- Digital Cinema Package Player Software
- Digital Cinema Package Software
- Digital Cinema Package (dcp) Software
DCPs are in higher demand than ever before, but they are also far more accessible than ever. You now have several options for creating a full fledged Digital Cinema Package right from your own computer at a fraction of the cost of a post-house.
It wasn’t too long ago that the price of creating a professional-level Digital Cinema Package (DCP) for a feature film could have easily run more than the cost of your average car. When DCPs first hit the market, there was initially a sort of mystique around them, and only the more technically adept post-production pros had a full understanding of how they functioned.
Here you can precisely calculate the cost of your feature-length DCP.If your DCP is under 45 minutes, use the Shorts Calculator. Be sure to enter the values for resolution, frame rate, audio etc. Exactly as your master file render is, not as they might be when converted to a DCP.For example, if your master file is 16:9 aspect ratio but will end up Flat (1:1.85) in the DCP, enter 16:9 in the. OpenDCP is a cross-platform application to create digital cinema packages. It offers an easy to use GUI or can be scripted via a command line interface. If you find OpenDCP useful, please consider donating to the project. This will help future development.
Fast forward to now, and DCP creation is simpler and more widespread than ever. Just about any working editor has some type of DCPsoftware on their computer, whether they realize it or not. Naturally that’s led many editors to attempt creating DCPs on their own, although doing so is certainly not always the best option.
In many cases, post-houses will still give you the best and most reliable results when it comes to creating DCPs. After all, many facilities create DCPs for their customers day in and day out, which naturally means that their process is streamlined and their results will reflect that.
- Depending on your point of view a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) is either simple or complex: A bunch of files is mapped to numbers, collected and listed in a package and referenced by a playlist. Digital cinema systems will do their best to extract all critical information whenever a user hits Play. Elegant and simple indeed, no rocket science involved.
- Jul 21, 2014 A Digital Cinema Package or DCP is the digital equivalent of a 35mm film print. It is what you give to a commercial theater so that they can screen your movie on a digital ( also known as “D-Cinema”) projector.
But there will always be those filmmakers that want to take the DIY approach, either out of necessity or plain curiosity. If this sounds like you, here are three of the best platforms for creating your own DCPs today.
DaVinci Resolve / easyDCP
easyDCP is one of the single best and most feature-rich DCP platforms out there. The company offers several different product types and bundles, which can cost up to several thousand dollars depending on the options you choose.
While easyDCP does work as a standalone software, it can also work as a plugin within DaVinci Resolve. This allows editors and colorists who are already familiar with the Resolve interface to easily encode DCPs from their own system by paying for the easyDCP license fee. It’s not the cheapest option out there (not even close), but it’s definitely one of the best.
Adobe Media Encoder / Wraptor
Many Adobe users are shocked to find out that it’s actually very possible (and relatively simple) to create a DCP inside of Adobe Media Encoder. The software uses a built-in plugin (called Wraptor, made by Quvis) to convert files into DCPs. Under the right circumstances, it can work very well.
There are some limitations to Wraptor – for instance, it’ll only work properly with Rec. 709 footage, and does a poor job of converting 23.976fps footage (to true 24fps). But the software is free, or at least it’s bundled with Adobe Media Encoder, which makes it a great solution for budget-conscious filmmakers. There is also a “pro” version of Wraptor which will run you $699, and includes some added features such as higher frame rate support and adjustable data rates. It’s also worth noting that the plugin can also be used with Apple Compressor.
CuteDCP
For Adobe users out there who want the ability to export a DCP from Premiere/Media Encoder, but don’t want to go through Wraptor for any reason, there’s another solution – CuteDCP.
CuteDCP is the happy medium in all of this. It offers more control and customization than Wraptor, but doesn’t come with a high price tag like easyDCP. In fact, the software can be purchased for as low as $163, which ultimately makes it one of the best-bang-for-your-buck DCP options. CuteDCP won’t run quite as quickly as Wraptor will, but it does support higher frame rates than the lite version of Wraptor. It also allows you to toggle the XYZ color space conversion on or off, which can be a deciding factor for certain power users.
Final Thoughts
There’s really no substitute for getting a professional DCP created by a dedicated post-house — for now, at least. Much like other finishing services (like color grading or audio mixing), the best results will often be achieved when you leave it to a specialist, even if you have the right software at your disposal.
Still, there are instances where you may need to create your own DCPs, and it’s fantastic to know that there are several very strong options out there to help you in a pinch. If you need a long term solution and money isn’t an issue, easyDCP with Resolve is the way to go. But if you need something more immediate and want to keep costs down, ultimately Wraptor and CuteDCP are two of your best bets.
Have you ever created your own DCP? Have any tips for our readers? Let us know in the comments below!
PRODUCT DISCLOSURE $
The number and variety of 3D software packages on the market is staggering, but many of the top applications in use by commercial film, gaming, and effects studios cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
It's true that most commercial applications offer time-limited free trials or abbreviated learning editions for students and hobbyists. If you're planning to work in the computer graphics industry one day, these are well worth exploring even if you can't afford a full license, because your skills in the commercial packages are what will ultimately land you a job.
However, plenty of free 3D software suites are out there for hobbyists, independent filmmakers who don't have the budget for expensive software, and budget-conscious freelance professionals who have found all the tools and power they need in cost-free solutions like Blender or SketchUp.
Just because the software is free doesn't necessarily make it any less valuable. This list isn't exhaustive. There are dozens of other free 3D tools available beyond those mentioned here. However, these are the strongest of the bunch.
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Blender
What We Like
- Interface vastly improved over early versions.
- Great for video games and animation.
- Nearly on par with expensive professional 3D modeling programs.
What We Don't Like
- Less useful in designing architecture and objects like furniture.
- Heavy use of shortcuts to execute commands can be daunting for new users learning the software.
Blender is easily the most versatile entry on this list, and in many regards, it compares favorably to top digital content creation tools like Cinema 4D, Maya, and 3Ds Max. To this day, it stands as one of the greatest open-source development projects ever conceived.
Blender is full-featured, offering a complete range of modeling, surfacing, sculpting, painting, animation, and rendering tools.
The software is good enough to have produced numerous impressive short films and is in use by several professional studios.
Blender was criticized early on for having a confusing interface, but don't let outdated complaints steer you away. The software was given a thorough overhaul recently and emerged with a fresh interface and a feature set that aims for parity with the best.
While you don't see Blender in any Hollywood effects pipelines where Autodesk and Houdini are deeply ingrained, Blender has steadily carved out a niche in motion graphics and visualization, similar to where Cinema 4D excels.
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Pixologic Sculptris
What We Like
- Makes quick editing easy.
- Excellent tool for learning the art.
- Users can transition to ZBrush without a difficult learning curve.
What We Don't Like
- Rendering can be slow at times.
- Lacks some useful tools and features found in other software.
Sculptris is a digital sculpting application similar to ZBrush or Mudbox, but with an easier learning curve. Because Sculptris uses dynamic tessellation, it is essentially geometry-independent, meaning it is an ideal learning package for someone with few or no modeling skills who wants to try his hand at sculpting. Sculptris was originally developed independently by Tomas Pettersson, but is now owned and maintained by Pixologic as a free counterpart to ZBrush. Sculptris is aimed at beginners. The website offers video tutorials and an assurance that the skills you learn in Sculptris easily translate to ZBrush.
Sculptris was last updated in 2011. Pixologic still allows downloads but warns that as legacy software, it's no longer maintained or supported.
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SketchUp
What We Like
- Great for architectural modeling.
- Large library of models available.
What We Don't Like
- Interface may be a challenge for new users to get used to.
- Importing 3D models created in other programs can sometimes be a problem.
SketchUp is an intuitive and accessible modeler, originally developed by Google and now owned by Trimble. SketchUp excels at practical and architectural design and probably has more in common with a CAD package than traditional surface modelers like Maya and Max.
Like Blender, SketchUp has been amazingly well received and has gradually carved out a niche with professionals in the visualization field due to its ease of use and speed.
The software has little in the way of organic modeling tools, but if your primary interest is in architectural modeling, SketchUp is an excellent starting point. You begin by drawing lines and shapes and then stretch and copy them to make whatever you like. You don't have to draw everything, though. SketchUp offers an enormous library of free 3D models to get you started — search the 3D Warehouse for what you need.
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Wings 3D
What We Like
- Good tool for learning 3D modeling basics.
- Supports many other 3D file formats.
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't offer features beyond the basics.
- No animations.
Wings is a straightforward open-source subdivision surface modeler, which means it has similar modeling capabilities to Maya and Max but none of their other functions.
Because Wings uses traditional (standard) polygon modeling techniques, everything you learn here is applicable in other content-creation packages, making this an ideal starting point for anyone looking to learn how to model for animation, film, and games.
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Tinkercad
What We Like
- Easy-to-learn interface.
- Design tools are online, no software to download.
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't fare well with very complex designs.
- Requires an internet connection.
Tinkercad is an impressive suite of free, lightweight 3D tools offered by Autodesk as an easy entry point into the world of 3D. Autodesk develops five different applications under the Tinkercad banner, including modeling and sculpting apps, an iPad based creature designer, and a tool to assist with fabrication and 3D printing.
Digital Cinema Package Player Software
In a way, Tinkercad is AutoDesk's answer to Sculptris and Sketchup and is meant to interest beginners in 3D without the tremendous learning curve of their Autodesk's flagship applications: CAD, Maya, Max, and Mudbox.
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Daz Studio
Digital Cinema Package Software
What We Like
Digital Cinema Package (dcp) Software
- Includes lots of props and models to use.
- Strong in animation, image, and film creation tasks.
What We Don't Like
- Limited sculpting, modeling, and surfacing tools.
- Easier to create new models in other 3D software and import for use.
Daz Studio is an image creation tool that comes with a wealth of characters, props, creatures, and buildings that you can arrange and animate to create still images or short films. The software is primarily meant for users who want to create 3D images or films without the overhead of creating all their models and textures by hand.
The software's animation and rendering toolset is fairly robust, and in the right hands, users can create impressive shots. However, without a full range of modeling, surfacing, or sculpting tools built in, your content can become limited unless you're willing to buy 3D assets in the Daz marketplace or create them yourself with a third-party modeling package.
Still, it's a great piece of software for people who just want to jump in and create a 3D image or film without a whole lot of overhead.
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Mandelbulb 3D
What We Like
- Create impressive fractal objects and scenes.
- Can play around with formulas to see what you get.
- The website offers downloadable examples to experiment with.
What We Don't Like
- Takes some time to acclimate to this software.
- Interface is overwhelming at first and not as intuitive as other 3D software.
If you're interested in fractals, Mandelbulb 3D should be right up your alley. The application certainly takes some getting used to, but the result is stellar once you know what you're doing. The 3D fractal environment includes color, lighting, specularity, depth-of-field, and shadow and flow effects used to generate amazing fractal objects. If the concept of fractals is Greek to you, visit the featured artists' section of the Mandelbulb website to see the types of things you can do with this software.
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Autodesk Software (Free but Limited)
What We Like
- Free top-tier 3D design software if used only non-commercially.
- Powerful and feature-rich software tools that are industry standards.
What We Don't Like
- Steep learning curve when starting to use these complex software packages.
- Software can have hefty system requirements and be resource intensive.
Autodesk offers virtually its entire software line free for non-commercial use to 'students and community members.' However, you don't have to be enrolled in a school to download them. If you want to work in the industry eventually, knowing Autodesk software is a valuable skill, so this is a highly recommended path. The only limitation is that you can't use any of the software in commercial projects. Among the educational downloads are 3DS Max, Maya, Inventor Professional, and AutoCAD.