CPL as compositions and multiple CPLs

[dcpforever]

Hello. According to what I read in the help section, DoM does not create DCPs with multiple CPLs because “I find it hard to imagine a user interface that allows it without complicating the more common ‘single CPL’ case.”

The other software I've tried where it is possible simply uses the term “composition”, meaning that each CPL is a composition, which includes the video, audio, and subtitles. To create another CPL, you simply duplicate the current composition or create a new one.

It seems simple and quite intuitive to me. Wouldn't that be possible with DCP-o-Matic?

[carl]

I think the question for me is how does the UI look when you create this new composition?

[dcpforever]

Well, in the style of DoM (which I'm not a fan of, I must say), it would simply be a matter of creating a content tab for each composition. And changing the name of the tab accordingly, as “content” would no longer be the most appropriate...

That's the first thing that comes to mind. Wouldn't that be possible?

[dcpforever]

This is the simplest idea. Probably not the best.
A more sophisticated approach would be to have a project or media content window, and a timeline where you can build or modify compositions. A functional timeline with editable image, audio, and subtitle layers. And each timeline or composition would correspond to a CPL.

But I don't know if this falls within the scope of future improvements for DoM.

[StephW999]

Yes, but if it makes DOM less user-friendly, I don't see the point.
It already offers the possibility to create version files, and if you want a merged package, it also offers the "combiner" GUI.
What else?!
I think DOM should keep it his simple interface. I understand you prefer a tool like EasyDCP Creator, but DOM can create a DCP from any video. (mpeg2 4:2:0.... ProRes444) easily and quickly

[dcpforever]

I don't think DoM's UI is user-friendly right now, to be honest. Maybe it's because I'm not a regular user. I don't like EasyDCP Creator either; it's not very intuitive and is too engineer-oriented and rigid.
When I need to make DCPs, I always do it from Resolve, because I don't need to export an intermediate file, and I can incorporate any last-minute changes into the timeline. And it's fast without losing quality.
Resolve is like a Swiss Army knife, but the problem is that Resolve doesn't have all the options needed to pass a precise quality control. And that's where my interest in DoM comes in. And it's not just me, I'm sure there are other people in my situation.
But I'm afraid I'm in the minority in this forum.

[carl]

Well, in the style of DoM (which I'm not a fan of, I must say), it would simply be a matter of creating a content tab for each composition. And changing the name of the tab accordingly, as “content” would no longer be the most appropriate...

It's an interesting idea, and maybe it's enough. Though it presumes that everything in the DCP tab could be shared between compositions (e.g. markers, metadata). I could imagine, for example, a VF cutting something from the OV and then needing a new set of markers.

[carl]

I don't think DoM's UI is user-friendly right now, to be honest.

Have you any suggestions on how to improve it? What's the first, most obvious thing that you find unfriendly?

but the problem is that Resolve doesn't have all the options needed to pass a precise quality control. And that's where my interest in DoM comes in. And it's not just me, I'm sure there are other people in my situation.

I think there are a lot of people who come to DoM after making a DCP with Resolve. But then, every UI is much easier to use and improve if there are fewer options... maybe Resolve's secret is just not to offer the options that people need I guess there's that, and also employing UX designers rather than getting a programmer to do it.

But I'm afraid I'm in the minority in this forum.

Don't worry about being in the minority! The forum user base will always tend to select those who find DCP-o-matic pleasant to use. I'm very interested in hearing from people who find it hard or unfriendly! (because then maybe we can make it better).

[IoannisSyrogiannis]

(While taking hours to write this very long comment, Carl also answered. So, I deleted most of what I wrote.)
The acronym of CPL stands for Composition PlayList. So, you may consider those the terms interchangeable.
The ability to make DCPs with multiple CPLs is available, by creating your OV, the number of VFs that you intend to and then use the so called "DCP-o-matic Combiner". That was covered on the other thread. Is the user interface you are after more like the one of CuteDCPTools?

My view of DaVinci Resolve Studio by making a DCP with Kakadu (or export j2c images with Kakadu that would be packaged by DCP-o-matic into a DCP, when I used the non-Studio version) came long after I was accustomed to the way DCP-o-matic works. You see the catch here.
Yet, I have to say that the fact that there is no signing, no encryption and the tool to create a proper Content Title Text is obscure and hard to manage with no previous knowledge, does not count in favor of calling it intuitive.
I really like the slope rate control option on creating a DCP, but the documentation is extremely poor and there is practically no way to confidently fill that box, unless you make a paper on it. (I would be grateful to anyone for pointing me to the right direction and proving me wrong.)

In any case, my two cents are that -for the time being- you would do well to dedicate some time and familiarize yourself with the ways DCP-o-matic is working. Otherwise, if you always make DCPs with Resolve, it would be harder to share what are the exact features you would look forward to on DCP-o-matic.

[dcpforever]

Have you any suggestions on how to improve it? What's the first, most obvious thing that you find unfriendly?

I don't know if the word is “unfriendly,” but for example:
-Having to go to preferences to indicate where to save a project. I always create a project in its corresponding work folder on the data disk (never on the system disk). I like to be organized. At the same time, when creating the DCP, it creates it within that folder, which I dislike because I prefer to render to another disk. I would like to have the option of choosing where to save the DCP.
EDIT: I just realized, by chance, that “Create in folder” is a field where you can click and select a destination folder... it's missing something to indicate that it's selectable, such as a folder icon or three dots... That omission led me to think that it can only be changed in preferences.
-The lack of a visible button to create the DCP. I have been using Premiere, AE, and Resolve for a long time, and to export a file, there is a button to start the process. The first time I used DoM, I couldn't find the button, no matter how hard I looked. I thought I was doing something wrong when I couldn't find it, until I read the manual and understood that it was in a menu.
- The program window. When I spend hours using a program, I like to have it in full screen mode. If it's only for a short time, I like it as a window, not full screen. However, DoM always opens in full screen mode, and when I switch it to window mode, it always opens in a ridiculously small window. It's not important of course, but it is annoying.

On the other hand, when I say that I always use Resolve to create the DCP, it's because in my job as an online editor, I'm responsible for finalizing the project and creating the deliveries. Generally, the color grading is finished in Resolve, and I don't create an intermediate file. Instead, I use the same color project to prepare the final exports, including the DCP, if the project allows it. This allows me to make last-minute changes without wasting time on intermediate renders, which, apart from the time consumed, also require a lot of storage space. I'm talking about feature films. The DCP created with Resolve is totally satisfactory in terms of speed and image quality, but the problem with Resolve is that it is not fully RDD52 compliant and does not pass the QC of many distributors.
In addition, there are always several preview screenings, and I need tools to modify the DCPs, for example, to change the soundtrack, correct a shot after the fact, add subtitles, add headers or festival awards, correct the end credits, etc. A tool that allows me to do that without having to generate a complete DCP would be an ideal solution.

Thank you for allowing me to explain.