How to output an animation as a 2-pass DivX?

[pentool]

I want to output my animation as a 2-pass DivX. I'm a little puzzled by the 2-pass setup. First I select the DivX codec, and in the setup dialog I specify "Multipass, 1st pass". Then output the animation. So far so good. This creates the 1st pass as an avi file, which is not playable cuz this is just the encoded info for the 1st pass.

So, for the 2nd pass, I again go into the setup dialog, and change 1st pass to "Multipass, Nth pass". Close the dialog, then render again. This time it asks if I want to overwrite the previous avi file (which is the result of the 1st pass).

Is this how I am supposed to do it? If it overwrites the 1st pass data, how the heck is it going to use it for the 2nd pass?

Thanks!

(I know it's not VRay related, but I am double posting this from CGTalk, cuz not sure who knows this process.)

[Shimakaze]

It's simple. You're not supposed to do it.
2 pass encoding requires the same file to be used twice, but when you save a rendering from Max it gets saved directly. You have to either save it as a single pass XviD or as another format and then convert it afterwards (which is usually the best way).
Save the animation as a png or tiff sequence or try a lossless codec like Lagarith, and then use VirtualDub to recode it to 2 pass XviD.

[pentool]

Yes, it is saved out as an image sequence. The question still remains: How do I recode it as 2 pass?

[Shimakaze]

Open it in VirtualDub, Choose 2pass first pass, save AVI, mark "Don't run this job now" and click save, go back into Xvid settings without altering anything else and switch to 2pass second pass, save AVI, mark "don't run this job now" and click save again. click F4 to open the Job Control window and click start.

In other words, you're supposed to encode the same file twice and overwrite the file you created on the first pass on the second. You have to use the same source though so you shouldn't render out the animation twice to do it (you wouldn't want to anyway).

[pentool]

Thanks!

I don't have VirtualDub, but based on the steps, seems like I should be able to reproduce this in VideoPost from within max. It has a queue setup where I can add events.

So I imagine I'd add the first pass, then I add another event after that to specify 2nd pass.

Will try it and see.

[Shimakaze]

http://www.virtualdub.org/

[pentool]

Ok, thanks, downloaded!

So when I save the image sequence as AVI the first time under a name, say, File_a, then when I save it the second time (after specifying 2nd pass), I'm supposed to give it the same file name (File_a) to save it under or a different one?

[Shimakaze]

Yes save it to the same filename. The encoder will read the file you overwrite and update it with the information it calculates on the second pass. You won't be able to play the file until after the second pass though. The first pass is just to calculate how high bitrate is needed at any point in the movie.

[Da_elf]

why not output to tga or jpg or whatever your favorite image sequence is then open it in max's video editor (video post) and use that to recode to 2pass divx. ive mentioned video post many time for people who dont have post editing software but never heard anyone actually decide to use it.

[pentool]

Da_elf, thanks for the tip! However, that is EXACTLY what I was doing. I have the PNG sequence, and I used video post, since don't have a compositing software.

But I could not figure out whether I'm doing it right as far as how to setup the encoder for 2pass. I can do the 1pass.

But for the 2pass (using video post) do I add another event, so the first event will write out Multipass, 1st pass, and the next event will write out Multipass, Nth pass?

Or after writing out the Multipass, 1st pass file, I modify the encoder settings of this same event so that it will re-save it under the same file name, but now using the Multipass, 2nd pass?

[Shimakaze]

You need to modify the encoder setting of the same event and resave it. If you add another event it will do both passes on one frame before proceeding to the next.

[pentool]

Ok, I think I'm good to go on this. Thanks guys for the help!

[DaForce]

You could also load all the saved frames into ram player, then run it thru with divx set to the first pass then again set to the second pass.

The first pass its only required for it to ouput the txt file with all the pass info in it. Then you just run it thru again and it reads the txt file and you get the 2pass divx file your after.

No need to complicate things with video post really.

[Shimakaze]

I'd still recommend VirtualDub personally

[DaForce]

Yeah for sure... love virtualdubmod