Creating Proxy Footage

You can create a low-resolution version of the footage for quicker feedback and lower memory requirements. You do this in the Make Proxy dialog.

For example, if you are working with a film-resolution workspace, you can open the film-size layers, and use the Make Proxy dialog to render a D1 NTSC or other-sized version to disk from the original footage. You can then switch between the full size version and the proxy as needed.

To make a proxy for a layer:

1. Select the Footage operator and show the Footage Controls panel.
2. Click the Make Proxy button.



The Make Proxy dialog appears.



3. Select a file format from the Format list. Click the Options button to set the compression options for the selected format.
4. Select a frame size from the Frame Size list. To use a custom frame size, enter a value in the Width and Height fields.
5. Click the Lock button to maintain the footage aspect ratio when you enter custom height or width values.
6. Set the bit depth if necessary.
7. Specify the filename and location for the proxy. You can enter a file path, or click Browse and navigate to the location where you want to store the proxy.
8. Click Process.

The system renders a proxy of the selected layer. When rendering is complete, the proxy is inserted in place of the original footage (the footage is pixelated).

To switch back to the full resolution footage:

1. In the Workspace panel, select the Footage operator for the footage you want to replace.

The Footage Controls panel appears.

2. Select Main from the Toggle Footage list to the left of the footage filename.



The system replaces the low-resolution footage with the original, high-resolution footage.

Note: You can also use this list when you want to work with solid footage for improved viewport performance (for example, while setting up a complex layer animation for a composite). To work with the solid footage in place of your footage, select Solid.