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Supported File Formats

This page lists the file formats supported by Flame.

Important: Codecs marked with an asterisk (*) are not available in the Trial or the Educational versions of Flame. You can neither import nor export files encoded with these codecs.



Importing 16-bit Integer Media

By default, Flame interprets 16-bit integer media as 12-bit. This means that whenever you look at 16-bit integer media through MediaHub, the Bit Depth column displays 12-bit. In the Preview's Metadata tab, the File Bit Depth field always displays the actual bit depth of the file.

When you import 16-bit integer media, you can:

  • Promote 16i media to 16f in order to maximize the precision available for compositing, by applying a colour transform. See Converting Images Between 12i or 16i and 16f Encodings.
  • Set the MediaHub's Bit Depth box to 32-bit fp. This stores the 16-bit integer information in a 32-bit floating point buffer. It is lossless, but a 32-bit fp buffer requires more memory, and can have an impact on performance.
  • Import the media using the default conversion to 12-bit integer. This process is perceptually negligible, as only the 4-least significant digits are discarded.



Action Formats

Format Extension Import Export Note
3ds Max .3ds yes yes (camera data only)  
Alembic .abc yes no Supports version 1.5.4
Filmbox .fbx yes yes Supports version 2020.3.2
Inventor .iv yes no  
Scalable Vector Graphics .svg yes no  
Substance Engine Substance engine is compatible with Substance 8.6.5.
UDIM .tx, .txr, .txt yes yes Level of Detail is not supported: level 0 is automatically loaded.
Wavefront .obj yes no  

Sequence Exchange Formats

FormatExtensionImportExport
Advanced Authoring Format.aafyes
  • Supports importing AAF from Avid Media Composer version 7 or newer.
  • Limited support:
    • Adobe Premiere Pro CC (version 2017 and later)
    • Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve (version 12.5 and later)

    See here for additional information.

yes

The exported AAF can be imported in:

  • Avid Media Composer (version 8 and later)
  • Avid ProTools (version 12.2 and later)
  • Adobe Premiere Pro CC (version 2017 and newer)
  • Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve (version 11 and later)
  • Filmlight Baselight
Editorial Decision List.edlyesyes

Supported formats:

  • ALE (Avid Log Exchange) —import only
  • CMX 340
  • CMX 3600 —recommended format for import; default for export
  • CMX OMNI (ASCII version)
  • EDM (edit) —import only
  • GVG 4 and GVG 4 Plus (v4.1 or higher)
  • SONY 900 / 910 / 5000 / 9000 / 9100
  • SONY 9000 Plus (v2.21 or higher)

CMX 3600 is the default export format. To use another one, you must generate a customized EDL.

Final Cut Pro XML.xmlyes

Supports Apple Final Cut Pro .xml files.

Supports Adobe Premiere CC 2017 .xml files.

no
Final Cut Pro X XML.fcpxmlyes
  • Supports XML version 1.6 (from Final Cut Pro X version 10.3.) and earlier.
yes

The exported .fcpxml file uses version 1.5 of the XML format.

The exported XML file can be imported in:

  • Apple Final Cut Pro X (version 10.1 and later)
  • Black Magic DaVinci Resolve (version 11 and later)

Image Sequence

FormatExtensionImportExportDepth
Alias®.alsyesyes8 bits
ARRIRAW.ari

.arx

yesno12, 16fp bits
Note:
  • Uses SDK version 7.1.1 for LogC3 and LogC4. Uses SDK version 6 for legacy and previously imported content.
  • MediaHub always presents the sequence as a clip, never as a series of RAW images.
  • .arx files are ARRIRAW files encoded using Codex High Density Encoding (HDE). .arx files are processed like .ari files: import options set for .ari files apply to .arx files. For additional information, see Codex HDE website.
Cineon®.cinyesyes10 bits
DPX.dpxyesyes8, 10, 12, 16i bits and ADX encoding.
Note: 8, 10, 12, and 16i bits support alpha, including 12-bit DPX (packed) from CODEX recorders. Export supports 12-bit packed compression format, but only as RGB without alpha.
DPX - Single channel.dpxyesnoSee Note.
Note: Monochromatic DPX files from the following film scanners have been validated:
  • FilmLight Northlight (10 & 16-bit)
  • DigitalFilmTechnology SCANITY™ (10 & 16-bit)
  • Imagica (8, 10 & 16-bit)
  • Laser Graphics (8, 10 & 16-bit)

Lustre supports single channel DPX files only when imported through Wiretap Gateway.

Open Clip.clipyesyesn/a
HDR.hdryesno32 bits
JPEG.jpgyesyes8 bits

Exif metadata is displayed in MediaHub Preview Metadata.

OpenEXR.exryesyes
Note: Filmlight Baselight: only imports single part OpenEXR. This means that only RGBA OpenEXR exported from Flame Family are available in Baselight. Multi-Channel OpenEXR from Media Export and Write File node are Multi-parts, and not supported by Baselight.
8, 10, 12u, 12, 16fp, 32fp, 32i bits

RGB, RGBA, and multi-channel

Note: 32-bit int channels are converted to 32-bit fp, making it possible to use passes such as ObjectID.
Note:
  • SDK version: 3.2.1 in 2025 and 2025.1 Update, 3.2.4 in 2025.2 Update.
  • You can access RGB and RGBA channels from a multi-part file; each part appears as a track of a multi-track clip in the MediaHub file browser.
  • Deep pixel channels are not supported and are not displayed.
  • Import and export both support 32-bit floating point channels.
  • You can access non-RGBA channels located at the root of the channels hierarchy.
  • Flame reads frame rate and timecode information from the header of an OpenEXR file, when one of the following frame rates is used: 23.97 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 30. It also supports writing that same information on export.
Photoshop.psdyesno8 or 16i bits

RGB and RGBA

Note: Supports both flattened and layered files. Rasterize any layer with shapes before saving the file to make sure those elements are available in Flame.

Exif metadata is displayed in MediaHub Preview Metadata.

Pict (Macintosh®).pictyesyes8 bits
Note: Supports alpha.
Pixar.pxryesyes8 bits
Note: Supports alpha.
Portable Network Graphics.pngyesyes8 or 16i bits
Note: Supports alpha.
SGI®.sgiyesyes8 or 16i bits
Note: Supports alpha.
Softimage®.picyesyes8 bits
Note: Supports alpha.
TARGA®.tgayesyes8 bits
Note: Supports alpha.
Tdi/Maya®.iffyesno8 or 16i bits
Note: Supports alpha.
Tiff.tifyesyes8, 16i, or 32fp bits

Supports both contiguous (interleaved) and planar storage configurations.

Note: Supports alpha.

Exif metadata is displayed in MediaHub Preview Metadata.

Wavefront®.rlayesyes8 or 16i bits
Note: Supports alpha.
Note: When rendering multi-channel clips from Batch (Write and Render Nodes), the channels are named "rgba", "rgba_alpha","rgba2", "rgba2_alpha", etc.



QuickTime

FormatExtensionImportExportDepth
Uncompressed 8-bit RGB (RAW).movyesyes 
Note: Supports alpha both RGB and RGBA import and export.
Uncompressed 8-bit VUY (2VUY).movyesyes8-bit packed
Note: 4:2:2 codec.
Uncompressed 8-bit YUV (YUV2).movyesyes8-bit packed
Note: 4:2:2 codec.
Uncompressed 10-bit RGB (R210).movyesyes 
Uncompressed 10-bit YUV (V210).movyesyes10-bit packed
Note: 4:2:2 codec.
Apple Animation.movyesno 
Note: Supports alpha.
Apple Graphics.movyesno 
Apple® Video.movyesno 
Cinepak.movyesno 
Component Y’CbCr 8-bit 4:4:4.movyesno8-bit planar
Component Y’CbCrA 8-bit 4:4:4:4.movyesno8-bit planar
Component Y’CbCr 10-bit 4:4:4.movyesno10-bit packed
Component Y’CbCr 10-bit 4:2:2.movyesno10-bit packed
DV 25.movyesyes 
Note: NTSC & PAL

Although the specifications allow the DV format to be field 1 or 2, the industry standard is "bottom first". Thus, before exporting to Flame, ensure that the clip is Field 2. Reformat, if necessary.

DVCPRO 50.movyesyes 
Note: NTSC & PAL
DVCPRO HD.movyesyes 
DNxHD.movyesyesRGB 8 and 10 bits
Note: Includes support for the following varieties: 36, 60, 75, 80, 85, 90, 90x, 100, 110, 110x, 115, 145, 175, 175x, 185, 185x, 220, 220x, 444 (sometimes known as 350x).
DNxHR.movyesyes8, 10, or 12 bits
Note: Supports the DNxHR family: 444, HQX, HQ, SQ, and LB. Supports import of Avid-created DNxHR files that are 10- or 12-bit.
H.264*.movyesyes 
IMX.movyesyes 
Note: Includes support for IMX 30, 40, and 50. When exporting, the Scan Mode box is ignored: NTSC clips are always exported as F2 dominant, while PAL clips are always exported as F1 dominant.
MJPEG.movyesyes 
Note: JPEG compatible
MPEG-1*.movyesno 
MPEG-4*.movyesyes 
MSMpeg 4v3 (DivX)*.movyesno 
PhotoJPEG.movyesno 
Note: RT PhotoJPEG compatible
PNG.movyesyes 
Note: Without alpha channel support
PNGA.movyesyes 
Note: With alpha channel support
ProRes 4444 (XQ).movyesyes12-bit
Note: Import and export support constant and variable bit rates, CBR and VBR.
ProRes 4444.movyesyes12-bit
Note: Import and export support constant and variable bit rates, CBR and VBR.
ProRes 422 (HQ).movyesyes10-bit
Note: Import and export support constant and variable bit rates, CBR and VBR.
ProRes 422.movyesyes10-bit
Note: Import and export support constant and variable bit rates, CBR and VBR.
ProRes 422 (LT).movyesyes10-bit
Note: Import and export support constant and variable bit rates, CBR and VBR.
ProRes 422 (Proxy).movyesyes10-bit
Note: Import and export support constant and variable bit rates, CBR and VBR.
QuickTime Planar RGB.movyesno 
TGA.movyesno 
XDCAM*.movyesno 
XDCAM HD*.movyesno 
XDCAM EX*.movyesno 
Note: There is no essence-mode browsing in a QuickTime XDCAM EX.
XAVC*.movyesyes 

The Supported QuickTime Audio table lists the audio codecs supported in QuickTime files.

Movie files using non-supported frame rate, such as 120fps, play back at the project rate. For example, a 1 second 120fps .mov file imported in a 24fps project takes up 5 seconds on the timeline.

Important: Movie files that contain multiple compressions are not supported and may display as checkerboard when scrubbed in MediaHub. Such files are usually created by exporting a sequence made of different DNxHD / DNxHR media from Avid Media Composer, with the Same as Source export option.

Material Exchange Format

FormatExtensionImportExportDepth
AVC-Intra 50*.mxfyesyes 
Note: Panasonic P2.

Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.

AVC-Intra 100*.mxfyesyes 
Note: Panasonic P2. Import includes support for 1080/60p. Import supports OP1atom format.

Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.

AVC-Intra 200*.mxfyesno 
Note: Panasonic P2. Supports 1080/25p, 1080/30p, 720/50p, and 720/60p.

Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.

AVC-Intra 4:2:2 HD*mxfyesno 
Note: Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.
AVC-Intra LT*mxfyesno 
Note: The AVC-Intra LT format maps the complete raw image to a half-height 422 image when recording. To import the media at its full resolution, enable Image Scale to Full Resolution in Format Specific Options for Panasonic.

Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.

AVC-Intra2K*.mxfyesno 
Note: Supports the VariCam 35 and HS, both 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 flavours.

Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.

AVC-Intra4K*.mxfyesno 
Note: Supports the VariCam 35 and HS, both 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 flavours.

Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.

AVC-LongG*.mxfyesno 
Note: Export supports does not support Legal range, only Full range.
ARRIRAW.mxfyesno 
Note:
Canon XF-AVC*.mxfyesno 
Note:
  • Supports both Intra and Long GOP flavours
  • Supports spanned clips.
  • Importing Cinema Raw Light (CRM) files require the use of MediaReactor for decoding.
DNxHD.mxfyesyes 
Note:
  • SDK version: 2.7.0.10
  • Includes support for the following varieties: LB, TR, SQ, HQ, HQX, 444.
  • Supports DNxHD in .mxf files from ARRI ALEXA cameras.
  • Supports OP1a media files from Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve and from Avid Media Composer.
  • In MXF OP1atom files generated by Avid Media Composer, audio tracks appear in the MediaHub as a single audio channel file (A1). But once imported, the tracks display the original channels.
DNxHR.mxfyesyes8, 10, or 12 bits
Note:
  • SDK version: 2.7.0.10
  • Supports the DNxHR family: 444, HQX, HQ, SQ, and LB.
  • Supports import of Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve DNxHR files, but only if they are OP1a (OP1atom files from DaVinci Resolve are not supported).
  • Supports import of Avid-created DNxHR files that are 10- or 12-bit, using OP1a or OP1atom.
DNxUncompressed.mxfyesno

YCbCr (4:2:2):

  • 8-bit
  • 10-bit
  • 12-bit
Note: 16-bit and 32-bit floating point YCbCr files are not supported.

RGB (4:4:4):

  • 8-bit
  • 10-bit
  • 12-bit
  • 16-bit (seen as 32-bit fp in Flame Family products)
  • 32-bit floating point
Note: RGB DNxUncompressed files with floating point bit depth are always imported as Full range: setting Include YUV Headroom is ignored. RGB integer and YCbCr DNxUncompressed media files are imported as Full or Legal range; use Include YUV Headroom to set the range to import.
DV 25.mxfyesno 
Note: Panasonic P2
DVCPRO.mxfyesyes 
Note: Panasonic P2
DVCPRO 50.mxfyesyes 
Note: Panasonic P2 (PAL & NTSC)
DVCPRO HD.mxfyesyes 
Note: Panasonic P2. Available in 1080p@25/50, 1080p@24/30/60, 720p@25/50, and 720p@24/30/60.
ProRes 4444 (XQ).mxfyesno12-bit
ProRes 4444.mxfyesno12-bit
ProRes 422 (HQ).mxfyesno10-bit
ProRes 422.mxfyesno10-bit
ProRes 422 (LT).mxfyesno10-bit
ProRes 422 (Proxy).mxfyesno10-bit
SonyRAW.mxfyesno 
Note:
  • SDK version: 7.1
  • SonyRAW support includes the Sony VENICE 2 and HFR clips, the Sony F-series cameras, and other Sony cameras that output SonyRAW.
  • Supports the SonyRAW X-OCN LT codec from the Sony BURANO camera and X-OCN LT, ST and XT from Sony VENICE cameras.
XAVC*.mxfyesyes 
Note: Includes support for Sony XAVC-Long format.
XDCAM*.mxfyesno 
Note: MPEG-2 IMX-30, IMX-40, and IMX-50
XDCAM HD*.mxfyesyes 
Note: MPEG-2 Long GOP. Import supports 4:2:0 and 4:2:2. Export is 4:2:2.
Note: Flame exports MXF as OP1a files (including the timecode). The is audio encoded as PCM, 16-Bit or 24-Bit. Avid applications support OP1atom MXF files: use the AMA MXF plug-in to bring the OP1a files into an Avid application.



MP4

FormatExtensionImportExportDepth
H.264*.mp4yesyes 

On import, if the media uses non-square pixels, set Pixel Ratio From Source for Flame to detect the correct ratio.

10-bit encoded MP4 Not all media players can open H.264 in MP4 generated by the 10-bit encoding profiles. Make sure to have access to the professional codecs to decode these media files.

XAVC-S*.mp4yesno 
Note: Supports up to 4 tracks of 16-bit PCM audio.
XDCAM EX*.mp4yesno 
Note: MPEG-2 Long GOP. Includes supports for High Frame Rate (HFR) media—50p, 59.94p, 60p.—

Other Streaming Codecs

FormatExtensionImportExportDepth
Blackmagic Design RAW.brawyesno 
Note:
  • SDK version: 2.6 in 2025 and 2025.1 Update, 3.6.1 in 2025.2 Update
  • Default colour space is set to BMD Film/WideGamut Gen5.
AVCHD*.mts or .m2tsyesno 
Note: Only linear PCM audio is supported. Some cameras can record AC-3 audio, but this format is not supported: Flame can still access the video portion of the media.
REDCODE.R3Dyesno12, 16fp bits
Note:
  • SDK version: 8.3.1
  • As of the 2020.1 release, the Dragon Enhanced Black option is no longer available when colour science is set to IPP2.
  • Flame uses RED SDK and its Image Processing Pipeline (IPP2). Colour Science 3 is still available, but IPP2 is the recommended setting. With IPP2, you can access the CDL settings.

Audio File Formats

FormatExtensionImportExportDepth
AIFF.aiffyesyes16 or 24 bits
AIFF-C.aifcyesyes16, 24, 32fp bits
Audio Visual Research.avryesyes16 bits
Berkeley/IRCAM/CARL Sound (BISCF).bsfyesyes16 bits
MP3*.mp3yesyes16 bits
Nextsnd.auyesyes16, 24, 32fp bits
WAVE.wavyes 16, 24, 32fp bits
WAVE - Broadcast.wavyesyes16, 24, 32fp bits
Note: Includes support for RF64 files (BWF-compatible format that supports files larger than 4 GB).
WAVE - Extensible.wavyesno16, 24, 32fp bits
Note: Audio tracks are imported as regular audio tracks, without mapping the channels to spatial locations.
Note: Files of any sample rate can be imported, but they are all resampled to 48 kHz.

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