 |
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. After Effects reads and writes pixel aspect ratios directly from QuickTime movies. For example, if you import a movie captured as widescreen (16:9 DV), After Effects automatically tags it correctly.
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:
Format | Aspect ratio in pixels | When to use |
|---|---|---|
Square Pixels | 1.0 | Your footage has a 640 x 480 or 648 x 486 frame size. |
D1/DV NTSC | 0.9 | 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 | 1.2 | 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 | 1.0666 | Your footage has a 720 x 576 frame size, and your desired result is a 4:3 frame aspect ratio. |
D1/DV PAL Widescreen | 1.422 | Your footage has a 720 x 576 frame size, and your desired result is a 16:9 frame aspect ratio. |
Anamorphic 2:1 | 2.0 | Your footage was shot using an anamorphic film lens. |
D4/D16 Standard | 0.948 | 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 | 1.896 | 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:
- Select the footage in the Project window.
- Choose File > Interpret Footage > Main.
- Choose a ratio from the Pixel Aspect Ratio pop-up menu and click OK.
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:
- Open the composition.
- Choose Composition > Composition Settings.
- Choose a ratio from the Pixel Aspect Ratio pop-up menu and click OK.
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 Toggle Pixel Aspect Ratio Correction button 
at the bottom of the Composition window.
Related Subtopics: