AnimeStudio to DVD
Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 9:54 am
Here's how to go from AnimeStudio to dvd using all freeware tools.
(these programs are pc based but these settings could be used for mac and linux software)
Tools needed...
HC
VideoCalc
AviSynth
VirtualDub
VirtualDub Gamma Filter (put the gamma filter in VirtualDub's plug-in folder)
BeSweet
AnimeStudio
1.) Export from AnimeStudio at 24fps or 30fps for NTSC and 25fps for PAL.
2.A) Resolutions to export at from AnimeStudio... (we'll resize to proper DVD resolution later)
NTSC 4:3 720x540.
NTSC 16:9 960x540.
PAL 4:3 768x576
PAL 16:9 1024x576
2.B) If you want better anti-aliasing, export at double the width and height. (we'll resize down later)
3.) If your animation lacks gradient colors and has a flat vector style, like something you would see in flash animation. Go to the "Project Settings" and add a bit of "Noise grain". (not a lot. just enough where you can see it close up. this should help with the dvd encoding bitrate later.)
I export without any compression myself. But if you must, use the Lagarith codec.
VirtualDub
1.) Open your video in VirtualDub.
2.) Select "Video, Frame Rate..., Convert to fps:" and type in...
(NTSC, if you animation was 30fps, type 29.97)
(NTSC, if you animation was 24fps, type 23.976)
(PAL, no need to change, as it should stay at 25fps).
Select "OK".
3.) Select the "resize" filter. Type in 720x480 for NTSC or 720x576 for PAL. Make sure the "Filter mode" is set to "Precise bilinear". Select "OK".
(Precise bilinear filter gives a little softer anti-aliasing effect)
4.)(if your pc display isn't calibrated you may need to to this. the figure I've given is an example. as an uncalibrated pc display tends to be too bright.)
Select the "gamma" filter. Check the "link" box. Change the value from 1.0 to about 0.80.
5.) (skip this if you already exported from AnimeStudio using the "NTSC safe colors" feature) (although it's best to do it here in VirtualDub then in AnimeStudio because resizing can cause pixels to go out of the 16-235 range)
Select "Video, Filters, Add...". Select the "levels" filter. Output levels, 16 low and 235 high. Select "OK".
Make sure to add the filters in that order.
I export without any compression again. But if you must, use the Lagarith codec.
(video may look squished but don't worry, this is proper for dvd and will be fixed after encoding, as tv's don't have square pixels)
Create AviSynth Script
1.) Open notepad and type... (without quotes)
"AviSource("C:\ "your path" \video.avi")"
"ConvertToYV12()"
Make sure to change "your path" to the location of your video file.
Save it as, File Name: "video.avs" (without quotes) and File Type: "All Files".
Calculate Bitrate
1.) Open the calculator type in the length of your video and disc being used and so forth. Either write down the bitrate settings or remember them. As well as the audio settings. You'll need to know these for the HC encoder and BeSweet. Also, in the calculator there's an option for "Other Assets". Make sure to leave enough room for the menu or anything extra you plan to add. (192kbps is good enough for dvd audio)
HC Encoder
1.) Input: Open the "video.avs" in HC.
2.) Output: Save it as whatever you like.
3.) UnCheck the "interlace" option, as the source is progressive. (if 23.976 fps use "3:2 pulldown")
4.) Check the "autogop" if not already.
5.) Go to the "Advance" tab and set the "scan method" for "zigzag".
6.) Set the other settings based off your calculater settings.
7.) I always select the "make DVD compliant" button to make sure all is well.
8.) Select the "encode" button.
BeSweet
1.) Open your audio in BeSweet and encode it to an AC3 using the same settings you used in the calculator.
I prefer the BeLight gui. Just add the BeSweet files to the BeLight folder in order to use it.
DVD Authoring
You're now ready to open your new audio and video files in a dvd authoring program where you can create menus and so forth. Here's a list... http://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=2#2
Just remember you might have to set a delay to the audio when authoring. So test your final work before burning to dvd. I burn to DVD-RW to test on my tv to make sure brightness and other things are alright. This will save you from wasting a non re-writable dvd disc.
(these programs are pc based but these settings could be used for mac and linux software)
Tools needed...
HC
VideoCalc
AviSynth
VirtualDub
VirtualDub Gamma Filter (put the gamma filter in VirtualDub's plug-in folder)
BeSweet
AnimeStudio
1.) Export from AnimeStudio at 24fps or 30fps for NTSC and 25fps for PAL.
2.A) Resolutions to export at from AnimeStudio... (we'll resize to proper DVD resolution later)
NTSC 4:3 720x540.
NTSC 16:9 960x540.
PAL 4:3 768x576
PAL 16:9 1024x576
2.B) If you want better anti-aliasing, export at double the width and height. (we'll resize down later)
3.) If your animation lacks gradient colors and has a flat vector style, like something you would see in flash animation. Go to the "Project Settings" and add a bit of "Noise grain". (not a lot. just enough where you can see it close up. this should help with the dvd encoding bitrate later.)
I export without any compression myself. But if you must, use the Lagarith codec.
VirtualDub
1.) Open your video in VirtualDub.
2.) Select "Video, Frame Rate..., Convert to fps:" and type in...
(NTSC, if you animation was 30fps, type 29.97)
(NTSC, if you animation was 24fps, type 23.976)
(PAL, no need to change, as it should stay at 25fps).
Select "OK".
3.) Select the "resize" filter. Type in 720x480 for NTSC or 720x576 for PAL. Make sure the "Filter mode" is set to "Precise bilinear". Select "OK".
(Precise bilinear filter gives a little softer anti-aliasing effect)
4.)(if your pc display isn't calibrated you may need to to this. the figure I've given is an example. as an uncalibrated pc display tends to be too bright.)
Select the "gamma" filter. Check the "link" box. Change the value from 1.0 to about 0.80.
5.) (skip this if you already exported from AnimeStudio using the "NTSC safe colors" feature) (although it's best to do it here in VirtualDub then in AnimeStudio because resizing can cause pixels to go out of the 16-235 range)
Select "Video, Filters, Add...". Select the "levels" filter. Output levels, 16 low and 235 high. Select "OK".
Make sure to add the filters in that order.
I export without any compression again. But if you must, use the Lagarith codec.
(video may look squished but don't worry, this is proper for dvd and will be fixed after encoding, as tv's don't have square pixels)
Create AviSynth Script
1.) Open notepad and type... (without quotes)
"AviSource("C:\ "your path" \video.avi")"
"ConvertToYV12()"
Make sure to change "your path" to the location of your video file.
Save it as, File Name: "video.avs" (without quotes) and File Type: "All Files".
Calculate Bitrate
1.) Open the calculator type in the length of your video and disc being used and so forth. Either write down the bitrate settings or remember them. As well as the audio settings. You'll need to know these for the HC encoder and BeSweet. Also, in the calculator there's an option for "Other Assets". Make sure to leave enough room for the menu or anything extra you plan to add. (192kbps is good enough for dvd audio)
HC Encoder
1.) Input: Open the "video.avs" in HC.
2.) Output: Save it as whatever you like.
3.) UnCheck the "interlace" option, as the source is progressive. (if 23.976 fps use "3:2 pulldown")
4.) Check the "autogop" if not already.
5.) Go to the "Advance" tab and set the "scan method" for "zigzag".
6.) Set the other settings based off your calculater settings.
7.) I always select the "make DVD compliant" button to make sure all is well.
8.) Select the "encode" button.
BeSweet
1.) Open your audio in BeSweet and encode it to an AC3 using the same settings you used in the calculator.
I prefer the BeLight gui. Just add the BeSweet files to the BeLight folder in order to use it.
DVD Authoring
You're now ready to open your new audio and video files in a dvd authoring program where you can create menus and so forth. Here's a list... http://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=2#2
Just remember you might have to set a delay to the audio when authoring. So test your final work before burning to dvd. I burn to DVD-RW to test on my tv to make sure brightness and other things are alright. This will save you from wasting a non re-writable dvd disc.