SIMPLE C4D + Redshift ACES to After Effects Workflow

CORRECTION
The way I use the second instance of OpenColorIO is actually clamping a lot of the dynamic range. Here's the fix:
You can leave the first instance of OpenColorIO as is, or change it to "Convert" instead of "Display". Set input to ACEScg and output to ACEScct.
On the second instance, you NEED to use "Convert" instead of "Display", and go from ACEScct to sRGB. This keeps all of that dynamic range and allows for even more flexibility than I show in the video.
This method rebuilds the "Un-tone-mapped" view from Redshift Renderview instead of the ACES 1.0 SDR Video view and doesn't clamp any of the dynamic range. So if you plan to make adjustments in AE, I'd suggest you work with the Un-tone-mapped view enabled in Renderview to be seeing the same image you'll ultimately have inside of AE.
---------------------------------------
OpenColorIO for After Effects: fnordware.blogspot.com/2012/05...
---------------------------------------
Use code BARTLETT50 to save $50 off any session-based course at School of Motion through the end of 2023! www.schoolofmotion.com/courses
---------------------------------------
Are you fed up with rendering out of Cinema 4D using Redshift renderer, only to see a completely different looking render in After Effects? Have you been completely confused by what ACES is? In this tutorial, I'm going to show you my complete workflow for rendering in the ACES color space using Redshift in C4D, and how to maintain the same image after importing it into After Effects for grading and compositing. I'll even show you how to take advantage of the massive amount of dynamic range ACES offers, and how to set it all up in a preset so you never have to think about the process again.
---------------------------------------
🤝 Support more KZbin tutorials through Patreon: / jakeinmotion
🎓 Learn from me in other places:
Skillshare: bit.ly/jbskill
Explainer Camp: www.schoolofmotion.com/explai...
Photoshop + Illustrator Unleashed: www.schoolofmotion.com/photos...
🚶 Follow me online:
Instagram: bit.ly/jbinst
Twitter: bit.ly/2tOX7ui
🏷️ Tag me on Instagram @jakeinmotion if you learned something from me!
---------------------------------------
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:20 Sponsored segment
01:06 Simple scenes
02:42 View transforms
03:30 Rec709 vs ACES
04:45 More complex scenes
06:15 Redshift render settings
07:21 C4D render options
09:50 After Effects setup
11:43 ACES to sRGB adjustment layer
13:48 Color correction with ACES
17:46 TL;DW
20:14 Wrap-up

[@bilalhassadeya3804]

one note, it's better not to cover to log, because then you will lose a lot of the dynamic range, you should chose Aces cct instead

[@JakeInMotion]

I just did a side by side test and you're right. Thanks for the correction. I wish I had realized that before, but hopefully everyone watching this video will see this pinned comment. So, you can leave the first instance of OpenColorIO as is or change it to "Convert" instead of "Display" and go from ACEScg to ACEScct. On the second instance, You NEED to use "Convert" instead of "Display", and go from ACEScct to sRGB. This keeps all of that dynamic range and allows for even more flexibility than I showed in the video. My original method rebuilds the ACES 1.0 SDR Video view from Redshift Renderview inside of AE. The corrected method rebuilds the Un-tone-mapped view from renderview in AE, so you'll likely want to work in that view in C4D so you're seeing the same image you'll ultimately have in AE.

[@bilalhassadeya3804]

@@JakeInMotion thank you

[@lma4217]

I think all these instructions about cc in AE are wrong. There are no high dynamic range and ACES magic when I use this method.(aseccg to acescct; cc; acescct to srgb; linearize ) Only artefacts and blinding white when I set exposure to 3+. But If I use cc on a raw material from render, and then convert acescg to srgb + linearize, I have a lot of control.

[@shebbe]

@@lma4217 exposure with gain math should be done in linear. the equivalent of that in log would be offset. that's why you found it to give better results under the cg to cct conversion. You should also use the Exposure effect and not Lumetri's exposure because it's math is not suitable. A lot of other colorgrading operations are preferable in log though and a lot trickier in linear.

[@tim_parker]

i think i unerstood. i should leave one opencolorio. Choose Convert - input space: ACEScg Out space : ACEScct Correct?

[@gabrielsmetzer4137]

Honestly this workflow setup, particularly in AE is ridiculous. AE and C4D need to make this easy for artists.

[@ChrisSh1984]

This is amazing! Sometimes I get really mixed results with ACES after following overly complicated tutorials and end up just using the classic linear sRGB workflows. Thank you for this!!!!

[@nickli682]

Great tutorial! It also brings up the BIGGEST ELEPHANT in the room. After Effects still hasn't adapted to the industry standard Aces workflow in 2022! They really should have made the process easier and faster.

[@BeastyBite]

it's not "industry standard." the world is bigger than one country

[@nickli682]

@@BeastyBite I thought Aces has been dapated into lots of DCC and nuke/fusion.

[@zohaibmalik819]

Nice tutorial. Really interested in learning more AE + C4D videos workflows.

[@KerndtDesignCo]

Thanks Jake! Really helpful. Like that you added the summary at the end. Will be nice to go back a quickly check my settings.

[@hosseineditor2165]

Wow thank you Jake. Hope to see a lot videos of C4D and integration between C4D and Ae

[@Jos3CG]

Thank you very much for simplifying as much as possible!

[@charlesm835]

Perfect breakdown. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@stevenzheng1634]

I've been looking for a lot of video explanations on ACES before, and almost no one mentioned the question that the screen looks closer to gray. This video gives me a good answer, thank you very much.

[@glacies1356]

Thank you. Finally found a superb lecture on Aces in RS and AE. You explained it so extremely well, it finally clicked for me.

[@driggsy]

Thank you for this tutorial! Also noted the update in the description and it worked perfectly 👏

[@lukehallmedia]

Thank you for the in-depth explanation! It's an over-complicated thing that makes me want to rip my hair out but you helped make it easy to implement ~

[@briantriesart]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@JoshFryer]

Priceless video, my friend! Much appreciated!

[@mistergeneric]

So good! As always. Thanks, Jake!

[@GustavoHenrique-ub8ts]

Thank you so much for this vid Jake. Huge Thumbs Up!!!

[@fandrade15]

Amazing and really useful content!!! Thank you so much!

[@madrobots7919]

Thank you very much. You've been very helpful

[@carloshidalgo92]

Being Honest, It took me a while to get it. Like more than usual, today, after around two weeks of trying, at the 14 time I see this video.... I think I can say it works. Lumetric color doesn't work, but I can use levels and curves and I think it looks great. Thanks

[@nathanpizar4630]

That was the sound of a bunch of heads exploding LOL. Good stuff, man. Very different than your typical content!

[@StepanHKA]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@ukaszkondek807]

Great explanation!

[@jerryhunter1114]

Solid tutorial, thank you! Question, I notice you have clean and clear AOV's and I can not figure out how to denoise my AOV's. I've watched tutorials and have applied to the denoiser and I get a lovely beauty pass but the AOV's look awful. Any links or advice that specifically address AOV denoising?

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

Thanks for this. I prefer to bake the view transform into the final render and not do ACES in AE. Am I correct to use color space set to "none" in my comps?

[@paigehwang_art3598]

You saved me ! X_X thank you so much for this video.

[@jakejakejakejakejakejake]

DUDE! Wonderful video!!! Thank you so much! ^_^ XOXO

[@BVCStudios]

Thank you for this…one thing shouldn’t the working space be set to ACEScg? Wouldn’t that negate the need for the later correction due to,the double gamma?

[@AndrewHoeveler]

On macOS the file path for the redshift OCIO config file is: /Applications/redshift/Data/OCIO/

[@JoelDanielsArtventures]

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE. Thank you. So informative.

[@_Rebelmedia_]

Christ, bro.. Well done..

[@pelolocoblue]

Amazing

[@GermanoHeitor]

Thanks!

[@nuccisimone]

Hello, thank you very much for your tutorial. I am still struggling with your setup! I tried to go through all your steps but I have a problem when I try to use Red giant Looks. When the "Linearize Working space" is enabled in the project settings, RG Looks shows me a completely different color space and makes it impossible for me to color correct the composition. Do you have any idea how to set this properly?

[@Oldyellowbrick]

You probably have an older version of RG Looks…Either that or you’ve missed it…When you open the looks window look at the bottom and you should see input and output at either side of where you add your adjustments that’s where you tell looks what your working with.

[@tim_parker]

Hello. I have saw your video, thank you for your work. I have some problems with iimport EXR. Can you help me? When i imported exr i can;t find contact sheet :( what can i do wrong? I do everything like you.

[@guybruggemann7305]

You forgot to mention how exporting from AE is done. Am I stuck to exporting 32 bit EXR's because when I export to proresss4444 my whites are being clipped.

[@m4r_art]

The last 3 minutes= Pain and Gratification

[@AshleyGlover]

Fantastic Tutorial. Is there a tut which focuses on Photoshop side of things?

[@polystormstudio]

I guess not

[@mattgase3201]

Hey Jake! Cool Tutorial. It works for me right up until I render the final out of After Effects- then it is completely washed out. Tried AVI and Quicktime MOV. Is there an additional setting/technique to render the final output?

[@yaroslava7395]

Hey👀 i have the same problem! did you find a solution?

[@mattgase3201]

@@yaroslava7395 Yup found it. When you add something to the Render Queue, under "Output Module"- in the menu that pops up, there should be two tabs, "Main Options" and "Color Management". Under Color Management there is an option for "Preserve RGB (disable color management conversions for this item)". I believe setting this ON is what you are going for, but either switching that on or off was the key for me.

[@kir11]

GOOOOODDDD!!!!

[@dermotfaloon_streetmonkey]

Great - you doing an Octane one too? I find that the colour tools - especially colorista work best above the ACES on an adjustment but control the light, exposure and shadows etc with ACES either lumetri or colorista etc. Colour work inside aces seems to be more like overlays of the colour rather than what you artistically expect.

[@JakeInMotion]

I've never used Octane 😆

[@sjorsemmers6430]

new plastic has an octane tutorial

[@dermotfaloon_streetmonkey]

@@sjorsemmers6430 LOL - already annoyed him on this subject - waiting for PT2. :)

[@skinnykid5971]

Hey Jake! Thanks for the walkthrough! One quick question: is there any specific reason for choosing “Display ACES-sRGB-Log” for your Lin to log modification transform as opposed to “CONVERT ACEScg-ACEScct” instead? From a grading perspective aren’t you then losing the toe in the shadows as a result, regardless of the ODT’s input space? Just curious. Thx!

[@JakeInMotion]

Hey, so I wish I had a better answer but the truth is I was just following the steps found in the Redshift user guide. I doubt they would suggest a method that would degrade the dynamic range, but it's worth testing both ways to see if you can tell a difference. Let me know if you find anything out!

[@skinnykid5971]

@@JakeInMotion I agree. Without an actual prefabbed pipeline in AE, set up by AE lol, it makes the process a bit more amoebic. On the other hand, having things less restrictive or more open to the user lends itself to more creative control. Can’t complain about that. Either way, I’ll definitely A/B this to try to see if there’s any difference in the image/scopes now that I’m even more curious lol! I’ll post what I see in a little bit!

[@skinnykid5971]

@@JakeInMotion Tested it. Makes no difference. Same results both ways. I Also tried it in both ACES color management workflows, and the exposure difference in terms of stops between having the Working color space set to "None" (32 bit, Tetrahedral, Assumed gamma 2.4) and sRGB (32 bit, Tetrahedral, Linearized, Compensate for scene referred On) is noticible. Just eyeballing it, but it looks like almost +2 EV in sRGB to +1 EV in straight OCIO. Much more gradual rolloff and color retention as well.

[@JakeInMotion]

@@skinnykid5971 Thanks for testing that out. I just did a test myself based on another comment and actually found that I indeed was clamping the dynamic range with my method. See the pinned comment or description for the correction.

[@gabriel1812]

Any particular reason to use PXR24 compression? I normally use PIZ

[@michaelwoodruff115]

Great explanation, it is pretty confusing. Have just done a HDR 4K delivery of graphics-only After Effects work, which requires a completely different setup but still a lot of bugs. One thing I noticed is sRGB is at 2.2 gamma within the original colour management of AE, but within the colour profile converter it is 2.1. Do you know why this is?

[@JakeInMotion]

I wish I knew, but color management is an area I am absolutely not an expert in. I'm just happy if colors look the way I expect from design to final render 🙂.

[@shebbe]

sRGB-IEC61966-2.1 is just the name of the sRGB standard. The 2.1 belongs to that name and doesn't indicate what the gamma is. ;)

[@johanvanheerden1]

Thanks Jake, this really is a game changer. Slight issue though - when I export via MediaEncoder the colours are all whack. Is there a step I'm missing?

[@JakeInMotion]

Hm, I wouldn't really be able to tell without more info. How are the colors changing on you?

[@johanvanheerden1]

@@JakeInMotion sorry, I was ver vague. Inside of AE all looks fine in the comp view. When I send to ME and edit the output settings the preview displayed shows a huge loss in white level. Same for the exported file regardless of file type. I learned that exporting directly out of AE did not yield the same error. So that’s a work around. I also have a quest regarding using this ACES workflow when mixing with other graphics not rendered through using redshift and even AE shapes.

[@lexxandera]

I have the same problem! Very frustrating :(

[@pascalfurst7864]

Is there a difference between doing CC between those 2 OpenColor Io plugins compared to doing CC on another adjustment layer that is under it in the layer stack or directly on the layers(as the it is shown in RS manual)? You mentioned the reason when using Lumetrie but is this also true for all the other CC tools?

[@JakeInMotion]

Yes, you actually have to do your color correction prior to converting the image back to sRGB in order to take advantage of the bit depth and dynamic range. You can still add other adjustments above or below that adjustment layer, or even break out the opencolorio effects into separate adjustment layers, but you won't be taking advantage of that dynamic range unless it's applied to the ACES version of the image.

[@pascalfurst7864]

@@JakeInMotion How do you go about adding in grain or Chromatic Abberation...? Do you add those effects prior or after converting it back to sRGB? I tend to do it on top of the finished composite but I'm not sure if that's the "right" way to do it

[@JakeInMotion]

Since those effects don't really affect color or exposure, I do them on top of everything. It's only the effects that adjust the exposure or color/saturation that you'll see a benefit from with ACES. That being said, you should try adding grain between the OpenColorIO effects and see how it compares to applying it overall.

[@davidkerman1732]

Any way you can post a screenshot of the "fixed method". Thanks!

[@filipebezerra]

24k views and just 1k likes? Quite unfair! Let´s give Jake some love guys.

[@micahbartel2485]

For Widows users, if you can't see the Program Data folder directory he shows at 12:30, it's because Windows hides it by default 🙄. In File Explorer, click "view - show - hidden items" and then the Program Data directory will show up in your root Local Disk (C:) folder

[@ekreidler1971]

As an AfterEffects person, this is insanely confusing. I can't get anything to look good in ACES in Redshift...it's all dim and dingy. So far I'm just turning tone mapping off. I'm sure I'm missing some subtleties but it's a big learning curve as opposed to "how it looks is how it looks." Anywhere on SOM to get the basics on 3D color space stuff? It's a nightmare. Thanks for this...it's at least an insight into how much I don't understand :)

[@chrismarano2135]

Hey Jake, does this tutorial still apply to the latest versions of AE and C4D? Have there been any updates to any defaults since, which might change this process?

[@JakeInMotion]

The AR side doesn't really apply anymore because it now supports ACES natively, but everything else should still work.

[@olcay12]

Now in After effect 2023 project menu is different Could we still need this workflow ? Cuz now Open color plugin is not giving same the result what you show in video

[@jonathanbrioschi]

I'm getting a darker image after exporting? Anybody get the same problems?

[@lexxandera]

Yes, it seems to be an encoder issue

[@andrewbatson7458]

After effects has completly updated the color managemnt system since this vid. I'm a little confused on what exactly to select. Any chance of an updated video?

[@valaa]

Here's how I got the exact same output using AE's new color management options. Color Engine: OCIO / Config: Aces 1.3 CG v1.0 / 32 bit / Trilinear / Working Color Space: Scene_linear: ACEScg / Display Color Space: sRGB... ACES 1.0 - SDR Video. Go about your day making edits, then when you export, make sure you change your Output Color Space to sRGB - Display/ACES 1.0 - SDR Video. This doesn't consider the LOG method of color correcting using LUTs. I didn't mess with my comp in that way.

[@abhijeet9859]

which version after effects and c4d ? and pc configurator?

[@Lesllee]

Please, help. What should i install to after effects plug-ins folder to get this plugin inside after effects. Can`t find a solution

[@Mucharyan]

same

[@Lesllee]

@@Mucharyan I found a solution. You just should press at small hyperlink below "Mac | Win"

[@lexxandera]

If i render out a mp4 h.264, it looks totally wrong. What am i missing for that last step? For some reason i can't find the solution. I thought converting it back to srgb would solve that problem? Anybody? Pretty please?

[@harishparray5523]

How to install redshift trial for cinema 4d

[@romanf]

If anyone wondered where the file is located from C4D 2023 onward, it is in: C:\Program Files\Maxon Cinema 4D 2024\Redshift es\core\Data\OCIO. // Except now it doesn't convert anything with this file :/

[@doguiagb7]

Does anyone knows if the After Effects new Color Profile "ACEScg ACES Working Space" overwrites this?

[@JakeInMotion]

Yes, it will break this setup. This technique is meant for working in sRGB, as that's a common final color space for projects on the web.

[@kenpora8514]

I'm kinda confused. The render result is different from "redshift renderview", "picture viewer" and "AE preview"... Meanwile, I've already followed all the steps. 😭

[@22carmoon]

I don’t use Redshift but did you export as an .EXR for the multi pass render? It won’t look the same as in the renderview but once you add the extractor effect in AE it should now look the same.

[@Electricvfx]

Everything looks correct in After effects but when i export to h264 its completely different, how do you deal with that?

[@nickli682]

You can render your sequence as jpg sequence and recompile to video in Premiere/AE, or just export ProRes 422 and transcode to H264 in Encoder. Yes I know this is confusing, Adobe should take the blame.

[@lexxandera]

@@nickli682 so it is a bug? It is really annoying to have that extra step, especially when you have little time.

[@nickli682]

@@lexxandera Agreed. I guess this has to do with video compressions(complex stuff). The safest way to export is always image seuqnece. Sometimes you will also need to check your color management (enbale linear color space) inside AE to see if your final renders look correct.

[@lexxandera]

@@nickli682 hey. I can render mp4 h.264 directly from ae (2023). That works. No need to recompile. I guess once beta has fully implemeted aces in both ae and me, we won't have that problem anymore. So for now, no medie encoder with aces

[@nickli682]

@@lexxandera AE just updated direct h264 export in 2023. I wouldn't recommend using it for final delivery though.

[@fadishammout9902]

can after effects presets lyrics made ?

[@babubatliwala9227]

Is there any plugin or script for 2d cloth simulation in after effects like as we have marvelous designer for 3d cloth simulation or can you make one ? 🌹🌹🙏🙏

[@JakeInMotion]

No, not that I'm aware of. And no, I'm not a programmer 🙂

[@babubatliwala9227]

@@JakeInMotion Hey Jake thnx for replying, ❤❤ Actually i took ur character rigging course using duik on skillshare I really loved it ... As most of my work is about character rigging (Duik) and animation, i was wondering is there any simple way besides frame by frame animation to rig an character wearing a skirt or a cape ?

[@maxime289]

i have just "ACES" in my display panel, i don't have srgb

[@moonsdonut5188]

Jake can you please do some more cinema 4d tutorials for beginners I've been binch watching all of your videos by the way

[@JakeInMotion]

Yes!

[@alfvina]

Yes please cinema4d scares me :”(

[@moonsdonut5188]

@@JakeInMotion yepiiiiiiii!

[@houseofmotion6081]

👍👍👍💪

[@srmotion1150]

The problem with school of motion courses its is a very old version. We are almost in 2023, they need to keep up

[@evolnull125]

Did not get a thing? What language was that?

[@JakeInMotion]

Welcome to color management.

[@diegom.bonati8001]

With this workflow that you propose you lose the look you had in the IPR of C4D, I don't think that those of us who like 3D are going to be helped by this system. It is interesting to gain that dynamic range and use Lumetri in a correct way but not at the cost of losing the look you had in C4D, anyway thanks for the tutorial.

[@hoaeto2180]

You should share the saved AE presets

[@JakeInMotion]

I did over on Patreon, if you're interested.

[@patfish3291]

Use the new Beta of AE and all complicated ACES problems are gone ;-)

[@marpandz8483]

Do a tutorial on your intro mograph

Alternative: C:\ProgramData edshift\Data\OCIO

By the way, best video ever :DDDD

[@synergy_products]

so complicated ... I cant understand why so many steps are needed

[@JakeInMotion]

Honestly I can't either, but the latest version of AE supports ACES natively, so this technique is no longer needed.

[@FlowmasterVFX]

@@JakeInMotion What is now the correct pipeline in the latest AE?

[@oneodido1207]

Iam so so sad that your episodes bout C4d not blender But no worries thanks alot for effects of after effects

[@andrearusky]

why don't you just show the full UI of Cinema 4D.. we don't need to see your face dude!

[@noise2539]

super annoying process

[@andrearusky]

The After Effects part doesn't really look correct, I think you guys should be better the tutorials from "i_go_by_zak" (he's got more experience in post production/compositing)