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Setting pixel aspect ratio


    It is important to set the pixel aspect ratio for a footage file at its original ratio, not the ratio of the final output. For general information about pixel aspect ratio, see About D1, DV, and various pixel aspect ratio footage.

    Set pixel aspect ratios for footage and compositions with these approximate values:

    Square Pixels

    Uses a 1.0 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 640 x 480 or 648 x 486 frame size.

    D1/DV NTSC

    Uses a 0.9 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 720 x 480 or 720 x 486 frame size, and your desired result is a 4:3 frame aspect ratio.

    D1/DV NTSC Widescreen

    Uses a 1.2 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 720 x 480 or 720 x 486 frame size, and your desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio.

    D1/DV PAL

    Uses a 1.0666 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 720 x 576 frame size, and your desired result is a 4:3 frame aspect ratio.

    D1/DV PAL Widescreen

    Uses a 1.422 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 720 x 576 frame size, and your desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio.

    Anamorphic 2:1

    Uses a 2.0 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage was shot using an anamorphic film lens.

    D4/D16 Standard

    Uses a 0.948 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 1440 x 1024 or 2880 x 2048 frame size, and your desired result is a 4:3 frame aspect ratio.

    D4/D16 Anamorphic

    Uses a 1.896 pixel aspect ratio. Use this setting if your footage has a 1440 x 1024 or 2880 x 2048 frame size, and your desired result is an 8:3 frame aspect ratio.

To set the pixel aspect ratio for imported footage:

  1. Select the footage in the Project window.
  2. Choose File > Interpret Footage > Main.
  3. Select a ratio from the Pixel Aspect Ratio pop-up menu and click OK.
  4. If you are planning to render to the same pixel aspect ratio as your footage, you also need to set the pixel aspect ratio for the composition.

To set the pixel aspect ratio for a composition:

  1. Open the composition.
  2. Choose Composition > Composition Settings.
  3. Select a ratio from the Pixel Aspect Ratio pop-up menu and click OK.
  4. In some circumstances, you may need to work on a monitor that doesn't match the pixel ratio, so that your working view doesn't match the final output. You can correct the pixel aspect for previewing purposes.

To correct pixel aspect distortion (for previewing only):

    With the appropriate composition open, click the arrow above the vertical scroll bar in the Composition window and choose Pixel Aspect Correction.

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