Apple Color 1.0 - Manual (Page 87)

Chapter 4 Importing and Managing Projects and Media 87
Compatible Image Formats
The following RGB-encoded image formats are compatible with Color for importing
image sequences: Only Cineon and DPX are supported for rendering image sequences.
 Cineon (import and export): A high-quality image format developed by Kodak for
digitally scanning, manipulating, and printing images originated on film. Developed
as a 10-bit log format to better contain the greater latitude of film for exposure.
 DPX (import and export): The Digital Picture eXchange format was derived from the
Cineon format and is also used for high-quality uncompressed digital intermediate
workflows. Color supports 8-bit and 10-bit log DPX and Cineon image files.
 TIFF (import only): The Tagged Image File Format is a commonly used image format
for RGB graphics on a variety of platforms. Color is compatible with 16-bit TIFF
sequences.
 JPEG (import only): A highly compressed image format created by the Joint
Photographic Experts Group. The amount of compression that may be applied is
variable, but higher compression ratios create visual artifacts, visible as discernible
blocks of similar color. JPEG is usually used for offline versions of image sequences,
but in some instances (with minimal compression) this format may be used in an
online workflow. JPEG is limited to 8-bit encoding.
What Codec Should You Use for Export?
When choosing the codec you want to use for rendering the final output, there are
three considerations:
 If you’ll be outputting to a high-bandwidth video format (such as Betacam SP,
Digital Betacam, HDCAM, and HDCAM SR) and require the highest quality video
data available, regardless of storage or system requirements, you should export
your media using the Apple Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 codec.
 If you’ll be outputting to one of the above video formats and require high quality,
but need to use a compressed format to save hard drive space and increase
performance on your particular computer, then you can export using the Apple
ProRes 422 codec (good for standard definition), or the higher quality Apple ProRes
422 (HQ) codec (good for high definition), both of which are 10-bit, 4:2:2 codecs.
 If your system is not set up to output such high-bandwidth video, and your
program uses a source format that’s supported by the Original Format option in the
QuickTime Export Codecs pop-up menu in the Prjct Settings tab of the Setup room,
you’ll be able to render back to the original codec used by your Final Cut Pro
sequence. If your codec is unsupported, the QuickTime Export Codecs pop-up
menu will default to Apple ProRes 422.