Online + Conform

Contents

Create a CONFORM sequence
1. Duplicate the locked edit sequence and add _CONFORM to the name
2. Reduce to only the active video and graphics layers in as few tracks as possible
3. put all graphics on a separate track above video
Create a FOR COLOR sequence
1. Duplicate the CONFORM sequence and rename to _FOR COLOR
2. remove all graphics and audio clips
3. remove all color effects from video clips
Export and XML from the FOR COLOR sequence
- Save to: Server > Project > Color > 00 XML
Export a .mp4 reference video from the locked edit sequence
- Save to: Server > Project > Color > 01 Ref
Double check that all your sequences, XMLs, and reference video are properly named

Set Project settings
- Make sure framerate is 23.976
- set the appropriate camera raw settings based on footage
Import raw footage folders into the media pool (right click on folder with footage in DaVinci browser > Add folders and subfolders)
Create a timeline bin and import the XML (File > Import AAF, EDL, XML…)
- In the import timeline settings popup, make sure to uncheck “automatically set project settings” and “automatically import source clips”
Import the reference mp4 as an offline reference clip
Check the timeline against the offline reference clip, relinking clips where necessary
If there are any nested sequences in the timeline, right click > Decompose in place

This step is vital if we are not making full res renders of the footage after the color grade, but a rough conform in DaVinci should be done even on projects with full res renders
Import the reference video as a clip
In the edit tab place the reference video on top of the clips in the timeline and set opacity to difference.
Go through the timeline and make any position or timing changes necessary to match the reference video

Open the deliver tab
Set location to correctly named and organized folder
- Server > Project > Color > 99 Color Renders > Video name
Choose Render > Individual Clips
In video tab:
- Format: Quicktime
- Codec: Apple ProRes 422
- Resolution: 1920×1080 or check “Render at source resolution” (or set custom resolution if necessary)
- Select the appropriate aspect ratio (usually square)
- Add frame handles (usually 12)
- Make sure “Disable edit and input sizing” “Force sizing to highest quality” and “Force debayer to highest quality” are all checked
In File tab:
- Check filename uses “Source Name”
- Check “Use unique filenames”
- Check “Prefix” for “add a unique name”
Click “Add to queue”
Click “Render”
When render is complete, return to the Edit tab
Export an XML from DaVinci to the same folder as the color renders (make sure your XML is for the same video/sequence as the renders you are putting it with)
IMPORTANT: After you make color renders DO NOT make any changes in the timeline in DaVinci such as moving clips around, shifting up or down video layers, disabling or enabling clips, or changing clip lengths. This will not allow new renders to overwrite old ones or stay linked to the XML.

Import the XML you made from DaVinci back into a “Color Renders” folder in Premiere. This will import the color renders into a new sequence based on the XML.
Open the XML sequence and change the color of all color render clips to Mango
Copy the color render clips into your CONFORM sequence, placing them on a track above the original clips
Send the color renders’ opacity to “Difference”
Go through the sequence and make any position or timing changes necessary to match the color render clips to the original clips.
Add warp stabilizer or any other necessary effects that were applied to the original clips. DO NOT apply any color effects that were on the original clips except under special circumstances.
When everything matches up, turn the color renders’ opacity back to “Normal” and disable the original clips beneath the color renders

Updated on July 7, 2021