Setting Cache and Renders Format

Set the default media format for media cache and renders for your project under the Cache and Renders tab.

This setting is used whenever the application writes to its managed storage:

• When caching media. On demand (contextual menu > Media) or on import (MediaHub > General > Clip Options).
• When rendering a Timeline FX, a clip using a Tools module, or when using a Render node in Batch FX.
• When creating virtual media such as coloured frames.
• When creating proxies. On demand (contextual menu > Media) or on import (MediaHub > General > Clip Options).

To set the Cache and Renders format:

1. Click the Cache and Renders tab.
2. Select the media format from the Cache and Renders Preferred Format box.

Preferred formats are all available in RAW and non-RAW flavours. The difference between the two flavours is the presence or absence of OpenEXR as an alternate format: RAW flavours have only DPX and RAW, non-RAW ones have DPX, OpenEXR, and RAW. As a rule of thumb, use the RAW flavours, unless you are planning on exporting material as OpenEXR using linked publish, in which case you should the but the non-RAW flavours.

Note: Preferred formats are all available in RAW and non-RAW flavours. The difference between the two flavours is the presence or absence of OpenEXR as an alternate format: RAW flavours have only DPX and RAW, non-RAW ones have DPX, OpenEXR, and RAW. As a rule of thumb, use the RAW flavours, unless you are planning on exporting material as OpenEXR using linked publish, in which case you should the but the non-RAW flavours.

Notes regarding the 12-bit pack format

• The 12-bit pack format is being retired. Though available in previous versions of the application, it is a proprietary format that was incompatible with Lustre and third party applications.
  • The 12-bit packed bit-depth option is no longer available throughout the application. Existing media previously set to 12-bit packed remains supported.
  • New 12-bit packed Intermediate option (Preferred Format):
    • Packed: This option is similar to Uncompressed but generates 12-bit packed DPX and 16-bit/32-bit float OpenEXR files.
    • Packed / RAW: This option is similar to Uncompressed but generates 12-bit packed DPX and 16-bit/32-bit float RAW RGB files.

Notes regarding the use of DNxHD and DNxHR as an intermediate format (Linux only):

• Anything cached at HD resolution (1920x1080 or 1280x720), DNxHD is used. Everything else uses DNxHR.
• If you plan on using interlaced material in your project, avoid the DNxHD 36 and DNxHD 440 intermediates, or DNxHR. They do not support interlaced material, and any interlaced frame will be stored using one of the Alternate Formats, negating any space-saving advantage coming from using a compressed intermediate format. The other formats support mixing interlaced and progressive material.

Format Restriction:	Description:
Maximum Width	Displays the maximum width of a frame for it to use the Preferred Format. A frame wider than this is written using one of the Alternate Formats. None indicates that the preferred format is always used, unless the bit depth do not match the Depths field. See also the above note regarding DNxHD/DNxHR.
Maximum Height	Displays the maximum height of a frame for it to use the Preferred Format. Any frame bigger than this is written using one of the Alternate Formats. None indicates that the preferred format is always used, unless the bit depth do not match the Depths field. See also the above note regarding DNxHD/DNxHR.
Depths	Displays the bit depth required for a frame to use the Preferred Format. Frames with a bit depth that is either higher or lower than the ones listed are written using one of the Alternate Formats.
Alternate Formats	Displays the fallback formats used to cache or render frames that do not match the defined Bit Depth. The application follows a specific fallback strategy, based on the bit depth of the frame and the displayed formats: DPX, OpenEXR, RAW: DPX for 8-, 10-, and 12-bit frames. OpenEXR for 16-bit floating point frames, RAW for 12-bit packed ones. DPX, RAW: DPX for 8-, 10-, and 12-bit frames. RAW for 12-bit packed, 16-bit floating point, and higher. Note that 12-bit packed frames are always stored as RAW.