Apple Cinema Tools 4 - Manual (Page 55)

If you haven’t done so yet, take a look at Cinema Tools Workflows for general information.
Use these examples to guide you in determining the basic steps you need to take to
create your database and capture your clips. The steps you take, and the order of those
steps, differ depending on a number of factors, most of which are summarized in the
workflow examples.
Capturing Before You Create the Database
When using a traditional film workflow, it is possible to capture your source clips before
creating your database, and to build the Cinema Tools database by importing a batch
capture list created in Final Cut Pro. This approach is not as easy as building a database
from a telecine log or ALE file because you then need to manually add the key number
and film roll information to each database record. See
Importing Database Information
from a Batch Capture List for more information.
When using a digital intermediate workflow, you will need to capture, or more often
transfer, your video files from their source media using the Final Cut Pro Log and Capture
or Log and Transfer window. You can then create the Cinema Tools database by simply
dragging the folder with the captured files to the Cinema Tools application icon.
If You Have a Telecine Log or ALE File
A telecine log, sometimes referred to as a FLEx file, is a file created by the telecine
technician during a telecine transfer. You can also use an Avid Log Exchange (ALE) file as
you would use a telecine log. The telecine log records the key numbers of the original
camera negative and the timecode of the video transfer, and tracks the relationship
between them.
Advantages of Using a Telecine Log or ALE File
Creating your database from a log is ideal because it provides these advantages:
• Time savings: You can create database records from a telecine log. You don’t have to
manually create and enter details in each record. You can then generate a batch
capture list from the database, expediting the capture process.
• Accuracy and completeness: Assuming the log you use is accurate, you’ll instantly have
an accurate database and you won’t have to worry about your own potential data
entry errors. Using the database batch capture list also ensures that the source media
files you capture match your database information.
To build a database from an existing log
1 Create a new, empty database.
See Creating and Configuring a New Database for more information.
2 Generate the database records from the log.
55 Chapter 4 Creating a Cinema Tools Database