Media File Formats

Image formats  |  Quicktime  |  Media Foundation  |  Export Formats

Image Formats

The following image file formats are supported for import by PFTrack:

• OpenEXR
• JPEG and JPEG 2000
• TIFF (8, 10 and 16 bit)
• PNG
• DPX and Cineon (8, 10 and 16 bit)
• HDR
• IFF
• SGI (8 and 16 bit)
• Targa

Arri RAW (.ari) and RED R3D are also supported with Studio and Enterprise editions.

Most of these formats are also available for export where supported, and can be used to export undistorted clips or ST-maps. Further details are avaialble in the Scene Export and Footage Export nodes.

QuickTime

QuickTime movies are supported by PFTrack on macOS.

Supported formats/codecs

PFTrack uses Apple's AVFoundation framework to handle Quicktime movies, and as such supports the codecs available through that framework. This includes (amongst others) H.264, H.265, HEVC, JPEG, Apple ProRes 4444, 4444 XQ, 422 HQ, 422, 422 LT and 422 Proxy. Apple ProRes RAW is also supported for read-only.

Additional codecs may also be available through this framework in a read-only capacity.

Bit depth

To enhance PFTrack's ability to deal with bit depth appropriately, a set of codec and bit-depth definitions are defined in the configuration file quicktimePixelTypes.xml located in the application's installation directory.

These definitions can be used to controls the bit-depth used to decode quicktime movies. If codecs are encountered that are not defined in the configuration file, a common fallback default pixel type will be used. This is defined in the quicktimePixelTypes.xml file as the codec type default (RGB 8-bit pixel type).

If an alternative pixel type is required for a specific codec, you can create a new quicktimePixelTypes.xml file in your folder and add a new entry (or modify an existing entry) for the codec you are using. Once changed, restart PFTrack so that it recognises the change.

Media Foundation

Media Foundation movies are supported by PFTrack on Windows.

Supported formats/codecs

On Windows, PFTrack uses Microsoft's Media Foundation framework to read and write movie files, and as such only supports the file formats available through that framework.

This includes AVI and MPEG-4 containers and codecs such as H.264, H.265, HEVC, MJPEG, MPEG-4, and WMV.

Please note: Loading H.265 or HEVC files on Windows may require an additional codec pack to be installed. This codec pack is available through the Microsoft Store.

Export Formats

Supported export data file formats are listed in the Scene Export node. Many exports are provided a Python scripts that can be modified and adjusted as required to fit any particular requirements of your pipeline.

Exports scripts are available for a variety of software packages such as After Effects, Motion, 3DS Max, Maya, Lightwave, Nuke and Houdini.

Many other commonly used universal formats are also supported, such as Alembic, FBX, Collada, GLTF, GLTB and USD, which can be used with a wide range of additional applications such as Blender or Cinema 4D.

Note that whilst specific scripts are available for individual software packages, they may not support as wide a variety of features as universal formats such as Alembic, FBX, or USD. Depending on your workflow, it can often be beneficial to use one of the universal formats supported by your application instead.

More detailed information about individual features of each export format is available in the Scene Export node.