it adopts the rest of the clips spec. That might be easiest. ( I have the slate setup saved).

[slabrie]

Could you try to add a frame of your slate on the Secondary track at the same timing as you slate?  You should be able to have the right alpha channel in your exported content.

[MattWilmshurst]

I sent it to the client to test. I made sure that ALL aspects of the media were all the same throughout the clip.

[slabrie · Accepted solution]

Great!  Please keep us updated.

[MattWilmshurst]

I will do. Thank you @slabrie 

[MattWilmshurst]

SO far clients have been able to import and read the multi channel clips in Nuke. I renamed the base layer rgb and ensured that ALL media maintained the same attributes.

[slabrie]

Thanks for the update Matt!