At NAB 2005, FilmLight Ltd., a leading provider of digital filmmaking technology, is giving attendees the first look at new features for Baselight v2.2 – the upcoming software release for its nonlinear colour grading system. Baselight v2.2 brings colourists a host of new creative tools for film and video grading and introduces support for the optional FilmLight developed Blackboard surface control device announced at NAB. The company is also showcasing upcoming features for the Northlight scanner and Truelight colour management system.
Baselight v2.2 Preview
Visitors to FilmLight’s stand will get a chance to test-drive many of the newest creative tools for Baselight v2.2, which include:
- Support for Blackboard. Baselight v2.2 is the first software release to support FilmLight’s innovative surface control system. With Blackboard, Baselight v2.2 can provide one-touch access to frequently used functions and has the flexibility to be reconfigured to suit individual and job preferences.
- Inside/outside grading. Users can opt to grade in, out, or separately on both sides of a matte.
- Six vector. By splitting the colour wheel into six colours, Baselight v2.2 enables artists to define and manipulate specific areas of an image — to shift the hue of one colour to another defined area, reduce the saturation in a particular area, and grade isolated areas of the screen.
- Multi-level trim. Colourists can now use historical markers to track the progress of a grade and compare multiple stages to facilitate client approval.
- 3-D keyer. Baselight leverages FilmLight’s knowledge of 3-D colour space in a brand new 3-D keyer. Based on an all-new algorithm, the 3-D keyer isolates areas in different parts of the colour space and manages them within the same matte strip, allowing colourists to pull mattes through a secondary grade.
- OpenFX plug-in architecture supported. With v2.2 Baselight clients can utilise effects plugins from third-party providers, including The Foundry (Tinder, Furnace, and Keylight) and Photron’s Primatte. The Open FX SDK is an open source standard that can also be adopted by any in-house development team.
- Editing functionality. Baselight v2.2 includes functions such as three point editing, as well as enhanced trim to adjust cut points and slip and roll shots in the timeline. With these tools artists can make late editing adjustments as required.
- Flux. Baselight v2.2 introduces new low-level file system management tools that enable users to easily and efficiently move data around a network without causing performance hits while data is transferred in the background. Facilities experience fewer suite time interruptions and can ingest seamlessly in the background.
Northlight Scanner and Truelight Colour Management System Continue to Advance
At NAB FilmLight is also showing new filtering and control options for Northlight v1.1 its high-quality, pin-registered scanner. Discussions about the forthcoming Northlight v2 will focus on new sensor technology, optics, and electronics, enabling it to provide a 4-6X increase in scanning speed – faster than two frames/second at 2K and 1 frame/second at 4K.
The Truelight colour management system is implemented across all systems in the FilmLight stand. The system of choice for facility-wide colour management, Truelight is experiencing continued momentum including adoption by companies including Rhythm & Hues, Modern VideoFilm, Pacific Title, FotoKem, Animal Logic and others.
FilmLight commercial director, Peter Stothart, noted that the company is the only provider of systems that address workflows incorporating all formats from SD video to 4K film. “Whether they’re working in film or video, facilities need to remain flexible and able to work in the best format for the project at hand. But they don’t want to sacrifice real-time speed and power. We continue to deliver systems that advance at the pace of software, along with the hardware required for efficiency and control. The quick uptake of Baselight, Truelight and Northlight by leading facilities all over the world is great confirmation for us that we’re providing tools that hit the mark.”
Availability and Cost
Baselight, Baselight Four and Baselight Eight systems are currently shipping. System pricing starts at $160,000 USMSRP. Baselight v2.2 is planned for shipment in summer 2005 and is free to customers under maintenance contracts. The Northlight v1.1 scanner is available for USMSRP of $420,000. Northlight v2 availability is planned for the end of 2005. Truelight is currently available. USMSRP is $46,000 for the Truelight HD/SD SDI hardware including calibration, training and PC, and $32,000 for the Truelight HD/SD SDI hardware alone.
Contact – Deepa Parbhoo ([email protected]) +44 20 7292 0400
