This guide explains how to use AAF Export Templates to bridge the gap between your raw footage and a structured Avid Media Composer bin. By leveraging Limecraft Edge and Workspace, you can automate metadata tagging, colour coding, and sequence building.
When your ingest-to-edit workflow is defined and AAF Export Templates are configured, you can export clips, collections, or precuts with a single click. Upon import into your Avid project bin, these translate instantly into a structured, highly visual set of clips and automatically generated sequences.
1. Offload and Ingest with Limecraft Edge
To ensure a seamless round-trip to Avid, the process must begin with Limecraft Edge. This stage is critical for re-linking your AAF data to the high-resolution media later.
Tracking Storage: Edge records the exact location of original master clips and edit proxies (DNx).
Metadata Capture: It extracts native metadata from audio/video files and allows for project-specific custom logging.
Automated Grouping: Using timecode, Edge automatically merges audio and video. Multi-cam content is structured into Group Clips immediately.
2. Enrich and Collaborate in Limecraft Workspace
Once ingested, your media is available in the Limecraft Workspace for cloud-based collaboration. You can prepare your edit without ever opening an NLE:
Transcription & Logging: Automatically turn audio into text and add searchable logs or review comments.
On-Set Sync: Integrate with tools like Lockit Network to pull script and scene data directly onto your clips.
Precut: Use the collection builder to create a precut. Or highlight transcript text or logs to create a paper edit (storyboard) directly in your browser.
3. Exporting to Avid via AAF Templates
The final step translates your cloud-based collaboration into a structured Avid Bin. By using AAF Export Templates, you move more than just files; you transfer the intelligence gathered during production.
Structured Import: Your clips arrive in Avid Media Composer within a pre-defined folder structure, eliminating manual sorting.
Automatic Colour Coding: The template uses your metadata (e.g., "Circled Take" or "Director's Favourite") to automatically apply specific colours to clips in the bin. You can also colour-code markers and sequences, ensuring visual consistency across all your projects.
Automated Sequence Building: Generate sequences automatically based on your template configuration. For example, you can instantly export a sequence containing only "Circled takes" or use your pre-cut collections from the Limecraft Workspace to reconstruct sequences and subclips on the Avid timeline.
AAF Export Template for sequences:
Bin in Avid Media Composer:
